Hey SD fans, welcome back, in this video we are reviewing how the Garmin Descent MK2i performs
in cold water, and we’ll be finding out if the much-touted SubWave technology of the Descent T1
transmitter really allows for air-integration over a distance of ten metres or more.
For those here for the first time, my name’s Mark, I am the editor-in-chief of the Scuba
Diver media brand, and welcome to the Scuba Diver YouTube Channel.
Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button, so you don’t miss any future videos,
and ring that notification bell so you know when new content has been uploaded.
Before we get into it, don’t forget to sign up for a free digital subscription from the link in the
description, or if you want to receive one of our print magazines, we have a special introductory
offer just for our YouTube followers. Right, on with the video!
So, as you will know if you have watched our video reviewing the Garmin Descent MK2i dive computer,
we think it is, quite frankly, a stonking piece of kit. The combination of a dive computer capable
of multiple nitrox mixes, trimix and CCR, not to mention freediving, with a full-fuel smart/fitness
watch that does just about everything apart from tuck you into bed at night, is a definite winner.
When I did that review, we’d only dived the Descent MK2i in the warm,
clear waters of the Maldives, but now we are truly into the winter over here in the UK,
I took it for a spin in the much-colder waters of a local inland site to judge its abilities when
you are bundled up in full exposure protection. This also gave me the chance to try out the
Descent T1 transmitter, which arrived after our jaunt to the Maldives. Now I was keen to see how
this performed, given it uses Garmin’s much-touted SubWave technology, which is supposed to have a
much-longer range than traditional air-integrated devices. So, let’s see how we got on.
Let’s talk about using the Garmin Descent MK2i in cold water first.
I was in my Otter Atlantic Kevlar drysuit, which is fitted with the KUBI DryGlove System, but I
also took it for a spin wearing Fourth Element’s 4mm neoprene lobster mitts. In both instances, I
had no trouble pressing the buttons on the Descent MK2i to navigate through the menu on the surface
before the dives, or scroll through the dive screens during the dives. However, I found that
Garmin’s neat technology, which lets you cycle through the dive display simply by tapping on the
screen, worked a treat in both pairs of gloves and was actually easier than using the buttons.
As I mentioned in my first review, the Descent MK2i has both audible and vibration notification.
I normally turn off audible alarms on my computers, but I left them on for the test dives,
and even through my 5mm neoprene hood, it was clear to hear.
The same goes for the vibration function – even though I was encased in a base layer, thick Fourth
Element Halo 3D undersuit and my Kevlar drysuit, I could still feel the vibration through my arm.
As noted before, the Garmin has a neat feature where you can swap out the straps quickly and
easily with a clip system. This lets you change to different colours and materials if you so
wish – there are leather straps, silicone straps, even metal bracelets - but it also means you can
change out the standard strap for this longer version, which comes with the computer, which
is designed to go over a drysuited arm. This is much neater than adding an extension strap to the
existing strap. However, it is worth noting that this clip system for straps has been done before
in the diving world – the Suunto D5 also has interchangeable straps with a similar mechanism.
Now let’s talk about the Descent T1. I have used air-integrated computers for a long time,
although I have to admit I also keep a small SPG on my first stage as well. This was partly because
early transmitters had a habit of dropping the connection with the computer, but also because I
am a redundancy freak and I like having old-school to back up new tech. That said, these days,
I have found that transmitters rarely lose their connection, and if they do, it is
literally momentarily. However, my trusty SPG is still on my rig – what can I say, that’s just me.
As I said before, underwater, the Descent T1 uses SubWave sonar technology rather
than the tried-and-tested radio frequency already on the market. This provides a solid connection
between the computer and the transmitter once they are paired, but more importantly, it offers a much
more impressive range - up to a staggering ten metres, according to Garmin. In reality,
I think you can add a few more metres on to that before you lose the signal. It is phenomenal.
On the surface, the Descent T1 pairs with the Descent MK2i using ANT wireless technology,
which again is supposed to work up to ten metres apart, but I found I could be even further away
and it was still picking up the tank pressure. The Descent MK2i can be paired up with up to five
Descent T1 transmitters. This obviously gives you plenty of flexibility – if you were diving
sidemount, you could have a T1 on each cylinder. If you were diving in a twinset with two stages,
you could have a T1 on each first stage so you could monitor all of your tanks. If you were
teaching, you could mount a T1 on the first stage of your student, or students, and then you would
be able to see how much gas they have got left before you even ask them to give you a reading.
If it is just you and your buddy, you can put a T1 on their first stage and throughout the dive
you will be able to see, right alongside your pressure reading on your primary dive data screen,
how much gas they have left. You can even put people’s names in
so you know which transmitter refers to who. Great functionality, but again, as with the clip
system on the straps, Garmin are not the first to offer this feature. The venerable Scubapro Galileo
Sol let you pair up to four transmitters, and while three of the tank designations were intended
for use when you were diving with multiple cylinders, the fourth was assigned to a buddy,
and you were able to see their tank pressure on your main screen throughout the dive. You were
not able to customise the name – they were just ‘buddy’ on the screen – but still, the concept was
there. And of course, if you were an instructor, there was nothing stopping you putting two of the
other transmitters on to student first stages as well. The Sol’s successor, the G2, can also
pair with multiple transmitters in much the same way, but it can link with up to nine transmitters.
Similarly, the Suunto EON Steel is able to communicate with up to ten Tank Pods, as Suunto
call their transmitters. And the EON Core can connect with up to 20 Tank Pods! So this is more
than enough to cover most eventualities, be that multiple buddies, or a whole horde of students.
Where Garmin does stride out front is down to that SubWave technology. That ability to still be able
to connect to a transmitter that is ten metres or so away from you is incredible, especially given
that most normal radio frequency transmitters lose signal once you are two to three metres apart.
OK, so if you are diving in a buddy team, you shouldn’t really be ten metres apart, but we
know that in the real world, buddy pairs are often further apart than they should be, but with this
technology, you should still be able to see their gas level even if they have strayed a little ways
away from you. If you were an instructor, and you were working with students and a Divemaster,
or another instructor, and were separated int two groups while running through some skills
and drills, it would be handy to still be able to keep an eye on everyone’s gas consumption.
So, the Garmin Descent MK2i is a belting computer to use in colder waters too, and
the Descent T1 transmitter’s SubWave technology really does give it a massive range underwater.
Combine that information with everything we covered in our first review, and the Descent MK2i
puts forward a strong case for being the ultimate all-rounder, regardless of where in the world
you go diving. I am still getting to grips with all of the smartwatch functionality
even now, and keep discovering new abilities all the time. I’ve yet to discover the tool
that orders you an apres-dive beer so it is waiting for you on the bar at the end of the day,
but I am sure it is in there somewhere… So that’s the Garmin Descent MK2i dived in cold
water in full exposure protection, and the Descent T1 transmitter given a proper work-out. Are you
diving a MK2i? How have you found it in colder waters? Leave your comments below, and if you
have a question, fire away – if we can’t answer, maybe someone in our community will be able to.
Remember, if you enjoyed this video, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel,
and don’t forget you can grab a free digital magazine subscription in the description below.
As always, if you are going diving in the coming days, enjoy - and stay safe.