As divers, we’ve been spoiled by the release of some epic new dive watches in the past few months. Technology has advanced way beyond basic dive tracking and, as more of us delve into other active hobbies alongside our beloved diving, the latest dive watches combine advanced dive computer capabilities with all-round sports performance.
At the very forefront of this dive watch innovation are the Suunto Ocean and Garmin Descent Mk3 - two top-of-the-range computers which offer exceptional dive tracking and monitoring alongside everyday style and functionality. If you’re considering upgrading your dive computer, these two watches should certainly be at the forefront of your thinking - but which is the best? To help you pick from the Suunto Ocean vs Garmin Descent, we’ve outlined the standout features of each in this article.
Suunto Ocean: An Overview
Billed as built for the multi-sport enthusiast, the Suunto Ocean looks and feels every bit like a high-end smartwatch. Featuring an impressively clear 50mm AMOLED colour display and an easy-to-use sapphire glass touch screen, it’s certainly a stylish upgrade from any standard dive computer or sports watch.
However, what really makes the Suunto Ocean stand out is the features hidden beneath the surface. This sophisticated dive watch features a huge variety of different sports modes, compatible with your phone, Strava account, Suunto app and more. On the dive side of things, air and Nitrox support are standard and there’s also the option to monitor gas usage in real-time with the addition of the Suunto Tank POD. You can expect the battery life to last for up to 200 hours in training mode, making this an incredibly reliable dive watch for even the busiest users.
Pros:
- Fully functional and versatile sports watch, with 95 different sports modes for all your non-diving hobbies and everyday health tracking.
- Suitable for a range of diving, with single and multi-gas dive modes and air and nitrox support.
- Offers all of the information you need at your fingertips, with in-dive GPS, accurate weather tracking and storm alarms.
Cons:
- Bulkier than an everyday smartwatch, which may limit how much you want to take advantage of the Ocean’s general everyday sports watch capabilities.
- A huge array of functions can take some time to master and may be unnecessary for users looking for dive capabilities first and foremost.
Garmin Descent Mk3: An Overview
The Ocean’s biggest rival is undoubtedly Garmin Descent Mk3, Garmin’s popular entry into the dive watch/sports watch hybrid market. This advanced device is available in two different iterations: the slightly more basic Mk3 and the seriously sophisticated Mk3i with integrated pressure monitoring compatibility. With the Descent Mk3i, Garmin has even included the ability to communicate between devices up to 30m depth, along with modes for nitrox, gauge, apnea and closed-circuit rebreather.
Those accustomed to using a standard Garmin sports watch for running or activity tracking will find the new Descent incredibly easy to use, with all of the smartphone and Garmin App compatibility you’d expect from the brand.
Pros:
- Choice of models depending on your preferences and dive computer capability requirements.
- Sophisticated ‘Dive Readiness’ tool which offers health and wellbeing insights to help you better understand when you are diving at your best.
- Great customisation options, including the ability to add additional screens depending on the types of dives you embark on the most.
Cons:
- Advanced transmitter features and the ability to track up to 8 divers only available in the more expensive Mk3i model.
- High initial cost. You’ll want to be a very frequent diver to ensure you get the most out of your investment in this dive watch, particularly if you’re choosing the Mk3i model with T2 Transmitter.
The Verdict: Which Is The Best Dive Watch?
Ultimately, deciding between the Suunto Ocean vs Garmin Descent depends on your personal preferences. Both have the stylistic appearance of an everyday sports watch, but it’s the Suunto Ocean that lends itself slightly more towards the everyday user than the Garmin Descent Mk3.
The different iterations of the Mk3, including the incredible Mk3i combined with T2 transmitter, make the Descent arguably more suitable for the more advanced diver, but this isn’t to say that the Ocean isn’t up to scratch on more technical dives. After all, both can effortlessly handle demanding depths, with reliable battery life and multiple gas support modes.
Having tried and tested both the Ocean and the Descent ourselves, we’d be more than happy to talk you through your options as you decide which is the best dive watch for you. Get in touch with us today and we’ll help you upgrade your dive experience with a new and advanced, multi-functional dive watch.