The UGLY Truth About the Garmin Descent Mk3i Dive Computer?
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Without ever have used any Garmin computers or reading a manual: I am getting major FUD energy from his story
Issue 1, the auto-on:
He mentioned in one part that it took 50-60s for the computer to switch on
Then laters says 10 mins
At the “max” decent rate thats like 20m depth — accumulated N2 is nothing (comparatively)
Now I don’t know what’s actually happening there, and it’s still a con if true; but I suspect if we dig into manuals there’s some software setting there
Issue 2 Msg. Feature:
Honestly don’t care, but it’s a new tech, in its early hype phase, so would make sense if it’s still clunky — I’m not an early adapter of trivial features like this so..
Issue 3, Dual pairing:
Wouldn’t the lost connection to the mk3 in his hypothetical cause the X50 to turn ito the “master” and enable the other stuff
I still get it it’s pretty stupid not to get the SAC included in such a situation, and they should include (if they don’t already and he just didn’t read a manual) a “backup computer” mode or something
Conclusion:
Valid pains, reaction and concern feels a bit exaggerated
Epilogue:
Did this dude try an mk2 ans saw if similar issues are there!? Why did we never hear about similar issues with previous Generations?
Would love to hear input from actual users
Issue 1, the auto-on:
He mentioned in one part that it took 50-60s for the computer to switch on
Then laters says 10 mins
At the “max” decent rate thats like 20m depth — accumulated N2 is nothing (comparatively)
Now I don’t know what’s actually happening there, and it’s still a con if true; but I suspect if we dig into manuals there’s some software setting there
Issue 2 Msg. Feature:
Honestly don’t care, but it’s a new tech, in its early hype phase, so would make sense if it’s still clunky — I’m not an early adapter of trivial features like this so..
Issue 3, Dual pairing:
Wouldn’t the lost connection to the mk3 in his hypothetical cause the X50 to turn ito the “master” and enable the other stuff
I still get it it’s pretty stupid not to get the SAC included in such a situation, and they should include (if they don’t already and he just didn’t read a manual) a “backup computer” mode or something
Conclusion:
Valid pains, reaction and concern feels a bit exaggerated
Epilogue:
Did this dude try an mk2 ans saw if similar issues are there!? Why did we never hear about similar issues with previous Generations?
Would love to hear input from actual users
No experience with these but it sounds like a bad pressure sensor and every dive computer I’ve ever used with an auto start also warns you to never trust the auto start.
OP
For me, too much shiit cramped into a "dive" computer and ultimately more chances for issues. I use an analog watch topside and want a dive computer underwater. The fluff isn't for me .
Could be (but doubtful), I saw someone on instagram last year show off how they can read their garmin T2 tanks 200m+ away on land
I don’t mind it, but I don’t need it and got other prios to spend money on
I wouldn’t mind the gps, PulsOx and BPM features topside (but I aslo stopped wearing a watch years ago anyways
)
kdlv
Registered
Watched the video some time ago and flagged it in my head as "rubbish".
Watched again:
Complexity of device, updates, UX
- never had any issues with this. You learn how to use it and you get comfortable with it pretty quick.
Chirp of the transmitter
- it is what it is. You want messaging, you hear chirps. You get used to it after the 1st dive and it's even cool after a while. When I stopped diving with transmitter I had some "addiction withdrawal symptoms" not hearing it anymore.
Safety concern about dive comp not powering on immediately in the water
- yea, that's why we have warnings not to drink the liquid in the car batteries, right?
Messaging coming with delay
- never had a buddy with MK3 and transmitter to try the messaging. I couldn't care less about it.
- however... being able to see the other folks remaining gas on a dive is cool, but it is still dependent on them having the same transmitters. So... don't care.
NDL calculations across identical brand and algorithm devices.
- that's strange and probably the only valid concern in the whole video from my perspective. Probably a faulty device, even though I have never seen or heard of a faulty Descent unit and I validated that with the local Garmin dealer.
- Last weekend, the dive group had a Perdix 2, MK3i, G1 and G2. Identical NDL calculations across all 4 computers.
This video is for the sake of having a video out there. You can come up with more valid criticism on pretty much any product. Especially the conclusion part of the video with the alternatives which sounds like... "Hey! Don't buy a Porsche Cayenne, there are other alternatives like Dacia Duster out there for 1/5th of the price."
Watched again:
Complexity of device, updates, UX
- never had any issues with this. You learn how to use it and you get comfortable with it pretty quick.
Chirp of the transmitter
- it is what it is. You want messaging, you hear chirps. You get used to it after the 1st dive and it's even cool after a while. When I stopped diving with transmitter I had some "addiction withdrawal symptoms" not hearing it anymore.
Safety concern about dive comp not powering on immediately in the water
- yea, that's why we have warnings not to drink the liquid in the car batteries, right?
Messaging coming with delay
- never had a buddy with MK3 and transmitter to try the messaging. I couldn't care less about it.
- however... being able to see the other folks remaining gas on a dive is cool, but it is still dependent on them having the same transmitters. So... don't care.
NDL calculations across identical brand and algorithm devices.
- that's strange and probably the only valid concern in the whole video from my perspective. Probably a faulty device, even though I have never seen or heard of a faulty Descent unit and I validated that with the local Garmin dealer.
- Last weekend, the dive group had a Perdix 2, MK3i, G1 and G2. Identical NDL calculations across all 4 computers.
This video is for the sake of having a video out there. You can come up with more valid criticism on pretty much any product. Especially the conclusion part of the video with the alternatives which sounds like... "Hey! Don't buy a Porsche Cayenne, there are other alternatives like Dacia Duster out there for 1/5th of the price."
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