Cold water crash

Leon said:

Garmin must provide details. This can't be hidden as this is a major safety issue.

They never do. If there is serious issue, they just keep quiet. Sometimes they resolve it if they find a way to do it with software or if they give it enough attention, but sometimes it just remains unresolved and topics goes into oblivion.

I contacted support about this. They told me to use the beta software, which is not a fix since the dive features will be turned off. And who would want to use beta software after paying $1,000 for a watch? When do we get paid to be beta testers?

CyberMonke said:

When do we get paid to be beta testers?

Never. Users are free beta testers for Garmin (whether they are enrolled in beta testing or not). So, you are paying Garmin to be beta tester. 

Kind of a genius way to improve the software.

Their main task is to listen to the users though.

CyberMonke said:

which is not a fix since the dive features will be turned off

True, but if you only want to swim it is a fix. Note also that once the watch has been subjected to the cold water, shutdown and restarted, it won't happen again. Assuming you're not one of the many just bumping their gums about the issue and really want to dive/swim then the workaround until the fix is made public is:

• Get in the water and subject the watch to the water too 'force' the shutdown.
• Restart the watch.
• Then dive or swim.

The watch will not shutdown again during the swim. The problem appears to be caused by the initial thermal shock on the inductive buttons causing the shutdown. I'd guess there's some thermal control not working properly in the software. Yes, it is annoying to have to wait in 12C water until the watch has shutdown and restarted but it's only a few minutes and better than completely aborting the activity in a fit of pique.

To be honest: for diving I would not trust the watch until this issue is really fixed. 

And btw: ok, you have to tell your dive buddy: “we have to wait some minutes, because I first have to jump into the water and wait until my watch crashes, after that, we can start our dive…”

To be honest, as others have said, I would not use this as my only dive watch. For proper diving buy a proper dive watch.

Proper dive watch? This is a $1k watch sold with dive computer features.

I suppose if I buy the Suunto Ocean I will also be told to buy a proper dive watch because this one also crashes and bugs? But it's a $900 computer sold as a dive computer.

Should I spend $2k on the Descent knowing that it is also Garmin so it might also not be a real diver's watch?

The truth is what is being sold to consumers nowadays is a complete joke. Everything is being rushed with little to no regard for safety, reliability, or quality.

Keep being okay with that and you are part of the problem!

Good day!!!

CyberMonke said:

Proper dive watch? This is a $1k watch sold with dive computer features.

Yes, one of the headliner features distinguishing it from the Fenix 7. 

This is how it is advertised:

"For serious athletes and adventurers who want to push beyond their limits, this premium multisport GPS smartwatch is built to perform — with advanced strength training features, dive capability, an internal speaker and mic for voice features, a built-in LED flashlight and more."

So serious athletes need additional watches for all other sports too?