Next generation of the D2 pilot watch series

With the recent announcement of the Fenix 5 series of watches, it seems highly likely that there will be a new release of Garmin's pilot watch D2 series, based on the Fenix 5. And given that one of the biggest complaints with Garmin's D2 Bravo (the latest in the series) is the lack of a basemap it is seems a foregone conclusion that the next generation of the D2 series will be based specifically on the Fenix 5X hardware (which comes with a basemap).

Although Garmin's Portable Aviation group are not active here in the forums per se, I do know that they lurk and read the forums on a semi-regular basis. With that in mind I would like to compile a list of features that we (the collective Garmin aviation users) would like to included with the next generation of the D2 pilot watch series. I will bug my contact at Garmin once in a while to remind them of this thread and hopefully we will see some of our input converted into actual features on the new watch.

The compile this list, I need your input so please reply to this thread with your thoughts (point form or paragraph or whatever) and I will continually compile the results, similar to what I am currently doing with the D2 Bravo bug and feature request thread. For best results please include the watch you use now, whether or not you are likely to by the next D2 series, the type of flying you do and how you use the watch day-to-day.
  • I could not wait. I sold my D2 Bravo and bought a Fenix 5. I uploaded airports as waypoints, created a fly app using drobert's datafield, and use a weather widget created by drobert for METARS/TAFS. Thanks to him my watch kinda has aviation features ;)
  • I could not wait. I sold my D2 Bravo and bought a Fenix 5. I uploaded airports as waypoints, created a fly app using drobert's datafield, and use a weather widget created by drobert for METARS/TAFS. Thanks to him my watch kinda has aviation features ;)


    I know that "dbrobert" guy! :) And I heard that he's looking at building a Fly app but just needs to find some time to do so. :)

    BTW, I highly recommend picking up a Garmin tempe (external temperature sensor) and then installing the Temperature widget, which calculates density altitude for you.

    Cheers,
    Douglas
  • Garmin has a webinar scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, July 18th during which will announce their "latest products and product updates for your airplane". If they are going to be announcing a new pilot watch, this might be a good opportunity. However, a webinar seems like a medium that is more focused on higher end products and with Oshkosh on the horizon it might make more sense to announce at Oshkosh where there is a much larger number of potential buyers.

    That all said, based on some informed speculation (and without any confirmation from Garmin) I am sure that the next generation pilot watch is in the works, and that the new watch is based on the Fenix 5X. I'm going to try and attend the webinar but if anyone hears any rumours prior to that I hope you'll let us know. :)

    Cheers,
    Douglas
  • I registered for that too. I agree, Oshkosh is the best platform for them to demonstrate/sell a large quantity. I have asked them about the the announcement via email. I don't think I am going to get a response. But will post if I ever get one.
  • I now know that the next Garmin pilot watch is based off of the Fenix 5X and that it's called the "D2 Charlie" but I can't confirm that this new pilot watch will be announced tomorrow. Of course, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the 2 year release pattern along with the use of the phonetic alphabet.

    And while I have seen pictures, I won't be posting anything as no one wants the wrath of Garmin brought down on them. But since the D2 Charlie is based on the 5X, the watch is 51x51mm and comes with the sapphire crystal lens, 26mm QuickFit band, a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor. The bezel and the backing, however, are titanium which is an upgrade from the 5X. The buttons are also different from the 5X, modified to match what we are used to on the D2 Bravo; the Garmin logo on the start button is replaced with the stylized direct to "D->" icon, the back button is the nearest logo and the three buttons on the left side are engraved with the power, menu and clock icons just like the previous model. Oh, and the little red ring on the D2/start button is switched to a green-ish colour.

    Based on pricing of the 5X I'm guessing this will be *over* $1000 USD, so as to not cannibalize sales of the the old D2 Bravo watches (the D2B Titanium is $899 USD).

    And finally, I'll admit I'm quite sad as I had secretly hopped that the D2 Charlie would be another year in release. Based on the lack of updates to the original D2 when the D2 Bravo was released, this probably means the end of any development for the D2 Bravo. If there are any further D2 Bravo updates, I'd surprised if it is anything other than minor fixes.

    Cheers,
    Douglas
  • I ordered one 3-5 weeks for delivery seems to be a nice upgrade. The screen being color will be a nice change\from the d2 bravo titanium grey scale.
  • received the d2 charlie today and it is an upgrade in just about all ways. the biggest for me is readability in lower light situations and also the print on the notifications is bold so easier to read on aging eyes. the d2 bravo titanium was difficult for me to read inside. I think they did Nice job on this for an upgrade.


  • Yes, I too would like to see more than the marketing pictures. From the store pics and the marketing video it seems like basically a D2 Bravo with a base map, NEXRAD weather and access to airport information but otherwise the same. Not to diminish those features but not sure I would utilize a watch as a source of airport info. And have they addressed any of the sore spots for those of us outside of the USA (metric, configurable O2 alert, etc)?

    Cheers,
    Douglas
  • received the d2 charlie today and it is an upgrade in just about all ways. the biggest for me is readability in lower light situations and also the print on the notifications is bold so easier to read on aging eyes. the d2 bravo titanium was difficult for me to read inside. I think they did Nice job on this for an upgrade.


    Does the D2 Charlie have the topo map capabilities similar to the Fenix 5x? I am assuming so but just wanted to confirm.