Garmin Descent Mk1 - An All-In-One Watch For The Ultimate Outdoorsman

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Garmin Descent Mk1

Garmin, a company well known for their GPS products and sports wearables, has recently entered the dive computer game, releasing the Descent Mk1. The device has immediately caused a buzz in the diving community. It is sleek, durable and packed with features, including a 1.2-inch color display, surface GPS navigation with rich color mapping, multiple dive modes, 3-axis compass, heart rate monitoring and dive-log uploading.

While all of this is already impressive, what really sets the Descent apart is that it combines the standard dive computer features with those of a complete GPS smartwatch. What’s more, thanks to its elegant design and compact size (the watch face is 51 mm in diameter), the device can be worn every day and for multiple activities, promising to become one watch to rule them all.

So, let us take a closer look at what Garmin Descent Mk1 has to offer.

Let’s start with the smartwatch part. The Descent basically comes with all the same features as Garmin’s Fenix 5X multisport GPS watch. These include:

  • GPS with GLONASS;
  • Full-color maps for navigation;
  • Optical heart rate (HR) sensor on the back of the unit;
  • Preloaded activity profiles for swimming, running, biking, hiking, skiing, rowing, paddle boarding, etc.;
  • Timekeeping, lap counts and step counting;
  • Sleep monitoring;
  • Smartphone notifications (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc.), calendar notices, phone and text notifications;
  • Smart connectivity to ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart accessories with an ability to control Garmin action cameras.

Now let’s look at what was added, specifically the dive computer functionality:

  • Multiple dive modes (Single Gas, Multi-Gas, Gauge, Apnea, Apnea Hunt and Plan Dive);
  • Multiple gas mixes (Air, nitrox and trimix, up to 100% O2; 1 bottom gas, and up to 5 deco and/or backup gases);
  • Customizable conservatism (you can set it on low, medium, high or even custom with gradient factors);
  • 3-axis dive compass with adjustable heading, quick change to 90R, 90L and reciprocal;
  • No Fly Watch Face to tell you when it’s safe to fly;
  • Auto start/end dive;
  • Audible and vibration alarms for ascent rate, PO2, CNS/OTU, NDL, deco, gas switching.

Another important factor to consider, especially for such a feature-rich device is the ease of use, and Garmin did not forget about this either. It is easy to switch between modes, and if you forget to choose one before dropping in, the auto start function will revert to the last mode you used as soon as you touch the water.

The Garmin Chroma display is an always-on, semi-readable state with full color and an adjustable backlight. Double-tapping will allow you to switch screens, so that you can access the desired feature even if your gloves are too thick to hit the buttons accurately. As you start to descend, you will get live data from one of the three data pages. Those data pages on a standard gauge dive include:

Page 1: Dive Time, Depth, Water Temp, Ascent/Descent Rate, Max Depth, Average Depth.

Page 2: Compass Heading, Compass direction, Depth, Water Temp, Dive Time.

Page 3: Heart Rate, Heart Rate Zone (Color), Time of Day, Water Temp, Depth, Battery Level, Dive Time.

garmin descent pages

The Descent boasts a 16GB memory that can hold up to 10,000 dives on board. You can also share your dive logs via Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity on the Garmin Connect app.

By the way, the apps is another area where Garmin really excels. Using the Connect IQ app platform, you can add widgets, new maps, or even thousands of new, customizable faces for your watch. You can even receive text messages and check the status of your Uber.

Finally, the unit has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with a USB to A/C adapter. On a full charge, it should last up to 19 days in watch mode, 10 days in smartwatch mode, 40 hours in dive mode, and 20 hours in GPS mode. Altogether, they’re aiming to provide you with a week’s worth of use in any mode before you have to charge it up again.

On the downside, the Descent Mk1 is not air-integrated or rebreather compatible yet, but hopefully, Garmin will work on that in the future.

Want to try the Garmin Descent Mk1 for yourself? You can already purchase it right here at Dip ‘N Dive. The watch comes with an extra-long silicone extender strap to fit around dry suits.

