The first thing you think when wearing the Shearwater Teric for the first time is: Wow! What a beautiful and well-thought-out piece of scuba gear!
It's an amazing wristwatch-style computer for any type of diving, in any environment, and if you truly want the best of the best, the Teric should be on your shortlist.
Want to change the algorithm from Bühlmann to something else? Check. Need to add 4 different staging gases? Yup. Want to dive for a week but don’t think you can recharge? You got it.
It combines the best of the worlds of technical dive computers - with gas changes, algorithm choices, and depth rating - with the convenience of recreational dive computers usually only seen in the Suunto, Garmin, or Apple offerings.
Of course, we also read other opinions online but in the end, nothing beats real world experience. So we took the time for a thorough Shearwater Teric test and review! Below you find everything you need to know, including features, specs and what we like, and don't like about it.
Review Summary
The Shearwater Teric is one of the best dive computers that is focused purely on what it does best: Absolutely ruling as your companion underwater.
Our Rating
What We Like
- The best wristwatch-style dive computer
- Super reliable
- Robust build with sapphire crystal glass
- Super reputable maker
- Any type of diving supported
- Offers air-integration
- Bluetooth connectivity for logbook management
- Bright, clear AMOLED display
- Many different dive modes
- Looks amazing
- Wireless inductive charging
- Configurable algorithm
- Plenty of customization potential
Reasons to Avoid
- Pricey
- No multi-sport capabilities
- Could be too large for small wrists
- No heart rate or vitals monitor
Important Specs & Features
- Multi-gas diving
- Built like a tank
What could be improved
- Make it a smartwatch
- Offer a version for smaller wrists
Get it here
First Impression
In a hurry and looking for the gist of things? Here is our review in short. Keep reading for the entire version.
The Shearwater Teric is extremely well built, features a large display, multiple gas options, a stunning look, and it just works. It’s a full-sized wrist-style dive computer with all the bells and whistles that the name Shearwater brings with it.
It also comes in a variety of colors and even a special edition that looks really fancy. Whatever kind of diving you are planning to do, the Teric will serve you well. The display is a joy to look at and much better than some of the close contenders. Did we mention it looks amazing?
Yes, it does come at a steep price and will probably be too expensive as a beginner dive computer. But you really get what you pay for. The only real drawback is that it does not support different sports like the Garmin or Apple.
The Shearwater Teric is the best dive computer of 2024 and way beyond that is focused purely on what it does best: Absolutely ruling as your companion underwater.
About Shearwater Dive Computers
Shearwater is a household name in the dive computer industry and one of the all-time great scuba gear manufacturers. The Shearwater Teric is their flagship model and rightfully so. Unlike the Perdix or Petrel, it is a wristwatch-sized model and can double as a great daily dive watch.
Personal note: Shearwater is one of our go-to brands for dive computers and their entire line is top-notch. We might be a bit biased but honestly, we’ve never had a bad Shearwater product in our hands.
Build Quality 5/5
Man, this thing is a beauty and a beast at the same time. A full-sized wrist-style dive computer with all the bells and whistles that the name Shearwater brings with it. The Shearwater Teric is extremely well built, features a large display, multiple gas options, and a stunning look, and it just works.
As usual, we have pretty high standards in terms of diving conditions, and the Teric’s sapphire crystal face and sturdy bezel can withstand the stress of both recreational and technical dives.
The display doesn’t scratch even after a few years in use now and the case still looks like new.
Design
While rugged, the design is both stylish and functional. Its full-color AMOLED display is a standout feature, offering exceptional clarity and brightness, which we found to be easily readable in various underwater conditions – you know we like to dive in dark lakes and quarries. Night diving and cave diving enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the display also performs well here.
The Teric also comes in a variety of colors and even a special edition that looks really fancy.
It is clearly designed to be worn daily! If you are looking for a new watch anyway and like the solid, “masculine” look of the Teric, the price difference between buying a watch + computer and buying the Teric is not so great anymore.
