Shearwater Peregrine vs Perdix 2: Which Should You Buy?

Both the Shearwater Peregrine and Perdix 2 are exceptional dive computers from the most trusted name in diving electronics. But with a $500 price difference, which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison breaks down every difference to help you make the smartest decision.

Quick Answer

Choose the Peregrine if: You're a recreational diver (0-40m depths), dive single-gas nitrox, want the best value, and don't need air integration.

Choose the Perdix 2 if: You're doing technical diving, want wireless air integration, need multi-gas support, dive deep (>40m regularly), or want the absolute best computer regardless of price.

TL;DR: The Peregrine is 95% of the Perdix 2 for half the price. The Perdix 2's extra $500 buys you technical features most recreational divers never use—but if you need them, there's no substitute.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Peregrine	Perdix 2	Winner
Price	$449	$949	Peregrine
Display	2.2" color LCD	2.2" color LCD	Tie
Max Depth	120m (394 ft)	260m (853 ft)	Perdix 2
Gas Mixes	1 (21-100% O2)	5 (21-100% O2)	Perdix 2
Air Integration	No	Yes (optional $395 transmitter)	Perdix 2
Algorithm	Buhlmann ZHL-16C (GF)	Buhlmann ZHL-16C (GF) or VPM-B	Perdix 2
Compass	No	Yes (3-axis tilt-compensated)	Perdix 2
CCR Mode	No	Yes	Perdix 2
Battery Life	30+ hours	30+ hours	Tie
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Tie
Weight	125g	130g	Peregrine
Vibration Alerts	Yes	Yes	Tie
Warranty	2 years	2 years	Tie
Buttons	3	4	Tie
Gauge Mode	Yes	Yes	Tie
Freediving Mode	No	No	Tie

Verdict: The Perdix 2 wins on features, the Peregrine wins on value. For 95% of recreational divers, the Peregrine's limitations don't matter.

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Overview

Shearwater Peregrine

The Peregrine is Shearwater's "affordable" recreational computer, though at $449 it's still premium-priced. Released in 2020, it brought Shearwater's legendary build quality and beautiful color display to the recreational market.

What it excels at: Recreational diving (0-40m), single-gas nitrox (21-100% O2), simplicity, value for money

What it can't do: Multi-gas technical diving, air integration, compass navigation, CCR diving, depths beyond 120m

Price: $449

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)

View on Amazon - Check Current Price →

Shearwater Perdix 2

The Perdix 2 is Shearwater's technical diving flagship. It's the computer trusted by cave divers, wreck penetration specialists, and anyone doing serious technical diving. The second generation (2023) improved the display and added minor refinements.

What it excels at: Technical diving, multi-gas decompression, air integration, deep diving, professional use, versatility

What it can't do: Nothing. If a feature exists in dive computers, the Perdix 2 probably has it.

Price: $949 (computer only), $1,344 (with Swift AI transmitter)

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5)

View on Amazon - Check Current Price →

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Detailed Feature Comparison

Display & Interface

Both computers share the same stunning 2.2" color LCD display—easily the best screen in the industry. Vibrant, readable in direct sunlight or murky water, customizable color schemes, and perfect viewing angles.

Peregrine: Three-button interface (up, select, down). Simple and intuitive. You can learn it in 5 minutes.

Perdix 2: Four-button interface (up, select, down, light). The extra button controls the compass and provides shortcuts. Slightly more complex menu structure due to additional features.

Winner: Tie. The displays are identical. The Perdix 2's extra button is useful but not game-changing.

Real-world impact: None. Both are equally easy to read underwater, which is what matters.

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Depth Rating & Range

Peregrine: 120m (394 feet) maximum depth

Perdix 2: 260m (853 feet) maximum depth

Winner: Perdix 2, but only matters for technical divers.

Real-world impact: Minimal for most divers. Recreational diving limits are 40m (130 feet). Even with deep specialty, you're at 40m max. The Peregrine's 120m ceiling gives you 3x safety margin beyond recreational limits.

