[Buick]

I figure this is the best place to ask? I have NO experience with smart watches, but the idea is becoming more attractive to me. Garmin seem to do a lot right. I’m relatively active and would like to be able to gain inspiration to do more cycling, walking and hiking; and I aspire to begin diving this year, which is why I am looking specifically at the Descent line. I’ve snorkelled and done some breath hold diving but there is a SCUBA school near to me that a I’ve been looking into. It would be good to have a smart watch that I can use straight away for the activities I already engage in, and to monitor my problematic sleep, but can also ‘grow into’ as I expand into more aquatic activities.

If anyone has experience with these models and can chip in that would be appreciated. I like that the MK2 has long battery life but the size is intimidating. The MK2s recitifies the size issue but has half the battery life. Does the solar version, which is cheaper, have lesser levels of functionality - or is it cheaper because it is constructed more cheaply?

I’ve watched some videos online but would like to hear some experiences and informed opinions. Thanks all.

 

[Rocket1991]

I figure this is the best place to ask? I have NO experience with smart watches, but the idea is becoming more attractive to me. Garmin seem to do a lot right. I’m relatively active and would like to be able to gain inspiration to do more cycling, walking and hiking; and I aspire to begin diving this year, which is why I am looking specifically at the Descent line. I’ve snorkelled and done some breath hold diving but there is a SCUBA school near to me that a I’ve been looking into. It would be good to have a smart watch that I can use straight away for the activities I already engage in, and to monitor my problematic sleep, but can also ‘grow into’ as I expand into more aquatic activities.

If anyone has experience with these models and can chip in that would be appreciated. I like that the MK2 has long battery life but the size is intimidating. The MK2s recitifies the size issue but has half the battery life. Does the solar version, which is cheaper, have lesser levels of functionality - or is it cheaper because it is constructed more cheaply?

I’ve watched some videos online but would like to hear some experiences and informed opinions. Thanks all.

I would say go with Instinct subvariant if you into diving, long battery life ans fitness/health tracking. If you can afford Mk2 go with it.
Though, i generally reluctant to spend much on smartwatches i am not here to push my views rather express them.
Where i am going to be vocal is if you can get newer model get it. Older models are not recommended. But considering price tag of Mk2... it hard call to recommend new. Plus Mk3 probably just around corner anyway and it will be much faster model with much longer battery life. So spending Mk2 asking price now does not seem like value proposition.
But i have no problem to recommend G1 which will allow you to try most of the things you get in Mk2 and i think all things you get in Mk1.
Sure Mk2 boasts longer battery life in dive mode but i think it will make 0 difference for beginner diver. 25 hr are as good as 80hr.
You can get G1 in solar and it will make it almost perpetual when you hitting the shores and sun i shining.

If you in the Apple ecosystem you may look at apple watch pro which is also dive computer.

 

[Buick]

Thanks for your input @Rocket1991

 

[Rocket1991]

Thanks for your input @Rocket1991

I would add there are 3 major differentiating points function vise between Mks and G apart form bigger battery i mentioned and build materials/size. Mk1/2 get color screen which is also bigger on Mk2. Mk2/Mk1 have maps and G1 have limited navigation capabilities. Mk2 have additional storage for music and two types of maps. G1/Mk1 don't paly music.
So Mk1 = Fenix 5 (circa 2017)
Mk2=Fenix6 (circa 2019)
Mk3= Fenix7(circa 2021-22)
G1=advanced version of Instinct 1 solar. I would say G2 is probably also in the books soon, but who knows. Instinct 1 vs 2 came with yes better functionality and internals in #2 but also with significant price bump.

 

[Buick]

That’s really helpful @Rocket1991, thanks again. The maps are a feature I could see myself using a lot, so that more or less rules out the G1 for me now.

 

[Rocket1991]

That’s really helpful @Rocket1991, thanks again. The maps are a feature I could see myself using a lot, so that more or less rules out the G1 for me now.

I would say wait for Mk3 to appear. It could be as well in early January. Which will lead to very significant drop in prices of Mk2 and disappearance of Mk1. Or you will get mk1 half price.

Next Teric or Garmin MK3????

Seems the two big players in wrist mounted AI are 4 years (teric) and 2 years (mk2i). Garmin launched the mk1 and two years later the mk2i. Given todays product cycles and innovation, what are your thoughts or the NEXT generation Teric or MK3?

scubaboard.com

Fenix 5 based watches like mk1 are too old now.
Maps are very sensitive to processing power and 5-6-7 are about double it between generations. So 5 is very slow. You won't know unless you do them side by side, but i seen it with Samsung Gear vs Galaxy watch and once you use more responsive one it is significant and very in your face difference.
There is also new GPS tech in Fenix 7which improves it very much.
You can read reviews of fenix 5 vs 6 vs 7 and get idea what in store with newer models.

