You’re here to evaluate your options for the best air integrated dive computers on the market.
Maybe you’re looking to upgrade your current dive computer.
Or you’ve recently discovered the concept of air integration and want to know a little more.
You’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best air integrated dive computers.
For a quick answer, the Shearwater Teric is going to be the best option for technical divers whilst the Garmin Descent Mk2i is the most versatile, as it offers fitness tracking and smartwatch capabilities too.
And if you’re not too familiar with the concept of air integration, we’ll also be talking you through how it works, the key features of an air-integrated computer, and whether it’s worth getting one!
Based on our research, here’s a quick comparison of the best air integrated dive computers:
Table of Contents
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Our Top Pick
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Another Great Pick
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For Beginners - Watch
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Best for Tech Divers
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Beginners - Big Screen
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$1,170.00
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$1,299.99
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$1,099.95
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N/A
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$1,099.95
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At OtterAquatics, our ultimate goal is to help give you the best scuba diving experience possible.
We’ve assembled a team of PADI, SSI, and Molchanovs instructors to get their hands wet and test our recommendations firsthand.
How We Pick
In order to create our best lists, the OtterAquatics team starts off by researching the product landscape for a particular category, listing out all of the highest-rated choices.
We then get our hands on all the products by either purchasing them, getting them sent to us by the manufacturer, or coming in contact with it on one of the various diving boats we work on.
Next, we identify 3-5 products per category that are distinct best choices for different scenarios. For example, on a list, we may suggest budget, luxury, and expert-level products.
How We Review
The OtterAquatics team reviews the products on our lists by taking them out on dives and seeing how they perform in different environments. We place the products in the hands of students and instructors in order to gather feedback. We collect all of this experience and share it with you.
Our Team of Writers
Want to learn more about who our writers are? Head over to the OtterAquatics About Page.
At OtterAquatics, our ultimate goal is to help give you the best scuba diving experience possible.
We’ve assembled a team of PADI, SSI, and Molchanovs instructors to get their hands wet and test our recommendations firsthand.
How We Pick
In order to create our best lists, the OtterAquatics team starts off by researching the product landscape for a particular category, listing out all of the highest-rated choices.
We then get our hands on all the products by either purchasing them, getting them sent to us by the manufacturer, or coming in contact with it on one of the various diving boats we work on.
Next, we identify 3-5 products per category that are distinct best choices for different scenarios. For example, on a list, we may suggest budget, luxury, and expert-level products.
How We Review
The OtterAquatics team reviews the products on our lists by taking them out on dives and seeing how they perform in different environments. We place the products in the hands of students and instructors in order to gather feedback. We collect all of this experience and share it with you.
Our Team of Writers
Want to learn more about who our writers are? Head over to the OtterAquatics About Page.
Best Air Integrated Dive Computers
Shearwater Teric
- Full Color Display, High Resolution
- 15 color options available
- Intuitive settings + easy to read display
- Switchable audible and vibration alerts
- Supports open-circuit, fixed
- PO2, gauge, and freediving modes
- Can be worn as a regular watch
- Simple yet stylish design
- Lightweight
- 2 transmitter connectivity
- Rechargable battery
- High price
- No transmitter included
The Shearwater Teric is our pick for the best air integrated dive computer.
Though it’s made by a company renowned for its technical diving gear, the Shearwater Teric combines all the functionality needed for technical divers with a simple design, sleek enough to be worn every day by a recreational diver.
This Shearwater dive computer has technical diving features like 2 transmitter connectivity, configurable audible and haptic alerts and nitrox, trimix, and rebreather capabilities.
This Shearwater dive computer has technical diving features like 2 transmitter connectivity, configurable audible and haptic alerts and nitrox, trimix, and rebreather capabilities.
The display is clear, bright, and simple to navigate. It is fitted with Bluetooth Smart technology, making connecting with your phone app easier than ever.
The battery is user rechargeable and it also features a 3D, tilt-compensated compass.
The internet is flooded with fantastic reviews of the Shearwater Teric and it’s easy to see why – everything about it is slick, clever, and oh-so functional.
