Garmin Descent Mk2i vs. Shearwater Teric

[AnaRonen]

Hey everyone
I just wrapped up my Divemaster certification and I'm looking to treat myself with a solid dive watch. I'm thinking between two options:

• Garmin Descent Mk2i
• Shearwater Teric

I mostly dive cold water here in BC, but I want something that'll last me for years, whether I’m guiding, tech diving, or just fun diving on vacation.

Anyone out there used both? Or have strong feelings about one over the other? Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Sascha314]

If you seriously consider tec diving, my preference would not be a watch style tbh.

More like a perdix, maybe peregrine.

 

[arkstorm]

I've owned both, but I currently own the Garmin which has become my daily wear watch.

The Teric is an excellent dive computer, an ok timepiece, but not a smartwatch.

The Descent is an excellent dive computer, an excellent timepiece and is also an excellent smartwatch.

As far as dive computer functionality goes, they are essentially equal. The only advantage that the Teric has over the Descent is that it uses the more ubiquitous MH-8A compatible transmitters. The Descent screen is a little brighter.

As far as a timepieces go, the Descent is the clear winner because, if nothing else, its two-week battery life blows the Teric away. But also, the Descent displays the watch face even when its idle whereas the Teric goes black and you have to press a button to see the time.

Smartwatch features on the Descent are nothing short of incredible. It replaced my apple watch. There is almost nothing this smartwatch can't do other than being able to pick up a call on my iPhone and speak through the watch. Other than that, it blows the apple watch away in terms of functionality. And again, the battery life is game changing.

I was able to do five days of diving, four dives per day, and never had to charge the Descent. One caveat, it is not connected to a transmitter which saves on battery consumption.

Having said all that, I do not use the Descent as my primary dive computer. It is a back up to my Perdix 2 because I still prefer a full screen dc as my primary.

 

[bardass]

i use several diving computers : Ostc 2C for OC dive, Shearwater Petrel on my CCR, 1 Shearwater Teric for every dive.
Shearwater Teric is my main computer, i always dive with it.
The screen is much, much better than Garmin MK2 (not oled), its screen is as readable as the petrel.

 

[ChrisMBC]

I've owned the Mk2i for a few years and put a couple hundred dives on it around Vancouver Island (so same conditions as you). I've also borrowed a Teric.

They're both great dive computers, and I've used the Mk2i as my primary computer for many tech dives. With the 'big numbers' mode in particular, it's very readable underwater. Some pros and cons vs the Teric, strictly as a dive computer:

Pros:

• The compass is (in my subjective opinion) more stable and less prone to interference (lights, DPVs) than the Teric
• Syncing with your phone is a little more seamless than the Shearwater (at least compared to my Perdix 2 controller)
• The transmitter connection is definitely more solid on the Garmin than anything else. I don't have my transmitter setup with line of sight to my computer (in my current setup, there's an entire rebreather between my transmitter and my wrist), but I have literally never had it drop during a dive. My experience with MH8A transmitters (like Shearwater, Aqualung, etc) is that they need line-of-sight, and I used to have occasional (10-second) drops during a dive with an Aqualung transmitter.
• The Garmin has GPS, and a very good 'navigate to reference point' mode (on the surface), which is really handy for shore diving, if you want to surface swim out to a coordinate and then drop in exactly the right place. It's also nice for organizing and logging dives, and for keeping a record of sites you want to come back to when on a boat!

Cons:

• There isn't quite the same level of customization in dive settings with the Garmin. While it generally has all the data fields I could ever want, you can't customize the page layout to the same extent as Shearwater. In an ideal world, I'd probably have my TTS on the main page during a dive, but you can't set it there. This is a very small quality of life issue though, since the buttons are easy to press.
• You can't see your average depth during the dive, if you're in computer mode. You can get average depth if you dive in gauge mode though.
• The charger seems to die every 6-12 months or so. I've taken to buying replacements from Amazon for $8 or so, but if the charger completely crapped out during a trip (and I didn't bring a spare), it would be annoying.

Of course, if you want to use the watch as more than just a dive computer, I don't think it's even a consideration. The Mk2i is also a superb running/hiking/biking/backcountry skiing/kayaking/anything you can think of computer, and a really good everyday smartwatch. I've been wearing smartwatches for ~15 years, and I think the Mk2i is almost perfect. It's got a color e-ink screen, which is great for a smartwatch, as it means the display can be always-on without an intrusive backlight, and it's still readable in direct sunlight.

If all you want is a dive computer, I'd probably suggest a Perdix/Peregrine/maybe the new X50, as the big screen is a little bit nicer underwater. I absolutely disagree with anyone who says you 'need' a big-screen dedicated computer to do tech dives though.

 

[L13]

If you are planing on wearing it as your everyday watch, the Garmin is MUCH better. If you are only going to wear it while diving, the Teric is probably the better choice (especially if you have old eyes).

I have old eyes, but my primary dive computer was the Mk2i and now it is the M3i with the Mk2i as my backup. I do lots of tech diving using both. I wear the Mk3i almost 24/7 and love it.

If you are really serious about tech diving, and aren't wearing it everyday, the Perdix is probably a better choice than the Teric or the Garmins.

 

[ACHiPo]

I have the Garmin Mk2i. After about 20 dives I feel I finally know fully how to use it and it meets my needs as a dive computer and smart watches. It’s a bit big for daily/work wear as my only watch, but it’s great as my only vacation watch (short sleeves). I concur with what others have said above—I recommend it.

One caveat is the battery on the transmitter. Mine developed a leak (probably user error as I did not have silicone grease when I replaced the battery). I just returned from a 2-week dive trip. I brought a spare battery. Both batteries died (likely from my inability to adequately remove corrosion/chlorine/saltwater before I left on my trip) so I had to use an SPG for my last two dives. It’s probably fine if you follow instructions about using grade after the battery is changed, but I do think it’s a weak point of the design.

 

[also_anon_dc]

Smartwatch features on the Descent are nothing short of incredible. It replaced my apple watch. There is almost nothing this smartwatch can't do other than being able to pick up a call on my iPhone and speak through the watch. Other than that, it blows the apple watch away in terms of functionality.

Can you talk more about this? I'm a pretty big fan of my Apple Watch and can't imagine what's missing but I'm open to learning more!

 

[Nick_Radov]

Can you talk more about this? I'm a pretty big fan of my Apple Watch and can't imagine what's missing but I'm open to learning more!

The main advantages of something like a Garmin Descent Mk3 over an Apple Watch are in the sports and fitness area. They have a lot of software features built in to the device and integrated with the Garmin Connect online platform which would require separate apps on the Apple Watch, or aren't really available at all. This may or may not be important to you depending on how much of an athlete you are. DC Rainmaker reviews are generally the best source of information on non-diving features; the Descent Mk3 is roughly equivalent to a Fenix 7 for everything above water.

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