 

[Odie]

I would tell you to avoid all 3. I had the MK1 for 2 years and briefly had the G1 before I returned it. Garmin’s support for their diving division is very slow and archaic.

I finally gave up on them when they started giving users a splash screen saying that their dive products may not provide accurate information (pictures below) which is an atrocity in itself for a dive computer. You always have the possibility of the computer. failing, anything that deals with electronics is always a possibility. But a company telling you that it won’t provide accurate information during your dive is an absolute first in the dive industry.

I run a dive shop, I am also an instructor. I have sold many different types of computers from many different types of manufactures and not one manufacturer has that particular disclaimer on their computer.

I have trained thousands of students and outfitted just as many with their full SCUBA assembly and my advice to you is to hold off until you’re completely certified. You don’t know what you don’t know, and there are many options out there. I can guide you based on what your interests are but you have no concept right now what you like and what you don’t like. I would get a good watch (for a timing device) and stick with that for the time being.

G1:

MK1:

 

[Buick]

Mamy thanks for your input @Odie. I’d read the few available posts on the Garmin Descent on WUS and have already noted your thoughts about the ‘warning’ that Garmin have started including on their units. My perspective is that Garmin have a solid reputation and the units are more than likely just as reliable as any other, but the legal department have had their way and it will rightly upset some people and undermine confidencem which is unfortunate. Does that sound like it could be the case? It would be nice to see the warning disappear, but it’s probably more likely that other companies will follow suit and include their own to head off the possibility of litigation.

You are absolutely right to say that at this point I don’t know what I will like or what will work for me as a dive computer and I accept that in time that may change a great deal. What appeals about the Descent models though, is that they are also very good for everyday activities, and so it feels like better economy to look at purchasing a smart watch that I can use when cycling, or to find somewhere using the gps, or to pay for something when I‘ve forgotten to bring out my wallet - and that is also capable of being used as a dive watch as I progesss into that sphere. At this point I am only aware of the Apple Ultra really competing within those parameters, and I don’t like the look of it at all. If there are other similar units that you know of that I have overlooked I would be happy to benefit from your knowledge.

Thanks again.

 

[Odie]

Mamy thanks for your input @Odie. I’d read the few available posts on the Garmin Descent on WUS and have already noted your thoughts about the ‘warning’ that Garmin have started including on their units. My perspective is that Garmin have a solid reputation and the units are more than likely just as reliable as any other, but the legal department have had their way and it will rightly upset some people and undermine confidencem which is unfortunate. Does that sound like it could be the case? It would be nice to see the warning disappear, but it’s probably more likely that other companies will follow suit and include their own to head off the possibility of litigation.

You are absolutely right to say that at this point I don’t know what I will like or what will work for me as a dive computer and I accept that in time that may change a great deal. What appeals about the Descent models though, is that they are also very good for everyday activities, and so it feels like better economy to look at purchasing a smart watch that I can use when cycling, or to find somewhere using the gps, or to pay for something when I‘ve forgotten to bring out my wallet - and that is also capable of being used as a dive watch as I progesss into that sphere. At this point I am only aware of the Apple Ultra really competing within those parameters, and I don’t like the look of it at all. If there are other similar units that you know of that I have overlooked I would be happy to benefit from your knowledge.

Thanks again.

The MK1 had that disclaimer with the 10.40 update which would roughly be a year, year and a half after the watch came out. My Spidey sense says they added that disclaimer because something happened behind the scenes and that’s why they added it, as opposed to doing it from the very beginning.

My advice is just get a Fenix 7 series (or Instinct) and a $300 wrist computer (look at Cressi as they traditionally more cost effective options). Garmin handles their Sport lineup of watches and the problems they have, much quicker than their diving division. So you may wait months for a resolution from the diving side.

I throw business away by not having these in my store anymore, but I take no issue with that because it’s my liability on the line and as an Instructor I cannot in good faith sell these products to people. I don’t have a single product in my store in relation to scuba diving that has a warning that it may not keep you safe.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Rocket1991]

The MK1 had that disclaimer with the 10.40 update which would roughly be a year, year and a half after the watch came out. My Spidey sense says they added that disclaimer because something happened behind the scenes and that’s why they added it, as opposed to doing it from the very beginning.