The only downside we can see is the price – over $1000 without the transmitters, it is definitely at the luxury end of the market.
Product Specs:
- Buttons: Four
- Algorithm: Buhlmann GF ZHL – 16C
- Display: Color AMOLED
- Modes: Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Freedive, Trimix, CCR
- Alarms: Switchable audible and vibration alerts
- Battery Life: 30 hours in dive mode and rechargeable
Garmin Descent Mk2
- Dive modes: nitrox, trimix, gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and CCR
- Features Garmin Pay™, music
- Reviewable dives using the Garmin dive app
- Premium materials & quality build
- Customizable dive modes
- Extremely comfortable
- Can be worn as an everyday watch
- Lightweight & sleek design
- Premium multi-activity smartwatch + dive computer
- No transmitter included
- Very pricey option
Released in November 2020, the Garmin Descent Mk2i is the dive computer of the future.
Though Garmin are relative newbies in the diving world, they have launched themselves onto the scene with a bang by creating some of the best computers on the market.
The Mk2i builds on the success of the Garmin Descent Mk2 and takes on board all the feedback from expert divers. The air integration offered by the Mk2i is cutting-edge.
Whilst most computers use a traditional VHF radio frequency to pair the computer and transmitter, Garmin has developed brand-new proprietary technology that uses sonar.
This allows the signal to travel much further – up to 10m – and connect to up to five transmitters. With huge potential applications, this new technology could potentially revolutionize the way we dive, and learn to dive, in the future.
Oh, the Garmin Descent Mk2i also functions as a top-tier Garmin fitness tracker and smartwatch – versatile is certainly the word.
The only downside? The cost. At £1,399 not including the transmitter, this model will be too expensive for many divers
Product Specs:
- Buttons: Five
- Algorithm: Buhlmann GF ZHL – 16C
- Display:1.4” color sunlight-readable display
- Modes: Nitrox, trimix, gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and CCR
- Alarms: Haptic feedback alarm
- Battery Life: Rechargable battery 80 hours in dive mode
SUUNTO D6i Novo
- 5 Modes including freediving
- Gas-switching between up to 3 gases
- 3D compass, optional wireless air integration
- Battery life approx. 2 years
- Extremely durable Zulu strap
- Compact stylish design
- Can be worn as a regular watch
- Super simple to use
- You need to keep the sensor dry post dive
The Suunto D6i is an air integrated diving computer aimed at both recreational and advanced divers.
It is small and stylish and the sleek watch design can be worn all day.
It has a long battery life, though it can’t be recharged or changed by the user.
It features a tilt-compensated compass, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal display, and can be configured for up to three nitrox mixes.
Product Specs:
- Buttons: Four
- Algorithm: Suunto RGBM
- Display: Black and grey
- Modes: Air, nitrox, gauge, free and off
- Alarms: Apnea timer, and a timer in air/nitrox modes
- Battery Life: Non-rech 2 years (100 dives/year)
Shearwater Research Perdix-AI
- Sleek sophisticated design
- High resolution display
- Thin low profile design
- Customisable display
- Multiple Language options
- 5 open-circuit gas switch presets
- Log book of 1000 hours plus
- Simple to navigate
- Bluetooth for uploading dive logs
- Also available with transmitter included
- Looks very pro!
- A little on the pricey side
- Not a small dive computer
The Shearwater Perdix is perhaps the most famous air integrated Shearwater dive computer, and the Teric’s technical big brother.
Aimed at technical divers, the Shearwater Perdix is a larger design, incompatible with everyday use. It is fully technically capable – coping with CCRs, trimix, and multiple mixes with ease and featuring Bluetooth connectivity and a 3D compass. Uniquely, it is powered by AA batteries which are easily user-replaceable.
Again, one of the only downsides of the Shearwater Perdix is the price – around $1000 without the transmitters.