That’s not to say that women cannot wear it!
However, we have to take off 1 star because there is no ladies’ version or at least a smaller wristband. At this price range, we absolutely expect that.
Ease of Use – 5/5
We like the Teric’s intuitive menu navigation (which is far better than that of the Peregrine), which is controlled by four responsive buttons. The ability to customize the display with different colors and layouts was also a significant plus that all Shearwater dive computers offer.
Despite its advanced features, we found that we could quickly become comfortable with the basic functions of the Teric and take it for a dive in under 5 minutes.
Features and Performance – 5/5
Honestly, there is nothing the Shearwater Teric cannot do for you apart from diving on its own.
As for features, it comes loaded and here it really shines. It supports air, Nitrox, Trimix, and has modes for open-circuit and closed-circuit rebreather diving, making it an incredibly versatile choice for divers of all levels. Let’s be honest, if you own a rebreather, the Teric will be your backup at max, but it’s still nice to know it can be used for that.
The inclusion of a 3D compass and Bluetooth connectivity for easy logbook management via the Shearwater Cloud app are really cool features we loved.
During our testing phases, including dry tests, confined water in our pool, and open-water dives in varying temperatures and depths, the Teric performed flawlessly. We especially noted its reliability in deep dives and its accurate decompression calculations, courtesy of the Buhlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with Gradient Factors.
After all, it is rated for 200m / 650ft so most tech and recreational divers will never exceed its maximum operating depth.
App & Connectivity – 3/5
We already mentioned the Shearwater Cloud app for logbook management and dive planning. Connectivity is easy and although the app is not as extensive as, for example, the Garmin Descent ecosystem, it is really easy.
Battery Life and Charging 5/5
Battery life was impressive; the wireless inductive charging system is convenient and means little to no maintenance or replacing batteries. Yea, we all know that’s no fun…
Charging doesn’t take long at all and per charge, you get about 25-30 hours in diving mode or about 48 hours in normal watch mode. If you turn down brightness and some other settings, you might get over 60, but we haven’t reached that yet.
Bonus: The Shearwater Teric works with Qi-compliant chargers, allowing you to charge both your smartphone and dive computer with the same device!
Diving with the Shearwater Teric 5/5
When we review scuba gear, we always test it from 3 perspectives: Recreational divers, technical divers, and dive professionals and instructors.
On the one hand, we have team members from all these sides so it’s easy for us to test it this way. On the other hand, we think all these 3 groups have individual requirements and what might work for one doesn’t have to work for the others.
Shearwater Teric for recreational diving
If you like diving as a recreational diver and go on at least one or two dive trips per year, the Teric is an excellent choice.
Not only does it include anything you could ever want in a dive computer, but it also looks absolutely fantastic while doing so. Yes, it is expensive, and yes you can get great dive computers for much less…but if you want a good daily watch, the Teric is amazing!
Recreational divers will appreciate the Teric’s intuitive interface and customizable display options. It’s straightforward to navigate through its menus so even if you don’t dive frequently, you won’t use it the next time and have to wonder how it works.
Even though you might not need Trimix or staging gases, whether diving on air or nitrox, the Teric adapts seamlessly. In our opinion, if you get the Teric, you will never have to upgrade in your life. Well, at least for the next 10 years! 😁
Shearwater Teric for tech diving
Technical divers will appreciate the Teric’s advanced functionalities. Its support for multiple gas mixes, including trimix, and its ability to manage complex dive plans are unmatched by any other wristwatch-style dive computers on the market.
The Teric’s decompression model and a bottom timer mode with stopwatch function mean you can use it as your primary, backup, or even as a gauge. The options for gradient factors and other tweaks are extensive and leave nothing to be desired.
