Garmin Descent x50i experience?

[bartucxp]

I dove in single gas mode, since I had 2 tanks with same gas(air). I've added both tanks and transmitters to the computer, selecting correct volume for tanks. Everything got calculated correctly. Since I was using both tanks and both have same gas, it didn't make a problem out of it.

 

[sidlin]

terrible, I bought it yesterday and got the issue with the power button

detail: Garmin Descent X50i Power Issue – Unreliable for Diving

 

[cookiefactory]

Really interested in the X50i for our first (and hopefully only) dive computer but the reports of various battery issues gives me pause. That and it’s not eligible for the Optimity 20% coupon. Perhaps we’d be better off with the MK3i but we don’t need/want all the other non-diving features and really prefer the large screen format on the X50i. Decisions, decisions.

 

[scrane]

Perdix.

 

[cookiefactory]

The Shearwaters are definitely also up for consideration. The thing is I really like the Garmin's ability to monitor multiple AI transmitters. This way I can keep an eye on my son's (he's 11) gas (and distance) at all times. The diver to diver messaging seems gimmicky but I could see myself using the boat to diver messaging (via additional buoy) in the future.

 

[CoGT3]

Really interested in the X50i for our first (and hopefully only) dive computer but the reports of various battery issues gives me pause. That and it’s not eligible for the Optimity 20% coupon. Perhaps we’d be better off with the MK3i but we don’t need/want all the other non-diving features and really prefer the large screen format on the X50i. Decisions, decisions.

I recently went through this decision process, maybe this will help.

Relatively new to diving, my son and I did OW last summer and AOW this summer. Last year we got him a 43mm Mk3i with the idea that I would probably get the 51mm eventually. Biggest driving factor for me was being able to monitor his gas remotely and having him also keep an eye on my gas.

Fast forward to this summer and we are back in the water a lot with school out. While in the dive shop I notice the X50i and started digging into the details as I never got a Mk3 for myself. I'm early 50's and have worn glasses since high school, in progressive glasses for the last 10 years. So the idea of the big screen seemed like a great idea for me. I do have corrective lenses in my dive mask with bifocal inserts also. Ultimately I pulled the trigger and got the X50i. This is my take with limited use:

It excels at being a dedicated dive computer. Menus are very easy to use, buttons underneath are super easy to use with your thumb to move through the menus. No "smartwatch" menus to deal with. The screen is really bright and easy to read. I did not think the battery was an issue. I did one 2 tank dive with it, on the whole time, with everything turned on and screen on the brightest setting. Battery was at 65% at the end of the day (there are ways to improve that by turning down screen and other functions). Construction is really robust. Compared to my sons Mk3i its great not to have to deal with all the other smartwatch functions/menus.

Biggest downside for me was the big screen was ultimately harder for me to read with a bifocal mask. I found myself moving the screen left and right as the whole screen did not fit into my nearfield field of view. I spent some time in the pool with my sons Mk3i and ultimately the more compact screen worked better for me despite being smaller and showing less information. I believe this is really a limitation of my mask (I have spoke to Rx Dive Masks, there options to increase my bifocal zone, but they are not cheap, think 1K). I ultimately purchased the Mk3i in 51mm which works best for me with my current corrective lenses.

Can't go wrong either way though. I think it comes down to do you want a dedicated dive computer vs a dive computer that is also a smartwatch. I suspect we will sell the X50i if I can and roll the money into T2 transmitters for both of us. If not, we have a great backup computer.

 

[cookiefactory]

I recently went through this decision process, maybe this will help.
…

Hey thanks, I really appreciate your write up and insight. At this point I’m going to pull the trigger on a pair of x50is. GL with selling the x50i - I’d take it off your hands but we need two and I’m working an angle for a package deal that includes a pair of T2s as well.