The Garmin Descent reaches its third generation, and the Descent Mk3, with its freediving and spearfishing functions, represents for us a very special product. In the ever-evolving world of dive computers, the Descent Mk3 by the American company, we have received the 43 mm diameter case model, but the bigger 51 mm diameter case solution is also available, stands out as a pinnacle of innovation, blending cutting-edge technology. As a follow-up to its predecessors and tailored for divers seeking a more compact form factor, Garmin’s latest offering pushes the boundaries of what freedivers and spearos can expect from a wrist-mounted dive computer. Indeed, perfect for women and men with smaller wrists, we definitely suggest the 51 mm case version for men with standard to larger wrists.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Descent Mk3 43mm exudes the rugged elegance synonymous with Garmin’s high-end devices. The 1.2-inch AMOLED display, encased in a sapphire crystal lens, provides unparalleled clarity even in low-visibility underwater conditions. During our test, the visibility of the characters in the water was the best we have ever experienced among diving watches. Even with presbyopia the numbers were well readable. The smaller form factor, paired with the titanium bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer case, ensures durability while catering to divers with smaller wrists or those who prefer a sleeker profile. The watch strap is very comfortable and soft, and a second longer watch strap is included for use with thick wetsuits. The combination of touchscreen functionality and five physical buttons offers flexibility, allowing seamless operation both above and below water. The five buttons simply require some getting used to in the first period.
Comprehensive Dive Modes
The 43mm Mk3 supports multiple dive modes, catering to a wide range of diving activities, among which our preferred, Freediving and Spearfishing. High-precision depth and apnea timers for breath-hold enthusiasts and GPS Hunter function for spearos are great solutions. In fact, the integration of Garmin’s advanced GPS and GLONASS technology is particularly noteworthy. Divers can mark entry and exit points, a valuable tool for both safety and navigation. We have tried this technology for registering some diving spots, especially for spearfishing, and it works great. With the use of Garmin Chartplotters and Fishfinders the transfer of data is automtic and easy.
Definitely the Dive Modes are comprehensive and user friendly, but indeed the many functions and settings of the Garmin Mk3 make it slightly complex at the beginning. There is a period needed to set all the parameters of this high end very advanced dive watch, so that it becomes easy to use and friendly.
All Apnea disciplines available
Probably unique on the market, the Garmin Descent Mk3 can be set, inside the Apnea Mode, specifically for all Freediving disciplines. DYN, DYNB, DNF, STA, CWT, CWTB, CNF, FIM, VWT (Variable Weight), NLT (No Limit) and S&E(Speed Endurance). This permits to register data knowing exactly in which discipline we were performing.
Dive and Surface screens data setting
Another great feature of the Garmin Descent Mk3, which can be of extreme value one set at our discretion, is the possibility to select the data to be shown, both on the Dive and the Surface screen. Not only! The settings are adjustable both on the Layout of the data shown and on the type and quantity of information. For example, in the Apnea Hunt mode, the display can be filled with total time of the dive session, heart rate, dive time, dive depth, water temperature, surface time, Time of day and much more. On the other hand, the diplay can limit the information shown to have bigger characters to be easily read in any moment. Perfect!
Safety and Monitoring Features
Safety is paramount in freediving and maybe even more in spearfishing, where you are often alone at sea, as even your spearfishing partner could be too far to intervene in case of difficulty. In such a sense, the 43mm Mk3 delivers features like:
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Continuous tracking via an optical sensor, even underwater.
- Dive Log and Planning: On-device dive planning with customizable alerts for depth, and dive plus surface time.
In more detail, for freediving and spearfishing, there are a number of very interesting safety functions. The Garmin Descent Mk3 dive watch includes, in fact, in the Apnea (freediving) mode a series of sound alarms can be set. The algorithm used is very conservative, which means it works a lot on the safe side. So, keeping within the parameters indicated by the Garmin Descent Mk3 dive computer means being very safe, but with also margins. In the Apnea Hunt mode, the alarms are silenced but visible. In general, we like the fact the Apnea and Apnea Hunt have different settings which can be adjusted for sound or vibration, or both, for depth, dive time, surface time, and ascend or descend speed alerts.
The information registered and shown on the screen is the classic time of immersion, real time and maximum depth, surface time and recovery time. Additionally, the very special feature of the Garmin Descent series, present already in the Mk1 version, is the GPS system. This has been and is a very interesting feature for spearfishing, but also a great safety one for freediving and diving. In fact, the Descent MK3 dive watch registers the immersion and emersion points, which are of course also recorded and displayed on the app. The data is easily transmitted via Bluetooth from the watch to the phone via App.
Versatility Beyond Diving
What sets the Descent Mk3 43mm apart from traditional dive computers is its versatility, including multisport functions which are great for training and being ready for our freediving and spearfishing sessions. As part of Garmin’s wearable ecosystem, it doubles as a robust smartwatch. Features include:
- Fitness Tracking: Comprehensive metrics such as VO2 max, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring.
- Activity Profiles: Preloaded modes for running, cycling, swimming, and more.
- Smart Notifications: Seamless integration with smartphones for calls, messages, and app notifications.
Despite the many functions, the battery life is extremely helpful in supporting all these activities. Even though those of you used to Alkaline batteries powered and simpler dive watches might be initially annoyed by the need to recharge the Garmin Mk3 periodically, especially when dives are frequent, the rechargeable battery offers good performance, with up to 20 hours in dive mode and up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, a notable adaptation even on the smaller 43 mm Mk3 version. The recharging is easy through a USB cable with a clip, which connects perfectly to the case of the Descent Mk3.
Final considerations
Evidently, the very complete and unique capabilities, together with high-level materials, make the 43mm Mk3 an important “object”, which costs 1250€. It is so not simply a dive watch, but a multifunction computer made to last, with resistant materials, high end technological solutions, such as the 5 lateral menu buttons of the Descent Mk3 series working thanks to an induction system. This permits to have no holes in the case, with an amazing increase in watertightness and life of the buttons contacts. All this, in fact, also leads to a 200 meters of depth resistance, by the Garmin Descent Mk3, a depth never reached before by this segment dive computer watches.
