Cressi Leonardo Dive Computer Review


CRESSI LEONARDO dive computer

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In this article, we will review the Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer: a model of diving computer. We will look at what diving computers are, what feature sets they usually come with and then look specifically at the features and technical specifications of the Cressi model. We will also compare the Cressi to several other similarly-priced dive computers to see which product rates highest according to our review parameters.

What Is the Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer?

The Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer is a portable, wrist-watch-style diving or dive computer. Before we examine the specific features and tech specs for the Cressi dive computer, let’s look for a moment at what dive computers are and what particular features differentiate different types of dive computers.

What Is a Dive Computer?

Simply, a dive computer is a digital monitoring and calculating device designed to aid a scuba diver in the determination of various factors affecting safety during a dive—most important factor being the calculation of decompression limits, dive times, and ascent times (including decompression stops if needed).In the past, these calculations required a diver to have undergone sufficient training to understand and utilize decompression tables, and to use these in conjunction with submersible depth gauges and a dive watch to manually calculate safe diving times. As such, in the event of multiple descents and ascents to and from different depths could get a little complicated to say the least.Dive computers actually were introduced a long time ago, but they were anything but portable, not particularly reliable, and for a long time were consideredat best a useful addition to the usual manual gear and training required to provide divers with the data and calculations required to perform safe dives.About ten years ago this began to change as very portable, and much more reliable gear starting coming to the market.These days, it is standard training practice for beginning divers to completely train and use dive computers in place of the older methods, charts, and devices. Dive computers can perform the necessary calculations to determine safe dive times far more quickly than a human can, and can provide a wealth of additional data that was basically impossible to obtain in the past.The three main types of dive computers are:

  • Basic
  • Air-integrated
  • Portable

Air-integrated

An air-integrated dive computer will connect to the first stage of the diver’s air regulator (either directly through a hose or via a digital transmitter) to provide air pressure data directly to the dive computer. This information can be used to provide much more accurate dive-time estimates based not only on the decompression algorithms employed in the particular model. But it can also incorporate the diver’s air-consumption rate as well as their remaining air to give very accurate non-decompression dive data and remaining dive-time indications and alerts.

Portable

Most standard dive computers connect either to the regulator (as in the case of an air-integrated device) or will be paired with other instruments, like the submersible pressure gauge and a compass. These diver computers are usually too large to be comfortably worn directly on the diver’s body. Portable dive computers however house the functionality of the larger tools, including air-integrated capability, in a device that in its most portable versions is a dive-computer built into a wrist-watch.

Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer

And so in the Cressi Leonardo dive computer, the system is designed to fit on the diver’s wrist—thus the name. The Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer, while not an air-integrated device, provides beginning scuba divers and those looking for a simpler dive computer a well-built, reliable, dive computer. In fact, the features the Cressi provides are more than basic, but many of these are “nice to haves” and may not be immediately or maybe ever all that useful to the kinds of divers looking for a simple solution.

Product Specs  

The Cressi Leonardo emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. The device features a large, easy-to-read display, and its one-button operation makes it simple to set up and program for a dive.Different modes of operation include a “dive” program, including decompression requirements (“stops” if any), plus different air mixtures and oxygen concentrations including Nitrox. Decompression algorithms enable safe decompression calculations for multiple dives spread out over multiple days.Logs can easily be sent to a diver’s computer using the download cable (not included with the basic dive computer package). Battery display indicates when recharge is necessary. The diver can do battery replacement.

Pricing

Pricing on the Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer varies depending on the configuration. For the dive computer alone, the price runs around $$. For the dive computer plus the data download cable and other extras (like a watch stand), the cost can run about $$.For the features and reliability, the basic dive computer’s price is not merely affordable but seems like a great value.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.     

  • Aqua Lung i100
  • Cosmiq+
  • Deepblu
  • Suunto Zoop Novo

[amazon box=”B00OZ2XZEC,B07845ZHNP,B06VWVHNDP,B017LFWAYU” template=”table”]

[amazon link=”B00OZ2XZEC” title=”Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer”/]

[amazon box=”B00OZ2XZEC”]

Price

Around $$-$$ depending on the configuration.

Ease of Use

The Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer excels at ease of use. One-button interface and programming make it simple to screen through modes and set up a dive. The display is large and uses basic descriptions for data and alerts.

Performance

This is not the most feature-filled and sophisticated dive computer you can purchase. But it does what it says it will do, meaning its performance is more than adequate for divers looking for a good, first dive computer or a basic, reliable system without too many features (and distractions) and at an affordable price.

Design Quality 

The Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer is well-built and very reliable. “Rugged” is a word often used to describe it, so, while the product is aimed at beginners, it is a good device to use in a variety of diving environments, and could be useful for a variety of divers.

