Venu X1 screen size for the next descent model.

I think that's all a matter of personal taste and not a norm. For myself I don't see benefit's using a square screen for navigation 

Quite clearly, rectangular is overwhelmingly the norm for navigation devices (not just watches).

Round navigation devices are unusual and are only found for wrist devices.

For the same dimensions, square has more pixels (maybe, 50% more). More is better here.

Square gives a better idea of what is happening to the left or right further-along the track. This becomes more important when moving faster. (Not as big a deal if you are stopped or walking).

The basic reason watches are round is because they were originally devices that used rotating mechanisms. That has no functional relevance for computers (makes them more expensive and harder to program too). The round shape for smartwatches is due to aesthetics and what people expect (which is fine). There’s not much reason for it otherwise. Round isn’t better (it might often be good enough).

I think the benefits for navigation and mapping are marginal, though 2" is obviously better than 1.4" imo

if you were to square the 51mm descent mk3 it would be a 4" diagonal screen! battery longevity aside , thats bigger than the X50i in same space as descent 51mm with marginal size increase, thats maths, its a big difference.

While 2" or bigger screen size is v useful, we're talking about diving, 2" of screen is much better for diving and being square means no compromise on font size at edges etc you get with a round screen.

I'd like to see a descent mk computer in the shape and size of the X1 even a little bigger, if it cuts thickness of current descent, a battery life somewhere between fenix 8 47mm and 51mm descent would be fine for me, i hated the thickness of my mk2i and my current fenix 8, at least as an additional option.

Bear in mind nothing comes close to garmin battery life, not apple, Samsung or teric which is real competitor, closest is ratio idive computer, but its v limited beyond diving, no comparison to the descent

7000518 said:

While 2" or bigger screen size is v useful, we're talking about diving, 2" of screen is much better for diving and being square means no compromise on font size at edges etc you get with a round screen.

It’s not much better. 

The current round devices are sufficient for displaying dive information. 

It’s really an issue between being round and being square anyway. Round is less functional for smartwatches. 

7000518 said:

I think the benefits for navigation and mapping are marginal, though 2" is obviously better than 1.4" imo

Makes no sense that it’s ”marginal” here and “much better” for diving. 

7000518 said:

Bear in mind nothing comes close to garmin battery life, not apple, Samsung or teric which is real competitor, closest is ratio idive computer, but its v limited beyond diving, no comparison to the descent

Apple is kind-of a competitor. Samsung isn’t (not dive capable). As smartwatches, the Teric and the Ratio are much less capable than Apple or even Garmin. I’m not sure if it makes much sense any longer to buy those over the Mk3.

In any case, all these round watch dive computers suggest strongly  that round is fine (that square would not be “much better”). I doubt many people would wear the Ratio as a watch (so, it could easily be square if it was “much better” for diving).

While you can navigate with the watch id always have a map and compass, while its great for accuracy etc its not easy to look at and navigate by compared to a phone or bigger devices

As a dive watch not only will there be more info but under water it will appear bigger still, at least you can increase font size for those that need glasses.

Teric is amazing but battery life awful, also ratio idive, can be upgraded to a fully fledged tech dive computer ccr multigass etc with depth rating better than garmins, but little else, the advantage of garmin is a single all in one device which is unique given battety life, that's niche if diving included, because its diving bigger is better imo, id prefer that for my dive watch even though round obviously does work, each to their own

7000518 said:

While you can navigate with the watch id always have a map and compass, while its great for accuracy etc its not easy to look at and navigate by compared to a phone or bigger devices

None of this matters. Square is still better. Square makes the navigation much better for things like cycling.

7000518 said:

As a dive watch not only will there be more info but under water it will appear bigger still, at least you can increase font size for those that need glasses.

This doesn’t seem to be a general problem. Round is still good enough (for most people).

Youre style of response seems contradictory for the sake of contradiction, are you a bot?

I've said my opinion, I also suggested a square version to garmin years ago so was delighted to see the venu X1 released, hope they release a dive version WITH ai, or square descent

It's pretty big on the wrist, I dont think bigger than this would work unless youre a giant

www.tomsguide.com/.../my-job-is-testing-garmins-heres-why-the-new-venu-x1-shocked-me

It’s smaller than the 51mm F8 and Mk3 and much thinner. (And lighter.)

The roundness of the makes the F8 seem smaller. 

Everything is a compromise. 

You wanted the X1 and now it’s too big?

This guy really likes it:

youtu.be/ouRMND-hS_k

7000518 said:

Youre style of response seems contradictory for the sake of contradiction, are you a bot?

See above.

You haven’t made the case that the square matters much for diving. And there are a lot of examples supporting that (including one you provided).

You don’t understand how the navigation works.