As one of the early adopters of Shearwater in Australia, we have been big fans of their computers since the very beginning. They have become the gold standard for reliability and performance when it comes to dive computers and their latest release is another excellent example of that.
For those not familiar, Shearwater Research – the Canadian company that has been building expedition-grade dive technology since 2004 has just raised the bar with the Perdix 3, and it’s one of the most significant upgrades in the Perdix line’s history. We’ve had a close look at what’s new, and here’s why we’re genuinely excited.
A Display That Changes Everything
The headline feature on the Perdix 3 is its new 2.4″ full-colour AMOLED display running at 450×600 resolution, that’s 4x higher resolution than its predecessor. If you’ve ever squinted at a screen mid-dive, you’ll appreciate just how transformative a sharper, brighter display can be. Whether you’re at 5 metres in murky river water or 60 metres in clear blue, the Perdix 3’s AMOLED screen will impress.
The new Big Layout mode takes this even further, allowing divers to switch to giant fonts at the tap of a button. The easiest-to-read display Shearwater has ever produced.
Built for Every Environment
This is still the Perdix you know and trust. The armoured casing, precision-engineered titanium bezel, and titanium piezo touch buttons are all here, protecting the performance-enhanced electronics inside. The aluminosilicate toughened glass lens (the same material used in premium smartphone screens) shields the display from impacts and scratches. Rated to 260m / 850ft, the Perdix 3 is genuinely expedition-ready.
Smarter, Faster, More Customisable
Beyond the display, Shearwater has made meaningful improvements throughout:
- 6x faster Bluetooth connectivity means your dive logs download and firmware updates complete faster than ever before.
- Programmable quick-change settings let you flip between custom layouts and dive configurations on the fly; ideal for divers who move between recreational, technical, and CCR setups.
- An updated user interface makes menu navigation more intuitive, even in gloves.
- Advanced decompression stress monitoring gives technical divers deeper insight into their exposure.
All the Modes. All the Gases.
The Perdix 3 supports the full spectrum of diving disciplines: Air, Nitrox, 3-Gas Nitrox, OC Technical (Trimix enabled), CC/BO (Fixed PPO2), Freedive, and Gauge mode. It runs the trusted Bühlmann ZHL-16C GF algorithm and supports Avelo Mode (unlock available). With support for up to 5 Open Circuit and 5 Closed Circuit gases, and up to 4 Shearwater SWIFT or SWIFT GPS transmitters, the Perdix 3 grows with you — from your first technical dive to full expedition setup.
The Same Trusted Battery System
One of the Perdix line’s most beloved features is back: the user-replaceable single AA battery. No proprietary charger, no waiting for a charge before a dawn dive. Just grab a battery and go. Depending on your battery type, expect anywhere from 30 to 80 hours of use per charge.
Colour Your World
With 15 display colour options and thousands of possible combinations, the Perdix 3 lets you personalise your computer to suit your visibility conditions, your kit, or simply your style. It’s a small feature that divers consistently love.
Our Verdict
The Shearwater Perdix 3 takes everything that made the Perdix 2 a favourite among serious divers, the reliability, the depth capability, the gas flexibility, the battery convenience, and wraps it in a dramatically better display, faster connectivity, and smarter customisation. For any diver looking at a full-featured, expedition-capable computer that will genuinely last the distance, the Perdix 3 is the one to get.