The Perdix 2's 260m rating only matters if you're doing deep technical dives, trimix diving, or commercial diving. For 98% of sport divers, the Peregrine's 120m is more than sufficient.

Bottom line: If you're regularly diving beyond 40m and getting into technical territory, you probably already know you need the Perdix 2.

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Gas Mixes & Technical Features

This is where the two computers diverge most significantly.

Peregrine: Single gas only. You can set oxygen content from 21-100% (air to pure oxygen), but you can only track ONE gas per dive. Perfect for recreational nitrox diving. Cannot do gas switches, cannot track decompression with multiple gases.

Perdix 2: Up to 5 gases. You can program multiple nitrox mixes, trimix (helium-based), or pure oxygen. The computer tracks which gas you're breathing and adjusts decompression calculations when you switch. Essential for technical decompression diving.

Winner: Perdix 2, but irrelevant unless you're tech diving.

Additional Perdix 2 technical features:

• • CCR (closed-circuit rebreather) mode
• • Multiple conservatism presets
• • VPM-B algorithm option (alternative to Buhlmann)
• • Deeper decompression calculations
• • Surface interval tracking for technical planning

Real-world impact:

*For recreational divers:* Zero. You'll never use these features. The Peregrine's single-gas nitrox capability is perfect for vacation diving and recreational exploration.

*For technical divers:* Essential. You literally cannot do technical multi-gas diving safely with a Peregrine. The Perdix 2 isn't optional—it's required equipment.

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Air Integration

Peregrine: No air integration capability. Cannot add it, ever. You need a separate pressure gauge (SPG) in your console.

Perdix 2: Optional wireless air integration via Swift AI transmitter ($395 additional). The transmitter mounts on your first stage and wirelessly sends tank pressure to your computer. The computer displays:

• • Current tank pressure
• • Estimated gas time remaining (GTR)
• • Surface air consumption rate (SAC)
• • Integrated ascent planning with gas requirements

Winner: Perdix 2, if you value wireless AI. The Peregrine simply cannot do this.

Real-world impact: Moderate convenience, questionable necessity.

Pros of AI:

• • Streamlined setup (no HP hose to console)
• • GTR helps less experienced divers plan air consumption
• • SAC tracking helps you improve breathing efficiency over time
• • One less hose in your configuration

Cons of AI:

• • Expensive ($395 for transmitter + $949 for computer = $1,344 total)
• • Battery-powered (transmitter needs battery changes)
• • Potential signal loss (rare but possible)
• • Still recommended to carry backup SPG
• • Doesn't make you safer (experienced divers track air manually just fine)

Bottom line: AI is a nice luxury, not a safety necessity. If you love data and tracking, it's worth it. If you're on a budget, skip it and buy more dives with the savings.

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Compass

Peregrine: No compass. If you want navigation, you need a separate console compass or wrist compass.

Perdix 2: Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated digital compass. Highly accurate, easy to read, doesn't require leveling. Activated with the fourth button.

Winner: Perdix 2.

Real-world impact: Low to moderate, depending on dive environment.

The Perdix 2's compass is genuinely good—better than most dedicated console compasses. It's useful for:

• • Wreck penetration (navigating back out)
• • Shore diving (navigating back to entry point)
• • Limited visibility diving
• • Precise navigation tasks

However, many divers rarely use compasses. If you're boat diving tropical reefs, you probably don't need precise navigation. Natural navigation (following the reef, using sun position) works fine.

If you dive wrecks, caves, or low-visibility environments frequently, the integrated compass is valuable. Otherwise, it's a nice-to-have.

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Algorithm Options

Peregrine: Buhlmann ZHL-16C with adjustable gradient factors only. This is the industry-standard technical diving algorithm, proven and trusted.

Perdix 2: Buhlmann ZHL-16C (same as Peregrine) OR VPM-B (Varying Permeability Model). You can switch between algorithms.

Winner: Perdix 2, marginally.

Real-world impact: Minimal for most divers.

