Catalogue

ScubaPro Meridian has 4 control buttons to program and access data. Dive computer doesn't have real bar graphs, except probably small SLOW indicator that visually represents your ascent speed.

Display is devided on 4 logical levels. On toppest 1st level we could see mainly corresponding icons and notations, other levels are to show current and max depths, Elapsed Dive Time, No-DECO Time, DECO STOP Timer, set points of the parameters and other important data.

Display layout is very intuitive and is easy to read thanks to large and sharp digits. All notations is easy to understand - no weird characters displayed! Buttons are solid and comfortable to press even in thick gloves. Alarms beeps are loud and clear.

Meridian received inverse active illumination, in which the entire display is not illuminated (as in other dive computers), but only the shown values that are now shining with bright blue! It is possible to set backlight for 4 - 60 seconds.

Before diving we may set dive computer for desired dive mode: Scuba, Apnea, or GAUGE with all corresponding parameters, or check out Logbook and plan our next dive, or interface with PC/MAC by using dedicated cradle.

ScubaPro Meridian has extensive set of parameters which we could access and adjust, like dive computer's settings, alarms for scubadiving or freediving, dive modes, set gases, time, utilities etc...

Copy this ScubaPro Meridian Fine-Tuning Card for your Reference and Share with your friends and buddies!

To plan No-Decompression dives and DECO schedule, ScubaPro Meridian is equipped with Dive Planner, and its calculations depend on nitrogen and oxygen exposure from previous dives, selected water type and MB level, altitude level, and normal workload.

Meridian has logbook with history and all dive data for each dive modes, and it shows corresponding info for each mode.

ScubaPro Meridian: Diving With Air & Nitrox

ScubaPro Meridian allows diving with 2 gas mixes with FO2 up to 100% and it has all settings and functions, which are required to calculate such diving.

During diving with Nitrox, dive computer showed corresponding values on intuitive and easy to read display.

I want to highlight diving with double gas as well: dive computer beeped on me at the time when I needed to switch to Gas D and swapping procedure was very smooth-and-easy. If I didn't swap gases at that point - ScubaPro Meridian would remove Gas D from the schedule and I could finish the dive only with Gas 1. All calculations will proceed in regards to Gas 1 only.

Multigas mix algorithm can be used during the dive with all the benefits of additional tank with Nitrox. Dive computer predicts the transition to the 2nd gas mix that is given in decompression prognosis, and informs the diver of the need for such a transition, according to the maximum operational depth (MOD), determined by the maximum partial pressure of oxygen for each of the mixtures set before the dive.

Unlike traditional deep stops carried out by the rule of Roger Powell , UWATEC recommends making deep stop just at the moment when the most important tissues parts are in the state of desaturation. This ensures a safer, gradual withdrawal of excess of the nitrogen from the tissues of the body, which is not always possible to achieve with the traditional approach to the deep stops. Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops (PDIS) stops depend on the duration of the dive, the sort of gas mixture that is being used, and state of the diver. Such a sound approach to the problem of deep stops was first implemented in the computers of Galileo family. Now, thanks to ScubaPro Meridian, PDIS algorithm was made first available for computers and wrist watch style.

For the first time this algorithm has been implemented in dive computers SMART series and now is, in fact, the official card of UWATEC. This feature allows you to reduce the negative impact of microbubble formation. Microbubbles - are tiny, but potentially very dangerous bubbles that may have formed in the body of the diver, even without visible symptoms, but could damage the soft tissue and cause decompression sickness. The algorithm ZH-L8 ADT MB has six (selectable by the diver) microbubble levels (MB): from L0 (minimum microbubble suppression - initial algorithm ZH-L8 ADT) to L5 (highest level of microbubble suppression). Divers can program the microbubble suppression level in accordance with their status and conditions of the dive.

In practice, this means that with MB Level set other than L0, diver will have either a shorter no-decompression dive, or a deeper and longer safety stops ("level stops"), as opposed to diving with L0. As a consequence, the body will be exposed less to nitrogen, or will be able to offgas quicker, thereby reducing the number of microbubbles present in the body by the end of the dive. If the diver chooses not to perform or skip recommended level stop, the computer will automatically reduce the level by 1, and so on, up to the level L0. L0 decompression schedule is compulsory.

Ascent rate is one of the key parameters in the decompression algorithms. For example, PADI Recreational Dive Planner (RDP) table was built with the ascent speed 18 m/min. Most modern dive computers also use in their calculations fixed maximum ascent rate. The exception is, perhaps, the only UWATEC dive computers, which allowed ascent rate of 11 levels from 7 to 20 m/ min, depending on depth. This gradual reduction in ascent rate provides a more gradual increase in the pressure gradient of a diver's tissues and, in fact, performs an additional mode "continuous" decompression during ascent. Thus, in ScubaPro Meridian, algorithm of adaptive ascent rate provides more security than computers with a fixed value.

Optional cardio sensor and integrated workload calculation function allows user to set min-max pulse alarm and tell Scubapro Meridian to adjust No-DECO calculations and DECO schedule according to the diver's real workload. That's a great benefit for everyone who wants to be aware of the conditions of the organism during variety of diving scenarios.

