Garmin has introduced Descent X10, a $349.99 wrist dive computer with a backlit, 2.1-inch display for checking depth, time and oxygen levels underwater. It is available now, with Garmin rating its rechargeable battery for up to 50 hours of dive time between charges. Dive schools and rental operators also get a rental mode that lets them configure the computer for a diver’s skill level and reset it between customers.
The screen stays on continuously and combines large lettering with high contrast, which Garmin says helps divers read it both underwater and in bright sunlight aboard a boat. Descent X10 carries a 10 ATM dive rating and supports gauge diving alongside scuba and apnea modes. Garmin also puts battery endurance in standby at up to six months, compared with the up to 50 hours specified for diving.
Read more: Garmin Adds inReach and 1.4-Inch Screens to MARQ Watches
With NDL Aware depth metrics, divers can check in real time how moving to a different depth would affect their no-decompression limit. Garmin says that information can help them extend their time at the bottom. For people carrying a backup computer, settings can be synchronized between compatible Descent devices, allowing them to share a setup across multiple computers.
Pairing Descent X10 with the Garmin Dive App gives users a way to rehearse before getting in the water. The device simulator lets them practice complete dives and work through scenarios using the computer. After a dive, the Garmin Dive smartphone app supports automatic log uploads, location tagging and records of how much their gear has been used.
A silicone band comes with the computer and is sized to fit over a wetsuit, while QuickFit bands are optional accessories. Replaceable plastic bezel guards are also sold separately, so the customization accessories are additional purchases beyond the computer’s $349.99 suggested retail price. Garmin says the guards provide another protective layer and let owners change the device’s appearance between dives.
The guard colors include Aqua and Purple Iris, giving rental operators a visual aid for keeping track of their computers. Garmin is targeting charter operators as well as shops and schools with the rental setup tools. The company says recycled ocean-bound plastics account for all material used in the housing and bezel.
