The Oceanic Geo 2.0 is the upgraded and refined version of the original Geo. It features an updated design, along with dual algorithms, dual gas mixes and the option to switch between them, 4 dive modes including a freediving mode, and several other improvements. On top of that, it can also be worn as a regular watch outside of diving for even more utility.
Recreational divers who are looking for a quality entry to mid-range level dive computer should look into getting the Oceanic Geo 2.0. It provides nearly all of the functionality that you want, with the exception of the ultra high-end features like air integration found in significantly more expensive models. For the price and what it offers, the Geo 2.0 is hard to beat. Let’s go over what it has to offer.
Oceanic Geo 2.0 Review Summary
We know your time is precious, so here’s our super-condensed review (the full review is after this). The Geo 2.0 is clearly targeting recreational divers, and that is why it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles. With that said, it has all of the basics like air, nitrox, and gauge dive modes, seamless switching between gas mixes, dual algorithm with conservative settings, and so on.
Essentially, as long as you’re not a technical diver, you can get some use out of the Geo 2.0. Navigating the menus is straightforward thanks to the 4 buttons found along its bezel. It has numerous customizable features, such as backlight duration, sampling rate, when alarms should trigger, and so on.
We like how the Geo 2.0 has a user-changeable battery with data retention so that you can keep all of the nitrogen and oxygen calculations even after the battery is removed. It even has a dedicated freediving mode and watch mode for even more versatility. It is small and comfortable enough to be worn on your wrist as an everyday watch.
With that said, the Oceanic Geo 2.0 is starting to get a bit dated. It is no longer being manufactured, but you can still buy it new or used online at affordable prices. Don’t be fooled, the Oceanic Geo 2.0 is still a great watch that will last recreational divers for years with proper maintenance. As long as you don’t need air integration support and are okay with a smaller logbook, then it has everything else a diver needs.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate the interface thanks to 4 buttons, and Step Backward and Step Forward functions.
- Can seamlessly switch between gas mixes.
- Slim profile and watch mode allows it to be worn as a wrist watch.
- Dual algorithms.
- User changeable batteries save time and money.
Cons:
- Small logbook capacity of 24 dives, however the sampling rate can be adjusted to be slower if you want to store less detailed dives but more of them.
- No air integration support.
Technical Specifications
Here’s what you can expect to get out of your Oceanic Geo 2.0 dive computer. We will cover each function in more detail in the sections below.
- Dual Algorithm: Pelagic DSAT and Pelagic Z+
- 4 Navigation buttons, including Step Backward and Step Forward functions.
- Supports dual gas mixes, from 21% to 100% oxygen.
- Can seamlessly switch between gas mixes.
- Maximum depth of 120m (400ft) in Gauge mode, 100m (330ft) in Air/Nitrox mode..
- User changeable battery, including data retention when switching out the battery.
- Firmware can be upgraded for the latest features.
- Automatic altitude adjustments.
- Audible and visual alarms, including freediving mode specific alarms.
- Adjustable backlight duration – 0/5/10 seconds.
- Logbook capacity of 24 dives.
- Digital watch functions for use out of water.
- Adjustable sampling rate of 2/15/30/60 seconds.
Appearance and Display
Since the Geo 2.0 is small, it’s no surprise that the screen is also small. The display is split into 3 rows, and this segmentation of data thankfully makes it easy to parse the data. Furthermore, the 4 buttons found along the bezel of the Geo 2.0 help make navigating the menus smoother.
Starting from the top left button going clockwise, the buttons are labeled as follows: 1) Mode, 2) Select, 3) Light, and 4) Advance. The buttons are spaced far enough apart that you won’t accidentally press the wrong one even with thick gloves on.
We like how the Geo 2.0 has Step Forward and Step Backward functionality. Unlike some other dive computers with only one or two buttons, like the Cressi Leonardo or the Mares Smart, being able to go backwards and forwards with only one button press on the Geo 2.0 feels so convenient.
In terms of appearance, you can find the Geo 2.0 in the following color combinations:
- Titanium/Slate Blue
- White/Slate Blue
- White/Titanium
- White/Sea Blue
Since the Geo 2.0 has watch functionality, you can also wear it as an everyday wrist watch. Its small size and comfortable straps help to reinforce that it is a great watch both in and out of the water.