My advice is just get a Fenix 7 series (or Instinct) and a $300 wrist computer (look at Cressi as they traditionally more cost effective options). Garmin handles their Sport lineup of watches and the problems they have, much quicker than their diving division. So you may wait months for a resolution from the diving side.

I throw business away by not having these in my store anymore, but I take no issue with that because it’s my liability on the line and as an Instructor I cannot in good faith sell these products to people. I don’t have a single product in my store in relation to scuba diving that has a warning that it may not keep you safe.

Good luck with your decision.

I am surprised Garmin is so screw up in diving watches. It not like they don't have issues but what i heard about their fitness/multisport line was very good and you do get support.
I am with Samsung and you get about 0 meaningful support and bug resolution. Same with Google. These people seemed detached from customers or too busy with what they do to listen. Get Instinct, Fenix or Forerunner and dive computer is actually great idea.

 

[Buick]

Thanks again to you both, @Odie and @Rocket1991. When you put it like that, if a decent and reliable dive computer can be had for relatively small money, it would make sense to look at that as an option and buy two devices instead of one. Economy can take some unexpected turns at times! I will look into the Fenix 7 and Cressi as you suggested Odie.

 

[Buick]

I’ve just been looking and it seems there are some good deals around on the Fenix 7 at the moment so I think that’s the way I’ll go. Upon reflection, whilst walking the dog this morning, I think I partly wanted the Descent to make me feel like I was already ‘on my way’ toward my goal of diving this year, and obviously there are other things I can do that will make much more of a difference!

 

[Odie]

I’ve just been looking and it seems there are some good deals around on the Fenix 7 at the moment so I think that’s the way I’ll go. Upon reflection, whilst walking the dog this morning, I think I partly wanted the Descent to make me feel like I was already ‘on my way’ toward my goal of diving this year, and obviously there are other things I can do that will make much more of a difference!

If after you’re certified, this is a sport that you enjoy, then if it’s within your budget, buy a nice BCD and Regulator/Computer setup. If you take care of it, then it will let you 20+ years (with the exception of the dive computer because of it being electronic).

Don’t buy it online, if reasonably priced, buy it from a Brick & Mortar because you’ll get face to face service (we’re missing that now in our society) and a more trustworthy avenue as opposed to bugging life support gear online.

 

[dwalby]

As a Fenix 6 owner since 2020 I'll throw in a bit of a reality check regarding Garmin smartwatches. They're made well, and have good software features, but they're basically throw-away products.

There are Garmin forums for their various product lines, go over there and join in the discussions people are having on the actual products you're considering. there's a Fenix 7 forum, for example, if that's what you're currently considering.

There are a lot of functions in the Fenix line, and many bugs are reported by the owners. Garmin is OK at resolving them sometimes, and sometimes not, so its a bit inconsistent from what I've observed over the last few years on mine. Personally, I'm happy with the performance of my Fenix 6, but I locked down the firmware two years ago and haven't updated it since because I got tired of reading all the forum posts about "firmware update x.x broke the xyz function". It seems that Garmin listens well enough to people's feedback, but their QC on testing seems rather poor.

The throw-away topic is being discussed on another thread in this forum, give it a read for more details, but the bottom line is Garmin can't even do a battery change on the Fenix line, so you send them your old one for a credit towards a new one when the battery no longer charges properly. Same story if it just plain stops working for some reason.

Mine is 2.5 years old and still charging OK, but I don't know how long it will last before the Li-ion battery eventually degrades. I think Garmin says maybe 3-5 years is the expected battery life. I bought the basic model for $450 brand new, so if I end up getting $200 credit towards a new one when the battery fails that's not horrible, but I'm not happy about it. But, you can spend $1,000+ on some of the more deluxe models, and you're up against the same issue, so that's totally unacceptable to me at that price point.

Do your homework before purchasing a Fenix 7, I think its pretty similar to the Fenix 6 I own, so buyer beware.

 

[Buick]

@dwalby I appreciate the input from someone using a similar product. I’m not a big fan of the culture of disposable ‘lifestyle’ goods, and it’s a good point to raise. Unfortunately, to get the kind of functionality that’s packed into one of these devices it’s got to be electronic and run by a battery and therefore it will inevitably degrade, whether it’s a device made by Garmin or any other company, and I don’t see a way around that. It’s good to know that Garmin are currently offering some credit towards a future device. It’s more than their competitors do, as far as I’m aware?
If ‘updates’ can partially disable a device that makes me uncomfortable. It seems like there is too much room there for a company to accidentally/on-purpose make software glitchy to ‘encourage’ future sales.