ScubaPro Meridian: Diving In GAUGE Mode

When I set my ScubaPro Meridian to GAUGE mode - it tracked only Elapsed Dive Time, depth and showed water temperature. And that's common to all dive computers - GAUGE mode algorithm doesn't calculate No-DECO Limits and nitrogen and oxygen loading. Meridian can be set for GAUGE only after completed desaturation countdown.

In GAUGE mode dive computer displays 24 hrs surface interval and 48 hrs No-Fly Time when on surface. Also Meridian locks for 48 hours and I could dive with Nitrox only after 48 hrs elapsed.

Typical display in GAUGE mode shows following:

• stopwatch;
• Elapsed Dive Time (EDT);
• current depth;
• max depth;
• average depth;
• temperature;
• time

ScubaPro Meridian: FREEdiving

FREEdiving is another dive mode of ScubaPro Meridian. In this mode dive computer checks depth every 0.25 sec for greater precision and, obviously, like in GAUGE mode it doesn't calculate No-DECO Limits. I could use this dive mode only after Meridian finished counting desaturation.

During a dive session computer shows following info on display:

• current depth;
• Elapsed Dive Time (EDT);
• number of dives during the session;
• heart rate (if activated with optional heart belt)

In a case of certain conditions - ScubaPro Meridian will activate corresponding alarm, and it surely did. In my case I enjoyed Dive Time and Depth alarms, which were loud-n-clear. So, I didn't miss anything!

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After diving ScubaPro Meridian shows following information:

• No-Fly Countdown timer;
• Prohibited Altitude diving class;
• Desaturation Countdown timer (Surface Interval counter);
• No-Dive warning icon (if applicable)

And in general I was busy with following functions on surface: checking Logbook, planning next dives, and interconnecting with PC using LogTRAK software.

• Logbook can store up to 50 dive hours with 4 sec sampling rate of detailed information;
• PC download is very easy to set up thing – all you need for this – special cradle for Meridian and LogTRAK Software installed on PC (or MAC, whatever your case is). When I established interconnection between PC and dive computer, there will be 2 things I was interested in - download all profiles (dive details, profiles, locations) to PC; and set warnings and alarms to ScubaPro Meridian by using LogTRAK and then upload them to computer;
• Dive Planner - allows planning consecutive No-Decompression dives and DECO schedule, according to my nitrogen and oxygen exposure from previous dives, selected water type and MB level, altitude level, and normal workload. Minimum depth for planning - 9 meters or MOD of Gas(if active)

After placing Meridian to the cradle, connecting USB and selected port - PC easily recognized Meridian and I could download dive data, software was very easy to use, solid and intuitive.

And, of course, on surface I could access Set Menus for fine-tuning ScubaPro Meridian dive computer.

ScubaPro Meridian: What Divers Say

Diving with ScubaPro Meridian left only positive memories, and it couldn't be opposite! Meridian is a solid dive computer that was build for serious recreational divers. When it sits on my wrist - I can feel this THING! And I'm very confident with its performance!

Other point is that ScubaPro's serious approach distinguishes Meridian from the dive computers of other manufacturers, even in such a “seemingly insignificant little things” like Time-To-Fly. Most dive computers include a fixed 24-hour timer. ScubaPro Meridian runs a real-time calculation that takes into account all previous dives, real atmospheric pressure, offgassing period and even such factors as the time-delay release of oxygen masks in the event of cabin depressurization inside airliner. Time-To-Fly can vary from 24 hours in smaller or bigger way.
The situation is similar with diving in altitude. As of today, Meridian is the only dive computer in the wrist digital watch style, which tracks the maximum allowable altitude level after the dive. This is especially important if you make a dive in the mountains, or are considering moving to the mountainous terrain.

When I've been learning user documentation, even it had plenty of info to swallow and digest - it was so logically structured, that I didn't have any troubles to get it right and started diving very quick.

User interface was comfortable and intuitive, display layout was easy to read and I loved inverse backlight that I found very comfortable.

Also I'd like to comment on possibility of precision adjustment of the water density, especially important in freediving. In majority of the dive computers user will select only water type: salt or fresh. In ScubaPro Meridian it is possible to set precise number according to the area you are diving.

ScubaPro Meridian	Dive-Computer-Wizard Rating

Reliability of any dive computer depends on a number of factors - the reliability of the components themselves, designs that provide sealing and other constructive solutions. ScubaPro, of course, can be trusted at 100%. After all, it produces dive computers certified to depths of 330 meters. Therefore, the maximum operating depth (120 meters) at ScubaPro Meridian is not in doubt. And, knowing how serious attention UWATEC/ScubaPro takes on inspection and testing their computers in the production process, I can surely say that the reliability of the Meridian will meet Swiss quality!

After all I found Meridian worked excellent as a dive computer and stylish standalone digital wrist watch onshore. So I could recommend ScubaPro Meridian dive computer to every diver who wants to have rugged, precise, stylish and multifunctional instrument. It will definitely cover all possible diving scenarios (obviously not saying about tech diving here, when user requires more than 2 gas mixes!)