Ratio

Ratio iX3M2 Deep

A normoxic trimix computer with 3-transmitter wireless air integration.

Open BLE sync (libdivecomputer)

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

Ratio iX3M2 Deep
4.0Comparison Score
$799
Released2022
Max depth rating220m
AlgorithmBühlmann ZHL-12, ZHL-16B, ZHL-16C, or VPM-B (user selectable)
Air integrationwireless
Wirelessbluetooth
DisplayColor IPS, QVGA, 150° viewing angle
Batteryrechargeable
Digital compassYes
Gas typesair, nitrox, trimix
Gas switches3
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
  • Wireless air integration for up to 3 transmitters
  • Choice of 4 decompression algorithms
  • Built-in 3D compass
Cons
  • Capped at normoxic trimix and 3 gas mixes, the Tech+ offers more gases and CCR
  • Smaller support network in North America than the major dive-computer brands
  • Console-style unit, bulkier than watch-style competitors
Diver community sentiment
Mixed opinions

Diver discussion on Scubaboard about the iX3M2 is split. The most-cited praise is the large, bright color display that reads well in low-visibility water, and several long-time Ratio users defend the computer as functionally on par with a Shearwater Perdix for typical rec/tech diving. The most-repeated complaints are unreliable wireless air-integration transmitters (sudden pressure jumps, dropouts, some tied to a software update), physical buttons that lose their tactile click and go spongy after roughly a year, and vibration alerts some find too faint to notice in a wetsuit. Customer support experiences are inconsistent, and some owners have switched to Shearwater despite enthusiastic defenders among current owners.

Scubaboard: iX3M2 user reviews threadScubaboard: Ratio customer support complaintsScubaboard: Ratio to Shearwater switching discussion

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

The iX3M2 Deep sits below the Tech+ in Ratio’s lineup, trading full trimix and CCR capability for a lower price while keeping the same color IPS display, algorithm choice, and 3-transmitter wireless air integration.