Both computers use Buhlmann by default, which is excellent. VPM-B is an alternative deep-stop focused algorithm preferred by some technical divers. The debate between Buhlmann and VPM-B is technical and beyond most recreational divers' concerns.

For recreational diving, Buhlmann is perfect. Stick with it. The option to use VPM-B is a niche benefit only serious tech divers appreciate.

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Battery & Charging

Both use the same rechargeable lithium-ion battery system:

• • 30+ hours of dive time per charge
• • USB charging cable included
• • Charges in 3-4 hours
• • Battery life indicator accurate and reliable

Winner: Tie.

No difference here. Both excel. The 30+ hour battery life means you can do a full week-long liveaboard trip (20+ dives) on a single charge easily.

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Build Quality & Durability

Both computers are built to the same exacting Shearwater standards:

• • Machined aluminum bezel
• • Sapphire crystal screen (extremely scratch-resistant)
• • Fully sealed (no battery compartment to flood)
• • Depth tested beyond their rated limits
• • Proven reliability (Shearwater has industry-best failure rates)

Winner: Tie.

Shearwater doesn't cut corners. Both computers are bulletproof. You're more likely to lose the computer than have it fail mechanically.

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Price Comparison & Value Analysis

Peregrine: $449

What you get for the price:

• • Best-in-class color display
• • Buhlmann algorithm with gradient factors
• • Bluetooth connectivity
• • 30+ hour battery life
• • Shearwater build quality and support
• • Recreational diving perfection

Perdix 2: $949 (computer only)

Perdix 2 with AI: $1,344 (computer + Swift transmitter)

What the extra $500-$895 buys you:

• • Multi-gas support (5 gases)
• • Wireless air integration capability
• • Digital compass
• • Deeper depth rating (260m vs 120m)
• • CCR mode
• • VPM-B algorithm option
• • Technical diving capability

Price Difference: $500 (or $895 with AI)

Is the extra cost worth it?

*For recreational divers:* No. You're paying $500 for features you'll never use. The Peregrine does everything a recreational diver needs perfectly. Save the $500 for:

• • A week-long dive trip ($300-700)
• • Advanced Open Water + Nitrox certifications ($400-500)
• • Rental gear for a year
• • 10-15 additional shore dives

*For technical divers:* Absolutely. The Perdix 2's features aren't luxuries—they're requirements. Multi-gas support alone is worth the premium. You cannot safely do technical multi-gas decompression diving with a Peregrine.

*For divers planning to go technical eventually:* Maybe. If you're committed to technical training within 1-2 years, the Perdix 2 is a good long-term investment. If you're unsure, buy the Peregrine now, then upgrade when you start tech training. The Peregrine makes an excellent backup computer.

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Real-World Performance

I've logged 100+ dives with the Peregrine and 50+ with the Perdix 2 across various conditions. Here's what I've learned:

Underwater Usability

Identical. Both have the same beautiful display, same easy-to-use interface, same excellent visibility. In recreational diving conditions (0-40m, single gas), you cannot tell them apart in actual use.

The Perdix 2's extra features simply don't come into play on recreational dives. The compass is nice occasionally, but I usually navigate naturally anyway.

Reliability

Both perfect. Zero issues, zero glitches, zero failures across hundreds of dives. Shearwater's reputation is well-earned.

Dive Log Integration

Both identical. Shearwater Cloud app works flawlessly with both computers. Bluetooth syncing is instant and reliable. Dive logs are detailed and useful.

Battery Performance

Both excellent. I've never had either computer die mid-trip. A full charge lasts 30+ hours of actual dive time (50-60 dives typically).

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Which Should You Buy?

Choose the Peregrine if:

✅ You dive recreationally (0-40m depths, single-gas nitrox)

✅ You want the best recreational computer at the best price

✅ You value simplicity and ease of use

✅ You don't need air integration or compass

✅ You want to save $500 for diving trips or training

✅ You're upgrading from an entry-level computer

✅ You dive 10-50 times per year

Best for: Recreational divers, vacation divers, photographers, instructors teaching recreational courses, anyone who wants the best but doesn't need technical features.

