Just to open this up again.
Here's my impression of the Descent after a little less than a year:
Depth measurement: Excellent.
NDL tracking: Excellent.
Compares very well with Perdix in both of these parameters.
Mapping: very good.
Temperature tracking: OK minus. I doubt any wrist mounted sensor can be accurate.
Counting steps: OK, but this is really just a feel good parameter.
Barometric pressure: I can't get a good handle on this due to a lack of reference and interaction with altitude.
Heart rate with onboard sensor: Sucks Big Time.
Heart rate with armband: Good
Altitude measurement: Sucks Big Time.
Firmware updates and factory support: Sucks.
For a minimalist Dive Computer the Descent functions well. But as a Dive Computer it is way overpriced.
As an activity tracker it is barely OK. But as an Activity Tracker it is way overpriced.
One gets the impression that Garmin developed the Descent as a Parlour Trick.
It is probably my biggest mistake in buying SCUBA hardware. I definitely would not buy it again.
Thanks for this post. I was trying to grab mine before the close of the year. Sounds like I should wait until a really good deal comes(if at all).
Is there a new one coming?