Perdix AI alternatives?

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Barmaglot

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I just finished a TDI AN+DP+sidemount course, and in the process, I learned (among other things) that my Aeris Elite T3 is completely inadequate for tech diving, even in gauge mode. The primary issue is that it shows elapsed dive time in hour:minute format only, and when the instructor had me running the deco schedule, I needed to see seconds in order to know when to give the appropriate signals (the rental Suunto Zoop was fine for that). It should still be okay as a backup depth/timing device, and I need a redundant computer anyway, so I'm considering options now.
My criteria are:
  • Air integration with 2+ MH8A transmitters. I want to be able to dive sidemount and see my remaining pressure on both wrists.
  • Hour:Minute:Second time display.
  • Integrated compass would be a plus.
  • Reasonable cost. I'm planning to crossover into CCR next year, and when I do, I'm pretty sure I will want a NERD 2 with it. It's kind of hard to justify the cost a Perdix AI and a NERD. If there was a way to run a NERD with OC sidemount, I'd just get one and be done with it, but seeing as how its OC mount is to a regulator hose, that won't work for me.
I looked at Oceanic VTX and OCi; both are available for ~$500 with transmitter, but both appear to have the same problem of showing dive runtime in minutes rather than minutes:seconds. Looking at the user manual for Aqualung i750TC, I also see only minutes. Are there any other options, or should I just bite the bullet and get a used Perdix AI, then run it as a backup when I dive CCR?
 
I think you could look at a Petrel unit, also might check out the ratio units.

As I understand it, a Petrel can plug into a CCR, but it doesn't have air integration - am I wrong there?

Ratio iX3M looks interesting, but is it compatible with MH8A transmitters? I'm looking to link both primary cylinders to both computers while diving sidemount.
 
I just finished a TDI AN+DP+sidemount course, and in the process, I learned (among other things) that my Aeris Elite T3 is completely inadequate for tech diving, even in gauge mode. The primary issue is that it shows elapsed dive time in hour:minute format only, and when the instructor had me running the deco schedule, I needed to see seconds in order to know when to give the appropriate signals (the rental Suunto Zoop was fine for that). It should still be okay as a backup depth/timing device, and I need a redundant computer anyway, so I'm considering options now.
My criteria are:
  • Air integration with 2+ MH8A transmitters. I want to be able to dive sidemount and see my remaining pressure on both wrists.
  • Hour:Minute:Second time display.
  • Integrated compass would be a plus.
  • Reasonable cost. I'm planning to crossover into CCR next year, and when I do, I'm pretty sure I will want a NERD 2 with it. It's kind of hard to justify the cost a Perdix AI and a NERD. If there was a way to run a NERD with OC sidemount, I'd just get one and be done with it, but seeing as how its OC mount is to a regulator hose, that won't work for me.
I looked at Oceanic VTX and OCi; both are available for ~$500 with transmitter, but both appear to have the same problem of showing dive runtime in minutes rather than minutes:seconds. Looking at the user manual for Aqualung i750TC, I also see only minutes. Are there any other options, or should I just bite the bullet and get a used Perdix AI, then run it as a backup when I dive CCR?
You could run a NERD2 mounted to a helmet a la Brian Kakuk when diving OC. You’ll still need a proper backup computer down the road though.
 
Does the Perdix even have seconds? I have one and I'm pretty sure it doesn't, if not, there's a LOT of Tec divers out there that get by without them. Exactly what do you need to do that's critical to the second?
I was thinking the same. However, what it does have is a blue horizontal bar underneath 'TIME' which moves along and gives a visual indication of when the next minute will click over (when the bar stretches from T to E). I do sometimes use it to indicate to a buddy that I'm preparing to ascend to the next stop.
 
With decompression being such an inexact science, I can't see why you need seconds either. I do have them on my OSTC, but I don't need them.
 
As I understand it, a Petrel can plug into a CCR, but it doesn't have air integration - am I wrong there?

Ratio iX3M looks interesting, but is it compatible with MH8A transmitters? I'm looking to link both primary cylinders to both computers while diving sidemount.
I believe that ratio uses their own transmitter
 
With decompression being such an inexact science, I can't see why you need seconds either. I do have them on my OSTC, but I don't need them.
Yepper

Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an ax, hammer to make it fit, and paint to cover it up
 

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