Garmin Descent G1: Affordable Dive Computer That Doubles as a Smartwatch

I’ve been seeing the Garmin Descent G1 on the wrists of newer divers and dive professionals looking for something more affordable than Garmin’s premium Mk series. At $500, it sits at a price point that makes sense for recreational divers who want a solid dive computer that also works as an everyday smartwatch. The G1 offers the core functionality you need underwater without the premium features that drive up the cost of higher-end models. What makes the Descent G1 dive computer appealing is simple—you get Garmin’s proven dive algorithms and smartwatch capabilities in one package for half the price of their Mk series computers. For divers who want GPS tracking, comprehensive dive logging, and fitness tracking when topside, the G1 delivers these essentials without air integration or a color screen.

What’s Included

The Garmin Descent G1 comes with a silicone strap, USB charging cable, and quick start manual. The computer weighs 61g and measures 45 x 45 x 15mm, making it compact enough for everyday wear. The 1.27-inch monochrome display uses a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with adjustable backlight. Five buttons handle all navigation—no touchscreen underwater. The rechargeable battery delivers up to 25 hours in dive mode. Garmin rates the G1 to 100m (330 feet), which covers recreational diving and light technical work. The fiber-reinforced polymer case keeps weight down while maintaining durability. Garmin offers the G1 in several colors, with a Solar version available that extends battery life through solar charging when worn outside.

Using It Underwater

Display

The monochrome screen is smaller and simpler than color displays on premium dive computers, but it’s very readable in bright sunlight and at depth. The two-window design shows primary dive data in the main screen with secondary information in a smaller window above. You can customize which data appears where, and there’s a ‘Big Numbers Mode’ that enlarges critical information like depth and time. Many divers I know appreciate the high contrast in all lighting conditions. The backlight is bright enough for night diving without being distracting. It’s not as flashy as a color AMOLED screen, but for actual underwater readability, the G1’s display performs well.

Dive Modes

The G1 supports single gas (air/nitrox), multi-gas dives including trimix up to 100% O2, gauge mode, apnea, apnea hunt, and closed-circuit rebreather modes. This covers everything from basic recreational diving through technical trimix diving and freediving. The Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with adjustable gradient factors is the same one used by Shearwater and other technical computers. You can program up to three gases for open circuit diving. Common feedback from technical instructors is that the G1 has the algorithmic capability for advanced diving even though it’s positioned as a recreational computer. Gas switching is straightforward with the button interface.

No Air Integration

The G1 does not support wireless air integration—no tank pressure monitoring on your wrist. This is the main trade-off for the lower price point. You’ll need a separate pressure gauge or use your dive computer’s AI transmitter with a console. For many recreational divers, this isn’t a dealbreaker since checking a gauge clip is second nature. Technical divers doing complex gas switches might miss the convenience of integrated pressure monitoring. If air integration is essential to you, you’ll need to look at the Descent Mk series or other brands.

Navigation Features

The 3-axis compass works well for basic underwater navigation. The G1 automatically marks your entry and exit points using GPS when you surface, which is genuinely useful for boat diving and finding your way back to specific sites. You can save favorite dive locations and search for dive sites worldwide in the Garmin Dive app. The GPS acquisition is quick, and being able to see exactly where you started and ended your dive adds useful context to your logbook. This feature alone makes the G1 valuable for dive sites without obvious landmarks or when diving from boats.

Battery Life

The rechargeable battery lasts up to 25 hours in dive mode, which covers a full week of recreational diving easily. In smartwatch mode, you get about 21 days without solar charging. The Solar version extends this significantly—up to four months in smartwatch mode with regular sun exposure. Charging takes a few hours with the included USB cable. Divers on extended trips appreciate not having to charge daily. The battery performance is reliable, though some users report it decreases after the first year of heavy use. For typical recreational diving schedules, you’ll charge it between dive trips rather than daily.

Dive Logging

The G1 stores up to 200 dives on the watch itself, with detailed dive profiles that upload automatically to the Garmin Dive app via Bluetooth. The app shows your depth profile, temperature, GPS location, and all dive parameters. You can add notes, photos, and share dives with other divers. The integration with Garmin’s ecosystem means your dive data syncs with other fitness and health metrics if you use other Garmin products. Many pros report that students appreciate seeing their dive profiles immediately after the dive for review and learning.

Smartwatch Features

Beyond diving, the G1 functions as a full-featured smartwatch. It tracks running, cycling, swimming, hiking, and 30+ other activities. Heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring work reliably. Smart notifications show texts and calls on your wrist. Garmin Pay lets you make contactless payments. The fitness tracking features are genuinely comprehensive—VO2 max estimates, recovery time, training load, and more. For divers who want one watch for diving, training, and daily wear, the G1 delivers. It’s bulkier than a typical fitness watch but comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Value Comparison

At $500, the Descent G1 competes against the Shearwater Peregrine ($580) and sits below the Suunto EON Core ($699). Against the Peregrine, the G1 offers GPS and comprehensive smartwatch features but gives up air integration and the Peregrine’s color screen. The Peregrine is purpose-built for diving, while the G1 splits focus between diving and daily wear. The Suunto EON Core offers a color screen and air integration capability but costs $200 more. The G1 makes sense for divers who want a capable dive computer that also serves as their primary fitness watch. If you only care about diving performance, the Peregrine might be better value. For divers who want GPS tracking, fitness metrics, and smartphone integration alongside solid dive computer functionality, the G1’s price point is compelling.

Our Take

The Garmin Descent G1’s main strengths are versatility and value. You get a legitimate dive computer with technical capabilities and comprehensive smartwatch features for $500. The GPS entry/exit marking is genuinely useful. The monochrome display is highly readable despite not being as impressive as color screens. The main limitations are no air integration and a smaller screen compared to premium computers. It’s best for recreational divers who want one watch for diving and daily life, newer divers building their first complete gear setup, and active people who appreciate having fitness tracking integrated with their dive computer. Skip it if you need air integration, if you want the largest possible screen, or if you only care about dive-specific features without smartwatch functionality.

Final Recommendation

Buy the Garmin Descent G1 if you’re a recreational diver who wants a solid dive computer that doubles as a capable smartwatch for daily wear. It’s an excellent choice for newer divers who appreciate having fitness tracking, GPS, and smartphone integration alongside dive computer functionality. The technical dive modes mean you won’t outgrow it as your diving advances. Active people who run, bike, swim, and dive will appreciate having one watch that handles everything. At $500, it delivers strong value for the feature set. Skip this computer if you need air integration—that’s the deal-breaker for divers who rely on integrated tank pressure monitoring. Also look elsewhere if you prefer a large color screen or if you want a pure dive computer without smartwatch features adding complexity. The Shearwater Peregrine offers better dive-focused functionality for $80 more. The Descent G1 succeeds when you value the versatility of having a dive computer and smartwatch combined in one affordable package.