Descent MK1 Dive Feature Suggestions/Changes

Would Gauge Mode solve this?

Just a band aid over an open wound. Also, not necessary to really need any readings when you’re in a 4-10’ swimming pool unless the user wants it.

There should be an option to disable the auto dive function.

There should be an option to disable the auto dive function.

Do other dive computers allow this? As far as I can tell it can't be disabled on either my Oceanic Atom 3.0 or my Shearwater Perdix AI.

This feature would be welcome, but Suunto D4 and D6 also does't have it!

Or the D9.
In fact, I believe the inability to turn off auto dive is a safety feature so the watch/computer is always get a full view of the nitrogen loading and NDL.

But, I guess there is an argument that D4, D9 etc. Don’t also supoort running or swimming so likely if someone is wearing one and they are submersed, they are diving or at least have or will be diving soon.

At any rate, I think being able to turn off dive computer and then accumulate some tissue load, before turning it on again later and diving with an inaccurate assume that of NDL is probably a less than optimum idea.

Just up round up on the thread. Hey agree we should be focused on the non F5 features here, but that assumes we are getting the F5 features. I’m thinking all day stress, running power and for me the most important (I also use an edge 1030) is cross device training load. It’s been silent on expected delivery of new firmware so far.

i do love my Descent though!

First and foremost, this is a sports watch with a dive computer as an add on. Newer dive computers have a function/option called a “Wet” feature which is designed to automatically turn on the computer when exposed to water. Most dive computers that have this functionality also have the ability to turn it ON and OFF (wet feature).

Responsible divers will go through all of their gear prior to getting into the water, which also entails making sure their dive gear is properly working prior to making an entry into the water.

While anyone can buy the Garmin Descent MK1, it’s price tag will only appeal to a certain clientele, of which want to use it as a sports watch as well. A majority of dive computers can be purchased between $250-$800. Someone that buys this watch is buying it for all the features, not just a dive computer. If other SCUBA manufacturers program the computers to not activate unless the user wants it, then Garmin can allow the user to decide if they want their watch to go into dive mode or not depending on their situation.

I strongly disagree with the idea of providing a way to disable "auto dive" mode. That really is counter to the purpose of the watch.

While I get that this is an annoyance, calculating your nitrogen is a safety feature. It could save your life. Imagine turning off auto mode, doing a couple of deep dives and then taking a flight. Any idea how much N2 is left in your system? Nope, cause you turned it off. Lets see how much fun you have on your flight. Suppose you turn it off prior to a deep dive, then start a second dive. How much N2 do you have and how close are you to your NDL? No idea.

In safety critical software, features which pertain to your health should never be left to human memory to re-enable.

My Suunto D6 does not allow me to turn it off. In fact, even when the battery is low, it still attempts to continue monitoring you with it's last dying amp's.

I strongly disagree with the idea of providing a way to disable "auto dive" mode. That really is counter to the purpose of the watch.

While I get that this is an annoyance, calculating your nitrogen is a safety feature. It could save your life. Imagine turning off auto mode, doing a couple of deep dives and then taking a flight. Any idea how much N2 is left in your system? Nope, cause you turned it off. Lets see how much fun you have on your flight. Suppose you turn it off prior to a deep dive, then start a second dive. How much N2 do you have and how close are you to your NDL? No idea.

In safety critical software, features which pertain to your health should never be left to human memory to re-enable.

My Suunto D6 does not allow me to turn it off. In fact, even when the battery is low, it still attempts to continue monitoring you with it's last dying amp's.

All due respect buddy, I’m an Instructor and I don’t need to be reminded of the importance of calculating your RNT. I also run a dive shop and am a dealer for most of the major scuba manufacturers so I’m familiar with how most dive computers work. I currently use the Sherwood Profile (non ai), Wisdom 3, Pro Plus 3, Sherwood Sage and several others. If you would have read my previous posts, I mentioned the “Wet” feature that these computers have.

If this watch was solely a dive computer like the D6, then yes I would agree with your assessment. But it’s not, it’s a sport watch with MANY sport programs programmed within.

