Mares Genius Dive Computer Review
Summary
One-liner: A big, bright dive computer with solid air integration—but held back by outdated software and poor user experience.
Dive Types: Cold Water + Wetsuit + Local, Warm Water + Wetsuit + Travel
Price Tier: $$$
Ownership: Personally used for ~1 year, approx. 40 dives
Overall Score: 6.9 / 10
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Bright, easy-to-read screen | Terrible desktop software, not maintained |
| Air integration worked reliably | Non-customizable menus and layout |
| Rechargeable battery | Proprietary charging cable is fragile |
Why I Chose the Genius
I used the Mares Genius for about a year across both warm and cold water wetsuit dives. At the time, I wanted a full-featured computer with air integration and a large screen. On paper, the Genius checked a lot of boxes. In practice, though, it was limited by poor software design, lack of customization, and an ecosystem that felt abandoned by Mares. Despite some nice hardware features, it’s not a computer I’d recommend today.
Performance in the Water
- Screen & Visibility: The screen is large and bright—one of the clearest I’ve used. Very readable in all conditions.
- Air Integration: I used it with a transmitter for 40 dives without issue. Solid and reliable performance underwater.
- Usability: The menu system is clunky and hard to navigate. Button logic is inconsistent. Layout can’t be customized.
- Battery: Rechargeable, but the proprietary cable is fragile. I was always nervous about losing or breaking it while traveling.
Comparisons
Shearwater Perdix 2 AI
- Much better menu system and customization
- Far more support from Shearwater (software, firmware, documentation)
- Perdix feels like a tool for divers; Genius feels like a product
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Oceanic+)
- Sleeker and smaller
- No air integration, but smoother UI
- Better for casual travel diving—not a long-term solution
Verdict
The Mares Genius looked promising, but ultimately it didn’t hold up in real-world use. The screen is excellent and air integration worked flawlessly, but the rest of the experience felt unfinished. The software was clunky, the promised updates never came, and the fragile charging cable was a travel liability. It’s not a computer I trust for serious progression.
Would I buy it again? No—not with better options available.
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 7.5 | 30% | 2.25 |
| Ease of Use | 6.0 | 20% | 1.20 |
| Versatility | 7.0 | 15% | 1.05 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 7.5 | 15% | 1.125 |
| Value | 6.0 | 10% | 0.60 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 6.0 | 10% | 0.60 |
| Total | 6.825 / 10 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 6.9 / 10
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 7.5: Air integration works well, screen is excellent. No reliability issues underwater.
- Ease of Use – 6.0: The menu system is confusing, with no layout customization.
- Versatility – 7.0: Works well for wetsuit dives in warm and cold water, but not tried in drysuit or tech settings.
- Durability & Build – 7.5: Physical build is solid, but the charging system is fragile and a liability.
- Value – 6.0: Price is high for something with outdated software and missing promised features.
- Brand Trust – 6.0: Mares has not updated the software and failed to deliver promised firmware improvements.