Garmin Descent Mk2: Still the Best?

[@DarkVoodoo1981]

I’ve being diving on my Mk2s (Thanks Nora for the review) this week for the first time. It’s been my daily smartwatch for the last 6 months but this is the first dive trip. This being the final test, it’s confirmed for me that the Mk series was definitely the right choice.

[@DeeferDiving]

You're diving this week Logan? Where the hell are you? Glad you enjoyed the review and agree with Nora that the Descent MK series are the BOMB

[@StephenDuffell]

Done a lot of hunting for a smart watch dive computer. After watching your review, I decided to buy one. It arrives tomorrow. Fingers crossed 👌

[@DeeferDiving]

That's awesome! I hope you love it as much as I love mine. I've just come back from a 2-tank dive with some clients who have also bought the MK2i.... they love it!

[@stevereilly]

The Garmin warranty is second to none. They really look after customers.

[@DeeferDiving]

In my experience.... I could not agree with you more! I had an issue with a stiff button on my MK2. It was 2 years old, and yet they still replaced the unit under warranty. Really top class service.

[@stevereilly]

@@DeeferDiving They replaced my T1 sensor with a T2, then my first Mk2 with a new one, but then that had stiff buttons so just sent me a third one and new T2. Great service and super nice to deal with!

[@WMCLComputers]

I love my MK2i I know you mentioned that you don't care about the air Integration, but I dive in sidemount in overhead environments and being able to have 5 transmitters at once it's amazing because I can make sure my buddy that has a totally different SAC rate than me isn't breaching our 1/3 in our dive plan so for me it worth it.

[@DeeferDiving]

Doesn't that mean that having transmitters on his tank is a tool to negate poor training and diving practice. While I accept there are some small niche uses, but let's be honest, people sidemount diving in a cave is a small niche.

[@przemo2539]

Hello Gary. Thanks for great channel content. I have a question about how good or bad is screen visibility at shallow deco or safety stops in full sun ? And how you would compare it to oled/amoled like teric or apple ? Im asking because my dive comp with oled is not so great to check hanging 10minutea at 3m in sun. Deeper the better of course 😝.

[@DeeferDiving]

The truth is the screen is not a retina burning bright as the Teric. That one is in a league of their own and brilliant (at the expense of battery). The Garmin screen is clear and I've personally not had any issues with seeing it when I'm on a safety or deco stop. In fact I find it easier to read at that time than my Petrel 2, which does have a tendency to just reflect the bright light straight back at me like a mirror. I've been diving Garmin by choice now for 3 years+ and use it as my daily diver every day, and as James from Diver Ready says, look at the things it can do which a Teric can't....

[@przemo2539]

Thanks for answer this. Apprecieate. I will wait month or two to see if mk3 go out. Take care !

[@torbal999]

I’m able to but the mk1 for usd 250. You think still usable in 2023?

[@DeeferDiving]

I'd say yes. The difference between the two is not massive. It took me a long while to decide to upgrade. So for that price get the Mk1. Just be aware that the battery may discharge more quickly though.

[@torbal999]

@@DeeferDiving Thanks so much. Already purchased and really enjoying it! Slightly bigger than my old fenix 3 and a nice upgrade from than on its own (ex dive features). Can’t wait to test out on next trip.

[@a9653192]

Ok I will say, I love the air integration with my air 2 system. Really reduces the hoses coming out and makes me more streamlined. But I’m also just a Rescue Diver and not a tech diver. Idk if I would go air integration for tech

[@DeeferDiving]

I understand the appeal of having one less hose on your regs, but in truth you probably should have a mechanical backup pressure guage. What happens if you have an electrical failure (simple as battery running out) you now have no way of knowing what your gas pressure is. Granted SPG's can also fail, and we don't dive with 2 of them.