Garmin Descent Mk1 Silver Sapphire with Black Band - DIPNDIVE
Garmin Descent Mk1 Silver Sapphire with Black Band - DIPNDIVE

Garmin Descent Mk1 Silver Sapphire with Black Band

$999.99
  • Dive computer with surface GPS, color display and TOPO mapping
  • 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter, GPS
  • Single-gas, multi-gas, gauge and apnea diving, including nitrox and trimix;
  • Dive log 10,000 dives
  • Wrist heart rate technology, multisport activity profiles, performance metrics and smart notification

  • Premium full-featured dive computer with surface GPS in a sleek watch-style design; with bright 1.2” color display and TOPO mapping
  • Built-in sensors include 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter as well as GPS and GLONASS capability that lets you mark your dive entry and exit points for surface navigation
  • Supports single-gas, multi-gas, gauge and apnea diving, including nitrox and trimix; plan your dives directly on the device
  • Dive log lets you store and review data from up to 10,000 dives — and share online via Garmin Connect™ and its included mobile app
  • Features Elevate™ wrist heart rate technology with multisport activity profiles, performance metrics and smart notifications
  • Battery life: up to 19 days in watch mode, 10 days in smartwatch mode, 40 hours in dive mode and 20 hours in GPS mode

You can also check out the newer version of this dive computer - Garmin Descent Mk2.

Garmin Descent Mk2 Stainless Steel with Black Band - DIPNDIVE
Garmin Descent Mk2 Stainless Steel with Black Band - DIPNDIVE

Garmin Descent Mk2 Stainless Steel with Black Band

$1,299.99

THE DIVE COMPUTER FOR BOTH YOUR WORLDS
This is the advanced, watch-style dive computer that comes with multisport training and smart features. If you want air integration, take a look at Descent Mk2i.


THE DIVE COMPUTER FOR BOTH YOUR WORLDS
This is the advanced, watch-style dive computer that comes with multisport training and smart features. If you want air integration, take a look at Descent Mk2i.Choose from multiple dive modes for your underwater adventure.Measure your performance, and track your stats above water.More sports apps, such as golfing and skiing, mean more ways to play.This smart dive computer features Garmin Pay™, music and notifications.Share and review dives in the Garmin Dive™ app.The battery in your Garmin device is simply unmatched by other smartwatches.SPECS

General

LENS MATERIAL

sapphire crystal

BEZEL MATERIAL

stainless steel

CASE MATERIAL fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover
QUICKFIT™ WATCH BAND COMPATIBLE

yes (26 mm)

STRAP MATERIAL

silicone

PHYSICAL SIZE

52 x 52 x 17.8 mm

COLOR DISPLAY yes
DISPLAY SIZE 1.4” (35.56 mm) diameter
DISPLAY RESOLUTION 280 x 280 pixels
DISPLAY TYPE sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
WEIGHT

silicone band: 103.8 g

BATTERY LIFE

Smartwatch: Up to 16 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 50 days
GPS: Up to 48 hours
GPS + Music: Up to 15 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 96 hours
Dive mode: Up to 80 hours
Expedition GPS Activity: up to 35 days

WATER RATING Dive (100 meters)
MEMORY/HISTORY 32 GB

Clock Features

TIME/DATE yes
GPS TIME SYNC yes
AUTOMATIC DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME yes
ALARM CLOCK yes
TIMER yes
STOPWATCH yes
SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES yes

Health Monitoring

WRIST-BASED HEART RATE (CONSTANT, EVERY SECOND) yes
DAILY RESTING HEART RATE yes
ABNORMAL HEART RATE ALERTS yes (high and low)
RESPIRATION RATE (24X7) yes
PULSE OX BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION yes (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep)
FITNESS AGE yes (in app)
BODY BATTERY™ ENERGY MONITOR yes
ALL-DAY STRESS TRACKING yes
RELAXATION REMINDERS yes
RELAXATION BREATHING TIMER yes
SLEEP yes
HYDRATION yes (in Garmin Connect™)
MENSTRUAL CYCLE yes (in Garmin Connect™)

Sensors

GPS yes
GLONASS yes
GALILEO yes
GARMIN ELEVATE™ WRIST HEART RATE MONITOR yes
BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER yes
COMPASS yes
GYROSCOPE yes
ACCELEROMETER yes
THERMOMETER yes

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