Product Specs:
- Buttons: Touch screen
- Algorithm:Bühlmann ZHL-16C
- Display: Large full color screen
- Modes: Open-circuit and closed-circuit Air, Nitrox and Trimix mixed gas functionality
- Alarms: Audio and Vibration
- Battery Life: Depends, works on AA size battery
SUUNTO EON Steel
- Best beginner computer on the market
- Used by most dive centers when teaching
- 4 different dive modes
- Exceptionally long-lasting
- Simple navigation menu
- High contrast display
- Not very pretty to look at
- Buttons can feel hard to press
- Bulky
If you’re looking for the ultimate dive computer for beginners, you simply can’t go wrong with the Suunto Zoop Novo.
The Suunto Zoop features a large, high contrast display that is easy to read even in the low light. And the exceptionally rugged design will undoubtedly last you several years, if not more.
What’s more, is that the 4 buttons actually make navigation much quicker. You can easily go back and forth as needed without having to waste time scrolling all the way through as you would on a 1 button model.
Plus with adjustable safety settings, programmable alarms and 4 different dive modes this dive computer has everything a recreational diver needs and more.
Product Specs:
- Buttons: 3
- Algorithm: Suunto Fused™ RGBM 2 and Bühlmann 16 GF
- Display: High contrast screen
- Modes: Open-circuit and closed-circuit Air, Nitrox and Trimix mixed gas functionality
- Alarms: Audio and Vibration
- Battery Life: Depends, works on AA size battery
What Is An Air Integrated Dive Computer?
Ok, first things first.
If you’re relatively new to scuba diving, you might be wondering…
What on earth is an air integrated dive computer?!
Well, an air integrated dive computer can display tank information in addition to your depth and bottom time.
Just by gazing at your wrist, you can monitor information like remaining
bottom time, current PSI reading, and how much time you have left on the current tank.
It eliminates the need for a cumbersome SPG high-pressure hose. This can be a blessing, especially when you are in bulky equipment like drysuits.
How Do They Work?
Wireless air integrated dive computers come in two parts. The first is the standard dive computer display, most of which are the standard wrist-mounted design. The second part is the air transmitter.
The air transmitter screws into the first stage of your regulator. It allows wireless air integration by either Bluetooth or radiofrequency, to the dive computer. This sends real-time data from your tank to your dive computer.
While most models only need to be paired once, some Suunto air integrated dive computers may require re-pairing if there is someone on the same boat using a similar model.
But… Do I Need One?
So now you know what it is, you might be wondering:
Is an air integrated dive computer worth it?
Buying a dive computer is a very personal choice. If you are a brand new diver or you’re looking for a budget dive computer, it might be best to leave the air integration for another day.
If you are looking for a high-end dive computer that will give you the ease of use and streamlining of equipment, it sounds like an air integrated dive computer might be ideal for you!
We’ve put together a few factors to consider, so you can buy the best air integrated dive computer for you.
Pros And Cons of Air Ingtegrated Dive Computers
Ok, so there are upsides and downsides of an air integrated dive computer. We thought we’d help you out by compiling a handy little table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dive computers need air integration?
The short answer to this question is “No”!
Many standard dive computers come without air integration.
Generally you will find the more expensive models are air integrated and will give you useful information such as how much longer you may stay underwater at the present situation of depth, respiratory rate, etc
Many diver opt to use the normal pressure gauge fitted to the regs and do a little maths in their head underwater for the same information.
In the end it’s all down to your individual needs and personal preference. Also whether or not you are will to fork out the extra money.
What does air integration mean?
Air integration is the latest technology used by divers to check the air pressure left in the tank with a quick glance at their dive computer.
A transmitter is attached to the regulator set and then wirelessly transmits data to the dive computer.
You have access to important information right away including your tank pressure and info on the time remaining on any specific dive.
Do air integrated computers have a compass?
As previously mention most dive computers that come with air integration are usually the more expensive models, therefore will come with a digital compass to help you navigate underwater.
Conclusion
Air integrated dive computers are still relatively new technology. They do, however, represent a new age of efficient scuba diving – work smarter, not harder.
These products represent the very best air integrated dive computers on the market and any of them would be a great addition to your diving arsenal, making your life easier and keeping you safe. We’d also recommend checking out our newest review on the Suunto D4i Novo.
Happy bubbles!
