NEW Garmin Descent MK3 – A Deeper Connection

If you liked the Garmin Descent MK2 and its multi-sport training and smart features, your world has just got better. The new Garmin Descent MK3 invites you to connect with your watch on a much deeper level and in more ways than one.

It’s almost 6 years since Garmin released the Descent MK1 model. It used the underlying software of the Fenix 5X but pepped it up for underwater exploration. For those of you who aren’t clued up with what the Fenix 5X offered, its main features included an optical heart rate HR sensor, full-colour maps for navigation, Connect IQ apps (for watch faces, data fields and widgets), a battery life that lasted 40 hours when diving, 20 hours with GPS, and 10 days in smartwatch, and lots more.

It differed from the Fenix 5X in many ways, though. For example, it featured an added depth gauge, a DLC-coated bezel, a changed charging port to support diving needs, and a super long-lasting strap. Its biggest change of all, however, was its adherence to EN13319 standards, bringing it up to 100 meters of water resistance. It could also withstand knocks and impact encountered when cave diving, for example. Then, dive modes were added for recording dives. Also, a HR recording that works underwater, and a no-connect function for IQ apps when underwater. Its dive mode options included; Single Gas, Multi-Gas, Gauge, Apnea, Apnea Hunt and Plan Dive features.

Over the years, the Descent itinerary improved, offering a new slew of options for the Descent MK2 and now the third generation – the MK3. Today we’re going to have a quick look at the key features of the newest model to join the series. The features of the MK3, MK3I, MK3S and MK3I are available with an AMOLED display and compliment the brand’s wealth of sports, smart and wellness features. The standout feature of the series, however, is the fact that you can now communicate with fellow divers, showing the status of your air supply with them.

The new Garmin Descent MK3 – the Ultimate Dive Computer

With the Garmin Descent MK3 watch you can now connect with your dive on a deeper level and enjoy more advanced features centred around dive safety whilst immersing yourself in your surroundings. Its intuitive dive modes have been further improved, pinpointing when you are ready to dive and assisting with however you prefer to dive. Tailoring to your needs, the underwater smartwatch offers diver-to-diver messaging so that you can check in on your fellow water buddies. It can also monitor multiple tanks. In fact, you can check in on up to 8 divers at any one time.

Integrated with an underwater torch light, you can illuminate your dive and see where you’re going once you reach dark underwater depths. When doing so, you can find your way using your wrist thanks to its built-in navigational features. Now, you can also dive deeper, thanks to an improved 200-meter water resistance. Sized for smaller wrists, it comes in the option of a small size with a myriad of innovative dive-oriented features like the Air Integration to enhance your dive.

Key features:

Air Integration

8 Descent T2 transmitters can all work together underwater, communicating with one another to provide a full update on fellow divers and the air pressure in their own tanks. Thanks to the Ait Integration feature, you can use this feature to communicate with divers that are up to 30 meters away using SubWave sonar technology.

SubWave Sonar Networking

You can exchange pre-set messages with other divers using SubWave Sonar technology in the new Garmin Descent MK3 watch. Each diver wearing a Descent T2 Transmitter can get in on the action, enabling a network of communication to stay open between yourself and other divers down there with you. You can use this same SubWave Sonar technology to monitor tank pressures and depths with other divers in a range of 10 meters.

Dive Readiness Tool

The new Garmin Descent MK3 watch helps you gauge when the best time is for you to dive. It does this by taking into account some key factors. These include sleep, stress, jet lag and exercise, highlighting when you are most alert and ready for a dive.

Dive Modes:

The several different dive modes offered in the new Garmin Descent MK3 watch vary according to specific types of diving. These include apnea diving, apnea hunting, single and multiple gas dives, and closed circuit rebreather diving.

DiveView Maps

The DiveView Maps feature of the new Garmin Descent MK3 has a built-in GPS function that allows for colour maps to be viewed for all your dive sites. In these maps, information like bathymetric depth will be shown, alongside 4000 dive sites around the world. It means that you can discover new places to dive and orient yourself when you’re underwater.

The Takeaway

The new Garmin Descent MK3 is a dive-focused design that is both rugged and durable. Its 1.2” AMOLED colour display and a sapphire lens help protect the internal features of the watch. With so many dive-oriented capabilities, it’s hard to dispute the wearability and the functional importance of a dive tool like this. Through advanced satellite technology, the watch allows you to track Surface GPS while a Reference Point GPS tool allows you to rely on precise surface navigation for accurate entries every time. What’s more the Garmin Dive App syncs effortlessly with the Descent dive computer, uploading dive logs as you go. Additional features like the Variometer tool provide feedback on ascent and descent rates in real-time, while off-grid communication is enhanced by the help of the model’s inReach device for satellite messaging.

For more information on the new Garmin Descent MK3 watch, you can take a look at the smartwatch here, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team at 01335 453453.