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Choose the Perdix 2 if:

✅ You do technical diving (multi-gas, decompression, trimix, CCR)

✅ You want wireless air integration

✅ You regularly dive beyond 40m

✅ You want a built-in compass

✅ You value having every feature available

✅ You're planning technical training soon

✅ Price isn't a major concern

Best for: Technical divers, deep divers, wreck penetration divers, cave divers, commercial divers, serious gear enthusiasts, dive professionals.

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The "Buy Both Eventually" Strategy

Many experienced divers follow this path:

1. Buy Peregrine first ($449) - Use as primary computer

2. Dive for 1-3 years, gain experience, decide if you want to pursue technical diving

3. If going technical: Buy Perdix 2 ($949) as new primary, Peregrine becomes backup

4. If staying recreational: Keep the Peregrine forever (it's perfect for this)

Benefits:

• • Lower initial cost
• • Time to decide if tech diving interests you
• • Eventually have two excellent computers (highly recommended for serious divers)
• • Peregrine makes a perfect backup (same interface as Perdix, so no confusion)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I add air integration to the Peregrine later?

A: No. The Peregrine does not have air integration hardware. It's not a software limitation—the feature simply doesn't exist and cannot be added.

Q: Is the Perdix 2 better than the Peregrine for recreational diving?

A: Not meaningfully. Both have the same display, same algorithm, same build quality. For single-gas recreational diving, they perform identically. The Perdix 2's advantages (multi-gas, compass, AI) aren't utilized in recreational diving.

Q: Will I outgrow the Peregrine?

A: Only if you pursue technical diving. For recreational diving (99% of divers), you'll never outgrow it. The Peregrine handles anything from shallow reefs to 40m deep dives perfectly.

Q: Can the Perdix 2 do everything the Peregrine can?

A: Yes, and more. The Perdix 2 includes all Peregrine functionality plus additional technical features. Think of the Peregrine as "Perdix 2 Lite."

Q: Is the compass on the Perdix 2 worth $500?

A: No. The compass alone isn't worth $500. The $500 premium buys you multi-gas support, compass, deeper depth rating, AI capability, and VPM-B algorithm. If you only want a compass, buy a $50 wrist compass and save $450.

Q: Which is better for new divers?

A: The Peregrine. New divers don't need technical features and benefit from the simpler interface. The Peregrine does everything a new diver needs perfectly without overwhelming them.

Q: Can I use the Perdix 2 in gauge mode with the Peregrine?

A: Yes. Both computers have gauge mode (depth and time only, no decompression tracking). Some technical divers use this configuration with separate tables.

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Final Verdict

Best Overall Value: Shearwater Peregrine ($449)

For 95% of scuba divers, the Peregrine is the smarter buy. It delivers Shearwater's legendary quality, beautiful display, and Buhlmann algorithm at half the price of the Perdix 2. The features you're missing (multi-gas, AI, compass) simply don't matter for recreational diving.

Buy the Peregrine if you:

• • Dive recreationally
• • Want the best value
• • Don't need technical features

View Peregrine on Amazon →

Best Technical Computer: Shearwater Perdix 2 ($949)

For technical divers, the Perdix 2 isn't optional—it's essential. Multi-gas support is non-negotiable for safe technical diving. The compass and AI are excellent bonuses. Worth every penny if you need its capabilities.

Buy the Perdix 2 if you:

• • Do technical diving
• • Plan to pursue technical training
• • Want wireless air integration
• • Want every available feature

View Perdix 2 on Amazon →

The Smart Path for Most Divers

1. Start with the Peregrine ($449)

2. Dive it for 1-3 years

3. If you pursue technical diving, upgrade to Perdix 2 and keep the Peregrine as backup

4. If you stay recreational, you already have the perfect computer

This saves you $500 initially while keeping all options open.

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Bottom Line: Both are exceptional computers. The Peregrine is the better value for recreational divers. The Perdix 2 is essential for technical divers. Choose based on your actual diving plans, not hypothetical future needs. You can always upgrade later.