Aqua Lung i770R Dive Computer Review & Vlog "User Test & Conclusion" in Alor and Komodo, Indonesia

Aqua Lung have just launched a new dive computer onto the scuba diving scene - the i770R.
With so many leading brands now releasing new units to compete in this competitive market (that is often led by the Finnish brand - Suunto), it was great to be able to get up close with this new kid on the block, and to put it through it's paces to see how it compares with some of the dive computers we been fortunate to try recently.
We were lucky enough to take a new loan unit from the lovely team at Mike's Dive Store ( www.mikesdives... ), out to Indonesia with us recently to give it a try out.
2 weeks and 30 dives in Alor and Komodo later, this video is a culmination of our thoughts and what we wanted you guys to know about it.
We had lots of information to share, so hope you find the video useful!?!
For more information on the Aqua Lung i770R Dive Computer visit:
www.mikesdives...
Alor Location: www.alamialor....
Komodo Location: www.komodoresor...
Drone shots taken with DJI Mavic Pro
Still underwater shots taken by: / blackmantaphotography

[@rodbaverstock6353]

Thank you for a very informative review , you answered all the queries I had about the unit - so impressed I have ordered one as my current dive computer is getting hard to read on night dives ( my eye-sight , not the dive computer's fault!!)

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Rod BAVERSTOCK thanks for the comment Rod - glad the review could be of help to you. Really is a great dive computer, and you won’t go wrong with one of these. Do let us know how you get on with it! Good luck with the eyesight too! 😉

[@mel.washere]

Thank you for the review! Is the screen bright enough underwater? Is easy to read? And I saw plenty of diver computer with problems to read above water, for the reflection of the sun. Does this computer has the same problem?

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Mel WasHere thanks for the comment. It’s really appreciated. Yes, the screen is bright enough. You can also adjust the levels of brightness. I had no issues seeing the screen on the surface in the sunlight at all

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Mel WasHere in the video there is a still shot of me wearing the i770R - you can clearly make out the numbers. Really great product!

[@mel.washere]

Black Manta Photography Thank you for the answer! I'm an fairly new advanced Open Water Diver so I'm looking for the first dive computer. I'm divided between this one and the Suunto Eon Core. In your expertise using both, which one is better? They are really close and it's getting kinda difficult to decide! Haha

[@MrASeidel]

Great series of reviews! I’ve gotten fed up with my Mares Icon HD - torn between this I770R and the Shearwater Perdix AI. Which did you like better for recreational/warm water vacation diving (Advanced Open water- nothing deeper than 130 feet really). I only dive air. Don’t plan on ever getting into TriMix

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Adam Seidel thanks Adam - appreciate the comment. 👍🏻 To be honest, if you will only be doing recreational stuff then the i770R will be more than sufficient. Shearwater products are incredible, and anyone that owns a Shearwater will tell you to only get a Shearwater. But, I was really impressed with the Aqualung - in fact all their DC’s are very very good. For recreational needs, of it was me I’d go i770R, and spend the money you’d save on actually going diving!!

[@MrASeidel]

Black Manta Photography awesome to hear that. I’ve definitely noticed the ‘cult of Shearwater’ in the boards, and it definitely seems well deserved, but the size and the NATO strap seemed to work for me better since I don’t dive with anything more than a short sleeve rash guard. Thanks for the quick reply and the great content! -Adam

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Adam Seidel you’re more than welcome, and thanks for the great comments. Don’t get me wrong - I love Shearwater too, but there are more than enough great DC’s out there. I love a lot of things in life, but doesn’t mean I have them all of expect everyone to buy them. My primary DC is a Suunto EON Steel for example...

[@trevorgale1176]

I purchased one of the 770 about 10 months ago, would not recommend. On the first dive the pin fell out of the buckle. Now the USB cable is faulty you have to get it just in the right position to charge. Wish I had gone with the EON or perhaps Mares.

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

That’s a real shame - sorry to hear that. What did the retailer say after the pin dropped out after the first dive? Did they not offer a replacement?

[@trevorgale1176]

@@BlackMantaPhotography No, he just laughed , I just pulled apart a old belt buckle and "blacksmithed" a new pin. It's just very disappointing.

