Comparison - Mares Genius Vs Shearwater Perdix AI 

SHEARWATER all the way . I looked for a long time at all the computers out there. And it was hands down shearwater. I am happy and have no regrets ........

Ex ICON HD user (previous version of the Genius) and now Perdix user. What I will say is that the menu is far more complicated to use on the Perdix when on land.. but I find it far simpler to use underwater. The "auto menu" always seems to give me exactly what I want. Whereas the Icon i often ended up cycling between compass and other modes trying to find the right screen. I also fin d it funny that the Genius would tout a 150m depth rating but not support hypoxic mixes :-) Lets also hope the Genius buttons last longer than the Icon HD's did. I've also been on a live-aboard with a Mares that wouldn't charge - desperately trying all kinds of homebrew recipes to clean the contacts so they'd work enough to charge. I'll never go for a "contact rechargeable" dive computer again. Get one of those SAFT batteries for the Perdix and you'll get a year out of it.

Shearwater for life! Seriously, here in South Florida, if you're on a dive boat of 20 mixed Tec and Rec divers, there will be 20-30 Shearwater computers (all models) onboard. Mares is great, just don't add water.

As a recreational diver (with bad eyes), I chose the Mares. I like ease of use, and the price was right. Bad thing is the directions. You need to do a video including upload/download, bluetooth setup, etc. Some of us are betting watching than reading

I dove with a Mares Icon for several years, and it had a lot going for it: large bright colourful display that could show a lot of information, easy on aging eyes, easy to use four-button UI, audible alarms when you were ascending too fast or exceeding your MOD, and the logging software (Divers Diary) is well-designed and easy to use as well. I'll add that both Mares and the DD developer Frobese were very good to me personally. Good support, gear servicing ... everything. They're responsive, they care about their users, and they stand behind their products. The two big knocks on the Icon were a ridiculously short battery life and that fussy four-pin connection for the charger/USB cable. You can lose the connection just by looking at it funny. (Would have been nice to be able to lose the strap and set it up with bungees too.) It's nice to see that with the Genius they've kept the lovely display and the four-button UI, improved the battery life, and even given it a trimix capability, but that four-pin thingy on the back? Nope. In sum, the Genius promises to be a good recreational dive computer, but that connector thingy keeps it from being great. So yeah, I went for a Perdix. I've had it for less than a week, and everything they say about it is true. (Well, almost everything. I haven't seen it walk my dog, make my breakfast, or solve my marriage problems yet.) What I've noted so far: yes, it's a lot more powerful and capable than the Mares, but ... it's also far less forgiving.

Shearwater for life! I usually use an AV1 (very similar to Shearwater)...and I think that Genius (and Icon ) is not a real TECHNICAL computer : it doesn’t allow the gas change if you are a bit over 1.6 PPO2 and a real technical computer MUST indicate the TTS counting all gases enabled ! Genius is very good for recreative dives!

Just wanted to point out you can add text to the Perdix startup screen without messing with the image upload.

Having worked extensively in the IT sector, I'm not sure why there is a view that a simpler UI means that a product is aimed at recreational divers only. An easier to understand or more visual UI is always a good thing, whether your outcome is technical or recreational. As long as the required information is displayed. If something is easier to use, it's less likely to cause confusion in a stress situation. Which is why I'll be going with the Mares, as it's both cheaper, whilst being easier to use, with nigh on identical specs.

Really useful video. This is a big buy, and you never really know until after you're committed. I feel much better informed now, and more confident about my buying choices. Thanks!

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to compare the two DCs. I know you were focusing solely on the units, but customer service ought to be taken into account. I cannot talk about Mares customer service, but Shearwater's is purely amazing. That is something to consider when spending so much on a dive computer.

That comparison isn't fear for the Mares computer. Shearwater Perdix is absolutely the best. Also, Perdix' two buttons interface works like charm.

