FAQ ABOUT DIVE COMPUTERS
Shearwater offers a wide array of computer models tailored to the requirements of different styles of diving and the preferences of different divers. They publish this Shearwater Dive Computer Comparison chart PDF that compares and contrasts the differences in features and functionality.
Open circuit sport and advanced nitrox divers should consider the Peregrine and Tern models. Technical divers needing full mixed gas and/or closed-circuit capabilities should consider the Teric and Perdix models. The Petrel is Shearwater's most feature rich expedition grade model with the largest display. AMOLED displays are the most readable underwater, while Backlit LCD displays offer the best value. The NERD is a unique heads-up display model often seen in rebreather applications.
The Garmin dive computers sold by Dive Gear Express support English by default and include a language pack that also supports: Български (Bulgaria), Čeština (Czech), Dansk (Danish), Deutsch (German), Eesti (Estonian), Eλληνικά (Greek), Español (Spanish), Français (French), Hrvatski (Croatian), Italiano (Italian), Latviešu (Latvian), Lietuvių (Lithuanian), Magyar(Hungarian), Nederlands (Netherlands), Norsk (Norwegian), Polski (Polish), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian - East Slavic), Română (Romanian), Slovenčina (West Slavic), Slovenščina (South Slavic), Suomi (Finnish), Svenska (Swedish), Türkçe (Turkish), and Yĸpaïaϲbĸa (Ukrainian).
All Garmin watches always support English, but have two different firmware versions that in turn each supports a specific language pack software download. The firmware version of the watch depends on the country of the authorized retailer: Asian Pacific (APAC) that supports the CJK ideographic character sets OR Rest of the World (RoW). The firmware between the APAC and RoW versions is different, so changing the language is not just a matter of downloading a different language pack. The Descent models sold by Dive Gear Express are the RoW version, not the APAC version, and do not support Chinese, Japanese or Korean languages.
The original Shearwater Peregrine was announced in July 2020. In May 2023, Shearwater announced the Adventures Edition Peregrine in both "Light" and "Dark" versions that differ only in cosmetic styling from the "Original" edition. In May 2024, Shearwater introduced the "TX" edition of the Peregrine which supports integration with the SWIFT tank pressure transmitter, also called wireless 'air integration' (AI) and also includes an electronic compass. While the TX edition does support AI and compass, the earlier lower priced editions do NOT and can not be later upgraded.
The Shearwater dive computers sold by Dive Gear Express support English by default and also include language support for: Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
The short answer is you do NOT need the upgrade.
VPM or DCIEM are additional decompression models available on some Shearwater dive computers as an optional alternative to the default Bühlmann GF gas content model used by all Shearwater dive computers (and most other dive computers) to compute no-decompression limits and decompression schedules for dives. For recreational diving, there is no expert consensus that VPM or DCIEM is better than Bühlmann. If you don't understand the differences and why you would choose one or the other, Dive Gear Express and Shearwater recommends sticking with the factory default of Bühlmann 30/70.
Avelo Mode allows a Recreational Avelo Diver using the Avelo Dive System equipment to gain easy visibility of their Avelo dive data and ensure accurate gas time remaining on the Teric dive computer when also paired with a SWIFT transmitter.
There are a variety of aftermarket frames, covers and bull-bars for dive computers that are available on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and even at some dive retailers. Although these aftermarket accessories may enhance the cosmetic appearance of the device, in our experience they do not provide any significant additional protection. Dive computer manufacturers may not warrant their devices when used with the untested aftermarket covers as they have been known to obstruct, obscure or even damage the computer functions. There are also aftermarket 3D printed mounts for dive computers, again untested with the possibility of causing malfunction or even the loss of a device.
We have consulted with the manufacturers of the dive computers we sell and learned they express disdain for these aftermarket products. Our dive computer manufacturers tell us that they have delivered the best possible product and appropriate accessories after extensive research and development. The fact is, the addition of these aftermarket products cause more problems than any dubious benefits they may provide. Thus Dive Gear Express, as a respected major retailer for all the dive computers we carry, does not recommend or sell unapproved aftermarket dive computer accessories for this critical piece of life support equipment.