Oceanic Geo Air Dive Computer - Review 2023

A Versatile Mid-Range Dive Computer

Oceanic’s mid-range dive computer is designed for both beginners and more experienced divers.

As an entry-level dive computer, the Geo Air leaves a lot of room for expanding into more technical types of dives. For scuba divers starting out, it initiates on its own and displays what’s needed to see without any adjusting of the buttons.

Additionally, having two algorithms allows a diver to safely maximize bottom time depending on the type of dive profiles. More on that below.

From the beginning, connectivity helps both with logging and planning. The DiverLog+ app can be downloaded for free from Apple and Google’s app stores, and can be used as a dive log regardless of any computer a diver may have.

Although the user interface is already dead simple and intuitive, this gives you more control over how you want to use your dive computer watch.

The Oceanic Geo Air allows you to choose from two nitrox mixes to 100% oxygen, which means whether you’re diving down deep or just enjoying a more sunlit 10m excursion, this watch has all the information you need for a great dive.

There’s also a form factor worth noting. For some, the smaller watch-type will be a great size and can be used as a time piece when not diving. Though we found the screen large enough during our use, others might think it not be big enough.

Additionally, if you decide to add the optional air transmitter, you can get all the air, time, dive profile information you need in real time, providing some very accurate dive parameters.

Oceanic DiverLog+ App

With the Oceanic Geo Air, we’ve had the chance to dive in a wide range of depths and temperatures of water. We also have made use of the Oceanic’s DiverLog+ app, which is useful in pre-dive configuration and post-dive analysis.

Before we dive deeper into the app features, it’s worth mentioning that the Oceanic Geo Air Dive Computer does run independently of the app, so you don’t need to have the app installed and activated on your phone in order to access the controllability features that this Oceanic Dive Computer offers.

The DiverLog+ app is a very nice way to collect and keep organized your dive history. For those of us who use a couple different dive computers, it’s an easy way to  use one digital space as a dive log.

In this way, divers may easily and rapidly customize their dive profiles before a dive and then access, edit, and download those profiles afterward.

The DiverLog+ works with all Bluetooth-enabled, Oceanic dive computers and especially well with the Geo Air.

Using the App, which incorporates the Geo Air’s specific traits, the proprietary Dual Algorithm may be toggled between two different conservative factor settings (Buhlmann ZHL-16c based PZ+, or DSAT) and the gas mixes, user display, and alarms can all be customised on the fly before and after a dive. Additionally, both Nitrox mixes can be set to 100%.

Finally, your oxygen supply and remaining underwater time are tracked–only with the optional transmitter–and shown via the proprietary Air Time Remaining and Dive Time Remaining features. At any time throughout your dive, it will provide you with an accurate assessment of your depth, breathing rate, pressure, ascent time, and decompression status.

Overall Design and Display

The Oceanic Geo Air Dive Computer does exactly what is says on the tin, simply and concisely. What exactly does that imply for you as a diver?

The Display and Controls

The Oceanic Geo Air packs plenty of features into its sleek design. A large LCD screen, user-friendly menu and internal accelerometer allow you to easily navigate all of your key dive data including dive time, No Decompression Limits, maximum depth, average depth, water temperature and more.

The intuitive interface allows divers to “step back” through the menus without returning to the main display ensuring that important information is never lost. The Geo Air also offers Gauge Mode with Run Timer – a function that enables divers to start and stop a timer on their wrist computer when using a gauge for decompression safety.

Comparing it to many of its competitors such as Cressi Dive Computers or even Suunto Dive Computers, it’s pretty similar in its simplicity.

The screen is not super bright which can make it less easy to configure pre-dive settings on a boat at sea under strong sunlight. It’s not a problem, but it’s not  as bright as something like a Peregrine.

Easy to understand and trustworthy, it gives you a rapid snapshot of your current profile without the need to sift through unnecessary details.

If you’re looking for a more modern look, however, with more color and style, you should check out the Garmin Descent models or even the Apple Watch Ultra Dive Computer (which, in our opinion, the most innovative on today’s market). But those are more than twice as much as the Geo Air.

Safety Features of the Ultra

During our dives, we compared the safety features of the Ocean Geo Air to other top dive computers, examining the timing and availability of various features.

The Geo Air’s alarm system clearly blinks into view and emits a moderate beep sound when the diver gets close to their no decompression limit. We had many dive computers, including the Garmin Mk2, Shearwater Teric, Apple Ultra and others, all sitting on a tube together for a few dives, and this happened simultaneously with all of them.

To calculate how much longer you can stay underwater given your current depth, tank pressure, breathing rate, ascent time, and decompression state, use the Air Time Remaining (ATR) function–active only when using an AI transmitter.

The dive computer presents current values, like cylinder pressure and air remaining, on a numerical bar graph. With just a single click, you can also see a comprehensive summary of your unused airtime. With the press of a button, a gas pressure scale running from zero to five thousand pounds per square inch (psi) is displayed (0 to 350 bars).

For those less experienced, there’s a time constraint called the no-decompression limit (NDC) that dictates how long you can remain at your current depth. The panel displays the maximum oxygen saturation allowed during a dive or 24 hours while using nitrox.

Dive Time Remaining (DTR) is an analogous feature to ATR that shows you the ‘real’ safe time left in your dive in minutes. The time needed to absorb nitrogen or oxygen is factored in, and the lesser of the two results is displayed. Time is displayed as DTR with a graphic NDC to indicate the current time zone on the No Deco Main Screen.

Two Dive Algorithms

This is where the Dual Algorithm is a real asset for more experienced divers looking to really maximize their time. The Geo Air can use an algorithm better suited to the type of dive profiles, when calculating repetitive dives.

A DSAT dive model, like PADI’s recreational dive planner uses, is ideal for repetitive dives that don’t include diving beyond 100 feet.

A Z+ or Buhlmann model is better for deeper dives, calculating conditions to safely maximize bottom time for repetitive dives.

That the Geo Air can toggle between the two allows the diver to adjust the computer to suit the dive profiles. A cool thing.

What Does the Oceanic Geo Air Dive Computer Cost?

A brand-new Ocean Geo Air will go for around $500. However, if you were to add the optional air transmitter it’s going to add another couple hundred.

While there are delayed and split payment options available for the wrist-watch computer, it’s worth noting that this is a one-off payment with a free app and not based on an annual subscription service like with Apple’s Ultra Dive Computer.

The battery should probably be replaced every year or year and a half. That’ll cost an additional $25-30.

On the other hand, you get a 24 month return warranty which is fantastic. If there’s anything wrong with your dive computer, you’re certainly going to find out within the first couple of years.

If you’re a more frequent diver, or maybe you enjoy the thrill of technical diving, you’ll want a concise and purpose-built dive computer with algorithm and air flexibility. This is where Oceanic Geo Air steps in as a fantastic option for you.

Do we recommend it?

Enhanced with Bluetooth communication to all smartphones via the DiverLog+ App, the Geo Air also includes a simple, legible display, a revolutionary patented Dual Algorithm, five interchangeable color straps, and wireless air integration.

The Geo Air is ideal for divers of all experience levels, whether they are just starting out or are seasoned scuba veterans. As a reliable dive computer to provide clear details of your scuba dives, Oceanic has made a pretty versatile machine. There’s nothing to fault on its functionality. Unless there’s a form-factor dislike, the Geo Air is worth considering as a primary dive computer, or as a backup for technical dives.