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

@@trevorgale1176 oh my good lord!! That’s awful! They really should have either exchanged or sent it back to Aqualung who I know for sure would have sorted this out. Sorry you had this experience

[@Jetfire108]

Can it be used for tech diving?

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

It isn't specifically built for technical diving, but it will allow you to add 4 nitrox mixes with individual PO2 set points. It runs the Z+, and the gas time remaining algorithm provides calculations in real-time, allowing accurate gas management.

[@Jetfire108]

@@BlackMantaPhotography so it dont have trimix capability

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

@@Jetfire108 nope - no trimix capabilities at all... It would be fine for accelerated deco profiles, but not for anything more.

[@Jetfire108]

@@BlackMantaPhotography ok man thanks for the information

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

@@Jetfire108 you're more than welcome buddy... HNY!

[@chrisricci5398]

I just finished watching a few of your videos on computers. I have a D6i, which I like generally (too conservative), but my eyes are fading with age and I am having trouble reading the display. Your reviews of the Teric show it as being really bright, which may work for me. Obviously, this one is bigger, which also solves the problem. Any thoughts to help me decide between the two (or any others you want to throw in the mix)? Please ignore cost as a significant factor. I really appreciate your help.

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Chris Ricci hi Chris, great to have you on board and to hear the videos have been of interest. I guess the question is whether you are just looking for a dive computer, or whether you want a unit that you will use as a watch when not diving? As you have a Suunto now (D6i is a great unit) then I’ll assume you do indeed want a watch style unit. If you do want to stay with Suunto then certainly consider the D5. It’s half the price of the Teric, and has a menu system you’ll be familiar with. It also has an updated algorithm - the Fused 2 RGBM with is far more aggressive on NDL’s and more inline with the Buhlmann algorithms. The battery could be better - and to be honest is its only flaw. You will have already picked up on my love for the Teric - will tick ever box you need it to. Only flaw is the price is double the D5, but as you said that wasn’t an issue then that’s where I would be aiming. If you DON’T need the dive computer to be a watch also and are happy with the bigger tablet style units, then the Aqualung i770 and the Suunto Core would be where I’d be looking. Both have great battery life and displays that allow for brightness adjustment, and work great with their big bold numbers. If you want the quality of Shearwater and cost isn’t an issue then also look at the Perdix, but make sure it’s the AI version (air Integrated) - a dive computer without AI these days just isn’t worth it. Steer clear of the Garmin Descent MK1 - great computer, but lacked AI and the screen was too small. I’ll add a couple of links below to videos that might help you - you may already have seen them though... Hope this was helpful 👍🏻

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Chris Ricci kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIiqdp-gbNWBmbc

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Chris Ricci this was about the Suunto core kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIiQn2CohMZ-r6c

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Chris Ricci the Perdix AI kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2WYZnSHmbqio8k

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Chris Ricci also, don’t discount the Ratio iX3M if a tablet style DC is what you’re after... kzbin.info/www/bejne/onvTm6Cwjdymldk

[@DaveSupTT]

Hi, I'm considering buying this computer, but I can't decide if to go for this or the eon core. I know you are a big suunto fan, but that aside, which would you pick and why? I love that you can set up the dive computer fully via the app on the i770r, shame the eon core doesn't do this

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

David Whiteside thanks for the question Dave. I’m a suunto user, but certainly appreciate many other brands out there. For me the Core is just easy to use - I find the Suunto range just easy to navigate tbh, and my Steel hasn’t let me down in 500 odd dives. That said, the i770R is a great computer, as you say there is more setting up options from the app, but in all honesty, this is something I rarely do in the real world. I’m generally setting gases etc after I’ve analysed, and by this point my phone isn’t anywhere near me. You’re obviously looking at the tablet style DC, so I’m going to make it even more difficult for you and add in the new Mares Genius. I’ve just used one on a recent trip and was completely surprised how good it was. Falls down on a couple of things, but was better than I was expecting it to be. Will try and get the review done for it in the next week or so, but worth considering. Anyway (I digressed), the i770R will allow for lots of different types of diving, and some of the feature are definitely up there compared to the Core. If you aren’t fussed by the app go Suunto - otherwise go for the Aqualung. If you aren’t fussed about a tablet style watch and can wait a couple of months, then hang on for the Garmin Descent Mk2. I loved the Mk1 (review on this channel) and hear the Mk2 will be even better including the things that I thought let it down. Just worth a thought anyway...

