Garmin  Descent G1 Solar

I love it. Got it for a big dive trip and it performed flawlessly. Since then, I wear it everyday and it tons of its features. Step counter, heart rate monitor, sleep quality monitor, phone locator (so useful!!) , timers , declining spam phone calls, reading text messages, seeing calendar reminders pop up on the watch. I could go on, it basically it is super useful, way more than I anticipated. I’m docking it 1 star because the battery can’t be replaced, so when it eventually dies on me, that’s the end of the watch. For sustainability reasons I gotta dock it a star for that reason alone.

I am a Course Director in Florida and was blown away with all the functions of the g1 Solar. In addition to diving I enjoy swimming and hiking. It does a wonderful job keeping track of all my activities and uploads it on the connect app.

I purchased my Garmin Descent as a backup computer for a recent dive trip to Bonaire. 30 minutes into my first dive on island, the depth sensor on my integrated computer quit, rendering it useless. Thank goodness I was wearing the Descent as a backup. Logged 2 dives in a week. Really cool to see the data graphs and what a great way to automate the logbook. Data even includes the GPS location of where the dive started. Switched to Nitrox 2 days into our trip. It took about 30 seconds to switch the Descent and update the O2 values. Very intuitive interface. To top it all off. Charged the Descent prior to the trip. Charge lasted the entire week.

My fourth Vivoactive HR's touchscreen stopped responding. I reviewed several Garmin options, another vivoactive, Instinct and Descent. As I recently completed my scuba certification I decided on the Descent Solar. It does have a ton of features and ConnectIQ library seems to continue to grow. Without the touch screen, all the options are a little more difficult to get to and operate. The buttons have multiple options depending on momentary or long presses. I am still getting used to which button does what. I have not yet used the dive features but am worried I will not be able to see the display clearing under water.

I bought this right when Garmin released them. The only thing this computer doesn't do is air integration, but there isn't any type of diving to grow in to that this can't handle, from Open water diving to Close Circuit Rebreathing. I loved having the fitness and smart watch features all included in 1. I can read my text messages while having my phone in my boat bag and I'm at the helm or teaching on the boat. My phone stays in a water tight bag and I only access it when I need to. This is my 1st recommendation to any student who is getting in to diving without an unlimited budget to otherwise get the MK3i

The initial G1 Solar that I got mysteriously died on me when I went to charge it after my first dive trip with it. Garmin refunded my purchase, and I bought a second one, which I've used on two subsequent trips. The watch itself functions well, integrating with my iPhone to deliver messages and track activity. The screen is small and hard to read in bright sunlight or dark conditions. The dive functions work well, but just aren't comparable in readability to my Shearwater Teric or my son's Descent MK2i. I keep the G1 on my BCD near my shoulder, so generally don't refer to it during dives. However, I do use the logging functions and really like the GPS location, which isn't available on my Teric.

I’m happy that I got this. Once I got ideas how to set up, it’s easy to use. I can see screen clearly underwater (It’s important during diving). I still need to play around to get some more futures. But, it’s a nice buddy for me and I can’t leave this now!

I love the Garmin Descent G1 Solar watch. I use it for both SCUBA diving and also other sports, eg hiking, cycling, skiing, standup paddle boarding (SUP), running, gym. Great battery life! For some reason the button press / selection feels a little sluggish (delays by a fraction of a second) compared to my Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar and Garmin Epix (gen 2). But it is only a fraction of a second delay. The dive features and dive logging is an awesome addition with good dive information. The G1 is much more affordable compared to the Mk2i dive watch. Highly recommended!

I bought many month ago, I when diving to El Salvador at the Ilopango volcano, was my first experience with dive watch, since I bought it haven’t take it of of my hand. To do the solar charging is a bit difficult

do not buy. after 13 months (out of REI & Garmin warranty), the battery randomly died and the watch wont recharge. have to buy something else.