Garmin entering the dive industry?

[jstreetley]

Garmin posted this video on facebook a few days ago. The date interestingly coincides with the start of DEMA. Any thoughts on what this could be?

Now that it's out in the open I don't mind mentioning I've been a beta tester for the Descent and also a user of Subsurface. I have to admit I posted the link originally because I was curious about people's desires out of the device.

So sneaky!

Whilst I have no reason to replace my current dive computer, I am looking to replace my Garmin Forerunner 910XT. So the Descent could be an interesting contender. Have you been using it solely as a dive computer or wearing it as an everyday activity tracker and sport tracker? Do you have any public Garmin Connect dive activities? I'd be interested in seeing how their dive log looks.

 

[NicKara]

Do you have any public Garmin Connect dive activities? I'd be interested in seeing how their dive log looks.

From what I can gather in DC Rainmaker comments, their diving log features leave a bit to be desired at the moment. And yes, the watch is perfectly usable as an activity tracker and running/fitness watch. The information on the Garmin web site isn't accurate if you do Fenix 5X vs Mk1 product comparison: all fitness equipment but Elliptical is included, and there are no differences in running dynamics.

 

[CZS]

This being a first generation product with no air integration is a deal breaker for me, but dive equipment manufacturers better take note. Garmin entering the dive industry will almost certainly reshape the landscape. There's a reason runners and triathletes refer to their GPS watch as a "Garmin"... Garmin is ubiquitous in the fitness world and with them deciding to enter the dive industry, gone are the days where divers will be satisfied with aging technology and a failure to innovate. Let the arms race begin....

 

[Storker]

One thing that I see as a downside is the apparent size. It seems more watch-sized than puck-sized, and in green water country with limited light, that's a disadvantage to me and my middle-aged eyes. A classic puck design allows for larger numbers on the display

 

[Rhyno]

Could you please compare Garmin logging features vs. Subsurface? Try as I may, I never quite got into Subsurface, but I do use Garmin for everything else. Running, strength training, activity tracking. They aren't without a problem, but having my diving info in the same place as everything else would be huge.

Also, I noticed in Mk1 spec that all strength/cardio activities are missing while indoor rowing is included. Is this the case? Can I add Strength Training and Cardio on the watch? Download from ConnectIQ store?

I'd still like to err on the side of caution about the specifics of some features. I've only been commenting on info I've found Garmin release via official channels. What I will say is that I'm very happy with their logging functionaity. The extensions they're making to Garmin connect are along the right path. A link to a screenshot of the basic dive log functionality of Garmin Connect Mobile can be found at the bottom of this page. Garmin | Dive

I can't speak to what activities are included in the initial release of the Descent firmware. I'd have to defer to what the documentation states. Things may have changed since my last Beta build.

Have you been using it solely as a dive computer or wearing it as an everyday activity tracker and sport tracker? Do you have any public Garmin Connect dive activities? I'd be interested in seeing how their dive log looks.

I have been wearing it daily, in addition to diving it on the weekends. Here's a copy and paste of something I offered on another forum earlier.

In addition to it's dive features, It's a very attractive, and functional, watch. It looks equally well with a dress suit as it does a wet suit.

I've never seen another product close to as functional on the surface. Weather, Phone based notifications, Health Data (Fitness monitoring/Activity Tracking), and turn by turn directions.

I'm sold on it, and I think the industry will be as well.

This being a first generation product with no air integration is a deal breaker for me, but dive equipment manufacturers better take note. Garmin entering the dive industry will almost certainly reshape the landscape. There's a reason runners and triathletes refer to their GPS watch as a "Garmin"... Garmin is ubiquitous in the fitness world and with them deciding to enter the dive industry, gone are the days where divers will be satisfied with aging technology and a failure to innovate. Let the arms race begin....

100% agree. We're not in the 90's any more, and the scuba industry needs to step it up. Given it's added functionality you'll use the Descent just as much during your M-F surface interval as you will on your weekend dives. That's something no other computer I've used can say.

 

[Rhyno]

One thing that I see as a downside is the apparent size. It seems more watch-sized than puck-sized, and in green water country with limited light, that's a disadvantage to me and my middle-aged eyes. A classic puck design allows for larger numbers on the display

As a primary computer I could possibly see where you may want the display slightly larger, however they have to strike a balance between that and being 'too big' for every day wear.

What I will say that it is a nice quality display, with all the required info available at a glance. I'm late 30's currently, and getting to the point I could see myself getting bifocals in a few years. I wear contacts and occasionally find "my arms aren't long enough" to clearly see some displays underwater (Due to the lensing effects of wearing a mask underwater). I've not yet noted that issue on the descent.

 

[NicKara]

As a primary computer I could possibly see where you may want the display slightly larger, however they have to strike a balance between that and being 'too big' for every day wear.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I read about the watch, the diving has same multiple data pages as other activities? If that's the case, presumably people can create 1- or 2-data field pages with the most important information? Arguably, this is no where as good as having everything on one page, but can still seriously help some people.

 

[jlcnuke]

I think the price point will be a deterrent to any wide-spread adoption by divers, but triathletes etc that are really into all the "fitness" stuff it has going for it as well may bring in a decent amount of sales. ~$1k for a dive watch without air integration, to me, is a LOT of money relative to the other options out there for diving. I can buy a nice watch dive computer AND a top of the line fitbit etc AND a decent watch for that much money.

If you happen to be part of the crowd that wants a dive computer, AND wants a fitness watch, AND want a GPS, AND want a nice looking watch.. then it's probably the best current option imo. However, I'm not sure what percentage of divers fall into all of those categories AND would like to spend the money to replace their current system for all of the above by incorporating them into one device (I have no interest in GPS tracking as a general rule, I wear a fitbit because I'm trying to lose some weight and it helps motivate me but otherwise would likely not wear a watch at all).

The customization ability, however, is a nice feature I wish more dive computers and smart watches allowed.

 

[NicKara]

~$1k for a dive watch without air integration, to me, is a LOT of money relative to the other options out there for diving.

If you look at it as a dive computer primarily, you are probably right. Personally, I think they view it as a GPS-enabled smart-capable multisport watch that can also be used for diving Plenty of people would love that. Still, in my opinion the key point in Mk1 is that "1" at the end. Garmin makes a plenty of accessories, so I'm sure air integration and many more features will be added in subsequent releases. This version will just create enough buzz and establish them as a player in the new industry.

As for now, Garmin should be able to persuade quite a few people to splash $999 on the athletic watch that can also be a dive computer! Oh, the convenience! Jump out of a business suit into a wet suit -- or no suit if that's your thing -- and off the boat you go! Keep the same time piece.

 

[insomniac]

I would seriously consider purchasing it, if it had air integration. I wonder if the wireless protocols the watch already has built into it would allow for Air Integration in the future via a firmware upgrade / transmitter purchase. The biggest thing this computer has going for it is that even though this is a "first generation" dive computer; it's not in the traditional sense. It's a well evolved product that recently added diving capabilities. The reason this product most likely came into existence is due to the fact that it was most likely a relatively small task to take the existing line and add the diving software / additional waterproofing. To make it AI, would have been a much bigger task/risk which is a shame, because I think if they would have done that these things would sell like hot cakes.