 

[dwalby]

@dwalby I appreciate the input from someone using a similar product. I’m not a big fan of the culture of disposable ‘lifestyle’ goods, and it’s a good point to raise. Unfortunately, to get the kind of functionality that’s packed into one of these devices it’s got to be electronic and run by a battery and therefore it will inevitably degrade, whether it’s a device made by Garmin or any other company, and I don’t see a way around that. It’s good to know that Garmin are currently offering some credit towards a future device. It’s more than their competitors do, as far as I’m aware?
If ‘updates’ can partially disable a device that makes me uncomfortable. It seems like there is too much room there for a company to accidentally/on-purpose make software glitchy to ‘encourage’ future sales.

Yeah, since you're looking for a dive computer, I'd look around for something with a replaceable battery instead of going the Garmin route, so that was my point.

To add a little more detail to the topic, on the Fenix 5 Garmin used a Li-ion battery with a connector at the end of the battery leads. If you disassemble the watch, and get a new battery from China, battery replacement doesn't look terribly difficult for the mechanically inclined. For the Fenix 6 they removed the connector and went with soldered wires, making the removal and installation a bit more tricky as access inside a watch case with a soldering iron of the proper size is much more risky. But for a dive watch, I wouldn't even attempt a self-repair because of water resistance.

What would also be interesting to learn is how much credit they offer for the more deluxe models, I didn't ask when I talked to them because it didn't apply to me. In my case if I could get a brand new watch for around $200 after credit, and had to do that every 5 years, I could live with that. But if I had a $1000 solar model and still got a $200 credit and had to put in $800 of my own money, then that's a hard pass. Its easy enough for you to call their customer service or tech support and ask them what the cost delta would be for the watch you're considering, I'd be interested in hearing their answer.

 

[Buick]

I‘ll definitely keep that in mind when shopping for a dive computer @dwalby - thanks for clarifying.

It definitely sounds like Garmin is drifting into the Apple model - who are (in my opinion) the royalty of planned obsolescence - which is a shame. A company making tech that can be easily maintained and reliably updated for a respectable amount of time would be refreshing and much more ecologically sound.

 

[DB Broward]

Thanks to all for the very interesting info and experience on these Garmins--and especially to the OP for starting the thread. I'm in a similar position of wanting to explore an "everything" smart watch. I have ZERO experience with anything digital beyond G-Shocks.

Though I'm a long-time diver and already have both wrist-mounted and hose-integrated computers (will leave out the names so I don't hijack this thread even more), the notion of having a single device that handles smart-watch duties (hiking info, GPS, health, etc.) PLUS diving stats does sound appealing. More for redundancy in the scuba area but still.

Disappointing to hear that the current Garmins aren't so great on the diving front. Think I will sit on the sidelines for a while and see what comes out this year perhaps.

Do I even look at the Apple Ultra?? That could be an interesting start to playing in the smart-watch field, I suppose. But it also sounds a bit fragile--and battery life appears very limited.

 

[Odie]

Do I even look at the Apple Ultra?? That could be an interesting start to playing in the smart-watch field, I suppose. But it also sounds a bit fragile--and battery life appears very limited.

I myself have the Ultra as I do like the idea of a dive computer/fitness tracker (which is why I was originally interested in the Garmin MK1/G1). The issue I have is the price that Oceanic is charging. It’s a lot, especially since you have to pay $800 to buy the watch.

I told my Oceanic rep that I want a discount code as I have no need to really NEED a third computer. I use two on every dive. Haven’t gotten one yet.

 

[DB Broward]

The issue I have is the price that Oceanic is charging. It’s a lot, especially since you have to pay $800 to buy the watch.

Wait ... what? You have to pay EXTRA for the dive computer function? Ugh. Told you I know zero about smart watches.

I went and visited the Oceanic site and apparently the "basic" info is free -- but if you want to monitor nitrogen, deco, etc., you gotta pay. And you're right -- it's not cheap. So, really, without the sub fee you're mostly just getting another depth gauge/timer. Which is fine I guess -- tho you could get the same from a G-Shock Frogman, which would be a lot more robust and 100% solar-powered. (Just a lame excuse to get one; I always wear a dive watch with the computers.)

Yeah, I think I'll wait and see what comes next. Thanks for the enlightenment.