Garmin Descent MK3i

EcoDive NW recently received its first shipment of the new Garmin Descent MK3i 51mm.   I completed my first dives with it in Hood Canal just north of Hoodsport, WA.   Those familiar with the area know it is known for its beautiful marine life including the giant pacific octopus and wolffish/wolf eel.  It is not, however, known for its crystal clear waters and light penetration.  I love the look of the Garmin Descent MK3i watch/computer and all of its functionality BUT my concern was, as a 56 year old diver, would be able to read it well at depth given our diving conditions and my “older” eyes? My daily dive computer is also a “high end” wrist -mount with a very nice, large, colored screen and has quite a bit of functionality.  I was excited to add the MK3 as an everyday wear AND was hoping it would be a good Pacific Northwest cold water dive computer.  With the MK3 on one wrist and my traditional wrist mount on the other, I did several dives for a side by side comparison.  To my excitement, the Garmin Descent MK3 was easier to read throughout the dive at both shallow and deeper depths and in visibility ranging from 20 feet in the darkness below the halocline and one foot of visibility in the turbid surface water.  The colored readout that includes tank pressure and more data and functionality than you can imagine performed flawlessly throughout the diving weekend.  I will continue to test it in all of the conditions I can throw at it but am very comfortable in saying that it lives up to all of its hype AND its price tag.

Click here to read all of the specs on the Garmin MK3i.  They are pretty impressive!

The package I tested included:

• Garmin Descent MK3i

• Transceiver

• Bungee wrist mount

Picture credit given to Tallon Lamoreaux taken last week diving in Hawaii with his new Garmin Descent MK3.