If you are a scuba diver looking for a dive computer that is simply easy to use, then continue reading because the new Mares Puck Dive Computer Series was design with that purpose in mind.
The Puck Sports a single button to scroll through menu option, which alleviates the feeling that if you hit the wrong button you might screw something up.
It also has larger digits that makes it very easy to read, as well as back-light on demand for low visibility conditions or night dives.
It utilizes a conservative algorithm for an even larger margin of safety, this is perfect for entry level divers or divers how are very conservative. However, there are two “personal correction” settings to make the computer more liberal.
So What Makes The Mares Puck So Easy To Use
The guys over at SimplyScuba.com put together a great video review of the Mares Puck Dive Computer.
The Good VS The BAD
The Good
- Easy to use – Ever wonder which button to press on your computer to get to a certain feature? Well the single button feature on the puck will take the guess work out of which button to press, because there is only one button on the dive computer.
- Conservative - This is great for beginner divers because there is a greater safety cushion.
- Back-light – The screen is back lit on demand for dive at night or in low visibility.
- Large Digits – No need to squint to see whats on your computer. Every vital information is in large digits and can be read at a glance.
- Audio and Visible alarms – Who wants to spend there entire dive looking at there dive computer.
The Bad
- It is not Air Integrated – You can get the console version here
- Conservative – Although a conservative computer can be great if you are a beginner, It may give you a shorter bottom time than more liberal dive computers.
What Other Divers Had to Say About the Mares Puck
The reviews below were taken from Leisurepro.com and rewritten for uniqueness.
By soev
from Vancouver, Canada on 11/4/2010
Great little computer with a lot to it and simple one-button scroll through. The one drawback is that there doesn’t appear to be a way to track your surface interval in the ‘logbook’ menu without calculating it yourself from dive times and times entered into the water.
By Steelmanpa
from Phila. PA on 12/18/2010
This was my first computer and I have used it on about 25 dives, including my advanced open water training. My gear is a mixed bag of several brands and I did not initially have a computer in my gauge package, so this wrist mounted pc is great.
As I always say in reviews read, read, read and try to run through the functions on dry land.
It has settings for audible alarms which sometimes bug other divers LOL and increased safety factors for the algorithim.
Once I learned how to use it, I love it.
I wish the product had the digital instruction now advertised when I was learning to use.
Guess having an experienced dive buddy to run some questions through would have been helpful, but ultimately this was easy!
Questions you might have about the Puck
- Does the puck have a digital compass?
No, The puck does does not come equipped with a compass. - Can this computer be hose mounted? If so…..does it require a special mount for this purpose?
There is not just an empty hose socket, but here is the same computer in a console form. - What are the dimensions on this computer?
This dive computer is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter - Does it have a back-light for night dives?
Yes, it comes with back-light on demand. - Does this do both air and nitrox?
The Mares Puck does both Air and Nitrox. - Is the Puck water activated (automatic) or just manually activated?
The Puck is activated manually, by pressing the button on the front. - Can this be downloaded to a PC?
Yes, you can download this computer to a PC using the cable and software listed under accessories. - Does this computer have a user replaceable battery?
Yes, The computer has user replaceable battery.