Garmin Fenix vs. Descent - Which is the better sport/dive watch for you

[@peternguyen3732]

I dive ..and bought it purely for this feature! Thankyou for the video!

[@TheBigHeavy]

Glad I could help! Dive safe!

[@Rrrick369]

Yep, I workout several times a week , but only casual scuba dive a couple times a year- looking forward to diving with my new fenix 8 47 amoled soon!

[@TheBigHeavy]

Awesome! Let us know how you like it. I dive with the MK3i and ran 10 miles this weekend and was pretty happy one watch could do it all. If you don’t care about the air integration F8 is probably the right choice.

[@lhzsdgsfbvv]

The Fenix 8 47mm sapphire is the most complete sportswatch on the market.

[@TheBigHeavy]

Except for air integration I’d tend to agree.

[@WalkingFeat]

Oh - I know it makes diving with the family easier now - but please keep asking your kids to check their pressure - to keep their own skills up in how to monitor and looking at the numbers. By dad taking that on, they lose that practice - that's a skill you really need and want them to feel competent at as they grow up and dive with others. Great review! Very helpful - thank you

[@TheBigHeavy]

Yes, I keep up with harassing them to build the muscle, and occasionally spring random out of air drills on them and that sort of thing. I just like to have whatever "cheat codes" I can find to make things a little easier, or maybe that's just an excuse to get cool tech ;-)

[@Sali180]

Hi 💪 I want to buy a new Garmin watch. And I’m undecided between fenix 8 and Descent Mk3. I use the watch for hiking and freediving and spearfishing . What are the differences and what do you recommend? Fenix 8 don’t have apnea hunt….

[@UCG7]

same question)

[@TheBigHeavy]

Fenix 8 gives you the new UI (still somewhat buggy from what I've heard, but theoretically the future of Garmin's flagship watches), new HR sensor that does the EKG stuff, microphone so you can answer calls on your watch (my wife has this on her venue and uses it occasionally), and basic dive functionality. The MK3i gives you air integration, multi-gas capabilities including trimix and CCR, dive readiness, and apnea hunt but loses all that other Fenix 8-specific stuff. My understanding of apnea hunt is that it's basically the same as apnea but with all the beeps turned off so you don't scare the fish you're trying to bag. Theoretically you could setup regular apnea mode with no noises and have the same thing. For me, the air integration is a big deal. Fenix 8 could get apnea hunt and some of the other stuff added as it's software, but will never get air integration as it's a hardware feature.

[@UCG7]

@@TheBigHeavy Thank you for such a detailed explanation! As far as I'm not interested in air integration, I'll go with Fenix for spearfishing and freediving!

[@kkao68]

Good stuff! Would like to know more about the differences between Fenix 8 and MK3i in terms of hardware side such as sensors and ect. Hard to spend big money on old technology on the MK3i over Fenix 8, even though I really like the MK3i.

[@TheBigHeavy]

You get the newer elevate sensor in the Fenix 8, which is apparently the same as the Fenix 7X Pro. MK3i does indeed have the older gen sensor like the 7X (non-Pro). You lose the EKG feature, although I've heard mixed reviews about whether the new sensor is better or worse for tracking HR during workouts. For me, the Air Integration won out over EKG.

[@stefanfeenstra2421]

Thanks for this contribution. You sure the Fenix doesn't have air integration (or only your own tank)? It has nitrox options. Fenix has enough to meet my diving needs, but when I see the menu speed and the battery life comparing to a 280 USD watch (Amazfit Trex3 non dive) I don't want to spend so much on Fenix. Another thing: when I see 2nd hand dive computers pictures, I wonder in what state the sapphire screen survives the diving.

[@TheBigHeavy]

Yes, I’m 99% there’s no air integration, meaning the ability to see your tank pressure on your watch assuming you have a transmitter on an HP port on your first stage. You still can set gasses and get appropriate tissue loading estimates, just not see air time, pressure, or communicate. My Fenix 7X had a sapphire screen and I was far from kind to the watch and wore it 24/7 and it’s flawless after 2 years, so I think the screen will be good. Good luck with your decision and thanks for the comment!

[@stefanfeenstra2421]

@@TheBigHeavy Didn't bring the Fenix 7 near coral, right?

[@TheBigHeavy]

Correct but brought it near dirt and rocks hiking and running (where I occasionally fall on my big 'ole butt for good measure) and wore during various construction projects. Frankly I'm a bit surprised how well it has held up but you're right that I haven't tried dragging into coral.