[@DaveSupTT]

@@BlackMantaPhotography thanks very much for the speedy and detailed reply. Much appreciated. I did watch your garmin decent review, it looked awesome, but as you pointed out it's no air integration and I really want that. Currently have a sunnto vyper which I love but fancy a nice colour screen with air integration. In regards to my original question between the eon core and the i770r, which screen do you think is the sharper brighter one, and generally easier to use. Or they both pretty much on a par all round. Would you also choose the mares over the Aqualung? Thanks again

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

David Whiteside I hear the Descent Mk2 will have AI. Anyway, the i770R I believe has the sharper screen over the Core in my opinion. The Mares screen is great - bright, lots of colour, but the unit is bulky, and much bigger than the others. The i770R is a much neater unit too. Stick with your original choice and go for the Aqualung 👍🏻

[@DaveSupTT]

@@BlackMantaPhotography just ordered the Aqualung via Mike's dive store. They had a cracking package deal on it, and then to make it better they issued a flash code for a further £60 off. £539 for the computer, the wireless transmitter and the Aqualung explorer 2 duffle pack! Absolutely awesome deal and really helpful too. Can't wait to try it now. Cheers again

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

David Whiteside that is excellent news!! Let me know how you get on with it. Mikes Dive Store have THE best customer service around, and are often unbeaten on price. That’s why they were voted the UK’s best online dive retailer and the reason that we like to deal with them.

[@angicano]

Hello Dear, I have recently watched your review of the 770R and I liked to hear some things during your video because I own a i750TC and I am tired of NOT seeing that screen in sunny days. Before selling my DC very cheap and moving to the 770R, I would like to submit this text and I hope you have some time to read and answer. As I could find many comments in many forums about i750TC computer, it is almost impossible to see the screen while diving in sunny days (99% of my dives). Therefore, I am one of the "lucky" guys who bought it enchanted by the colorful screen and now disillusioned by that fact above mentioned. As experts in the field, would you know any alternative to update the i750TC in order to become functional (because right now it's not)? Or - better - have you ever heard about any recall/refund/return programme where the buyers of this dive computer can have a solution for this problem? I know you are not 'official aqualung channel' to answer that question properly.... I am just trying to have some answers with divers from the community. Regards and Sorry for disturbing, Moreno

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Hi Moreno - thank you for the question and don't worry - you are not disturbing at all. Simple answer is I'm not aware of any solution to make the screen of the i750 brighter underwater. On researching the issue I see that there are many people complaining about the brightness of the i750, so would appear it's a much deeper issue. I found these threads... www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/new-aqua-lung-i750tc-dive-computer.534131/page-3 and... www.reddit.com/r/scuba/comments/8gajca/aqua_lung_i750tc_avoid_at_all_costs_no_use_in_a/ My honest advice - sell it, or just move on. If you want to stay with Aqualung and do prefer the tablet style dive computer, then the i770R is a great unit as is the new Mares Genius. Shearwater Perdix and the Suunto EON Core & Steel are also great units that are extremely easy to use, and have great brightness levels - the Mares Genius in particular. Hope that helps...?

[@angicano]

@@BlackMantaPhotography thanks for your valuable answer. I will keep my study regarding dive computers. Best, Moreno

[@karenmarie4400]

I watched you review the eon core vs the steel, but how would you rate/compare the eon core to the i770r?

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

Thanks Karen - they're actually very equal in terms of the operating systems and ease of use. I've always found the Suunto devices have easy to use menus, but the i770R was very intuitive. I'd lean slightly towards the i770R only because of the battery life and the screen - I did find the screen better to view and like the colour aspects of the digital display. It's also a tidier unit, and feels less bulky.

