Shearwater Research Peregrine Dive Computer - Classic Black

Product Information

They essentially allow the user to alter the algorithm and change the acceptable levels of tissue load, and select different levels of algorithm conservatism. The Galileo HUD is different from what many scuba divers are used to. Instead of attaching to your wrist or gauges like most other computers, HUD connects to your mask. With a small screen that sits in the corner of your view, the HUD gives you a heads-up display so that you can monitor your depth and decompression at a glance without using your hands. Intuitive navigation with a 2-button system. It’s simple to change % nitrox or anything else you might need to look at. The Shearwater Peregrine uses a USB charging pad that’s included in the box. It works super well and charging the dive computer doesn’t take long at all. Of course, even if you accidentally go into decompression on a recreational dive, it will give you accurate information on how to handle your decompression safely.

Having reviewed a large number of dive computers, one noticeable feature of the Peregrine is the automatic altitude adjustment. Usually, this needs to be altered manually by divers using different altitude ranges. The Peregrine monitors the surface pressure and sets it to the lowest pressure seen in the 10 minutes prior to beginning a dive. Battery life per charge is up to about 30 hours on medium brightness level. USB wireless charging station is included. That’s where the Peregrine dive computer comes in, with a very keen price point. It is still a very-capable decompression computer, with four diving modes – straightforward air mode, single nitrox (up to 40 percent), three-gas switchable nitrox (up to 100 percent) and gauge for the techies. This means it can still easily deal with entry-level technical diving, and beyond – in gauge mode – if necessary. Both have good app support, and which one you prefer is very subjective, but the Shearwater Peregrine has the bigger integrated dive log. All of the relevant information is right there in front of you – depth, dive time, the active gas, your max depth, time, water temperature, your NDl and tissue loading, and then your safety stop. As with my Perdix, it is extremely clear to read underwater, even when it is gloomy, and in fact, my buddy could read it from a few metres away!

You can reasonably expect your Peregrine to last for years. Shearwater computers are built tough and have a longstanding reputation for excellent firmware updates. I personally use the Shearwater Perdix AI, which I’ve had since 2017 (and love!). It still gets routine firmware updates now, years after it came out, even though it was superseded by the Perdix 2 in 2022.

In addition, the vibration alarms are not turned on by default, instead requiring the diver to turn them on manually. After your dive you can scroll through your logbook records. I don’t really log dives but the Peregrine lays out the information very well.

What's so special about the Shearwater Peregrine?

The Peregrine is an advanced dive computer for recreational divers looking for Nitrox support and reliable Shearwater quality. So why have I gone from a Suunto D9Tx, a watch-sized dive computer, to a Perdix, an oversized unit? The Peregrine has so many nice little user-friendly features that other companies, frankly, fail at. So what is the major difference between the Perdix AI and the Peregrine dive computer? Well, other than the aforementioned tech diving features, the big two are no compass, and no air integration. But look at that price. If you want air integration and a compass, as well as the additional tech options, go for the Perdix AI – or the Teric – but if these two features are not vital to you, then the Peregrine dive computer makes a solid choice.

The computer is based on the Buhlmann ZHL-16C: the industry-standard algorithm, proven and refined over decades to offer the safest possible approach to decompression today. Shearwater recommends a general service of your dive computer every 2 years by an authorized service center.With that set to the least conservative setting, it allowed a no-stop dive while the Shearwater called for 17 minutes of decompression.

The Shearwater Peregrine is still very much a high-specification computer with a full colour 2.2" LCD display, support for air, single gas nitrox and a more advanced multi-gas nitrox dive mode, full decompression planning and support, Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging of the lithium-ion battery that provides up to 30 hours of dive time on medium brightness. Divers can incorporate decompression stops and durations which differ from the original model to accommodate their dive plan better. Most people, of course, just want to know whether the Peregrine will be a safe and reliable buddy during ‘normal’ dives for years to come. If you want a smartwatch, the extensive Garmin app ecosystem, and a superb wristwatch-style dive computer, go for the Descent G1 or something similar.If you set up for three-mix nitrox diving, using air as your bottom mix and switching to higher oxygen percentages (up to 100% O2 for the two deco gases) for stops, the manual warns that you’ll incur lots of extra deco if you don’t switch We’ve chosen to consider the Peregine against the i300c because both are marketed as entry-level computers, however, both offer functionalities that you simply don’t get with a Suunto Zoop, for example. It is rated at 30 hours, although I found it to be a little less when diving in our lakes. This could also be due to the cold water below 10°C which we have at depth here, so your mileage will vary.