The dive mode is just another sport mode on the watch. With all the customization that this watch has, the end user should be allowed to decide if they want to use it as a dive computer or as just a watch. It’s not on Garmin to tell me how to use MY watch. Manufacturers are not held liable for how you use your gear.

Bottom line is this, if I want to use it as a dive computer I’ll set it to do so. If I want to use it as a watch, I should be able to. For $1k+ it should be our choice.

BTW I was not intending to undermine your experiences as a diver. Clearly you know the consequences of not having your N2 tracked.

But the argument that the MK1 does other stuff as well does not mean that the safety functions of a dive watch are any less important. That's like saying, my car also plays music, so the brakes do not always need to work.

The highest life saving function of a device, in this case a dive watch, has to take priority. You may have the skills and perseverance of mind to always use it correctly, but a certain percentage of others will not. You have to realize that the watch is not just for you.

Consider if the feature you request leads to just 1% of the end users to make a mistake that affects their health or life. Say Garmin sells only 1000 of these a year, it would mean in the first year alone, 10 people would experience injury or in fewer cases, death. This would be so that you can avoid an annoyance in a pool as an instructor. An annoyance that you could easily avoid by taking it off and wearing a different watch or no watch at all.

I develop software which peoples lives depend on functioning correctly. I also have good background in human factors, the science of how humans and technology interact. This is my day job.

Giving the user a choice leads to mistakes which in turn leads to significant consequences. The fact that the watch can also track a hike or bike ride does not change it's responsibility to keep the user safe always. Nor does the price of the watch.

Now, to meet you mid way, one possible solution would be a silent mode. Where whatever it is that you find specifically annoying (you've not said specifically) would be disabled, but the safety functionality would continue in a less invasive way. In this mode the watch would still track your N2, but it would maybe not vibrate or count as "dives". But to be honest, this is such a niche function, I would be surprised if Garmin would implement something which just adds to code complexity.

BTW I was not intending to undermine your experiences as a diver. Clearly you know the consequences of not having your N2 tracked.

But the argument that the MK1 does other stuff as well does not mean that the safety functions of a dive watch are any less important. That's like saying, my car also plays music, so the brakes do not always need to work.

The highest life saving function of a device, in this case a dive watch, has to take priority. You may have the skills and perseverance of mind to always use it correctly, but a certain percentage of others will not. You have to realize that the watch is not just for you.

Consider if the feature you request leads to just 1% of the end users to make a mistake that affects their health or life. Say Garmin sells only 1000 of these a year, it would mean in the first year alone, 10 people would experience injury or in fewer cases, death. This would be so that you can avoid an annoyance in a pool as an instructor. An annoyance that you could easily avoid by taking it off and wearing a different watch or no watch at all.

I develop software which peoples lives depend on functioning correctly. I also have good background in human factors, the science of how humans and technology interact. This is my day job.

Giving the user a choice leads to mistakes which in turn leads to significant consequences. The fact that the watch can also track a hike or bike ride does not change it's responsibility to keep the user safe always. Nor does the price of the watch.

Now, to meet you mid way, one possible solution would be a silent mode. Where whatever it is that you find specifically annoying (you've not said specifically) would be disabled, but the safety functionality would continue in a less invasive way. In this mode the watch would still track your N2, but it would maybe not vibrate or count as "dives". But to be honest, this is such a niche function, I would be surprised if Garmin would implement something which just adds to code complexity.

I work in a field that revolves all around liability and most importantly, safety. I don’t discount the fact that reducing the chance of someone making a mistake or forgetting to do something is important but when a lot of dive manufacturers have the feature of “wet” which allows you to not turn on your dive computer if you don’t want to, there’s a reason for that.
When a diver gets certified, he or she is taught that the diver themselves is ultimately responsible for their own safety, which also includes proper maintenance of their dive equipment, etc. Because this is also a watch, it should IMO be able to be just used as such.

Attached is a picture of me just teaching in a pool over the past 1-2 weeks. You’ll see why I’ve been pushing for this.

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