Cressi Leonardo Review – Elegant, Simple, and Functional

Computer Type	Wrist/Console
Air Integration	No
Display	Segmented Dot Metrix
Backlight	Yes
Memory	60 Dives
User Changeable Battery	Yes
Nitrox Compatible	Yes/ 21-50%
Gas Switching	No
PC Interface	Yes (Optional)
Automatic Activiation	Yes
Integrated Digital Compass	No

The Cressi Leonardo is a great entry-level dive computer and is consider one of the best dive computers for beginners on the market today. So, if you are a new diver looking to buy your first dive computer, the Leonard should be on top of your list.

It sports a single button user interface which makes programming and operating  the dive a computer very user-friendly and pretty straight forward.  A large display  with over-sized digits also makes reading dive data super easy.

It can also store up to 60 of your most recent dives with optional PC interface for extra storage or\ to get more detailed information about your dives.

Also, available in 5 different colors and 2 gauge console, you are sure to find one that suits your style and diving needs.

In this Cressi Leonard review  you are going to find out why it is one of the best choices for divers just starting out, it most important features, and what other divers who’ve used it are saying.

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By the way, you can get the Cressi Leonardo for the best price Here

Cressi Leonard Review Video

The following video was produced by the guys over at SimplyScuba.com. In the video, you can get a closer look at the dive computer and some of its main features and functions. Enjoy!

Click Here to Get Updated Pricing and Read User Reviews

User-Friendly Single Button Interface

One of the main selling points of the Cressi Leonardo  is its single-button user interface.

It makes toggling through modes and setting very easy, and ensures that you won’t get lost or have to worry about memorizing multiple button combinations to reach certain features and functions.

Operating the computer is done with presses and hold of the button.  The button is also quite large and easy to press, even if you’re wearing thick gloves.

Simply press to toggle modes or advance, then hold to enter the menu or select. It’s that simple.

It’s so easy you can grasp the main operation of the dive computer without reading the manual. However, it does come with a comprehensive owner’s manual if you ever lost or need help.

Easy-To-Read And Interpret Display

The fairly large 2 inches wide display make reading all your important dive data very easy to read.

It features a segmented dot matrix display with weird abbreviations and the digit are large, which takes the guess-work of intercepting what is actually being displayed on the screen.

On the dive screen, you will find your current depth, max depth, NDL, dive times, temperature, and battery level. While the alternate screen will show you conservatism factor, gas mix, and Po2 setting.

The screen can also be  backlit which allows you to read the computer at night or in low light condition, and last for about 5-7 seconds.

Three Dive Modes Including Air, Nitrox, and Gauge Mode

The Cressi Leonardo dive computer can be used in 3 different dive modes. bellow is a brief discretion of each mode.

• Air Mode – The Leonardo is factory set on dive mode, with the Nitrox mixture set at 21%, which is the same as diving with standard air.
• Nitrox Mode – This mode is used when diving with Enriched Air (Nitrox) with oxygen levels greater than 21%. You can also program for nitrox up to 50%, and PO2 from 1.2 to 1.6.
• Gauge Mode – In this mode the Leonardo will not make any decompression calculation. You can only use it as a bottom timer and depth gauge.

Cressi RGBM Algorithm With Additional Conservative Adjustments

The Leonardo dive computer uses Cressi’s new RGBM Algorithm, which allows for safe decompression calculations for multiple dives spread out over multiple days. This makes it a great choice for traveling or Liveaboard dive trip.  The computer can also be reset after each dive, which makes it a favorite for rentals and dive centers.

It also has altitude adjustments up to 12,139 feet (3,700 Meters), and tree levels of user-adjustable conservatism for a greater margin of safety.

Alarms and Warnings to Keep You Safe

There are both on-screen warning and audible alarms to let you know when important limits are being approached or reached. The Audio alarms are distinct and easy to hear, even if you get distracted.

There is also an ascent rate alarm (10m per minute), and an onscreen indicator which uses a stack of arrows to make sure you ascend from your dive safely. You will also find an oxygen toxicity bar graph and alarm when diving with enriched air.

There are also warnings for approaching deco as well as deep and safety top, but no safety stop timer. There is also a user-selectable deep stop function, which will alert you when a preset depth is reached.

User Changeable Batteries

The Leonardo is powered by a User Changeable CR2430 3 volt battery, which should give you an average of 2 years battery life (About 50 dives per year).

Having user changeable batteries will prevent extended downtime while the battery is being changed at a service center, as well as help keep the cost of maintenance at a minimum.

Changing the battery is pretty straight forward with detailed information on how to do so in the manual.

However, there is no hot swap feature. So, it is not advisable to replace the battery when de-saturation is in progress since all de-saturation calculations will be lost. After replacing the battery, you will also need to reset the time and date.

Extensive Dive Log Memory With Optional PC Connectivity

It is also equipped with an onboard logbook with can hold about 60  (70 hours) of your latest, which is more than sufficient memory if you’re just starting out.

You can also easily download all your logged dives to your PC or MAC with the optional PC Download Interface Kit.

Once downloaded, you can see more detailed dive profiles including colored graphs. Having this additional information can help you become a better diving by  allowing you to see critical dive data not displayed on the computer.

What Are Other Divers Saying About the Cressi Leonardo

The overall feedback from divers how have used the dive computer was fairly positive. At the time of writing this review it got a rating of 4.2 out of 5 five stars at Leisurepro.com and 3.8 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.com, indicating that most customers were happy with their purchase.

Most dives how bought the computer were beginner divers, and felt the that it delivered as advertise. Many liked the single button interface and the large screen which makes the dive computer simple to program and read.

There was much appreciation for the ability  to download dives to your PC or Mac for more detail dive profile and the ability to add additional information to the log.

There was also mentions of the alerts being loud enough to hear clearly, and appreciation for the ascent rate indicator and alarm as well as the ability to adjust the overall safety factor of the dive computer.

However, even thou it does not have gas switching capabilities, it still works well with Nitrox.

Read More User Reviews and Get Updated Pricing

The Bottom Line

The Leonardo is one of the best dive computers for new divers or those who prefer simplicity. It delivers as advertised and priced at a point that won’t break the bank.

Many advanced divers might find it too basic thou,  as its algorithm is on the conservative site and lacks features such as  air integration and multi-gas switching capabilities. However, it’s still one of the top recommendation for an entry-level dive computer.

 

 

 

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