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For a diver, a dive computer can be many things. First and foremost, it’s a life-saver, as it tracks the time a diver has spent underwater and makes sure they can ascend safely. It’s a powerful tool that helps advanced technical divers use gas mixes to their full effect. And for many divers, it’s a statement. It’s one of the only pieces of dive equipment that you’ll wear outside of a dive. It’s a marker of identity and a reminder of the aquatic world that captures all divers’ hearts. For many, a Shearwater Research dive computer gives them function without sacrificing style.
But for some, their love of diving and their need for a high-tech computer that can handle any underwater situation intertwine. For divers like these, there’s the Teric. The Teric is a Shearwater Research dive computer that tries to combine form and function into a superior product.
Shearwater Research Dive Computer: The Teric
Shearwater Research advertises the Teric as their most versatile dive computer. As the only product on its line that doubles as a wearable watch outside of diving, the Teric combines technical capabilities with a streamlined design. Unlike many other watch-style computers, the Shearwater Research Teric includes air integration and modes for multiple air mixes. Because of its hybrid style, the Teric is intended to provide a high-tech diving experience without the bulk and inconvenience of larger technical dive computers. It is an entry point to technical dive computers for the recreational diver, that doesn’t sacrifice either style or comfort.
Why It Stands Out
The Teric is a watch-style dive computer, which is a departure from form for a Shearwater Research dive computer. It has a low profile and a circular display, allowing a diver to wear it both in and out of the water. In pursuit of this, the Shearwater Research Teric even mimics an analog watch when not in dive mode. However, it offers functionality far above that of most watch-style dive computers.
One of the Teric dive computer’s most striking features is its wide range of modes. These different modes allow for divers to use the computer for recreational diving, technical diving with trimix, and with a rebreather. It also can be used for freediving and as a simple bottom timer. Each mode offers all the information needed in a customizable layout. For recreational diving, this includes such measures as depth, bottom time, and no decompression limit. For trimix diving, you can plan your dive entirely, including decompression stops and gas changes.
Another standout is the Teric’s air integration. With a transmitter that attaches to the air tank, divers can also see their air level right on their wrist without the need for a dedicated pressure gauge. Its full-color display is not just a vanity feature, either. Color integration makes important alerts stand out, and divers can choose both audio and vibration alerts to make sure they never miss an important update. If you’ve always wanted a Shearwater Research dive computer but have been turned off by the boxy or overly technical nature of their products, consider the Teric.
What People Are Saying
The Teric brings innovation to the Shearwater Research dive computer, particularly as their first watch-sized computer. For this, it has earned attention from professional reviewers and divers alike.
For most consumer reviews, it appears the Teric can do no wrong. Dive Gear Express is the only website which has an appreciable number of reviews. Of 14 reviewers on Dive Gear Express, all gave 5 stars out of 5. They cited its bright display as being easy to read under any circumstances. Its overall interface is also easy to use. A few even mentioned that the Teric is the Shearwater Research dive computer to replace all others. A more extensive review from a customer on ScubaBoard.com applauded the user interface, build quality, and battery life. The only negatives this reviewer gave the Shearwater Research Teric were about software. Data they transferred to the Shearwater Cloud, which compiles and analyzes dive data on computers and cell phones, was incorrect or failed to work as planned.
Professional reviews were similarly positive. Deep Blue Diving praises the Teric’s simplicity and versatility, saying that it offers innovation without gimmicks. At the same time, the Teric dive computer costs a pretty penny. Actually, it’s marketed at the highest prices of any watch-size computers on the market. This may limit it to divers who are interested in making a serious investment in their computer. A review from Watch Yourselves is also very positive, saying that the Shearwater Research Teric is hard to pass by for a watch-style dive computer. Again, the only serious negative seems to be the price point, which is higher than less-versatile competitors.
Pricing
With all of this talk about pricing, it’s time to bring up the tag on this Shearwater Research dive computer. The Teric’s price range is pretty small, with list prices ranging from around $1,075.00 to $1,095.00. In order to use the air integration system, an additional transmitter is necessary. With this optional transmitter, the Teric costs approximately $1,422.00 to $1,445.00. It can be purchased from Amazon.com, as well as Dive Gear Express and DiveSeekers. This is squarely in the upper range for dive computers.
