We tested the Cressi Neon dive computer. Simple to use, easy to read and comfortable to wear, it was our Testers Choice for wrist computers under $500.

We tested the Neon at the University of Southern California Hyperbaric Chamber on Catalina Island. We also tested it in the field at Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Central Florida. We put it through a series of simulated dives alongside other computers to gauge the performance of its decompression algorithm.

We evaluated how easy it was to set up and use, how well we could see the screen in different conditions, and how well it presented important data during our dive. Despite the name and the available options for color accents from bright green to lilac, the Neon isn’t really about flash. What impressed test divers was its simplicity of operation and pleasing ergonomics.

See Complete ScubaLab Dive Computer Test Results

The simple 2-button control makes it a snap to enter and exit menus and confirm settings. The high-contrast display is easy to see and understand. Dive info is clearly labelled and the 1 1/-inch screen gives top billing to the most important data. “Basic functionality but a joy to use and operate,” one tester noted.

Test divers praised the Neon’s arm-friendly size, but our calipers showed it’s only millimeters narrower than some others here; the trick is the recessed band lugs that make it seem even smaller. One gripe was the lack of Bluetooth, which makes the optional PC cable necessary for downloads.

But testers gave it top scores for intuitive operation, display quality and ergonomics. The Neon is our Testers Choice for wrist computers under $500.