Garmin Descent MK1 dive computer now on sale - New - video

The Garmin Descent MK1 dive computer has just been released for sale. It is the first device of this brand dedicated to divers.

The Garmin Descent MK1 dive computer has recently had its premiere. The device is a typical watch computer and the first unit of this type from this brand. However, do not let its small size fool you, because this little gem offers an interesting set of features useful both on the surface and under water.

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To begin with, let’s start with the very basis for Garmin’s first dive computer. Certainly, there is no denying that the creators based their debut on the well a well-known unit Garmin Fenix 5x, which has been extended with a set of typically diving functions.

Without a doubt, the display is always extremely important in watch computers. The one used on the Garmin Descent MK1 measures 30.4mm/1.2″ in diameter. It’s a sunlight-readable, colourful, trans-reflective Memory-In-Pixel (MIP) display, hidden beneath scratch-resistant sapphire glass. It offers a display resolution of 240×240 pixels.

The specifications below clearly show that the developers have opted for versatility and quality. Certainly device Garmin will prove itself both during recreational diving and those slightly more complicated. The depth limit set by the manufacturer is 100 metres.

No less important aspect is the battery life in similar devices. Here, depending on the mode used, it is as follows:

• dive computer 40 h
• watch 21 days
• smartwatch 12 days
• GPS / heart rate mode 20 h
• UltraTrac™ mode up to 30 h

The first cats after the horse has bolted

As I have already mentioned, this is the debut of the Garmin brand in the diving market. It seems, however, that the successes of the competition did not go unnoticed and it was only a matter of time before the gauntlet was picked up. What will be the final result? Will Garmin decide to expand its dive computer offering? Or will the Descent MK1 just be a one-off?

Undoubtedly, a great deal depends on how a new dive computer is received in the environment. Because nothing so influences the development as a group of supporters of a given solution. However, certainly no one in such a serious company would decide to enter a completely new market without a previously prepared long-term strategy of action. Although I am convinced that further devices dedicated to divers are just a matter of time. How long, in turn, depends on the review of the first model, of course.

Partial diving specifications

• maximum depth 100 metres
• 5 operating modes
• Bühlmann ZHL-16c algorithm with gradients
• nitrox handling
• trimix operation
• gas mixtures supported – air, nitrox, trimix, up to 100% O2; 1 bottom gas and up to 5 decompression and/or reserve gases
• PO2 – up to 1.6 with configurable PO2 decompression setting
• safety stop – yes, configurable: off / 3 min / 5 min
• deep security stop – yes, use of configurable gradients
• Adjustable conservatism – yes, low/medium/high or own using gradients
• immersion/submersion rate indicator
• automatic height adjustment
• dive planning – basic no-decompression limit + decompression planning with multiple mixes
• automatic immersion and ascent position recording
• Dive log synchronisation with Garmin Connect™ and Garmin Connect™ Mobile
• 3-axis diving compass

The Garmin Descent MK1 premiered at the world’s biggest dive show, DEMA, and is expected to go on sale at Christmas 2017. Its price is in the range of $999-1199, depending on the variant chosen.