I got my Perdix ai with the transmitter after I got my advanced cert. That was after talking to my instructor about my goals for diving. I also run an aqualung watch style computer. Sorry, I am one that believes in redundancy, especially when diving. I can say that my perdix is my main computer and for me, it is easy to use and all the data I need is easily accessible. I am getting geared towards tech diving and using a rebreather. The perdix ai can accommodate it all. It’s probably one of the best computers out there. I won’t trust my dives to any other computer. Remember, the right gear can save your life.

I have both computers. I have a couple of hundred dives on both. I went with the Genius because I am a Mares dealer and wanted to dive what I sell. The Genius is a serious disappointment. I have had to send it back because it froze up. I had it freeze 2 more times and after letting the battery drain it resets itself and I lose all of my dive info and it goes back to new. I thought the size of the Genius would be great but it is really bulky and distracting on your arm when diving. I had the Genius tell me I was at 72’ 2 days ago when I was actually at 36” and it almost always says I end a dive with 0psi left in my tank. I simply don’t trust this computer anymore. The Perdix is a really great computer in a sturdy case. Easy to use and the info you need is always right at hand. I am not a reseller of it and have to refer my customers to my competition. Say what you will. I have hundreds of dives on the Genius and dive 4-5 times per week, multiple tanks per day. I would never spend the money on the Genius.

So the Mares is rated to 150mtrs but won't allow you to configur O2 below 21% Good luck with that then.

The Perdix AI is the best computer available and very user friendly. It's the last computer you'll buy. However if you plan to download and print the instruction please have extra ink cartridges on hand.

Thanks for the great comparison, even though you did not select one :-) I am in the market for a dive computer, I just purchased and used twice the Garmin MK2i with transmitter...but being 54 yrs of age, my near sight vision is no longer good, so the Gamin is a no go, will need to sell it (LOVE IT though) VUT CANNOT SEE the info clearly underwater. I am now in between the two, just like you, I wonder if the ACTUAL size of the MARES is overkill? Cheers

My l.d.s. was pointing me towards the Mares Genius when I was looking to purchase my computer. I could only find a couple of reviews on it and no one at that time was really talking about real world, end-user testing. For me it was just way to bulky. That was my number 1 turn off. Then I started coming across reviews saying that the screens were failing and dealing with Mares was a pain in the butt and the turn around for repairs took forever. I had seen and read good things about the Shearwater products and their customer service. The majority of people that use the Perdix swore by it. The two buttons that you pointed out was something that crossed my mind. Then I found out about the Shearwater Teric, it had 4 buttons. So I started researching that and that is what I ended up going with after watching your reviews as well as others. I can tell you this. So far I love it and do not regret one bit with making that purchase.

I have the Mares Genius computer. It is a vary nice and eazy to use. Yes it is big... but the battery life is alsome!! I over 40 dives with this computer in 60 days. I only have to charge it 3 times. Also the AI transmitter can only pair to one computer at a time. So you can not have your dive buddy's transmitter paired to your computer and his/ hers and monitor the air pressure on your computer. The presser will only be displayed on one computer.. But other than that I like it very much.

I have the Mares icon HD, and love it. With this review I definitely am going to go with the new genius. I'm a very large man over 6 ft long arms. I want a huge computer on my arm. Thank you very much for the review I really do appreciate it. Do you sell on Amazon?

I used the Mares icon but now going sidemount I could not find anything about the Genius having the ability to handle Sidemount. How about comparing the Perdix AI with the Ratio ix3M?

What is the Mares app called? Can't find a Mares app in the iOS app store. :(

If the SHEARWATER PERDIX AI has the Mares Genius UI it would be WAYYYY better❗️ It’s way more organized on the screen & I can do a gas check easier, by using the multi-colored tank icon.