The Shearwater Teric: How It Compares
To get the best idea of what the Shearwater Teric brings to the dive computer market, it’s important to take a look at some similar dive computers and see how they stack up. For this review, we’ll be looking at computers from ScubaPro as Suunto, as well as the Perdix AI, another Shearwater Research dive computer. That will let us see how the Teric compares to other watch-style computers and other technical computers. Each computer is graded based on its different modes and price. The different modes available indicate the versatility of the dive computer, and lacking certain modes can severely limit a computer’s utility and audience. Price is included to indicate the value of each computer relative to its capabilities.
Our Review Process
To bring the most accurate information about these dive computers, we brought in multiple sources of expertise. To find computers that have the same capabilities as the Teric at a comparative price range, we used reviews of air-integrated, wrist-mounted dive computers. As a result, all of the dive computers included are rated as some of the top wrist-mounted computers at sources such as Watch Yourselves and The Adventure Junkies.
[amazon link=”B00BLR2QSU” title=”Suunto D6i Novo”]
[amazon box=”B00BLR2QSU”]
The Suunto D6i Novo is a top competitor with our Shearwater Research dive computer. With a price tag just shy of the Teric’s, and many similar features, the tradeoff for recreational divers may be close. Where the Novo falls short of the Teric is in its more specialized functions. Without the capability for trimix or rebreather settings, technical divers may find the Novo wanting. Even so, the Novo also offers air integration and four dive modes. This makes it an easy contender for divers who have no need for advanced functionality. It is available for purchase on Amazon.
- Modes: Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Freediving
- Price: $$ to $$$
[amazon link=”B01B57A1IW” title=”SCUBAPRO Mantis 2″]
[amazon box=”B01B57A1IW”]
The Mantis 2 from SCUBAPRO brings technical capabilities at a lower price point than the Teric. In fact, the Mantis 2 offers the lowest price tag among any dive computer included in this comparison. At the same time, it offers functions available nowhere else. In addition to four dive modes, the Mantis 2 also offers personalized settings. These include a heart rate monitor and skin temperature monitor, which can help the computer adjust decompression stops to your needs. While it doesn’t have a dedicated mode for trimix or nitrox, it includes a multi-gas algorithm that can accommodate these gases in Scuba mode. The Mantis 2 also offers air integration with an optional transmitter. It’s available at Amazon and Leisure Pro.
- Modes: Scuba, Gauge, Freediving, CCR (Closed Circuit Rebreather)
- Price: $$ to $$$$ (with transmitter)
[amazon link=”B01N440Q9E” title=”Shearwater Research Perdix AI”]
[amazon box=”B01N440Q9E”]
The Shearwater Research Perdix AI is one of its more traditional technical dive computers. With a rectangular body and a display to fit, the Perdix AI leans toward the more technically-minded diver. For this reason, it does not double as a timepiece and is not as versatile as the others on this list. On the other hand, it has much of the same dive capability as the Teric. It includes four dive modes, and its rectangular display means no information is competing for screen space. While it lacks the freedive and timepiece settings of the Teric, serious divers who favor function over form may find this a superior option to the Teric. The Perdix AI is available at Dive Gear Express and Amazon.
- Modes: OC (Open Circuit) Recreational, OC Technical, CC/BO (Closed Circuit/ Bail Out), Gauge
- Air Integration: Available
- Price: $$ to $$$ (with transmitter)
Pros and Cons
As versatile as the Shearwater Research Teric may be, nothing comes without its flaws. No computer is right for every diver, and there may be a reason why this computer is not right for you. With that said, there are also many reasons to choose the Teric.
PROS
- Full color, easy-to-read display
- Modes for both recreational and tech diving
- High functionality in low-profile body
CONS
- High cost for recreational divers
- Issues transferring dive data
The Tericis versatile and gives divers the option to maximize the features of their dive computer. However, maximizing features means maximizing cost. The Teric’s premium functions may be a deal breaker for divers who don’t need a colorful LED screen or a customizable timepiece. For divers such as these, theShearwater Research Perdix AImay be a better option. It includes the same core dive modes (except freediving) without the bells and whistles that some may find extra.
The Final Word
By all accounts, the Shearwater Research Teric is an excellent dive computer. Any diver would find its interface easy to use and to understand. Its watch-style body transitions easily from land to sea, and its technical capabilities make it viable for all but the most specialized of dives. This is a dive computer for the serious diver who works with gases other than air and dives regularly. It’s for a diver who cares about form and uses their computer often enough to need it as a timepiece.
Purely recreational divers will miss out on the most innovative functions of this computer. Divers who use their computer solely for its utility would be better off buying a less flashy model. Ultimately, this is a perfect computer for a dive instructor whose time in and out of the water is as balanced as the Teric is. The Shearwater Research Teric dive computer earns 4.5 stars out of 5.
