Well, it’s called the Garmin DESCENT but it’s basically the FENIX in all but name.
It is tested a bit more heavily and built even more robustly than the Fenix 5X.
Target Market
Even at $1,000, Garmin target recreational, technical and free diving.
Key Dive Features
- Auto-activation on submersion
- Dive metrics: current depth, dive time, water temperature, ascent/descent rate, no-deco time, decompression stop information, battery life and more on the unit’s crisp 1.2” color display.
- Gas conservatism settings
- 6x supported gas mixtures (Nitrox, Trimix, 100%O2)
- Underwater compass
- Tilt-compensated 3-axis electronic compass keeps bearing regardless of movement
- Screen locks to avoid unintended presses
Detailed Diving Features |
|
| Dive activity maximum operating depth | 100 meters (Designed to comply with EN13319) |
|---|---|
| Single-gas mode | Yes |
| Multi-gas mode | Yes |
| Gauge mode | Yes |
| APNEA mode | Yes |
| APNEA hunt mode | Yes |
| Decompression model | Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors |
| Nitrox support | Yes |
| Trimix support | Yes |
| Gas mixes | Air, nitrox and trimix, up to 100% O2; 1 bottom gas, and up to 5 deco and/or backup gases |
| P02 | Up to 1.6 with customizable deco PO2 setting |
| Auto start/end dive | Yes |
| Custom end-dive timeout | Sim (20 s a 10 m) |
| Safety Stop | yes (customizable off/3min/5min) |
| Deep Stops | yes (using custom gradient factors) |
| Customizable conservatism | yes (low/medium/high or custom using gradient factors) |
| Dive ascent/descent rate indicator | Yes |
| Automatic altitude adjustment | Yes |
| No fly time | yes (with 24hr countdown) |
| Dive planner | yes (basic NDL + multi-gas deco planner) |
| Backlight | yes (configurable time and intensity; auto-on at depth) |
| Automatically saves dive entry and exit locations | Yes |
| Sync dive log to Garmin Connect™ and Garmin Connect™ Mobile | Yes |
| Alerts & alarms | Audible and vibration alarms for ascent rate, PO2, CNS/OTU, NDL, deco, gas switching. Customizable (up to 40) audible and/or vibration per dive mode, based on depth or time |
| 3-axis dive compass | yes (with adjustable heading, quick change to 90R, 90L and reciprocal). Indicates degrees and direction back to set heading |
| Missed Deco Lockout | yes (can be disabled prior to dive with user acknowledgement) |
| Residual Tissue Loading Reset | yes (on the surface with user acknowledgement) |
| Surface diver status widget | yes (surface interval, N2/HE loading, CNS, OTU and tissue compartment status) |
Source: Garmin.com
Related reading in the Garmin Forerunner 955 Review
Last Updated on 17 January 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.
Never ever would I or will I dive with a Grrmin. For easy dives (PADI Open water) no one needs a computer like that – a simple ZOOP is perfectly fine/reliable.
For “advanced dives” (multiple dives, mixed gas, gas switching, oxygen, fair/solid amount of deco time) you need something you really rock solid – Petrel/Perdix, OSTC+/2/4 are good choices.
For dive guides (DM, Instructor) a D4i/D6i is plenty enough – and reliable.