Warranty

Two-year limited warrant on computers and gauges.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Very affordable
  • Feature set makes it a great value

Cons

  • Experienced divers may want more features
  • Basic cost does not include data transfer cable

[amazon link=”B07845ZHNP” title=”Aqua Lung i100″/]

[amazon box=”B07845ZHNP”]

Even more basic than the Cressi Leonardo, the Aqua Lung with its one-button interface and simple programs and modes is again made for beginning divers or divers who like their dive computers feature-spare. The Aqua Lung offers four operating modes. Air, Nitrox, Gauge and Free Dive.

Price

Around $$—however if you want to save your dive logs you’ll need to spend around $ extra for a data transfer cable.

Ease of Use

This product is even easier to use than the Cressi Leonardo Wrist Computer. But the reason for this begins to suggest part of the problem with the Aqua Lung. It is straightforward—which is great for ease of use. But the feature set is maybe too basic, even for a beginner. Also, the display is actually pretty small and may not be so easy to see in murkier dive situations. No backlight is available.

Performance

Again, this is a product that makes no big promises about performance. It is a basic dive computer, and it delivers what it claims to. The price would be a big selling point if you did not have to pay extra to save your logs. By comparison to the Cressi, which also charges more if you want a data cable, the Aqua Lung seems a little pricey with the cable.

Design Quality

As noted, the main downside in the product’s design is the rather small display and lack of backlighting. It is easy to imagine getting into a situation where the data on this device is going to be difficult to see.

Warranty

Two-year limited warrant on computers and gauges.

Pros

  • Very inexpensive in the basic model
  • Good, very-basic dive computer

Cons

  • Probably too basic for most divers
  • Small display
  • Data cable cost makes it pricey overall 

[amazon link=”B06VWVHNDP” title=”Cosmiq+Deepblu”/]

[amazon box=”B06VWVHNDP”]

The Cosmiq+ Deepblu seems like an experiment in marketing. Not that it is a bad dive computer, but it is still essentially a basic or recreational dive computer, though it approaches that job with a lot more bells and whistles than the other products we are reviewing. And of course, those bells and whistles cost more. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing will depend on your needs and your budget.

Price

Around $$$-$$$

Ease of Use

The most noticeable feature of the Cosmiq+ Deepblu is its good-sized and very sharp hi-contrast screen. It is evident this screen was designed to make it visible even in murky conditions. The different modes and screens are accessible through the use of two interface buttons on opposite sides of the device.

Performance

All basic diving functions are available with this device, and it offers both a scuba dive and free dive mode. As with most basic or recreational dive computers, this device is not recommended for what is called “technical” dives, those beyond a certain depth requiring decompression stops.

Design Quality

While the basic dive computer is well made and reliable, the battery is not replaceable by the diver/owner, so this means the device has to be sent away to the manufacturer for this purpose. The Cosmiq+ includes a feature, uploading of dive data to an online social media app, that may put off some customers, though others may find it very useful.

Warranty

The manufacturer offers a 2-year global warranty covering all manufacturing defects, and faults in design and craft.

Pros

  • The hi-contrast screen is bright and visible
  • Modes are easy to access and program
  • Data log app allows easy sharing

Cons

  • Some may see this product as expensive
  • The battery cannot be replaced by the owner

[amazon link=”B017LFWAYU” title=”Suunto Zoop Novo”/]

[amazon box=”B017LFWAYU”]

As with the Cosmiq+, the features offered with this recreational dive computer do not set it apart as a better offering than the Cressi Leonardo. It is perhaps a little more attractive than the Cressi if that is your concern, but does that justify the additional expense of this device?

Price

About $$$-$$$—keeping in mind this is again an intro or recreational dive computer, not intended for professional use, this is more expensive than the other models.

Ease of Use

While Suunto claims the four-button interface is more “intuitive,” if you are wearing the device as a wristwatch, that means you have one hand to access those four buttons. Also, the screen seems hi-contrast, and it is backlit—a useful feature—it might be just a little small.

Performance

While the screen certainly offers a high-contrast image, it is not as colorful and sharp as Cosmiq+ and nor is it as easy to understand as the Cressi Leonardo. Numbers are indeed displayed large, but the identifying information regarding them is in tiny characters.

Design Quality

As noted above, the display may have issues of clarity for some divers, especially in a situation where quick recognition of the data is essential.

Warranty

The Warranty Period is two years for Products and Dive transmitters.

Pros

  • The hi-contrast screen does display numbers well
  • Modes are easy to access and program

Cons

  • Some data on display is tiny and unclear
  • Four-button design on wrist model might be not so intuitive
  • All things considered—expensive

Conclusion

None of the products we compared in this review were professional dive computers. So, big differences in price needed to be justified by distinct differences in features or quality or something that says greater value.While the Cosmiq+ and Zoop Novo certainly have notable differences from the Cressi Leonardo and even differences some buyers might consider an added value, we did not see how that justified the additional cost of these products versus the Cressi Leonardo.

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