Peter Bomberg
Contributor
"a cheap dive computer (with AI)"
You're looking for a unicorn there...
I noted that Costco has the MARQ Adventurer (they call it the Expedition) for $1400...
Ahh yes the unicorn hunt, well dreaming is good, but realistically something used or entry level, I know I sound silly but honestly the more my dive computer can do the less I want it to do (what I really want is a dive computer where the first screen has only gas time remaining, time to surface, ND/O2 clock, alarms and everything else is on a secondary screen (I know I may be alone in the min approach (but that info is really all that I need to know on an ongoing basis, now that I solely do recreational warm water diving) dive time sure if I am getting cold otherwise it's typically capped at 60-80min, tank pressure (inverse of DTR in an oversimplified world), bottom time and depth (are part of the O2/ND clocks (again oversimplified), depth would be an alarm setting (based on mix).
Now back to the topic, I played more with the Garmin app and I am tilting towards the either remove many aspects and make it into a pure dive logging app (leave the what if, and all other more advanced settings out of it) but I know that wont fly as many divers want a basic dive planner and equipment tracking or they need to add presets (default to last used) and fix fundamental things such as SAC, including alerts in the graphs, etc. That being said for a garmin user (like me) it's still going to be the goto app to get a quick view.
And I have admit I am a hypocrite, I have always told my son dont buy a super expensive smart watch they are like phones constantly evolving and by design they will be obsolete in 2-3 years, but I am seriously eyeing the MARQ Captain: American Magic Edition, however I will wait for the Descent MK2 or Sep/Oct (my deadline if travel is allowed in Dec).