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Get a Dive Computer for less than $150

Get a Dive Computer for less than $150

Written by Nevin
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Published on March 21, 2010

Looking for a great dive computer but would rather spend all that money on diving instead? Well the Aeris XR-1 Wrist Dive computer will help you do just that.  Most dive computers are just too expensive with so many features that most casual recreational divers just starting out in this hobby wouldn’t ever use.  Some of us just want a dive computer that will do its job without all the bells and whistles and costing us an arm and leg in the process.

AERXR1W
Featured above is the Aeris XR-1 Wrist Computer

Aeris, a California based Scuba Gear company that was established in 1998, has quite a diverse product range and brings to us an affordable dive computer. The AERIS XR-1 is an ideal, entry-level user-friendly diving computer for those who prefer simple wrist-mounted computer gear.

The XR1 features large oversized digits on its display and a comfortable mix of graphics and text to make it easy to read; the computer is water activated and also features a variable ascent rate indicator, a user customizable interface, temperature display, 12 Dive memory Logging feature,  Safety stop count-down timer and remaining dive time display. Most importantly the XR1 offers user-replaceable batteries, which allows the user to purchase and replace the computer batteries (Standard 3 Volt CR-2450 Battery) without having to ship it back to the manufacturer or authorized service center.

Aeris uses as its algorithm based off the Modified Haldanean / DSAT (Diving Science and Technology) Database. In general, Aeris computers are more liberal than Sunnto (which lean towards conservative) and allow for longer bottom times on second and third dives while still remaining in the realm of safety.

The main advantages of the Aeris XR-1 are its ease of use, easy read display and great value for money as it offers you all the relevant features of a dive computer at a great price. We would recommend this for anyone looking for their first dive computer or as a handy spare second dive computer for your buddy.

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Featured above is the Aeris XR1 NX Wrist Computer

Some of the main drawbacks of the Aeris XR1 are that it doesn’t support Nitrox Diving capability. Also the lack of a backlight and glow in the dark display is a shortcoming, even though the large digits compensate for this. Another drawback of this particular model is that there are no audible or visual/flashing warnings which are often a useful feature to have on a Dive computer.  Aeris has recently though come out with the newer XR-1 NX which is similar to the XR-1 except that it offers Nitrox capabilities and sorts out some of the issues with the XR-1 and the XR-2 offers several additional features including a backlight.