Garmin Unveils Descent X30: Affordable, Large-Format Dive Computer
Garmin has just made advanced diving tech more accessible with the launch of the Descent X30. It’s a rugged dive computer designed for divers who need core dive data without an uber-premium price tag. Still, it’s not cheap by any means and retails in the UK at £649.99. At that level, it perhaps can still be classed as a budget-friendly entrant in Garmin’s Descent lineup. Standout new features include a massive, vibrant display made from eco-conscious materials, and its robust features make it ideal for recreational explorers, nitrox enthusiasts, and even trimix adventurers.
Dive Info
Marking your dive site with GPS? Tracking decompression in real time? X30 aims to keep you informed and safe beneath the waves.
A Display for the Depths
The standout 2.4-inch colour display is large enough to deliver critical info at a glance, even in low-visibility conditions. Naturally, Garmin lets divers customise screens with up to three large data fields per page, showing everything from depth and ascent predictions to gas switches and buddy locations.
Its flip-screen mode lets you place the dive computer so that it feels natural on you, with buttons positioned on top for ease of use. And those buttons? Four oversized, leakproof metal ones that are glove-friendly and built to withstand the pressure of 10 ATM (100 meters) dives.
size is important but so are the smarts. The X30’s dynamic depth chart visualizes your dive history on the fly, helping understand how your profile impacts decompression planning.
When paired with NDL-aware depth metrics, it calculates in real time how small adjustments in depth can extend your no-decompression limit (NDL), giving you more bottom time without the guesswork.
Eco-Friendly – is it needed?
Garmin claims a commitment to sustainability. 100% of the plastic in the X30’s housing and bezel comes from recycled ocean-bound materials, turning potential ocean trash into a tool for ocean lovers. The device fits a novel, hinged silicone dive band that works well over wetsuits and is compatible with standard 26mm QuickFit bands, including a bungee mount for quick swaps.
Battery life is impressive enough at up to 30 hours per dive.
An onboard water thermometer helps pinpoint thermoclines, while surface interval tracking optimises multi-dive days by monitoring off-gassing. For navigation, surface GPS marks entry and exit points with advanced satellite connectivity, and a 3-axis digital compass guides you underwater. Audible and vibration alerts, from low-air warnings to ascent reminders, keep you aware of your complete environment.
Features for Every Dive Profile
The X30 supports a wide array of dive types, including single- and multi-gas setups with trimix compatibility—perfect for technical divers stepping up to the more complex stuff. When paired with Garmin’s T-series transmitter, it integrates air monitoring to track tank pressure and consumption rates, plus buddy tracking to keep tabs on your group within range.
Then there are the preloaded DiveView maps, which add a further layer of utility, offering bathymetric contours and thousands of dive site locations for pre-dive planning.
Post-dive, there’s the Garmin Dive app. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it syncs logs automatically, letting you review data, share adventures, and analyse performance on your phone.
For those needing extra safety, optional inReach connectivity (with a satellite subscription) allows SOS triggering above the surface when paired with an inReach device and dive case.
Take Out: A Smarter Entry Point
Compared to Garmin’s higher-end Descent X50i (£1,329.99), the X30 strips away high-end features like built-in air integration but retains core essentials in what Garmin would call a more approachable package. Whilst it’s certainly not top-of-the-range, it’s still a step up from the Descent G2 (£589.99), set apart by its larger screen and enhanced metrics. X30 is positioned at a sweet spot for divers seeking a good value+feature combo. There is further scope to expand versatility with accessories like the QuickFit bands (£44.99) or the inReach Mini 2 (£289.99).
Available in the UK for £649.99 and $749.99 in the USA. Check out the Amazon links and official Garmin buying links below.
More Info
- Official Garmin product page for the X30
- Garmin X30 owner’s manual
- Garmin Dive Science
- Garmin Wireless Air integration (not included)
- Garmin Descent G2 – Info
- Why Dive with SubWave – an included higher-end feature?
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It does not appear to support subwave sonar Air Integration, at least its not mentioned on the website.
According to Garmin:
“Add a Descent T2 transceiver for air integration and SubWave messaging features.”
hi mark, yes i will clarify that. I didn’t say it was included but when mentioning the feature I guess it wasn’t unreasonable to assume it was included without clarification. Hopefully I’ve now clarified it needs an extra bit!
Yea, when I saw the form factor I assumed it had AI, but it actually doesn’t say anywhere on the website that it does.
That explains why its so much cheaper and it doesn’t have the “i” on the end of the model, which should be a dead giveaway, LOL.