Jewellery & Watch News
First launched in 2017, the Garmin Descent marked the brand’s first dive computer smartwatch offering surface GPS navigation and colour mapping. Over the years, the design has seen several alterations, from the divers-favourite MK1 to the larger 52mm MK2. Now, for the first time, the Descent delivers an innovative solar-powered display, a more compact build and importantly, a significantly improved price point. Meet the new Garmin Descent G1…
“Whether you are looking to purchase your first dive computer or wanting to support your active lifestyle, our Descent G1 Series is the ideal companion for all types of divers who appreciate having a multisport smartwatch for all other aspects of life topside,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Descent G1 Solar builds upon Garmin’s innovative dive technology line-up with the addition of solar charging, allowing customers more time to enjoy their topside activities.”
What’s New for the Garmin Descent G1?
The new Garmin Descent G1 watch offers much of the same dive-specific and lifestyle features as the previous Descent Mk2 model, something which we’ll cover shortly, with its main differences lying in its build, price point and display. For starters, the Descent G1 smartwatch is much more trim in its architecture offering a 45mm case size compared to the imposing 52mm diameter of its predecessor. The case is also engineered from a lighter and more durable fibre-reinforced polymer rather than stainless steel which as such almost halves the weight to 66 grams on the wrist.
We’re also welcomed to several choices of case colour, depending on whether you’re opting for the non-solar or solar Garmin Descent G1 smartwatch. For the solar-powered variants, the cases come in Hurricane Blue or Black and for standard battery movement, there’s Slate Grey and Powder Grey. We expect that for many, the solar-powered Garmin Descent G1 watches are going to be first choice since this greatly extends the battery life of the device and consequently allows for longer dive adventures. According to Garmin, the Garmin Descent G1 Solar allows for up to 25 hours of use in dive mode and up to 4 months when used just as a smartwatch. This compares rather significantly to the Descent Mk2 and its 16 day battery life in smartwatch mode.
Since the Garmin Descent G1 watch collection sees a significant decrease in its case size and its price point, there are a couple of features seen in previous Descent models that don’t exist in the new edition. One of the most significant is the air integration capability which allows you to pair the smartwatch with a Descent™ T1 transmitter for air integrated tank pressure monitoring. There’s also a drop in display quality which is now monochrome rather than full colour, no Wi-Fi connection or music storage. Although these may be deal breakers for some, the halved retail price may be worth it for others.
Diving Features
Despite some changes to its form and functionality, the Garmin Descent G1 watch remains a powerful dive computer with a full portfolio of diving functions. The case is 100 metre water resistant and comes equipped with an interchangeable strap purposely designed to fit around bulky wet suits. There’s dive modes for both single and multiple gas divers, including nitrox and trimix, gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and closed-circuit rebreather options. The surface multi-GNSS navigational feature also remains allowing you to track your entry and exit points with advance satellite connectivity.
You can track your dives using the Garmin Descent G1’s dive log, store and review up to 200 dives in total and share them through the Garmin Dive app. There’s also a dive compass for navigating below the waterline, tide data for viewing ocean conditions and Garmin’s Surfline feature which compares tide, wave height, wind and surf rating for each of the five nearest surf spots, when paired with the Garmin Connect app on your compatible smartphone.
Alongside these diving smartwatch features, the Garmin Descent G1 and Garmin Descent G1 Solar offer several sports and lifestyle features including preloaded sports apps, Garmin’s Fitness Age app, recovery time, training status, daily suggested workouts and all-day respiration. We’re also treated to the infamous Body Battery Energy monitor for tracking your body’s energy levels, Garmin Pay, sleep tracking, hydration tracking, smart notifications and a wrist based heart rate monitor.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Garmin Descent G1 smartwatch collection and shop it for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