If you end up wearing it for both purposes, then it becomes an even better investment. With that said, being a bit on the smaller side does affect how easy it is to read while underwater. The Geo 2.0 does have a backlight button, and the backlight duration can be adjusted between 0/5/10 seconds to help you see underwater or you can turn it off completely.
If your vision isn’t quite what it used to be, we don’t recommend purchasing small dive computers like the Geo 2.0. You must be able to read the vital data at a glance. To the Geo 2.0’s credit, all of the vital information is always displayed, so you shouldn’t have to sift through the different menus to find some data you want.
Diving Modes
The Oceanic Geo 2.0 has 4 modes: Watch, Norm (Air and Nitrox), Gauge, and Freediving. In order to display all of the information for each mode, the Geo 2.0 has a main display as well as an alternative display.
Rest assured that it will display all of the relevant information related to the type of diving you are doing, including No-Deco and Deco conditions, Deep and Safety stops, as well as any violations that you may have. Additionally, you can seamlessly switch between gas mixes during a dive.
Diving with Air and Nitrox (Norm Mode)
Once you’ve selected Norm mode, here is how to navigate the menus and what options are available. During no-decompression mode, on the main display you will see the following: TLBG, current depth, Elapsed Dive Time, VARI (if ascending), Dive Time Remaining, and any other applicable icons for your dive mode.
Alternative displays will show less important information, such as time of day and the temperature. To access the alternative displays, press and release the Advance button (bottom left) after two seconds.
To switch gases, use the mode button (top left) and then press the select button (top right) once you’ve highlighted the correct gas. To access the backlight, press the backlight button (bottom right).
Just keep in mind that a dive begins with Gas 1, and you cannot switch gases while on the surface except for 10 minutes after a dive.
If you’ve exceeded your no-deco limits, then the Geo 2.0 will automatically switch to Decompression Mode. Once this happens, the dive watch will activate an alarm, and all 5 bars on the TLBG will fill up and a flashing UP Arrow icon will appear.
The interface will also change as well. The main display will now show the following: current depth, Total Ascent Time (TAT), Stop Time, Stop Depth, full TLBG, and any applicable icons.
This simplified menu is easy to follow. First, ascend to the required Stop Depth that is shown on the display. Second, stay at that depth for the recommended Stop Time to decompress. Then head up to the next Stop Depth and wait out the Stop Time, and so on until you safely reach the surface.
Should you ignore its warnings, the Geo 2.0 will display all of the information pertinent to the violation including icons, Bar graphs, and graphics. Furthermore, you will be penalized by its calculations in the next dive, such as by having less bottom time and a longer surface interval, in order to prevent you from getting decompression sickness.
Diving in Gauge Mode
When set to Gauge mode, the Geo 2.0 will function as a depth gauge and timer. It will cease calculations for oxygen and nitrogen accumulation, and it will stay in this mode for 24 hours if a dive in Gauge mode is completed as a safety precaution since it is no longer accurately tracking your nitrogen and oxygen accumulation for the day.
Below is what you will find in the main and alternative displays when Gauge mode is active:
- Current Depth.
- Max Depth.
- Elapsed Dive Time.
- Variable Ascent Indicator (VARI).
- Time of day.
- Temperature.
- Any applicable icons.
Freediving Mode
We appreciate that the Geo 2.0 has an extensive freediving mode which is perfect for freedivers and spearos. Before you use it, you must first specific some parameters for the dive:
- Countdown Timer, can be toggled ON/OFF during a dive..
- 3 Freediving Depth alarms to alert you each time you reach progressively deeper depths.
- Elapsed Dive Time alarm, can be toggled ON/OFF.
When in freediving mode, the Oceanic Geo 2.0 functions as a depth gauge. Furthermore, nitrogen calculation is handled based on the default FO2 of Air as well as an estimate of the nitrogen accumulation you have built up from recent dives within a 24-hour period.
On the main display, you can find the following information:
- Current Depth.
- Dive Time Remaining and a No-Decompression Icon.
- Elapsed Dive Time.
- Tissue Loading Bar Graph (TLBG), if there is still some nitrogen accumulation in your body from recent dives.
- Time.
- Temperature.
- Remaining Countdown Timer, if it is toggled on.
- Any applicable icons.
Additionally, there are specific alarms that are only accessible while in freediving mode.
- Countdown Timer Display, which can be toggled ON/OFF.
- Freedive Elapsed Dive Time (EDT) alarm, which is different from the EDT in Norm mode.
