[News] Garmin Announces the Descent Mk1 Watch-style Dive Computer
Garmin New Zealand, yesterday announced the Descent Mk1, a dive computer housed in a watch-style design offering surface GPS navigation with rich colour mapping. Designed for recreational, technical and free divers, the Descent Mk1 allows divers to plan their underwater adventure right on the watch and use GPS waypoints to automatically mark dive entry and exit points. The Descent Mk1 also offers multiple dive modes, 3-axis compass, in-dive data, as well as multi-sport functions like wrist-based heart rate, activity profiles and automatic dive log uploads via the Garmin Connect Mobile app to Garmin’s online dive community.
“No matter what kind of diver you are, the Descent Mk1 is the intuitive dive computer you won’t want to take off. And with features built for in and out of the water, packed into a watch form factor, you don’t have to,” said Adam Howarth, General Manager Garmin Australasia. “The Descent Mk1 was built by divers, for divers and we are so excited that our passion for engineering purpose-built devices, now supports the passion of underwater explorers.”
The Descent Mk1 includes an Apnea mode for recreational and competitive free divers, and Apnea Hunt mode for spear fishers. When the diver submerges, the device will automatically start the dive, and when the diver surfaces from the water, it will automatically stop the dive. The Descent Mk1 supports up to six gases including air, nitrox and trimix. While enjoying their dive under the water, useful information such as depth, dive time, temperature, NDL/TTS, ascent/descent rates, gas mix, PO2, N2 loading, decompression/safety stop information, time-of-day, and more on a crisp 1.2-inch colour display. The diver can switch to the dive compass and additional data pages with the push of a button, or with a quick double tap on the screen.
The dive computer utilises the Bühlmann ZHL-16c algorithm with configurable conservatism settings. Choose from three pre-set conservatism settings, or enter custom Gradient Factors.
Selectable tone and vibration alerts help keep divers informed throughout their dive. When worn over a divers bare wrist, the Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology will monitor pulse and track exertion levels. The Descent Mk1 will automatically uploads dive logs to Garmin Connect for post-dive analysis. Divers can name their dive, and go back in app to review dive data such as type of dive, temperature, entry and exit points and more.
Topside, the Descent Mk1 features a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking for map-based surface navigation including ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) sensors. Beyond the full range of diving functions, the Descent Mk1 offers a complete feature set of sports/training, fitness and outdoor navigation tools. Preloaded with activity profiles for swimming, running, biking, hiking, skiing, rowing, paddle boarding and more. The Descent Mk1, when paired with a compatible smartphone, allows a user to receive and view text messages, emails and smart notifications right on the watch. Users can customise the watch display with free watch faces, apps and data fields from our Connect IQ store.
Crafted with premium materials, the Descent Mk1 dive computer will be available in two styles. A stainless-steel bezel with silicone watch band or a premium version with titanium bezel and greater scratch resistant brushed DLC titanium bracelet. Using QuickFit bands, the diver can easily change between regular and longer QuickFit bands, for use over thick wetsuits or dry suits. QuickFit bands also allow the diver to tailor their wrist-worn style for any daily activity or special occasion — no tools required. Both models feature a domed sapphire lens for scratch resistance, and a bright, high-resolution full colour 1.2-inch display with LED backlighting, assuring readability in all lighting conditions, above or below the water. Dive rated up to 100 metres (EN13319) the Descent Mk1 has a battery life of up to 40 hours in dive mode, 21 days in watch mode, 12 days in smartwatch mode, 20 hours in GPS/HR activity mode, and up to 30 hours in UltraTrac mode.
The Descent Mk1 is expected to be available in late 2017 for a recommended retail price of NZ$1,599 for the stainless-steel and NZ$2,499 for the premium version. To learn more, visit www.garmin.com/descent
