The Garmin Descent Mk2i and the Shearwater Teric are two popular dive computers that cater to the needs of both recreational and technical diving. While they share some common features and serve the same fundamental purpose of helping divers monitor and manage their underwater experiences, they also exhibit notable differences in terms of design, functionality, and pricing. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll explore the similarities and differences between these two dive computers.

Design and Build Quality:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i and Shearwater Teric have distinct design aesthetics and build qualities.

The Descent Mk2i features a sleek, modern design with a color display that's easy to read in various lighting conditions. It comes with a titanium bezel and a robust silicone or titanium strap. The screen is made of sapphire which is one of the most scratch resistant materials on earth. The overall build quality is sturdy, making it suitable for a range of diving environments.

In contrast, the Shearwater Teric has a more compact and rugged design. It is known for its robust build quality and durability. The Teric features a stainless steel bezel unlike the garmin but does also come built in with a sapphire window.

Display:

Both dive computers offer vibrant displays, but they differ in terms of size and technology.

The Garmin Descent Mk2i boasts a larger, full-color touchscreen display with a higher resolution, making it easier to view dive data and interact with the interface. The touchscreen allows for intuitive navigation through menus and settings, even when wearing dive gloves. The display uses a sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel display, sometimes known as a transflective liquid-crystal display which is unique to this computer.

On the other hand, the Shearwater Teric features a smaller color OLED display that may not be as spacious as the Descent's screen. However, the OLED technology provides excellent visibility in various lighting conditions, including low-light and night dives. Definitely much brighter than the Mk2i underwater and away from direct sunlight.

Dive Modes:

Both dive computers offer a variety of dive modes to accommodate different diving styles:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i supports modes for recreational diving, technical diving, freediving, and even watch mode for everyday wear. It also features air integration, allowing it to monitor tank pressure when used with their sonar powered T1 transmitter. It can handle multiple gas mixes, making it suitable for technical divers.

The Shearwater Teric is designed primarily for technical divers, and it offers a range of technical diving modes, including Trimix and CCR (Closed-Circuit Rebreather) mode. It also has a freediving mode for those who enjoy breath-hold diving. The Teric can handle multiple gas mixes and provides detailed decompression information.

Connectivity and Integration:

Both dive computers offer connectivity options, but they differ in terms of compatibility and features.

The Garmin Descent Mk2i is known for its extensive connectivity features. It can sync with the Garmin Connect app, allowing divers to review and share dive logs, as well as access additional fitness and wellness features.

The Shearwater Teric, while less focused on smartwatch features, offers Bluetooth connectivity to Shearwater Cloud. This allows divers to download and analyze dive logs on their mobile devices or computers. Additionally, the Teric can connect to third-party transmitters for tank pressure monitoring, expanding its versatility.

Battery Life:

Battery life is a crucial consideration for dive computers, especially for long dives or dive trips. Here's how the two devices compare:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i offers impressive battery life for everyday use, with up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 80 hours in dive mode. This extended battery life is particularly beneficial for divers who may use it as a daily wearable.

The Shearwater Teric, while not as long-lasting in smartwatch mode, still provides ample battery life for diving. It can last up to 50 hours in dive mode, making it suitable for extended technical dives or dive trips.

Price Point:

Price is a significant factor for many divers when choosing between these two dive computers. Generally, the Garmin Descent Mk2i tends to be more expensive than the Shearwater Teric due to its additional smartwatch and fitness features. The Shearwater Teric is often considered a more budget-friendly option for divers looking for advanced technical capabilities without the extra smartwatch features.

User Interface and Navigation:

The user interface and navigation methods of these dive computers differ.

The Garmin Descent Mk2i utilizes a touchscreen interface, making it intuitive and easy to navigate through menus and settings, even underwater. It also has physical buttons for divers who prefer tactile controls.

The Shearwater Teric relies on a button-based interface. While it may take a bit more practice to navigate for some users, it offers precise control and tactile feedback, which can be advantageous in cold-water diving conditions or when wearing thick gloves.

Customization and Personalization:

Both dive computers allow for customization to meet individual preferences:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i offers various watch faces and data field configurations, allowing divers to personalize their display. It also supports Connect IQ, which allows users to install additional apps and widgets to enhance its functionality.

The Shearwater Teric offers customizable screens, enabling users to choose the data they want to see during a dive. It allows for the creation of custom presets tailored to specific dive scenarios. The one advantage the Teric has to the Garmin is the customization while in dive mode while garmin has little to no visual personalization in dive mode.

Durability and Resistance:

Both dive computers are designed to withstand the rigors of diving, but the Shearwater Teric is renowned for its ruggedness:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i is rated to a water resistance of 100 meters (330 feet), which is suitable for recreational and most technical diving situations.

The Shearwater Teric boasts a water resistance rating of 200 meters (660 feet), making it more robust for extreme diving conditions. It's often favored by technical divers who dive deeper or in challenging environments.

Additional Features:

Apart from core dive functions, both dive computers offer some unique features:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i includes various smartwatch features like GPS navigation, heart rate monitoring, fitness tracking, and even music storage and playback. It serves as a versatile outdoor watch in addition to being a dive computer. While the Garmin can do most of what the Teric does (except for very technical features), there are hundreds of non dive related functions that you can only get with a Garmin computer.

Algorithm and Decompression Model:

Both dive computers use algorithms to calculate no-decompression limits and dive profiles:

The Garmin Descent Mk2i employs the Bühlmann ZHL-16c algorithm, a popular choice among dive computers. It provides reliable decompression calculations for recreational and technical diving.

The Shearwater Teric uses the Shearwater Bühlmann ZHL-16c gradient factor algorithm which allows you to modify the M-value equations and is known for its conservatism. Technical divers appreciate the flexibility and customization options this algorithm provides for complex dives.

Support and Community:

Garmin has a widespread user community, and their support infrastructure is readily accessible. Garmin's products often have extensive online resources and customer support channels.

Shearwater Research also has a dedicated user community and provides excellent customer support for its products. They are known for their responsiveness to user feedback and concerns.

Conclusion:

Both the Garmin Descent Mk2i and the Shearwater Teric are excellent dive computers with unique features and capabilities. The choice between them depends on your specific diving needs and preferences.

If you value a versatile smartwatch with fitness features and a large, easy-to-read display, the Garmin Descent Mk2i may be the better choice. It's suitable for both recreational and technical divers who want a multi-purpose device. If you plan to use it as a daily watch then the Garmin is the clear winner due to its long battery life and smartwatch options (garmin pay, find my phone, podcast downloads, you can even figure out the local surf by using your gps). If you prefer something more specific for diving that is futureproof, the Teric is definitely the winner.

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