Garmin Descent G1 vs Shearwater

[sonofthesea3]

I'm looking at getting a Shearwater or Garmin G1 and had some questions if anyone had some info. The G1 seems to be a better deal as its a smartwatch and can be used for day to day life. However, I see online that many people have had Garmin dive watches fail during dives regardless of the model. Does anyone have any insights on the reliability of a Garmin, specifically the G1? The overall functionality of the G1 seems appealing but am aware that Shearwaters are the preffered brand, and value reliablity over all else. Cheers.

 

[abrmy]

I got the g1 so I can justify the cost if I use it everyday. If i get to dive more often I’d go for the Shearwater peregrine instead. But so far over a hundred dives spread out over two years, the g1 still rocks. No issues at all. I’ve even dropped it and bashed it on concrete and on boat ladders multiple times.

 

[flymolo]

the g1 is pretty good but it's a little hard to see at times. i prefer the screen and buttons of the teric.

the g1 is decent for workouts although i question the accuracy of the heart rate monitor as it won't read correctly if it's not on tightly enough.

 

[flymolo]

also, programming gasses into the g1 kinda sucks but if it's only one or two it won't matter much

 

[Madmax7]

I had a G1 for a few years, now have MK3i. My wife still dives a G1, and my daughter has a MK2i. Never an issue with any of them. I had a different model Garmin watch prior, and very much liked it as a daily wear smart watch, so it was a natural transition for me. I beat the hell out of mine, and it takes it like a champ. The screen on the G1 isn't impressive, but it's completely adequate and i never had any issues with it.

That said, if I didn't have the need for all the non-dive features, I would likely have a Shearwater.

 

[Still Kicking]

I have a G1 as a daily wear watch (i love the notifications for texts etc.) and it's a good backup to my Perdix. But as my eyes are not what they used to be, I wouldn't replace the Shearwater as my primary.

Also, the G1 battery life drops dramatically when diving so make sure you bring a charger on a dive trip.

 

[PfcAJ]

If you *want* the garmin fitness tracking features, then get a garmin. If you don’t want that, then get the shearwater.

Shearwater is a better dive computer.

But for fitness stuff? Garmin is it.

 

[The Chairman]

I have both. The Garmin is my every day, the Shearwater is my every dive. Neither have failed me. I love and need both. If I had to pick only one, I'd pick both.

Garmin:

Best Feature: GPS allows me to see where I started and ended a dive​

Worst feature: It's hard to read during the dive​

Shearwater:

Best Feature: Easier to set up and see! (Though, I usually dive my Perdix)​

Worst feature: It's not smart watch!​

 

[Sebs]

Garmin:

Best Feature: GPS allows me to see where I started and ended a dive​

My girlfriend and I are in raja ampat right now and I bought her a g1 for Christmas. The fact it saves dive locations and displays them on a map is perhaps the coolest feature. You can really see all the dive spots you've been to on a world map.

 

[Still Kicking]

My girlfriend and I are in raja ampat right now and I bought her a g1 for Christmas. The fact it saves dive locations and displays them on a map is perhaps the coolest feature. You can really see all the dive spots you've been to on a world map.

It's annoying that you have to manually put the G1 into dive mode (which i never do) before it logs locations. I understand why this is (no GPS underwater) but it's annoying that it doesn't have a clever workaround.