Shearwater Near Eye Remote Display NERD 2 – SA

he NERD is a full decompression dive computer incorporating functionality of the Shearwater Research Perdix-AI, but with a display mounted on the diver’s regulator second stage. This revolutionary device keeps crucial information in your line-of-sight for the entire dive. Thanks to the Micro LCD display and magnifying lens, the data appears as if displayed on a 32″ TV screen 12″ away, with no need to focus. If you can watch a TV without glasses, and even if you have a bifocal lens mask for reading gauges, you should have no problem seeing the NERD 2. The display is unobtrusive as it virtually disappears when you look straight ahead. The numbers are there when you need them at any point during the dive, and out of the way when you don’t. The full color display is used to convey additional meaning with the information being displayed. When information is yellow or red, it calls the diver’s attention to an unusual value or problem.

During a decompression dive, the NERD 2 provides complete information displays of all required stop times. The NERD 2 can provide time-to-surface based on “look ahead” at planned gas switches. Multiple gas definition presets are supported with any combination of oxygen, nitrogen and helium. The NERD 2 will NOT “lockout” after a missed stop or ascent rate violation. Out of the box, the NERD 2 includes open-circuit and closed-circuit Air, Nitrox and Trimix mixed gas functionality along with several enhanced navigation features for the three-axis tilt-compensated digital compass. The standard firmware supports English language menus and both imperial/metric units of measure.

The NERD 2 is capable of wirelessly connecting to either one or two optional transmitters giving the diver ability to monitor up to two tank pressures. Air integration is optional for all modes, from OC Rec to CC/BO. The tank pressure(s), in PSI or BAR, and GTR can be displayed to the customizable slots on the main display screen or accessed through the underlying information screens. Enabling the AI feature causes approximately 10% decrease in battery life.

After the dive, the NERD 2 communicates via next generation Bluetooth Smart Ready™ with iOS devices such as the iPad and iPhone. In addition to current Shearwater and third party support for Mac and PC desktop applications, users are able to download dives using their iOS devices in conjunction with third party applications. The NERD 2 incorporates a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Users can expect a minimum of 18 dive hours, on medium brightness, from a fully charged NERD 2 and 5 charges from the charge bank.

Included with every NERD2-SA from Dive Gear Express are a regulator mount, recharging clip, charging bank, USB cable and printed Quick Start Guide with instructions for downloading software from the Shearwater Research website. The software includes a complete dive log manager, compatible with both MS Windows and MAC OS X. The dive log manager supports log downloads and firmware updates via the Bluetooth wireless interface. An optional VPM-B unlock code enables using the Varying Permeability Model (VPM-B and VPM-B/GFS) algorithm for calculating decompression.

Recreational Open-Circuit Features

In addition technical diving modes, key features of the Recreational Open-Circuit mode (aka Recreational Nitrox mode) include a simpler menu structure, less cluttered display with a larger font and configurable bottom row, optional safety stops, and a no-decompression limit dive planner. The simplified settings allow for three breathing gas mixtures (Air or Nitrox) and places a greater emphasis on the maximum operating depth (MOD) and no decompression time limit (NDL). The display prominently warns the diver if their depth is near, at or exceeds the MOD of the selected breathing gas. The diver also simply selects one of three levels of NDL conservatism and during the dive a bar graph turns from green to red as the diver approaches the NDL. An optional 3 minute countdown safety stop starts when the diver reaches shallower than { 20 feet | 6 meters } on the ascent. If the diver exceeds the NDL and requires stops, the display turns red and warns “DECO STOP” with the mandatory depth and stop times.