TESTCENTRE
The dive computer that does
EVERYTHING !
Garmin Descent Mk2 / Mk2i
COMPANY : GARMIN
PRICE : MK2 £ 1199.99 MK2i £ 1399.99 T1 TRANSMITTER £ 349.99
Neil Hope reviews the new Garmin Descent Mk2 , a wristwatch-style computer that offers multi-sport options alongside cuttingedge dive functionality
Garmin ’ s Descent Mk 1 computer
made its mark by combining the surface sports and health monitoring features of its Fenix range with those of a fully functioning dive computer . It was Garmin ’ s giant stride into the world of diving , and it was a ground-breaking move [ see review in Test Centre , April 2018 ].
Aimed squarely at divers on a big budget , the question was not whether the Descent delivered the goods ( it did ), but how it would compete against long established brands in this competitive market . Perhaps its name , the Mk 1 , was a statement of intent , as the recent launch of the new Descent Mk2 Series appears to indicate that Garmin ’ s foray into diving is a permanent one .
The Descent Mk2 and Mk2i offer essentially the same features in a slightly different package . The former is presented in stainless steel with a black band while the Mk2i , in DLC ( Diamond Like Carbon ) Titanium Carbon Grey , also offers gas integration when paired with Garmin ’ s new SubWave technology transmitters – more of which we ’ ll explore a little later .
What ’ s good , what ’ s new
Measuring 52mm x 52mm x 17.8mm and weighing just under 100g sporting its very comfortable silicone strap ( 160g with titanium band ) the Descent ' s full colour display is 35.5mm in diameter . The fibrereinforced polymer case ' s size-to-weight ratio make it nicely balanced and very much at home on the wrist for day-to-day wearing .
The rear metal cover of the device is home to the heart rate sensor , plus four contacts which pair with the supplied clip-on USB charger / data cable . A full charge will provide up to 16 days in smartwatch mode ( 50 in ‘ battery save ’ mode ), 80 hours in dive mode or 32 hours when used with a transmitter . Enabling GPS does tend to drain power more rapidly , but will still provide between 48 and 96 hours of use .
When I tested the original Descent there were only two things that I thought may hold it back against the big boys of the diving computer world . The first , a lack of CCR compatibility , was addressed with a later software update . The second was air integration , and Garmin have really nailed this one big time .
Garmin has eschewed the traditional RF ( Radio Frequency ) signal , which weakens significantly when transmitting data through dense water . Instead , their sonar-based SubWave technology allows the user to monitor up to five Garmin T1 transmitters - at a distance of up to ten metres .
While this has many applications – such as monitoring a buddy ' s or multiple trainees gas consumption – my own reason for embracing this technology was much closer to home but no less important . I find that diving with a computer attached to a strobe arm on my camera system suits me far more than having to glance at my wrist or console .
However , when using RF transmitters , the signal is sometimes interrupted – either when holding the camera with arms outstretched , or when firing a strobe . In side-by-side comparisons Garmin ' s SubWave T1 continued to provide uninterrupted data from a cylinder suspended just below the surface to a depth of ten metres . My own RF transmitter / air-integrated computer lost its signal within a few metres of descent .
The Descent ' s diving modes include Gauge , Apnea , Air , Nitrox and Trimix ( up to 100 % O2 ), plus one bottom gas and up to 11 deco / backup gases . Depth-rated to 100 metres , the computer uses a Buhlmann ZHL-16c algorithm with selectable gradient / conservatism factors .
Navigating the menu
The menu system is somewhat ' Garmincentric .' This isn ' t a criticism , just a description of what may be slightly different to what many divers may be accustomed to . However , it doesn ' t take very long at all long to become familiar with the five-button navigation system .
The top left button switches on the backlight or alternatively , with a long press opens quick access to a variety of everyday functions such as Garmin Wallet ( an easy pay system ), a stopwatch and even a torch . The two buttons below it scroll up and down through the menus , while the bottom right button returns to the previous ' page '.
The top right button – more prominent than the others – selects the various activities and apps . Simply choose a dive mode : for instance CCR , then press once . The first screen shows high and low setpoints while a second and third press , will show gradient factor and dive display respectively .
Changing settings is very easy and requires a push on the left lower button which opens up the Dive Setup menu . Here , information
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