TESTCENTRE
Garmin continues its Descent
Descent X50i
COMPANY: GARMIN PRICE: £ 1,329.99 WEB: GARMIN. COM
day, another Garmin’ you may well say, as the US-based
wearable technology giants launch ̒Another
yet another version of their Descent diving computer. However, while the original Descent and all its variants and upgrades up to date have been wristwatchstyle devices, the Descent X50i is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Measuring 62.4 x 98.3 x 24.5mm it’ s a departure from the watch format and could be described as Garmin’ s first dive-only computer, lacking the topside health and sport features of its brethren. The device’ s rectangular, fibre-reinforced polymer casing is home to a sapphire crystal 3” 640 x 360 pixel full-colour display.
The internal lithium-ion battery is good for between 16 and 20 hours, depending on the display brightness selected and is recharged via Garmin’ s proprietary clip charger.
The four stainless steel inductive buttons located on the lower edge are used to cycle through the various setup menus at the surface, and functions once you’ ve begun the descent. Dry-side it’ s simply more convenient to use the computer’ s excellent touchscreen.
It weighs 280g, including the two elasticated nylon bands with quick-release buckles. These have plenty of length and easily accommodated the extra width of my suit’ s dry glove system. The X50i’ s curved back ensures it sits firmly and comfortably over the wrist. Whether you mount the computer on left or right wrist, or my own preference, attached to a camera’ s strobe arm, is irrelevant, as the buttons are easily accessible, whatever the orientation.
The X50i is a chunky little fellow though not overly so. If you find the display of a watch-type computer a little small for your liking then this widescreen beauty will prove an eye-opener. The four-in-a-line button array functions are( left-to-right): Back / Pwr( return to previous screen / power on / controls menu); Prev( scroll through menus); Next( scroll through menus) and Enter / Torch( choose menu option / activate torch).
There are four selectable dive modes: Single-Gas, Multi-Gas, CCR and Gauge. Once you’ ve chosen your mode then it’ s a case of selection gas or gases, conservatism, PO2, alerts( tactile and audible) and safety stop. It’ s also possible to customise the layout and content of the data screens for each individual dive mode.
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