The left button gives access to the setup menu , dive menu , dive log and Bluetooth activation . Navigating through these settings is really easy to get to grips with and there are plenty of options to customise the display and colour scheme to your own liking .
Integrated intelligence
While the TX is available as a standalone unit , it ’ s the air integration that makes it such an attractive proposition . The compact ( 76x34mm , 135g ) Swift features an ‘ interference avoidance system ’ designed to prevent interference from multiple transmitters when working sideby-side . Sidemount support , including cylinder switch notifications is also available .
Simply screw in the Swift to your HP port , link it to the Peregrine via the set-up menu , then information pertaining to gas pressure , plus real-time gas consumption / remaining is clearly displayed on the computer ’ s screen . Up to four transmitters can be connected to the TX and they use readily available , user-replaceable CR2 Lithium batteries .
The Peregrine TX and Swift transmitter are depth-rated to 120 / 200 metres respectively ; the unit will automatically turn on when submerged , prompted by the increase in pressure , rather than
In dive mode with compass display
exposure to water itself . It will also enter the last configured diving mode selected . While the TX is supplied with a grey shock cord / bungee and a standard-style silicone strap , I found the latter was much more to my liking , keeping the unit securely in place either on my arm , or attached to my camera strobe arm .
Practical observations
In use , the Peregrine TX matched its non-integrated sibling ’ s colour-coded warnings and vibrations for anything untoward in the diver ’ s profile . Yellow indicates non-immediate danger such as approaching a no-deco limit or a gas switch . Flashing red is an indication of critical situations , such as going below the maximum operating depth or high CNS . For colour blind users these warnings appear as a solid inverted background and flashing between inverted / normal text respectively .
I was able to use both the PeregrineTX and its little sibling , the watch-sized Tern TX , alongside one another . While there are subtle differences in their operation ( two buttons versus four , for instance ) they , as you ’ d expect , provided identical readings .
While the Tern still offered an excellent display despite the diminutive size of the unit , I found myself leaning more towards the Peregrine . Put simply , if you ’ ve less than 20 / 20 vision then the larger device will be more to your liking . If you think small is beautiful and you ’ ve got good eyesight then the Tern ’ s for you .
It was a close call and had the Tern also offered surface sports-watch functionality it may have tipped the scales in the opposite direction . However , it still has time to win me over prior to its own review in an upcoming Test Centre . Neil Hope
The combo package , computer and Swift transmitter
SCUBA SAYS
If you liked the original Peregrine then you ’ ll love the Peregrine TX X Swift Combo . Everything that was great about the original has just got better with the addition of air integration and an electronic compass .
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