Wearable sports technology specialist Garmin has launched the latest in its series of wristwatch-style dive computers in the Descent Mk2S, its smallest in the series so far, designed for all-day wear with modes for scuba diving, multi-sport training, and a range of smart features.
Advertised as ‘ideal for women and those with smaller wrists’ and ‘designed for everyday wear and maximum functionality’, the Descent Mk2S features a 1.2-inch sunlight readable sapphire display, 43mm case and interchangeable ‘QuickFit’ bands available in silicone, leather, metal or nylon.
‘Building on the success of the Descent Mk2, we’re excited to give divers more options, especially our female customers,’ said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. ‘A tribute to your active lifestyle and passion as a diver, the Mk2S is both an essential tool for diving and a smart timepiece that allows you to track your activities around the clock.
The Descent Mk2S is a full-featured scuba diving computer with support for both single and multiple gas mixtures – including nitrox, trimix, and 100 per cent O2 – plus gauge mode, apnoea, and ‘apnoea hunt’ modes; and closed-circuit rebreather support. Standard information for depth, dive time, temperature, NDL/TTS, ascent/descent rates, gas mix, PO2, N2 loading, decompression/safety stop information, time-of-day are all available on the display.
GNSS satellite navigation is built into the Descent Mk2S to mark entry and exit points for the dive and an underwater 3-axis compass is also included. Dive modes can be customised to include which additional screens and fields are required by the user.
Data for up to 200 dives can be stored for viewing on the computer or every logged dive can be viewed on the associated Garmin Dive app, which automatically provides a detailed analysis of each dive activity including max depth, bottom time and a map of surface entry and exit points. Divers can use the app’s ‘Explore’ tool to plan trips by viewing popular dive sites that have been rated and reviewed by other users, with helpful information such as weather conditions and dive logs from that specific location.
The Garmin Descent Mk2S can be paired with a smartphone for full functionality, and the inReach satellite communicator for GPS messaging and emergency SOS alerts
When paired with a compatible Garmin inReach satellite communicator, users can send and receive messages via satellite from the Descent Mk2S watch and trigger an interactive SOS if necessary. The matching, waterproof Mini Dive Case (sold separately) allows divers to carry the device with them at all times while diving for use in emergency situations if necessary.
The Descent Mk2S has a number of preloaded sports apps, including those of its predecessor for running, swimming, cycling, strength training, skiing and golfing, plus new sport profiles to include surfing, mountain biking and indoor climbing.
Out of the water, the Descent Mk2S doubles as a multisport GPS smartwatch with all-day health monitoring, built-in sports apps and more. Garmin has introduced women’s health features including menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, as well as all-day respiration and advanced sleep monitoring systems.
When paired with a compatible smartphone, users can receive notifications for calls, texts and calendar alerts, store and play music, and can make contactless payments through Garmin Pay.
Garmin claims seven days of battery life when the Descent Mk2S is in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in dive mode.
The Descent Mk2S is available in three colour schemes: light gold with a light sand silicone band, carbon grey with black silicone band and mineral blue with a ‘sea foam’ silicone band, all customisable with interchangeable QuickFit bands to suit the wearer’s preference.
RRP Descent Mk2S £949.99
