Draft entry. Specs not yet verified against the manufacturer.

Cressi

Cressi Cartesio

A watch-sized hybrid computer for scuba, freediving, and snorkeling. Price could not be confirmed.

Open BLE sync (libdivecomputer)

Syncs wirelessly with third-party apps (Subsurface, Currents, etc.), not just the manufacturer app.

Cressi Cartesio
2.1Comparison Score
Released2017
Max depth rating120m
AlgorithmCressi RGBM
Air integrationnone
Wireless—
Display35mm high-contrast backlit display
Batteryuser-replaceable
Digital compassNo
Gas typesair, nitrox
Gas switches2
CCR capableNo

"Gas switches" is how many different mixes this computer can be programmed to switch between mid-dive, mostly relevant for technical/staged-decompression diving. It doesn't tell you which gas types (air, nitrox, trimix) are supported. See Gas types and the product description above for that.

Pros
  • Compact 48mm watch-sized case, small enough for everyday wear between dives
  • Four modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Free/Apnea) with adjustable PPO2 (1.2-1.6) across two switchable nitrox mixes
  • User-replaceable battery, no service center trip needed
Cons
  • Bluetooth/PC logging requires a separate Cressi Interface cable, not built in
  • No digital compass
  • Could not confirm current USD retail price
Diver community sentiment
Mixed opinions

Scuba Diving Magazine's ScubaLab testers rated the Cartesio a "Best Buy," praising its simple two-button interface, watch-sized form factor, and high-contrast display readable in direct sun, though they wished the backlight stayed on longer. Actual diver sentiment on Scubaboard is more skeptical: several posters note the Cartesio is sold under Cressi's "Atelier" sub-brand, restricted to in-store purchase and immune to online discounting, and an instructor in the same thread called Cressi's RGBM algorithm "known for being quite conservative." A separate troubleshooting thread shows at least two owners reporting the same failure mode after a routine battery swap: the unit beeps, the screen lights briefly, then goes blank, with no confirmed fix posted.

ScubaLab: Cressi Cartesio Best Buy reviewScubaboard: battery/screen failure reportsScubaboard: Atelier pricing/branding criticism

Summarized from public forum discussion (Scubaboard, Reddit, and similar), not a survey we ran ourselves. See the linked threads for the original conversations.

The Cartesio packs Cressi’s RGBM algorithm and four operating modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge, and Free/Apnea) into a 48mm watch-sized case, aimed at divers who want one computer that covers scuba, gauge diving, and freediving without swapping gear. It supports two switchable nitrox mixes per dive rather than the single blend on Cressi’s cheaper puck computers, positioning it a step above the Leonardo line.