How do you reset to factory settings? I’ve read the manual and it says you can reset it using reset function however, there’s a note saying the function is no available so long as there’s desat in computer. I’ve reset desat and it still won’t factory reset. It simply kicks you back to the home scteen

GREAT REVIEW!!! i been thinking bout the genius.... Hmmmmm techy tech gear stuff .... Hmmmmmmm 😍😍😍😍

I don't know if it is due to currency differences or tariffs, but in the US the high end recreational dive computers are in a poor spot, they all cost almost the same if not more than the technical dive computers and honestly they don't provide anything all that different. Why would I toss the same amount of money to Mares, Aqualung, or Suunto to get a computer that doesn't work any better than a Shearwater or Ratio? And if a person decides to further their diving into the technical side they have a computer suited for that as well. In Europe where there is some separation in price between the Shearwater, Ratios, and that German tech brand they probably have a place. Though it baffles me that AL 770R is still so expensive in the US compared to Europe even though it is made in the US by PPS.

Shearwater Perdix AI VS suunto Eon core

I’m not so sure about diving with an iPad sized computer strapped to my arm, but the Genius sure looks good for a features stand point. 👍

Go on a trip and for get the charging adapter good lock finding a replacement. My shearwater just needs a AA battery sold world wide. I like a user replaceable battery.

I don't want to be that guy but isn't it supposed to be "Mares Genius" not "Mare Genius" in the title of the video. Also Shearwater for life nothing beats it.

I just used the Genius for the first time and had a crappy dive because it took up all my time trying to get it to work properly. Downloading my dives has been very frustrating. I have an I-phone and Mac computer and they have not come out with the appropriate software, unbeknownst to me at the time of purchase. As well it did not give the appropriate tank pressure read outs (Big problem), thank god I had backup direct gauges... I t does not come with bluetooth you have to purchase the bluetooth adapter separately, and you can't buy it directly from Mares. I am not sure what I am going to do at this point. I am more comfortable with computers that are directly connected to the tank and all else follows.

Work on not saying too much "ummms". Perdix AI all the way for me.

Shearwater Perdix has VPM,not sure the Genius has this option...a well prefered mode for deco! :)

One of my friends has just bought the Genius, I was shocked at the weight of it, as it feels at least twice that of the Perdix. Shearwater screens can be customised in the layout too when setting it up. A rechargeable battery is also a dealbreaker for me, and I think Shearwater have taken a backward step with the Peregrene in that respect IMHO, even though it is a wireless charger. If you're wearing gloves (or worse mittens) I'm not so sure four buttons are better than two. It might be better if the reviewer has used both computers first before making the review.

I use the mares genius. Its very reliable and safe

I have the Mares icon HD and going tec diving need new computer thinking Shearwater

Perfetto 👌

Mares Genius funzioni bloccate dalla fabrica, non fa Trimix e nel setup non si può mettere il G.F. a 99 ... non esiste confronto con il Shearwater Perdix AL o Teric... Sherwater il Top

heinrichs weikamp vs shearwater

Hi , sorry but depth rating you got is incorrect Please refer to the official data below www.shearwater.com/shearwater-product-faq/what-is-the-depth-rating/ I use Perdix as main Trimix and CCR Back up is Tusa Talis (bottom timer) Perdix was tested along with OSTC 3 for several dives before I decide which What I love about Perdix is accelerated ascending by lowering GF conservatism (turn it to pure ZHL 16-C) underwater . By far sheerwater is the ultimate dive computer and price difference is not an issue in an investment which should endure Best of luck to all

Perdix air sold

If you are a MAC User never ever buy a genius computer it's not connecting to the diver's diary go for Shearwater instead

I’m going diving with the guys at the dive shop where I live and Im going to be the new guy, and nobody likes the new guy

Can you change that horrible color scheme on the Mares?

With all due respect...this is a comparison between a Ferrari and a VW...the shearwater is by far, very very far a better computer!

The Mares is just way too big - not sure why anyone would want that monster on their wrist?

U.K. plug and European... where is the U.K. then? :-)

Shearwater hands down. why are you even comparing the two? if you are done screwing around get the Shearwater and be done with it. I have seen the Mare Genius malfunction 3 times off my friends system. my Shearwater? built like a tank.....

Alot of info your not sure of. Better find out before you try to inform other people.

uhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmm

Very poor comparison.

Tx man for the info. preciatcha.