Review: Ratio iX3M Pro Tech +
October 2019 by Bridget Weid
Diving computers, they are the second most important piece of kit I own. My regulators may allow me to breath underwater, but my computer keeps track of my nitrogen loading and CNS clock.
Yes, you can hire one on holiday but the previous day’s dive will impact your allowed profile, and you cannot bring it with you if you head to the chamber. It is one of the reasons why EVER diver should have their own computer and there are many on the market.
Anyone that has seen me diving has seen the Shearwater Perdix on my wrist along side of my Suunto DX. I know, different computers, different purpose, and different algorithms. More on that at a later time!
At the inaugural Go Dive show, Tracey was talking to various suppliers about technical computers as we gear up to offer more courses. I was busy stalking the likes of Jill Heinrith and Andy Torbert (it was all for the D5 launch, I swear!) when she called to have me meet her. It was agreed that as the team’s diving Shearwater user (sorry Charlie) I should try the Ratio iX3M Pro Tech +. Arguably, I don’t dive full tech, I am only Tec 40 and do very little decompression diving, so this will focus on my use in that crossover realm between recreational and technical diving.
Yes, you can hire one on holiday but the previous day’s dive will impact your allowed profile, and you cannot bring it with you if you head to the chamber. It is one of the reasons why EVER diver should have their own computer and there are many on the market.
Anyone that has seen me diving has seen the Shearwater Perdix on my wrist along side of my Suunto DX. I know, different computers, different purpose, and different algorithms. More on that at a later time!
At the inaugural Go Dive show, Tracey was talking to various suppliers about technical computers as we gear up to offer more courses. I was busy stalking the likes of Jill Heinrith and Andy Torbert (it was all for the D5 launch, I swear!) when she called to have me meet her. It was agreed that as the team’s diving Shearwater user (sorry Charlie) I should try the Ratio iX3M Pro Tech +. Arguably, I don’t dive full tech, I am only Tec 40 and do very little decompression diving, so this will focus on my use in that crossover realm between recreational and technical diving.
Ratio iX3M Pro Tech+ and Shearwater Perdix
As always, please keep in mind that these are two computers that you need to understand and drive yourself, not blindly follow, however anyone that is entering in to technical diving and looking at this type of computer should be able to question it if something is not quite right.
As a computer, it is great. There are things that I really like about it, and things that coming from a Perdix were a bit difficult to adjust to.
As a computer, it is great. There are things that I really like about it, and things that coming from a Perdix were a bit difficult to adjust to.
Things Liked about the Ratio
The ratio has a large screen which is very bright and can be user adjusted. Like the Perdix, it is user defined so there is a lot that you can customised to fit your diving. The computer, once you get used to the sequencing, is very straightforward and easy to use.
From an environmental point of view, having a USB rechargeable battery is great. I know that there are some divers that would prefer the user changeable battery of the Perdix as you cannot rely on charging in the field, but I find this to be a rare circumstance and something that I could plan for if required. I also do not think I charged it at all in the three months that I had it, a week of which I was diving in Egypt (i did take the cable with me just in case).
A feature that I did not get to test, but would be incredible was the integrated nitro analyser. You can analyse your cylinder with the sensor plugged directly in to your computer and it sets your mix for you. No more jumping in and realising that you did not switch your mix (not that I have EVER done that……). Not only does this mean that you have an easier set up, but it means you are only carrying a cable with you and it is roughly the same price as an Analox analyser. T he best part, no more waiting for other people to finish with your analyser on the boat because they won’t have the same computer!
From an environmental point of view, having a USB rechargeable battery is great. I know that there are some divers that would prefer the user changeable battery of the Perdix as you cannot rely on charging in the field, but I find this to be a rare circumstance and something that I could plan for if required. I also do not think I charged it at all in the three months that I had it, a week of which I was diving in Egypt (i did take the cable with me just in case).
A feature that I did not get to test, but would be incredible was the integrated nitro analyser. You can analyse your cylinder with the sensor plugged directly in to your computer and it sets your mix for you. No more jumping in and realising that you did not switch your mix (not that I have EVER done that……). Not only does this mean that you have an easier set up, but it means you are only carrying a cable with you and it is roughly the same price as an Analox analyser. T he best part, no more waiting for other people to finish with your analyser on the boat because they won’t have the same computer!
Not so keen on with the Ratio
You need to keep in mind that at the time of trying the ratio, I had probably 75 dives with the Perdix. In the grand scheme of things this may not seem like a whole lot, but it was certainly enough to get used to using the Perdix!
The Ratio has four buttons to navigate through the menus which made it slightly more cumbersome to use, in my opinion. While the large screen makes it easy to see and gives you more flexibility to customise it, this also means that it is a very large computer and got caught on my wrist a lot. While in a drysuit the size was not overbearing, diving in a wetsuit in Egypt did prove interesting as I have wrists that are smaller than your average tech diver.
My overall impression is that it is a nice computer and if you are entering in to the technical market, or want a computer that has a bit more flexibility and gives you some control over your decompression gradients, it is a nice start. The entry level Ratio is cost effective in comparison with the Perdix, especially when you consider air integration is standard.
The Ratio has four buttons to navigate through the menus which made it slightly more cumbersome to use, in my opinion. While the large screen makes it easy to see and gives you more flexibility to customise it, this also means that it is a very large computer and got caught on my wrist a lot. While in a drysuit the size was not overbearing, diving in a wetsuit in Egypt did prove interesting as I have wrists that are smaller than your average tech diver.
My overall impression is that it is a nice computer and if you are entering in to the technical market, or want a computer that has a bit more flexibility and gives you some control over your decompression gradients, it is a nice start. The entry level Ratio is cost effective in comparison with the Perdix, especially when you consider air integration is standard.
I am Curious about:
What I am curious of is how the iDive and the Teric compare? On specifications, they are equal but the Ratio iDive comes in cheaper and has the integrated analyser option. Now, Shearwater and Ratio please send us them to try and compare…and keep?
Any Questions?
Any questions about your computer needs pop in and have a chat. We can help you select a computer based on your current diving and diving goals, and even help you set it up when you pick it up in store.
If you are unsure about how to set up your computer, or how to dive it, why not book a Boost session with one of our PADI Pros today!
If you are unsure about how to set up your computer, or how to dive it, why not book a Boost session with one of our PADI Pros today!