Garmin entering the dive industry?

[NicKara]

$70 actually but the point is your Leonardo will work without it for a couple of years.

I bought it for $99 and it is still priced as $99 at Amazon, and anywhere else from $75 to $115. Also, a big point of a dive computer personally for me is ability to get information off it, so I can keep a detailed electronic log of my dives synchronized between devices. So, data cable isn't something I'd be waiting for a few years until the dive computer starts wiping out old dives.

Where it has BT, Leonardo has an IR eye. Just like your cellphone has a BT chip, a Palm Pilot has IR tranceiver that you can aim the Leonardo at and beam your logs all the way into the 90's.

Thank you, Captain! I happen to be old enough to remember when IR was considered a cool wireless technology. Here's the problem: that time had passed about 15-20 years ago. I'm less concerned with what's been in the days of yore or what's gonna happen in 15-20 years from now. What I do care about is what technology I can use today and will perhaps be using in the next 3-5 years. Beyond that, nobody can really say.

 

[CZS]

If Garmin is going to charge $1000 for the Mk1, what would they charge for an AI version with a transmitter? I don't need or want all the exercise BS, perhaps they will offer a more dedicated dive computer. The GPS is OK with me, I would love to know how far I traveled on some of my drift dives in SE Florida.

$1500? or in other words about what ScubaPro charges for the G2...

 

[tridacna]

$1500? or in other words about what ScubaPro charges for the G2...

Talking of which... I saw the new SP G2 AI console today. Sweet looking computer.

 

[scbaNE2179]

I was told it uses the Buhlmann GF algorithm with GF.. And that I could make it match up with my shearwater..

Ok but on the Petrel if you're using a custom GF setting wouldn't that conflict with this Garmin unit?

 

[stuartv]

Ok but on the Petrel if you're using a custom GF setting wouldn't that conflict with this Garmin unit?

The Descent web page says you can use custom GF settings. So, you should be able to set a Descent and a Shearwater to the same GF and then they should give the same results for NDL and ascent schedule.

 

[scbaNE2179]

The Descent web page says you can use custom GF settings. So, you should be able to set a Descent and a Shearwater to the same GF and then they should give the same results for NDL and ascent schedule.

Ok thanks! Not a tech diver by any means so I'll just set my Petrel to default low/med conservative GF settings. For $1k though I might as well get a 2nd Petrel/Perdix though.

 

[kelemvor]

The Ratio ix3m has this type of GPS functionality and can be had for $1k. Amazon.com : Ratio ix3M GPS Deep Dive Computer : Sports & Outdoors

I'd call this Garmin offering "just another dive computer" that doesn't bring anything new. Not that I hate the Garmin, but given that there are existing computers on the market that offer all the features of the Garmin for less money.. it seems like a hard sell in my mind.

I guess what Garmin has that Ratio does not is a large brick and mortar dealer network in the USA.

 

[stuartv]

The Ratio ix3m has this type of GPS functionality and can be had for $1k. Amazon.com : Ratio ix3M GPS Deep Dive Computer : Sports & Outdoors

I'd call this Garmin offering "just another dive computer" that doesn't bring anything new. Not that I hate the Garmin, but given that there are existing computers on the market that offer all the features of the Garmin for less money.. it seems like a hard sell in my mind.

I guess what Garmin has that Ratio does not is a large brick and mortar dealer network in the USA.

The form factor is worth something. It's the reason I bought a Seabear H3 and then sold the Petrel 2 that I had.

No way you'd wear an iX3M to work (in an office setting). ;-)

If my H3 died, and if the Descent gets an AI upgrade (i.e. Mk2), and if the Descent actually works well for deco diving, I would definitely consider one as a backup to my Perdix AI. I much prefer the smaller watch-sized form factor over the big, thick Perdix form factor. My H3 is watch-sized and it is just as readable as my Perdix. It doesn't show quite as many pieces of data, but it does show all the ones I want.

 

[kelemvor]

The form factor is worth something. It's the reason I bought a Seabear H3 and then sold the Petrel 2 that I had.

No way you'd wear an iX3M to work (in an office setting). ;-)

If my H3 died, and if the Descent gets an AI upgrade (i.e. Mk2), and if the Descent actually works well for deco diving, I would definitely consider one as a backup to my Perdix AI. I much prefer the smaller watch-sized form factor over the big, thick Perdix form factor. My H3 is watch-sized and it is just as readable as my Perdix. It doesn't show quite as many pieces of data, but it does show all the ones I want.

I guess I didn't consider that since I don't like wearing watches of any kind. If I could get a dive computer with a tablet sized screen I'd be on it like stink on.. stinky stuff.

 

[scbaNE2179]

I'd call this Garmin offering "just another dive computer" that doesn't bring anything new. Not that I hate the Garmin, but given that there are existing computers on the market that offer all the features of the Garmin for less money.. it seems like a hard sell in my mind.

I'm with kelemvor on this one. Garmin definitely has some awesome products but for this money I would rather invest in a brand that has long history with diving technology and experience. If my LDS has this unit for testing I would definitely try it out but there's no way in hell I would shell out a 1k on a gen 1 dive computer.