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Light dives

3BEP6
over 3 years ago

Hey, guys, I’m starting light diving this summer(no more than 70 feet) and have Tactix 7 AB. My question is is it safe to use the watch for these and is there a recommended app to use to track pure for personal curiosity. Any advice/comments in general are welcome. Thank you.

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  • 0 over 3 years ago

    It's rated to 100m (328 feet) so it should be perfectly safe at 21m (70 feet). 

    It will not measure water depth correctly (or even at all, I don't think) because it's the wrong kind of pressure sensor for that - that requires a dive computer like Descent.

    Instead, it'll show something like negative 30,000 feet elevation, lol.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    As  wrote, it is rated 10 ATM, but in the watch-maker language (not only at Garmin), this rating means it is safe and warranted for swimming and some shallow snorkeling. See what's stated in the document Water Rating Definitions for the 10 ATM rating:

    Suitable for splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, diving into water, snorkeling, high-speed water sports

    Also make sure to read the FAQ about Garmin Device Waterproof Function:

    4. Only watches with diving function are suitable for diving activities and buttons can be pressed underwater. Please avoid the above situations for other devices.

    I agree that the watch will probably survive an occasional dive to some 20m, especially if you avoid pressing the buttons. I have personally taken my low-end Instinct (also rated 10 ATM) several times by mistake little bit deeper than 20m, with no harm. On the other hand, should the watch get water damaged, it won't be covered by the warranty. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to trux

    Good points - I forgot to mention the button pushing issue. I agree that if you do take it diving to 20m, you should avoid pressing the buttons while you're down there.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I'm a freediver and I frequently dive with my Fenix 5 Plus and Fenix 7 down to 30m (~100 feet).  I also made a few scuba dives with my Fenix 5 over the years.  I never had any issues.  You're taking a small risk but based on the 10ATM rating and my personal experience over the past 3 years I think you're safe.  Don't press any buttons at depth.

    With older Fenix watches (e.g. Fenix 5 or Fenix 5 Plus) you could sideload a scuba app or a freediving app that would allow you to use the watch like a dive computer (including accurate reporting of depth).  But those days are gone.  Starting with Fenix 6 Garmin started to cap the readings from the sensors so depth is no longer reported accurately deeper than a few meters.