Descent MK1 First 24 hours - Impressions and Issues

I’ve always been a firm believer of the phrase “actions speak louder than words”. While I’m realistic that this watch won’t be updated as much or fast like the Fenix 5 series due to the implications of affecting the dive computer, I don’t have much confidence based on the conversations that I’ve had.

I submitted the issue related to the dive compass over 1 1/2 months ago with a resolution to default the diving compass to whatever your widget compass is set at and when I followed up with them a week ago, the response was less encouraging.

I own this watch, so I have a vested interest in seeing it improve but not only am I a Garmin dealer but Suunto, Casio and most dive manufacturers. I too have had MANY conversations with this people and they all say the same thing to appease the customer that they’re talking too.

I guess time will tell.

Did you get any updates on this topic yet?

I received the watch two weeks ago, but was not able to test it yet therefore could not verify if the depth sensor is working and so on.

But what I got so far was pretty nice, I like the watch but would like to see all the features the fenix 5 (X) has, like stress meter.

Garmin really needs to get their act together on this, the customer service is really pretty bad. I asked a couple of questions and it took 10 days to get a response, and then the response did not answer the questions I asked. I had an issue with using it for surface navigation, and the reply was that GPS does not work underwater. The other question was asking if the Controls Menu was accessible when the Descent was in dive mode, or if I had to wait for the dive to end to access this menu so I could save a location. The answer was telling me how to change my end of dive time. I just sent my second reply, a little testy on my part but I am frustrated at the piss poor customer service.

The Descent has a lot of potential, but Garmin needs to step up their game on this. It is riddled with issues, tech support is not very good, and frankly I am wondering just who the heck is telling them how to implement some features. I am a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, and am using a Shearwater Perdix as my primary dive computer. I sold my Suunto D6i recently, and decided to purchase the Descent to replace my Fenix and as a backup dive computer. Right now I would be hard pressed to recommend the Descent as a primary dive computer, at least until Garmin resolves the numerous issues users are seeing with this device.

A question:

would a responsible diver go only with the descent for a dive at the moment/at all?

Absolutely. Someone goes on vacation (cruise) but doesn’t have the ability to bring all of their gear, so they bring the Descent and rent the Reg, BC and Tank at port, etc. A lot of rentals come with gauges only, thus using the Descent as their main computer (preventing them from diving off of their tables).

Maybe, it depends on what features you need. In general it seems to be reliable, but there are a few issues.
- Compass uses True North, not Magnetic like every other dive computer with a digital compass does.
- It includes the end of dive timeout in the dive time. So this will make your dive appear to be longer. Not sure how this might impact your NDL on future dives as I have not compared my NDL in dive planning mode with my Perdix.

Now on the plus side you get all the capabilities of the Fenix 5X for above water use.

I see no problems with the core functionality of the watch at all and think it could be used without issues as the only dive computer.

That said, Garmin really have to get their act together to fix other aspects - some not even on the Descent MK1 itself.

- It includes the end of dive timeout in the dive time. So this will make your dive appear to be longer. Not sure how this might impact your NDL on future dives as I have not compared my NDL in dive planning mode with my Perdix.

I have been thinking about this and I can't see a reason the current implementation of End Dive Delay would have any impact on NDL on future dives.

The watch (and every other dive computer) should be simulating the accumulation of nitrogen in the simulated compartments in real time throughout the dive based on the depth. As you ascend there will be a depth, based on the current accumulation of nitrogen, that the simulation will start to decrease, basically as you gas off. The rate of the decrease will be based on the depth. This would include a depth of 0. The watch should behave in exactly the same way if you are at 0 depth but still in dive mode as it will after the dive has ended and 0 depth is assume. Wacking 20 seconds to 10 minutes of 0 depth at the end of the dive will not change the behaviour.

In theory it should not have an impact, but given the lack of input on this from Garmin and that the NDL Time including the End of Dive time out is a pretty stupid mistake, I am not sure that there are not other issues here. I will try and remember to compare the Descent to my Perdix this weekend when we are between dives this weekend.