- 3 Freedive depth alarms which will alert you once you’ve reached progressively deeper depths.
- High Nitrogen Level alarm. If the TLBG bar reaches 4 segments (out of 5), indicating that your nitrogen accumulation is getting dangerously high, then an audio alarm will trigger and the TLBG will keep flashing. Once the bar reaches 5 segments, an audio alarm will trigger again and a flashing UP Arrow will urge you to ascend so your nitrogen levels can drop.
Additional Features
The Geo 2.0 can handle two Nitrox mixes from 21% to 100% oxygen levels. The ppO2 limits can be set between 1.2 and 1.6 bars.
Next, the maximum operational depth is 120m (400ft) in Gauge mode, and 100m (330ft) in Norm mode (air/nitrox diving). You never have to worry about altitude adjustments since it is done automatically, with a maximum altitude of 4,270m (14,000ft).
A major selling point of Oceanic brand dive computers are the dual algorithms they offer, which you can switch between at will. Not only is this good for adjusting conservatism levels, but it also has the benefit of you being able to “sync up” to a certain degree with a dive buddy with a different model dive computer.
The algorithms you can select from are the Pelagic DSAT or Pelagic Z+, which is based on the Buhlmann ZHL-16c model. The DSAT model is more liberal and will allow you to have longer bottom times.
The PZ+ variant is more conservative and is better suited for beginners. Additionally, you can further adjust the conservatism levels for each model for more control over your bottom times and achieve a more diverse dive profile.
When set to Watch mode, all background calculations and tracking will halt, and the Geo 2.0 can be used like a standard wristwatch.
Dive Log and Connectivity
The Geo 2.0’s logbook capacity is quite small, capable of storing the data of approximately the last 24 dives. You can adjust the sampling rate from either 2/15/30/60 seconds.
Before your logbook reaches capacity, you can transfer the data to your computer. You will need to purchase a USB connector to interface with your device. Afterwards, using their software, you can analyze your dive data in greater detail to help you plan future dives.
Furthermore, the Geo 2.0 has a quick select function to view your most recent dive for your convenience so you don’t have to go through the menus manually.
Oceanic Geo 2.0 Review: The Verdict
The Oceanic Geo 2.0 is a powerful dive computer for recreational divers and for those who want to wear it as a daily watch. It has plenty of functionality thanks to its diving modes, and even has a freediving mode with an extensive list of features. Whether you are a Scuba diver, freediver, or spearo, there’s something in this watch for you.
Furthermore, its slim profile helps to keep it comfortable when worn for long periods of time. Pair that with a watch mode, and you have yourself a wristwatch and a dive computer in one device. However, being small can also be a downside, since the Geo 2.0 has less screen real estate to display its information. Divers with aging eyes may have trouble reading the display.
In addition to its diving modes, the Geo 2.0 even has dual algorithms which can help control the pace of the dive. The PZ+ algorithm is the more conservative of the two, and the DSAT more liberal. You can even adjust the conservatism setting of each algorithm to further customize your dive experience.
When compared to other scuba computers in a similar price range, the Oceanic Geo 2.0 has a clear advantage. It provides all of the basic features that other dive watches have, but in addition to that, it also has a freediving mode, an extra dive algorithm, seamless gas switching between Nitrox mixes, and four buttons to easily navigate the interface.
If you are an advanced or technical diver who is looking for features like a digital compass or air integration support, you won’t find it here. Those are premium features that will increase the cost significantly. Most divers don’t need those features, and what the Geo 2.0 provides is plenty for beginners who are on a budget.
With the amount of features packed into this small device, Oceanic have managed to create a powerful, versatile dive watch that can also be used as an everyday watch. They clearly did not compromise on their product, and you will not lack for safety when using the Geo 2.0.
Pros:
- Four side buttons and intuitive interface design makes it easy to use.
- Has a freediving mode in addition to Air, Nitrox and Gauge.
- Can switch between two gas mixes.
- Can double as a wrist watch thanks to its slim profile and watch mode functionality.
- Dual algorithms with adjustable conservatism levels.
- Features all of the functions a beginner or mid-level diver needs.
Cons:
- The small display can be difficult on aging eyes.
- Small logbook capacity of only 24 dives.
- No air integration support.
We also highly recommend you check out our review of the Geo 4.0 which is an upgrade to the Geo 2.0 in many ways. Click here to learn more.
