Garmin Descent MK2S Smartwatch Review
Thursday - 10 June 2021
A trio of new Garmin Descent MK2S watches have been launched, all offering the same spec as the original MK2 but with additional colourways and a reduced 43 millimetre sized case - all at a cheaper price point.
On its release in 2017, the Garmin Descent smartwatch collection ensured complete confidence for professional and recreational divers alike as they took to the waters. Fitted with a depth gauge, waterproofing standards up to 100 metres and an additional super long strap designed to fit around bulky wet suits, the Descent MKI ticked all the boxes for underwater exploration. Three years later, in 2020, the smartwatch brand then launched the Garmin Descent MK2, a more advanced 52 millimetre watch-style dive computer with incredible multisport training technology and smart features. There was also the Descent MK2i which included air integration technology. Their next generation divers watch, nicknamed the Garmin Descent MK2S, brings to life all the spec as the MK2 but with a smaller case size of 43 millimetres and a new selection of case and strap colourways.
There are currently three new Garmin Descent MK2S smartwatches to choose from, all engineered from fibre-reinforced polymer with stainless steel bezels, sapphire crystal glass and silicon straps. The first of the trio under reference 010-02403-01 features a light sand-coloured case and matching strap with a pale yellow gold bezel and buckle. The second model 010-02403-04 is for the stealthy diver dressed entirely in carbon grey DLC with a matching black band. Lastly, reference 010-02403-07 opts for an ocean-inspired aesthetic with a seam-foam blue case and strap and a mineral blue DLC coated bezel and buckle. All three boast a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, 21 days in battery saver mode and 30 hours in dive mode.
Diving Features
Like its 56-millimetre MK2 counterpart, the new Garmin Descent MK2S watches guarantee exceptional functionality for diving. For use alongside its 100 metre water resistance case, the design is equipped with a huge selection of dive modes so you can track your expedition accurately including single and multiple gas dives (nitrox and trimix included), gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and closed-circuit rebreather. The dive watches also feature an underwater 3-axis compass and displays depth, dive time, temperature, NDL/TTS, ascent/descent rates, gas mix, PO2, N2 loading, decompression/safety stop information, time-of-day, and more. This data is all viewed on a crisp 1.4-inch sunlight readable colour display, which is 36 percent larger than the original Descent MK1.
No matter how far or how deep you go, dives are automatically logged in the Garmin Dive app which provides a detailed analysis for each dive activity, including max depth, bottom time and a map of surface entry and exit points. Those searching for their next adventure can use the explore feature in the app to search through more than 2,700 dive sites from around the world and the Garmin Descent MK2S watches themselves are preloaded with hundreds of dive sites so you can view wreck and reef locations and tide data to find the best spots to explore. When paired with a compatible Garmin inReach satellite communicator at the surface, you can also use your Garmin Descent MK2S watch to send and receive messages quickly.
Fitness, GPS & Social Features
For times when you’re wanting to live life on land, the Garmin Descent MK2S delivers everything you could need for other fitness endeavours and general day-to-day activities. There are preloaded activity profiles for trail running, swimming, running, biking, hiking, rowing, skiing, golfing and more alongside surf-ready features, skiing and climbing apps, mountain biking dynamics, trail run VO2 max and animated workouts. The advanced training metrics work alongside the recovery advisor to help you manage your workouts and let you know how long you need to rest before your next big effort. You can also set the Garmin Descent MK2S watch to give you daily suggested workouts based on your current training load and status. As expected, the smartwatches come with a wrist based heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox sensor, advanced sleep monitoring, respiration tracking and women’s health tracking.
When you’re out and about, the Garmin Descent MK2S keeps you on route with multi-GNSS support including GPS, GLONASS and Galileo as well as ABC surface sensors like altimeter for elevation data, barometer to monitor weather and 3-axis compass. Topographical maps can be used to map your adventures while round trip routing will give you suggested routes depending on how far you want to travel, always bringing you back to your starting point. Runners will love the turn-by-turn navigation and the Pace Pro technology, a first of its kind which keeps you on pace with grade-adjusted guidance as you run a route. The Garmin Descent MK2S smartwatch collection is also built with GarminPay function, smart notifications and music storage for up to 2,000 songs. You can also access music apps from your compatible services, including Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.
For more information on the Garmin Descent MK2S collection and to order your own, head over to the Jura Watches website here. You can also contact the team with any questions on 01335 453454 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
