New Garmin Dive Computer: Descent G1

[Belzelbub]

yeah, that sucks. I usually use my phone to sync from my OSTC to the cloud and then analyze on my laptop.

Well, hopefully someone will some day also come up with a smart watch/dive watch which is actually usable.

I do similar, but with my Shearwater instead of OSTC. My Garmin was purchased to serve as a backup, and as a smart/activity watch. It meets my needs just fine in that role, but I do see that it could be an annoyance for a diver just using the Garmin, and wanting to use Subsurface, MacDive, etc.

The Garmin Dive app is decent, but I do prefer Subsurface. One of the nice things with the Garmin App is that data transfers automatically when in range of my phone.

Prior to getting the Garmin, I would download from my Shearwater to Subsurface Mobile, and use my phone's location info to plug into the GPS coordinates. I'd then update tank info, weight, gear, etc. Since getting the Garmin, I do the same except skip the location info. When I get home to my computer, I download from my Garmin to Subsurface. Subsurface populates the GPS info from the Garmin, and adds a second profile screen to my log.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the Garmin. It compliments my Shearwater nicely, and fills some gaps that the Shearwater couldn't. (GPS, faster temp, smart/activity uses, etc.)

 

[drakcheslav]

Interensting workflow. I might think again about it. It owuld be good to use it for apnea, and travelling. And I like the Garmin Pay functionality.

I might wait and see if I can snatch a G1 cheap or MK2 on a discount.

 

[Ioannis]

Hello everyone,
Just looking at descent g1, and I am searching if its available to add the 'average depth' as displayable info during the dive mode. I cant find it mentioned somewhere. Can anyone confirm?

I have seen it as a field in gauge mode, but not in dive modes.

 

[gstrek]

ust looking at descent g1, and I am searching if its available to add the 'average depth' as displayable info during the dive mode. I cant find it mentioned somewhere. Can anyone confirm?

I can confirm. Average depth is not an available field to add to a dive mode display screen.

 

[SCUBA-MOON]

Greetings,
I’ve been using the descent G1 since March and I’ve put about 20 dives on it. The dives range in depth between 15 and 110 feet, and I’ve had it in warm, tropical water and cold quarry water. I’m a recreational diver and I stay within the NDL recommendations, but I thought I just added my two cents here.

Overall, the descent G1 is amazing in my opinion. If you’re looking for something that you can wear every day that doubles is a fitness/sleep tracker, then you’ll love this. The price point is excellent in my opinion. I know some people prefer to have air integration at this price point, but I much prefer a glass and brass SPG so I didn’t mind at all.

The Dive computer functionality is immense. It certainly has more than a true recreational diver will likely need, but I enjoy the extra data very much. In fact, it encourage me to do some additional research to understand more about surface gradient factors and TTS. Obviously, I’ll need much more training to master these things, but the fact that it’s available is very pleasing.

I know some people have complained about the size, and it being a little difficult to read. I have good vision and I have not experienced any difficulty reading it. I’ve tried it on big numbers mode and it was equally as good.

It can receive notifications like text messages, incoming calls, emails, but you can’t send anything out, which I actually like. It’s also encouraged me to start exercising more and sleep a little better. I know that seems crazy, but the simple fact that I’m thinking about it more because of the watch caused me to rethink staying up that extra hour or skipping out on a run.

I surmise if I was a serious tech diver I might be a little jealous of larger screens with more data available without pushing buttons, but for an average Joe who dives 20 to 30 times a year who likes to exercise during the week, I couldn’t recommend a better computer.

 

[Saboteur]

How is the screen function and brightness during a dive, especially dim conditions at depth or a cloudy day? Or even at night? Do you have to push a button to view it or is it continually lit? Is the screen brightness adjustable? There isn’t much I can find for video during a dive. I think it could be a good option for an active adventure traveller who may dive a few dives on a trip but is not necessarily a dive trip.

 

[Madmax7]

You can change the backlight settings to either come on with a button press or stay on constant throughout the dive. The backlight brightness is also adjustable.​

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If it's bright out, and I stay shallow, I find it easy to read even without the backlight. With the backlight, I've never had issues reading it in reduced visibility either. Haven't had it on a night dive, but it was my daily wear and I'd expect it's easier to read at night underwater just as it is on land.​

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IMO opinion, the display isn't fancy or large, but I found it very functional.​

 

[Still Kicking]

I think mine is set to bright backlight during dives -- it's under my wetsuit as a backup so I don't look at it often -- but diving sure kills the battery fast.​

 

[Still Kicking]

I think mine is set to bright backlight during dives -- it's under my wetsuit as a backup so I don't look at it often -- but diving sure kills the battery fast.​

Backlight was 20%. I turned it down to 5% to save battery.