[@a9653192]

@@DeeferDiving while this is true, a failure in your air integration is a fair bit of trouble. Honestly there is no solution other than aborting the dive. However, since I dive only recreational, and have been diving for a little over a decade. I know my average gas consumption…. For most(90%) of the time, always end up with 75-80 bars left. Obviously my air integration going all the way back to ScubaPro Galileo Sol. Has low battery warnings, I carry extra batteries in my save a dive kit, just for such occasions. In the unlikely event I miss the low battery warning, I always conduct regular checks on my air to see my progress. If at any point it doesn’t read anymore, I will recalculate my estimated remaining time based on depth and duration. Then immediately make a safe ascent… the dive is over.

[@a9653192]

@@DeeferDiving just to add, I’ve never experienced a failure in my air integration, maybe I was lucky… but also I do proactively check my gear, before and after the dive. I also carry spare batteries, I’ve honestly never had any issues thus far. The Garmin Mk2i, has even better range than my venerable Galileo Sol

[@asmith5488]

I enjoy my MK2 will get a backup MK3 and sell my perdix2 ...

[@DeeferDiving]

I've been looking at the MK3.... sorely tempted, but can't justify the cost in my head yet. I'm sure that will change though... (boys and their toys huh!)

[@397coney7]

They dropped the ball by not putting a Amoled screen on these. Ugh Garmin.

[@DeeferDiving]

Agreed - the screen is an area where the Teric is clearly ahead of the Descent, but I wonder what the value of the benefit would be (brighter screen) vs the cost of having to recharge every 48n hours? We have divers in the shop with both the Teric and the D5, and this is their biggest gripe

[@JonathanHebert]

Amoled screen are energy drainers. Granted the screen is dull but the information is still there. Not a MK2 owner, I use a Garmin Tactix Delta for everything ( jogging, diving (use it as a bottom time timer and compas), heart rate monitor, training,etc. I can get more than a week with multiples activities everyday and smartphone connection turned on. You won't get that from let say the new Tactix 7X with amoled. It depends what you prefer the brigthness or long life battery. 😉

[@somerandomperson8282]

You don't sleep well after 3 rum and cokes, alcohol makes your sleep quality worse. ;)

[@DeeferDiving]

I think it depends on how infrequently you drink... I have 3 rum and cokes and I am out like a light....

[@somerandomperson8282]

@@DeeferDiving you may be out like a light, but your sleep quality is worse. Alcohols negative impact on sleep is proven since many years.

[@Exploring_Nature]

__________________________ TERIC IS MUCH BETTER COMPUTER! _______________________ your hate on the teric is ridiculous, bias review

[@DeeferDiving]

Is it? It depends on your perspective and what you want of a wrist watch style dive computer. There is no doubt (battery life aside) the Teric is a fantastic dive computer, and Shearwater has had up to now (pre-sale) great customer service too. But from a feature-set perspective for a wrist-watch style computer, that someone might want to or can wear as an every every day watch too there is no comparison. With the Garmin I don't need to have a Teric and an Apple Watch, as it can do the best bits of both combined. But difference of opinion and perspective is great, as debate keeps the mind sharp and the learning new.

[@tomtitot7984]

Can you give more info than just yelling ? Why are you so strongly disagree ?

[@GaryWard23]

@@tomtitot7984 The Teric is a capable dive computer. It has a bright screen and gives lots of usable data. But it's battery life is shocking and it's non diving functionality for it's price is .... Well it can tell the time! IF you're looking for a dive computer only, then sure... Buy the Teric and you'll have a very good dive computer. But not the best! If I'm shelling out $1k+ on a device I want it to have as much functionality built in as I can use. In this regard, the Garmin wins hands down. A battery which lasts 2 weeks, GPS, an app catalogue, hr and blood ox monitoring so I can use the device for other sports... It's also why Apple have gone down the same route with their Extreme too. Is that enough reason? Or as a Shearwater fanboy are you not going to be able to abjectively look past the brand?

[@Darudas0420]

@@tomtitot7984 did you just projected your bias issues on him or did i missed the yelling point somehow ?

[@gemininimeg]

​@@Darudas0420Preject, All CAPS = yelling..... are you that stupid to know that!?!