Garmin enters the large format dive computer market X50i

[Divin'Papaw]

But, but, that's what allows you to monitor the gas of 7 other divers and to send subwave sonar-based messages

Yea, yea ... all features I don't need or want.

 

[arkstorm]

Someone at Garmin R&D recently sent an email around with the following subject line: “Has anyone around here heard of a dive computer called Perdix?”

 

[Nick_Radov]

Garmin keeps innovating, which is great. Now if they would just ditch their proprietary transmitter and go with the standard just about everyone else uses.

The fact that they do not support the MH8A standard used by so many other dive computers is alone the one downside that will prevent me from ever giving Garmin a try.

One advantage of the Garmin SubWave acoustic technology is that it has longer range than the standard MH8A radio transmitters. This allows them to do things like diver-to-diver messaging, or have a single dive leader monitor tank pressures for multiple other divers. Of course taking advantage of those features requires that everyone on the dive team use Garmin computers which is perhaps unrealistic.

 

[brsnow]

They have made solid impacts into the dive world. Be interesting what comes next.

 

[Nick_Radov]

They have made solid impacts into the dive world. Be interesting what comes next.

The next big thing in high-end (i.e. >$1000) dive computers might be wireless oxygen sensor integration for CCRs, like the Halcyon Symbios. Garmin doesn't have that yet.

 

[ChrisMBC]

The next big thing in high-end (i.e. >$1000) dive computers might be wireless oxygen sensor integration for CCRs, like the Halcyon Symbios. Garmin doesn't have that yet.

Garmin doesn’t, but it’s the kind of possibility opened up by its transmitter tech. Garmin’s transmission protocol has much more range and data throughput (and, almost inevitably, reliability) than MH8A transmitters. Adding in other data fields or 2-way transmission with a rebreather would be very possible with a firmware upgrade; it’s not an option with MH8A transmitters.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

One advantage of the Garmin SubWave acoustic technology is that it has longer range than the standard MH8A radio transmitters. This allows them to do things like diver-to-diver messaging, or have a single dive leader monitor tank pressures for multiple other divers. Of course taking advantage of those features requires that everyone on the dive team use Garmin computers which is perhaps unrealistic.

meh ... personally, I have zero use for those features. I would FAR prefer standard transmitter technology. I know that is never gonna happen, and I also know I'll never own a Garmin. But I do welcome their innovation and pushing the envelope.

 

[tursiops]

it’s not an option with MH8A transmitters.

Which is one of the reasons the MH8A is so ubiquitous, affordable, and reliable.

 

[scubadada]

One advantage of the Garmin SubWave acoustic technology is that it has longer range than the standard MH8A radio transmitters. This allows them to do things like diver-to-diver messaging, or have a single dive leader monitor tank pressures for multiple other divers. Of course taking advantage of those features requires that everyone on the dive team use Garmin computers which is perhaps unrealistic.

Yes, the new X50i and a T2 transmitter runs $2000, a Mk3i and transmitter is $2100

 

[brsnow]

If there is a market that has opportunity Garmin is pretty good. In the fishing and Marine world they are huge players almost overnight. They bring resources others can’t really compete with.