Garmin Descent MK2

[waterone]

looks a little less than that in the US, 1499 with AI and 1299 without AI and 399 for the sensor but still pricey. But if you think about it is in the same ball park as a teric and less than buying a teric and a multi-sport watch separately.

Those where just straight converted prices, where did you find that it will be less? ....edit nevermind...
I see the US page now..

As far as I understood, the altitude sensor is just a pressure; if they don't find a better way to measure altitude, no way sensors will be reliable.

My digital and analog skydiving altimeters where insanely more accurate and that was years ago. I was quite surprised to see such a large range...but not like I'm jumping out of a plane with it and the depth is always good.

 

[ginti]

Guys, do you know if the mk2 can actually measure heart rate underwater on a drysuit/drygloves (that is, with a chest-belt monitor) - in real time?

Its a pulse oximeter. You can buy one for $20. They're tiny.

US page is up
Garmin Descent™ MK2i | Dive Computer | Dive Smartwatch
$1499 with AI

I am really trying to believe that they don't fool their customers, and you are not helping

Again, maybe there is really different quality pulse oximeter, or maybe there is a huge work for the software, or some hardware for the navigation features... or maybe they are trying to fool us But 1300$ looks reasonable considering that it is new. If they will bring the price a little down (1000) with some special offers, maybe it could be worth the price.

I am happy with the mk1, and I may think about changing it only if the mk2 can actually measure heart rate as I asked before.

My digital and analog skydiving altimeters where insanely more accurate and that was years ago. I was quite surprised to see such a large range...but not like I'm jumping out of a plane with it and the depth is always good.

Sorry, not an expert here... I don't have any idea of why this variation you are describing actually happens. Maybe they are really using a cheap sensor, for some reasons.

 

[ginti]

Are they really selling it to people who need to know that "the next step is a course with a certified instructor"? I mean, a dive computer that can handle 5 bottles, multi-gas and CCR, to non-certified divers,really? Hilarious: D

It really seems their market niche is the "rich people who want to look like rambo". Probably some other folks around will also find it (really) useful, and for sure it's a nice watch, working properly, but their marketing strategy seems clear...

 

[TuckerIdaho]

It really seems their market niche is the "rich people who want to look like rambo". Probably some other folks around will also find it (really) useful, and for sure it's a nice watch, working properly, but their marketing strategy seems clear...

Uh, what? Its marketed to multi sport folks, and there is quite few of us given Garmin spent the money on upgrading the Mk1. This is significantly cheaper than having a smartwatch AND a dive computer.

 

[ginti]

Uh, what? Its marketed to multi sport folks, and there is quite few of us given Garmin spent the money on upgrading the Mk1.

This is why I said that "some other folks around will also find it (really) useful". As I said, if I discover it can track heart rate underwater real-time by means of a chest sensor, I am one of them.

But from their marketing videos, it seems the vast majority of people buying this product will not be people who really need it (let's be honest, if you still need to get certified you can go for a cheap computer and you can use another watch for multisport, this is by far less expensive).

This is what I meant, and this also justifies that price (really, I am seriously trying to understand the 300$ difference, but I can't... most of the software was already in the company, new sensors are apparently cheap, and inflation wasn't 30% in the last 3 years)

I am ready to change my mind, though

 

[TuckerIdaho]

But from their marketing videos

Let's have an analogy here for a moment.
I drive a 3/4 ton pickup because
A: I tow heavy boats
B: I plow my very large driveway during the winter and a couple other neighborhood driveways.

Do you think I needed "marketing" to convince me to buy a 3/4 ton pickup?
Do you know who "marketing" is for?

 

[ginti]

Let's have an analogy here for a moment.
I drive a 3/4 ton pickup because
A: I tow heavy boats
B: I plow my very large driveway during the winter and a couple other neighborhood driveways.

Do you think I needed "marketing" to convince me to buy a 3/4 ton pickup?
Do you know who "marketing" is for?

Anyone needs marketing. If you don't know that a product exist, you do not buy it. But there are some people who really need a product, and some who do not. If a marketing campaign convinces **people who do not need a product** to buy it, well, this is a success for the company. And this is what I think Garmin is doing, even if I am not inside the strategic office of Garmin, so I cannot say it 100%.

But frankly speaking I don't really care, I wrote it just because I found that video funny

EDIT: reading my comments again, it seems that I wanted to offend some people. I didn't intend to offend anybody, sorry if I did. If you need a product, buy it, because you need it. If you do not need a product, but you like it and you have money enough to buy it, just buy it, we only have one life and we need to enjoy it. No offense at all, really

 

[TuckerIdaho]

InReach integration?
Now that's interesting.

 

[waterone]

Sorry, not an expert here... I don't have any idea of why this variation you are describing actually happens. Maybe they are really using a cheap sensor, for some reasons.

Thats my guess, just a cheap sensor..

Are they really selling it to people who need to know that "the next step is a course with a certified instructor"? I mean, a dive computer that can handle 5 bottles, multi-gas and CCR, to non-certified divers,really? Hilarious: D

It really seems their market niche is the "rich people who want to look like rambo". Probably some other folks around will also find it (really) useful, and for sure it's a nice watch, working properly, but their marketing strategy seems clear...

I found that video humorous as well as a waste of time space instead of talking about the watch....well on the first pass. But now after rewatching the video I'm seriously thinking about getying certified in Scuba

Since its my BDay week and its a mere $1499 not like the $1720 I thought it was and I wanted AI and it is a cool novelty to have an option to track all my kids air .......and i want to look like a rich Rambo i will most likely be purchasing one to play with.

 

[Protondecay123]

Are they really selling it to people who need to know that "the next step is a course with a certified instructor"? I mean, a dive computer that can handle 5 bottles, multi-gas and CCR, to non-certified divers,really? Hilarious: D

It really seems their market niche is the "rich people who want to look like rambo". Probably some other folks around will also find it (really) useful, and for sure it's a nice watch, working properly, but their marketing strategy seems clear...

Actually unlike other dive computers it has utility for people who don’t scuba dive but Have an exercise regimen. That marketing to bring them to fully use the Descent Mk2 and justify its price above the Fenix series in their model line, I would assume. And it’s fully featured enough to be useful if they advance into technical diving.