Garmin Descent x50i experience?

[TMurrr]

They just released the x30 which looks neat but it doesn't include AI which is a joke at that price point.

Its a peregrine clone / competitor

I'm a huge Garmin fanboy but I can't disagree with the slightest in your assessment. The X30 needs Ai to compete these days... I hope they add an X30i at some point

 

[tallman]

Its a peregrine clone / competitor

I'm a huge Garmin fanboy but I can't disagree with the slightest in your assessment. The X30 needs Ai to compete these days... I hope they add an X30i at some point

I think a Garmin will be my new DC simply because of the AI range when diving with my kid. When I saw it was announced I almost ordered two but saw the lack of AI. From everything I have seen of the x50i they seem like great computers.

 

[TMurrr]

I think a Garmin will be my new DC simply because of the AI range when diving with my kid. When I saw it was announced I almost ordered two but saw the lack of AI. From everything I have seen of the x50i they seem like great computers.

They're absolutely fantastic. The large screen is really customizable so no more glancing through data screens for specific pieces of information like with the Mk series. On my X50i I can see myself in one column and then 3 "marked" buddies in another column. I could make this 7+ divers at a time if I really wanted to, but I put other columns for other pieces of info.

The battery life is notably better after some software updates, it still doesn't truly compare to the Mk series, but nothing does. And its more than good enough for 2 full days of diving from my experience.

 

[TMurrr]

Anyone ever dive with a Garmin G2? Another Ai-less Garmin computer that we hear almost nothing about... thats one thing Shearwater did right was adding Ai to the Peregrine / Tern "Tx" models.

 

[RickFDA]

Anyone ever dive with a Garmin G2? Another Ai-less Garmin computer that we hear almost nothing about... thats one thing Shearwater did right was adding Ai to the Peregrine / Tern "Tx" models.

Here I am! Last year I bought a G1, I was happy with it but my arms seem shorter and shorter... and I was struggling to see the small numbers.
I saw the G2 in an exhibition here in Bologna and went for it straight away. Dial is bigger, brighter, and the amoled colors are vey clear.
I like it a lot, it became my everyday watch and love it underwater.
I dive with two computers, the G2 and a Suunto Vyper Novo with its transmitter, so not missing the AI on the G2, when the Suunto will die I will think about an AI Garmin maybe...

If yu need any inf let me know!
Ciao,
Rick

 

[tallman]

They're absolutely fantastic. The large screen is really customizable so no more glancing through data screens for specific pieces of information like with the Mk series. On my X50i I can see myself in one column and then 3 "marked" buddies in another column. I could make this 7+ divers at a time if I really wanted to, but I put other columns for other pieces of info.

The battery life is notably better after some software updates, it still doesn't truly compare to the Mk series, but nothing does. And its more than good enough for 2 full days of diving from my experience.

Perfect. You answered my battery question! What brightness level do you typically leave it at and how many, lets say 1 hour dives could you do within that two days?

I did read that battery drain was caused by leaving the computer wet as it sensed it was "in use".

 

[TMurrr]

Perfect. You answered my battery question! What brightness level do you typically leave it at and how many, lets say 1 hour dives could you do within that two days?

I did read that battery drain was caused by leaving the computer wet as it sensed it was "in use".

I think medium? Great question, not sure. I haven't done an all-day of diving in a while, but I usually leave both the mk3i and X50i 'hanging' on the drying stand in between dives and I've noticed the number of times I need to plugin the X50i the night before a dive has been reduced to "occasionally" vs "almost every time and why is this thing dead already" that was when it was first released. Not really quantifiable, I'll try to measure better data in the next couple months.

 

[tallman]

I think medium? Great question, not sure. I haven't done an all-day of diving in a while, but I usually leave both the mk3i and X50i 'hanging' on the drying stand in between dives and I've noticed the number of times I need to plugin the X50i the night before a dive has been reduced to "occasionally" vs "almost every time and why is this thing dead already" that was when it was first released. Not really quantifiable, I'll try to measure better data in the next couple months.

Thanks for the information. Last question, I promise as you have both. If one dive had the mk31 and the other had the x50i can they see each others AI pressure, or do they have to be the same model of computer? Because it might be better for me to mix it up for my family. I prefer the rectangle computers.

 

[TMurrr]

Thanks for the information. Last question, I promise as you have both. If one dive had the mk31 and the other had the x50i can they see each others AI pressure, or do they have to be the same model of computer? Because it might be better for me to mix it up for my family. I prefer the rectangle computers.

Ask away!

Totally interchangeable - both are compatible with the T1/T2 transmitters. In any given dive, my group has a mix of T1/T2 transmitters and mk2i/mk3i/X50i's - Everyone can view everyone else's air - the only limiting factor is the new T2 messaging features that require a T2 transmitter...

 

[tallman]

Ask away!

Totally interchangeable - both are compatible with the T1/T2 transmitters. In any given dive, my group has a mix of T1/T2 transmitters and mk2i/mk3i/X50i's - Everyone can view everyone else's air - the only limiting factor is the new T2 messaging features that require a T2 transmitter...

Perfect! Now I just need to go to the shop and see which size they prefer on the mk3i. Do you think the messaging is important? I remember seeing in a review that they were premade messages that had no customization.