Garmin has announced their latest in wearable tech the Descent Mk1 slated for Q4 in 2017. The Mk1 is a heavily modified fenix 5x, it runs almost the same software but has the different internal hardware. The watch is designed for divers of all levels (recreational, technical and free divers) and allows them to plan their underwater adventure using GPS waypoints to mark dive entry and exit points.
Just tell me what’s new
As I mentioned before the Descent Mk1’s design is based off Garmin’s flagship watch the fenix 5X. However, there are some core differences which I’ll summarise below:
- Dive rated for 100m operating depth (Designed to comply with EN13319 which is the European CE standard for dive computers)
- Dive mode (New battery mode for use while diving) up to 40 hours
- Depth Sensor
- New Charging port
- Diving Features
- Gas modes
- APNEA features (Freediving and Spear Fishing)
- Decompression model
- Nitrox/Trimix support
Other changes
- No Fly watch Face (When it’s safe to fly again after your dive)
- HR recording underwater (It won’t work until you are submerged 1ft underwater and the depth gauge activates. Garmin has no plans to make this available for regular swimming. Optical HR has long had trouble as the impact of each stroke can make readouts wildly inaccurate.
- Connect IQ apps not allowed in Dive mode
Diving Features
The watch can support up to six gases including air, nitrox and trimix. The watch also includes different Dive modes depending on your style of dive. These include Apnea mode for recreational/competitive free divers and Apnea hunt for spearfishing. Once you’ve planned your dive and set it up on the watch, it will automatically start once you dive into the water and stop the dive when you re-emerge out of the water.
Diving modes:
- Single Gas
- Multi-Gas
- Gauge (no gas)
- Apnea
- Apnea Hunt
- Plan Dive
The plan dive mode allows you to quickly calculate your dive via computing NDL or creating a decompression plan.
I’ll note here that this is not your typical Garmin running watch, this watch has gone through much more stringent safety tests and this will include lengthy testing of firmware updates for every future update on the watch. What this also means is that when you’re in your dive Garmin have put limits on the watch functionality to make sure you don’t end up on some screen or app that might mess up your watch and leave you in a pinch. When you’re underwater, you will only have access to about three pages of data.
Page 1: Dive Time, Depth, Water temp, Ascent/Descent rate, max depth, average depth
Page 2: Compass Information (Direction and Heading), Depth, Water Temp, Dive Time
Page 3: HR Information (Heart rate, Heart rate zone – colour coded, Time of day, Water Temp, Depth, Battery Level Dive Time
In addition to this information, you will get alerts during your dive based on what you’ve configured prior to the dive. These can include decompression/safety stop information, time and max depth.
*You cannot use Garmin IQ Connect Apps while diving
This dive computer will utilise the open algorithm Bühlmann ZHL-16c with configurable conservatism settings. You can choose from three pre-set conservatism settings, or enter your own custom Gradient Factors.
Topside Features
The Descent Mk1 carries almost all the same features that make the fenix 5X such a standout GPS fitness watch. It features a high-sensitivity GPS/GLONASS receiver, altimeter, barometer and compass sensors and many of Garmin sports/training features. The Descent Mk1 can also be paired with compatible smartphones allowing users to receive and view text messages, emails and smart notifications.
Australian Availability and Price
The Descent Mk1 will be available in two styles. A stainless-steel bezel with a silicone watch band or a premium version with a titanium bezel and greater scratch resistant brushed DLC titanium bracelet.
The standard edition is expected early December with a $1,399 RRP
The premium edition is expected early December with a $2,199 RRP
