When it comes to non-air integrated wrist-mounted dive computers, the Mares Nemo is one product that has slowly achieved cult status and is among the few “classic” dive computers of recreational diving, like the Suunto Gekko. These dive computers are reliable, have simple and intuitive functions, are compact, can be used as an everyday wristwatch, and most of all, are reasonably priced “Mid-range” computers, making them so popular.
The Mares Nemo comes in two forms: a more expensive but lightweight titanium casing and a more affordable but heavier brushed stainless steel casing version. Both casings and mechanical components of the steel or titanium versions are Swiss-made offering maximum reliability and precision, while the watch itself is designed and assembled by Mares in Italy.
The Nemo is a great-looking wristwatch/dive computer and offers four dive modes: Air, nitrox, Bottom Time, and free diving mode, which should satisfy the diving needs of the most demanding diver. Logging up to 50 dives and dive profiles in its internal logbook, the Nemo can also be paired with the optional IRIS (Infra-Red Interface System) PC Interface for downloading logbook dives to a PC. The buttons on the Nemo are nice and big, so they’re easy to use even if you’re wearing thick diving gloves, and the battery is user-replaceable, which means you won’t have to keep shipping it back to the manufacturer every time you need the battery replaced. Audible Alarms, a powerful backlight, and temperature displays in both Celsius and Fahrenheit are huge plusses for an affordable dive computer.
During the dive in Dive mode, the Nemo displays your current depth, the water temperature (C/F), your dive time and the remaining no-decompression time at the current depth, your ascent rate in meters/per min, and you can also check your maximum depth for the dive by pushing a button.
For Nitrox Divers, the Nemo supports setting the percentage O2 from 21% to 50%, in increments of 1%, Setting the PPO2 max from 1.2 to 1.6 bar. Free Diving mode is a great feature to have, and it allows free divers to easily read the large bottom timer displays.
The Nemo dive computer uses the Mares-Wienke RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubbles Model) algorithm, which takes into account the phenomenon of micro-bubbles in order to prevent their formation to the greatest possible extent. In over 10,000 real dives monitored by Dr. Bruce Wienke in the Los Alamos laboratories, the formation of micro-bubbles has been studied and evaluated, which resulted in the creation of this algorithm. The algorithm includes the deep stop protocol, which is a pause for 30 seconds to a minute at half of the maximum depth of the dive if necessary.
One of the drawbacks we found with the design of the Nemo is the rounded glass dome dial tends to jut out prominently and would require the optional scratch guard sold as an accessory to prevent it from getting accidental scratches.
Overall, however, the Mares Nemo is perhaps one of the best wrist-mounted dive computers out there that provides a diver with all the bells & whistles of a more expensive dive computer in a more affordable package.