[@karenmarie4400]

I just saw someone else ask the question somewhere below. What are the advantages/disadvantages over one vs the other. I was considering the genius, but I was reading the Bluetooth is not really good on the genius (or not an option at all). After watching you review all the watch styles, I was leaning towards the teric, but I don’t have any desire to go tec, so shearwater will be more than I need (and want). Granted, the teric is very easy to read u/w. So I thought ok, if I go the 770r route, I can also get a 470 tc as a back up/watch option as it has a button for backlight, and I could use the same transmitter for both, plus it has a user changeable battery. So I’d have essentially one rechargeable computer and one user changeable. (I’m currently using an oceanic veo 1.0 on my consol, and suunto zoop novo on my wrist). An instructor friend of mine mentioned that there is a promo going on with the core, where you can get the transmitter free with purchase of the core. I didn’t think the core had Bluetooth app capability, which is a deal breaker for me. If it does, I’m thinking it may be worth reconsidering. However, if I wanted to get a watch style as a back up, my only option would be the d5, which looks great but has terrible battery life.

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

@@karenmarie4400 you hit a lot of nails on the head there! Shearwater is undoubtedly the best on the market, but there are so many DC's that deliver the same with similar algorithms. If you are interested in a watch style DC and want something market leading then if I was you I'd hang on a few weeks and wait for the Garmin Descent Mk2. I have it on good authority that this will be finally launched in the coming weeks. The Garmin Descent Mk1 is an awesome DC - it was let down by the small viewing screen and the lack of AI, which I know both have been rectified for the Mk2 version. The Mk2 has the same operating software as the Garmin Fenix 6, and is a full on smart watch, fitness watch, and will have market leading dive computer capabilities. Yes, it will be pricey, but in my opinion will be hard to beat - even by shearwater. If you aren't fussed about the AI, then definitely look at the Descent mk1. The price will most definitely drop when the Mk2 launches. The D5 is a great little unit, but yes, the battery life is woeful. Check out the review I did on the Garmin Descent Mk1, and also the 'Big Dive Computer Review' video I did when I compared the D5, Teric, Descent Mk1 and iDive Colour Easy.

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIeknoGAi9CDe8k

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIiqdp-gbNWBmbc

[@vincenzomelacca4437]

Lascio il mio commento personale ho acquistato 4 I770R siamo tutti Sub in famiglia con innumerevoli immersioni come bagaglio tecnico. Purtroppo il nostro parere tolto il fatto del design fantastico e tutte le funzioni disponibili lo rende veramente unico, ma come tutti Voi Sub sapete il computer ha diversi tipologie di allarme visivo ed acustico, entrambi sono l'indicatore della nostra immersione per la sicurezza. Questo computer purtroppo ha una emisionne acustica impercettibile immaginate con cappuccio ancora peggio inesistente, immaginate di essere in immersione con la vostra postazione fotografica oppure in immersione tecnica, non posso guardare il display ogni minuto ...... l'allarme acustico è il precursore del visivo sul display.( tutti e 4 i computer hanno lo stesso direi grande difetto) non ricomprerei mai purtroppo testarlo prima non è stato possibile.

[@DaveSupTT]

Just wondering, has anyone had any syncing issues... Watch this video for what I'm talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGSukod9qaprj6M I've emailed Aqualung but so far had no reply at all. In addition to this issue, when I've uploaded a dive to app and viewed the graph, theres a section which equates to 1 minute where it is a pale orange like colour. I can't find any info as to what this means either. Wasn't sure I'd it meant loss of transmitter signal or what. Any ideas anyone?

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

David Whiteside hmmmm - I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to this. If I find anything out do let me know. First time I’ve heard of this issue so would be interested if others are experiencing it?

[@DaveSupTT]

@@BlackMantaPhotography it's very odd. I've had a play again and it seems to be just max depth that doesn't update correctly. And then god know why the computer doesn't alarm even though it's set. I'll give an update if Aqua Lung reply

[@BlackMantaPhotography]

David Whiteside would be really interested if you get to the bottom of it 👍🏻

[@DaveSupTT]

@@BlackMantaPhotography Ive just had a reply back from Pelagic Pressure Systems who produce the app.. They have confirmed that With regards to My Device/Setting/Depth Alarm anomaly, they have tested the App and confirm that there is a problem. The developers have fix and released a beta version that is available via Test Flight prior to releasing the new Diver log update.

[@DaveSupTT]

@@BlackMantaPhotography with regards to the graph showing a shaded red bar, it is to indicate I assended too fast... Oops