The Icon is 'the iPod of underwater computers,' says Charles Hood 
Icon HD dive computer £669.95Switch on the Icon dive computer and you’ll immediately be enthused by its superbly clear and easy-to-read screen. The 320 x 240-pixel screen (a size known as quarter video graphics array, or QVGA) uses the latest colour backlit LCD and thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, similar to that used in flat-screen televisions, mobile phones and PDAs.
The initial display pulls up a variety of icons – hence the computer’s name – which, when highlighted using one of the four navigation buttons, also bring up the corresponding icon’s name at the top of the screen. For instance, if you select the cogs icon, ‘settings’ appears at the top of the screen. This makes it all very simple and straightforward to get to grips with. Once a particular function has been selected, the display is equally clear with large characters and standardised use of fonts.
As well as the easy-to-read digits, Mares has incorporated a colour scheme similar to a traffic-light system. If the information bar at the top and the bar graphs are in green, then everything is okay. If they are orange, it indicates a warning (for example, a decompression stop is required), whereas red is a warning that immediate action should be taken (for instance, a missed decompression stop).
Underwater, the information displayed is pretty much as you would expect, giving current depth, remaining no-stop time, elapsed dive time, maximum depth reached, water temperature, a tissue-loading bar graph on the left and a natty decent/ascent rate arrow display on the right. If you are carrying out decompression diving, the display can be changed to what Mares calls ‘extended view’, which maintains the information above on the left-hand side of the display and moves all the stops to the right. Alternatively, if you prefer to see your dive as a profile, you can change the display to bring up a real-time graphic plot of your dive – this can be done on-the-fly underwater and then changed back again. The other useful feature is the digital compass, which, when activated, occupies about two thirds of the display, but cleverly leaves your no-stop time and current depth visible as well.
For those who can’t remember a dive brief, there is the facility to upload a map and then recall it underwater – I can see how this could be useful, perhaps when diving a wreck for the first time, but if I’m honest I think it’s a bit of a gimmick.
In terms of gases, the Icon caters for standard air and up to three nitrox mixes, the first of which can be between 22 and 50 per cent, with the latter two up to 99 per cent. The no-stop time will assume that you will use all entered gases, but the switch over has to be done manually at the times of changing gases. As with with other Mares dive computers, the Icon uses the reduced gradient bubble model (RGBM) Wienke 10 tissue algorithm with deep stops. These one-minute deep stops are prompted by an audible alarm and are only cautionary, so the algorithm does not introduce penalties if you skip them.
The drawback of all these goodies is that the computer requires a great deal of processing, and therefore power, and the rechargeable battery only gives about six dives before it needs recharging, which could be a limitation if you are diving in an area where mains power is not available. Charging is via a USB cable and adaptor but can be done from a laptop, and the same connector is used to upload your dive logs or download software updates.
We enjoyed diving with the Icon: it is very easy to get to grips with, has a clear and well-laid-out display and has the appearance of a bang up-to-date piece of kit – it’s the iPod of underwater computers. The only feature missing is gas integration, but this cost option is promised for spring 2010. In its marketing blurb, Mares says: ‘The ideal computer should be able to provide information: information that is easy to read, immediate, self-explanatory, uniform and unambiguous.’ It’s fair to say that the manufacturer has done exactly that.
DIVE SAYS…
Clearly laid out and easy to use
Value 8 Performance 9
Contact Mares • 01539 724740 •
www.mares.com
