Garmin vs shearwater

[newkidondock]

Garmin will be far more versatile for other activities like hiking, running, biking, kayaking, etc. And the smaller size is perfect for many wrists.

 

[SKS22]

One of the big problems with Garmin is the cost. Unfortunately for them Suunto, which has long been in the multi-sport and diving games but never combined the two in one device as Garmin did just released the Suunto Ocean. It appears to be similar to the MK2i and Mk3 in specs but at a better price.

Based on what I see on ScubaBoard the debate will be whether folks prefer the Garmin transmitter, which is expensive and makes noise but has capabilities no other transmitter offers, or Suunto's more traditional transmitter.

I probably won't switch. First, my Mk2i is awesome. Second, I hate learning new tech. But for others this is great news. Garmin was the only game in town offering a combo sports/diving computer. Then Apple came, though their offering is more a smart watch / dive computer combo than a true sports watch. And now Suunto joins the mix. More market competition can only be a good thing!

 

[pisauron]

One of the big problems with Garmin is the cost. Unfortunately for them Suunto, which has long been in the multi-sport and diving games but never combined the two in one device as Garmin did just released the Suunto Ocean. It appears to be similar to the MK2i and Mk3 in specs but at a better price.

Based on what I see on ScubaBoard the debate will be whether folks prefer the Garmin transmitter, which is expensive and makes noise but has capabilities no other transmitter offers, or Suunto's more traditional transmitter.

I probably won't switch. First, my Mk2i is awesome. Second, I hate learning new tech. But for others this is great news. Garmin was the only game in town offering a combo sports/diving computer. Then Apple came, though their offering is more a smart watch / dive computer combo than a true sports watch. And now Suunto joins the mix. More market competition can only be a good thing!

Check the Oceans max depth & battery length

 

[Pavao]

It’s a Suunto, it’s all I need to know

 

[pisauron]

It’s a Suunto, it’s all I need to know

The best decisions are made based on most information. good luck

 

[MidOH]

A dive watch I wear every day, or often, simply won't be reliable for diving.

So, for a diving trip, advantage Shearwater.

I have a Terric. It's been flawless in tech mode. Small enough to wear through the airport, without looking like a doofus.

The Garmin has advantages on land. But get another watch for land use.

Haven't tried the smaller rec only Shearwater watches yet.

 

[Pavao]

The best decisions are made based on most information. good luck

And fortunately it does not require much information to make a good decision away from Suunto dive computers.

But…, I have had Suunto dive computers (4) since 2007, Oceanic since 2001, Shearwaters since 2010 (Predator, Petrel, Perdix, Petrel hardwired in 2 different rebreathers), Uwatec (owned 3-4, plus dove/tested the whole line) since 2011, and finally a Garmin since last year.

 

[staggsSevin]

My wife and I have been diving with Terics for the past few years, we recently switched to mk3i's after our trip to Philippines last month. Our first trip on the mk3i's will be early July in lcbr to see how they do.

I never had any issues with the Teric, but my wife always complained about the size of the teric on her wrist....saying it was to big <insert eyeroll> so we moved to the Garmins and she is much happier with the size of it and she wears it every day (vs her apple watch). She would only wear her teric when we were diving and then she'd just leave it in the room.

I'd suggest a Tern/Teric over the mk3i because if you just need a dive watch (pricing) but if you are interested in a smart watch, then I'd say the garmin.

 

[brsnow]

A dive watch I wear every day, or often, simply won't be reliable for diving.

So, for a diving trip, advantage Shearwater.

I have a Terric. It's been flawless in tech mode. Small enough to wear through the airport, without looking like a doofus.

The Garmin has advantages on land. But get another watch for land use.

Haven't tried the smaller rec only Shearwater watches yet.

I use garmin and shearwater. There would be zero issues on reliability with garmin in comparison to shearwater.

 

[Belzelbub]

I use garmin and shearwater. There would be zero issues on reliability with garmin in comparison to shearwater.

Same. I have a few more dives on the SW, but only because I’ve had it longer. Both have been extremely reliable. Just because it’s also a daily wear smart/activity watch doesn’t make it unreliable as a dive watch.