Garmin is world-famous for dive watch style computers that are reliable, fabulously looking and performing. In all honesty, we have not expected yet another development that aspires to be a true game-changer. When Garmin released their Garmin Mk1 and later Mk2, Mk2i and Mk2s dive computers, everyone admired these excellent pieces of equipment. Garmin Descent Mk1 and Mk2 family of dive computers do not only offer recreational and technical diving modes but extend far beyond dive computer features, offering all the fitness and health monitoring perks. The Garmin Descent series of dive watches are excellent. Still, the manufacturer places them at the higher price mark of around £1k, making them more expensive than their main competitor Shearwater Teric. This all is about to change big time!
Only this week, Garmin surprised everyone by announcing yet another member of the Garmin Descent family of watch style dive computers and called it the Garmin Descent G1 Dive Watch. Let's have a look at what it has to offer!
Garmin Descent G1 - health, fitness dive watch
The new Garmin G1 Dive Watch enters the realm and price range previously reign supreme by Suunto - with their flag watch style dive computer, the Suunto D5. The Garmin Descent G1 is about the same size as Suunto D5 but offers a monochrome display rather than a full-colour LED like Suunto, giving Suunto still the edge in that respect. The other feature that Suunto D5 has an advantage over the new Garmin Descent G1 Series is wireless integration - something that the new Descent G1 does not have. The main advantage of the new Garmin dive computer over its competition is the projected power of the amount and range of features the new Garmin is packed with.
The new Garmin Descent G1 offers diving features for all levels of diving and all dive styles. It supports freediving, spearfishing, apnea, air, nitrox, trimix open circuit up to closed-circuit rebreather diving, with Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors and advanced technical functions.
While diving functions will cover you for all diving options, the smart health and sports tracking software packed into this small unit are just mind-blowing. Thanks to the topside features such as 30 built-in sports apps and advanced training features, you can measure your performance and track your stats above water.
| A selected useful Fitness Features | A selected useful Health Monitoring |
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Activity Tracking Features: Step Counter, Move Bar, Auto Training Goal, Calories Burned, Floors Climbed, Distance Travelled, Intensity Minutes, Trueup, Move IQ, Garmin Connect, Challenges App Fitness Gym Features: Strength, Cardio and Elliptical Training, HIIT, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, and Yoga Training and Planning Analysis Features: HR Zones, HR Alerts, HR Calories, HR Max, HRR, Recovery Times, Auto Max HR, Respiration Rates, GPS Speed, Interval Training, VOMax Raun, Running Features: Running, treadmill running, indoor track running, trail running Outdoor Recreation Features: Surfing, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, Hiking, Climbing, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Skate Skiing, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Tactical, Fishing Dedicated Cycling Features: Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Cyclocross, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, e-Mountain Biking, Indoor Biking Swimming Features: Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running |
Wrist base heart rate Daily Resting Rate Abnormal Heart Rate Respiration Rate Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Fitness Age Body Battery Energy Monitor All-day Stress Tracking Relaxation Breathing Timer Sleep Sleep Core Insights Hydration Women's Health Health Snapshot |
Garmin Descent G1 - rugged sporty design
The new Garmin Dive Smartwatch is a rugged dive computer that is water-rated to 100 meters, features a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and is rated to MIL-STD-810, pleasing all the tactical users out there. The case is made out of highly wear-resistant technical fibre-reinforced polymer, while an easily changeable wrist strap is made out of comfy soft silicone. The case houses monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display electronics. The whole unit weight is as little as 61g. The new Garmin Dive COmputer is offered with rechargeable battery and more expensive option will offer SOLAR battery recharging.
Garmin Descent G1 - going SOLAR
The new Garmin Descent G1 Dive Watch - Solar is outclassing most similarly priced watch style dive computers in terms of battery life. Not only that - the new Garmin's dive computer comes in two versions - one with a standard rechargeable li-ion battery and the second version with increased battery life thanks to the solar charging cell. The conventional battery version will feed the unit for up to 25 hours in dive mode, 21 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode. The upgraded Garmin Descent G1 Solar dive watch takes dive computer battery life to another level, with up to 25 hours in dive mode, up to 124 days in smartwatch mode (when solar charging)and up to 39 hours in GPS mode (when solar charging).
| Garmin Descent G1 Dive Watch | Garmin Descent G1 SOLAR Battery Life |
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Dive Mode: Up to 25 hours
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Dive Mode: Up to 25 hours
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Garmin Descent G1 - the power of connections
The new Garmin Dive Smartwatch includes an excellent 3-axis tilt-compensated compass to start with more traditional navigation. One of the most exciting features of the new Garmin dive watch is the GPS integration taken from the more expensive units such as Garmin Descent Mk2. This latest Gamin watch connects to multiple satellites in orbit, such as GLONASS and GALILEO, providing accurate GPS positioning wherever you go. You can also pair your G1 with units such as Garmin inReach Mini compact satellite communicator, helping keep in touch with your friends at home when you're off the grid. Thanks to the underwater housing for the Garmin InReach Mini, you can have a reliable emergency service when diving in remote places. This service requires an additional GARMIN SATELLITE SERVICES SUBSCRIPTION.
The Garmin Descent G1 - the power of Apps
The Garmin Descent G1 Dive Smartwatch also connects with a number of iPhone and Android applications. The GARMIN Connect Mobile is the tool for tracking, analysing and sharing health and fitness activities recorded by your paired Garmin device. The Garmin Explore is an all-in-one app made for off-the-grid adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, allowing you to plan and review your next great adventure. By downloading Garmin Connect IQ App is your all-in-one source for personalising compatible Garmin devices with free downloads of apps, widgets, watch faces, data fields, music streaming services and more. The most useful app from our perspective is the Garmin Dive App, thanks to which you will be able to:
- Log your dives. Share your dives. Explore the community
- Search for your favourite dive site, or find a new one
- Use the Explore tool to find more than 2,700 dive sites from around the world and view their popularity. You can even rate and review dive sites.
- Get more data and more detail from every dive
- Add the different types of gear you use on each dive to your dive log
- Pair with a Descent G1 watch, and automatically upload your dives
- Or log your dives manually without a Descent dive computer.
Lastly, we want to know your diving experience and thoughts on owning your scuba equipment. If you have any questions, we are always a few strikes of the keyboard or a phone call away. Please send us an e-mail at support@mikesdivestore.com or call on 020 8994 6006.