Dive computer for dive instructors
Dive Professionals will love the Teric for many reasons. It is simple to use, looks great, allows for any kind of recreational or technical diving, and comes in a handy size. As instructors or dive guides, we need to set our decompression settings in a way to accommodate the majority of divers in our group.
The Teric uses a Bühlmann Z-16 algorithm which is not as “conservative” as others out there and may be used whether you do recreational or technical diving.
The Shearwater Teric’s capability to wirelessly track pressure in up to two tanks simultaneously is pretty cool, especially when diving with students!
Air Integration – 5/5
The Shearwater Teric offers one of the best AI (air integration) setups on the market and deserves to be talked about in length!
One of the Teric’s most impressive aspects is its ability to permanently pair with transmitters. This feature eliminates the common hassle of waiting for the computer to sync with the transmitter each time you switch tanks. That’s really convenient for us divers who dive with different tanks or gas mixtures throughout the day.
The pairing process is straightforward and, once set, offers a reliable and consistent connection throughout your dives.
Customizable Display
We love that you can choose whether to display the AI data on your home screen or a separate air integration view. You can also customize your preferred information, with options for Tank 1 (T1) and Tank 2 (T2) pressures, Gas Time Remaining (GTR), and Surface Air Consumption (SAC) rates.
Gas Time Remaining (GTR)
GTR’s goal is to provide an accurate estimation of how long you can stay at a given depth before needing to ascend directly to the surface at a safe rate of 10m/33ft per minute. This is displayed along your no-decompression limit (NDL).
This calculation is dynamic, adjusting in real time to changes in depth or exertion levels. For example, when diving in cold water or against currents, this time will decrease quickly.
While Shearwater actively markets its GTR feature, we think it’s mostly a gimmick.
Surface Air Consumption (SAC) Rate Display
SAC rate calculation is a critical component of the Teric’s air integration system. It shows the rate at which you’re consuming gas (air, Nitrox, or something else), forming the basis for the GTR calculation. This real-time monitoring is great, particularly for managing air consumption during demanding dives.
Warnings and Alerts
The Teric’s system intelligently warns divers about their remaining gas time with a convenient color coding. The displayed time changes to yellow when there are five minutes of gas time left and to red when only two minutes remain.
Decompression Model – 5/5
The Shearwater Teric employs the Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with Gradient Factors (GF). This algorithm is well-regarded for its balance between safety and diving efficiency.
The inclusion of Gradient Factors allows divers to customize the conservativeness of their decompression model. By adjusting the Gradient Factors, divers can influence the algorithm to provide more conservative (safer) or more aggressive (less conservative) decompression stops.
This level of customization is perfect for advanced and technical divers who may have specific preferences or needs based on the dive profile, experience, and conditions.
Safety Stops and Deep Stops
The Teric advises safety stops and, where appropriate, deep stops. Safety stops are standard practice, typically recommended at 5 meters/15 feet for 3 minutes, enhancing nitrogen off-gassing at the end of the dive.
Deep stops, which are optional and can be turned on or off in the settings, are brief pauses at deeper depths during the ascent, believed by some divers to further enhance off-gassing efficiency. Disclaimer: We do NOT think deep stops should be used by divers.
Recent studies have shown that Deep Stops are not recommended in most cases, as they do not offer significant decompression advantages and might even increase DCS risk!
Conclusion
All in all, the Shearwater Teric is the best dive computer of 2024 and way beyond.
Use one of the links below to check the latest prices and dive in!
Specs & Features
| Buttons | 4 |
| Display | 3.5cm / 1.39in AMOLED display |
| Depth Rating | 200m (650 ft) |
| Memory | Lots |
| Battery | Rechargeable |
| Operating Modes | Single-gas, multi-gas, freediving, gauge, apnea, customizable |
| Oxygen Blend | Nitrox, Trimix, Custom |
| Decompression Algorithm | Bühlmann ZHL-16C with adjustable gradient factors |
If you have any other questions or need advice, leave us a comment below and get the conversation started.
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