Garmin Descent G1 Solar Dive Computer

A dive computer tracks the actual depth and time profile you have dived and the tissue loading that follows from it, which is personal to you. A rented computer has no record of your recent diving, and swapping models each trip means relearning the display and menus when you should be focused on the dive. Owning one you know well is a genuine safety and comfort improvement.

No. A computer only tracks the profile of the diver actually wearing it, and even buddies who stay together do not follow identical depth and time profiles. Every diver needs their own computer, and passing one between divers or between dives is unsafe.

Conservatism settings make the computer's calculations more cautious, shortening allowed bottom times and adding margin beyond the base algorithm. Divers commonly add conservatism for factors such as cold, hard work, fatigue, or repetitive multi-day diving. How and when to adjust it is covered by your training and your computer's manual, so set it before you get in the water and follow what your computer tells you during the dive.

Broadly there are two types: user-replaceable batteries, often a coin cell that you or a shop swap along with resealing an o-ring, and sealed rechargeable batteries that charge from a cable or dock. Neither is universally better, as replaceable cells are convenient on remote trips while rechargeables avoid ever opening the case. Follow the manual exactly for any battery change, because an improperly seated o-ring or case is the usual cause of a flooded computer.

Yes, both change the picture, and both are governed by your training agency's guidance and your computer's instructions rather than any casual rule of thumb. Many computers have an altitude setting that must be configured before diving at elevation, and most display a no-fly or surface-interval countdown after a dive. Follow your computer and your training, and ask a dive professional or a dive-medicine specialist if you are unsure.

Rinse it in fresh water after every dive day, paying attention to the buttons and around any sensor openings where salt crystals form, and let it dry fully before storing. Keep it out of prolonged direct sun and extreme heat, and avoid pressing buttons while sand is on the case. Inspect the strap or bungee often, because a failed strap loses far more computers than a failed computer does.

A wrist computer is worn like a watch and read by raising your arm, while a console computer sits at the end of a hose with your other gauges. Air integration means the computer also displays cylinder pressure, either through a hose or from a wireless transmitter on the first stage, and often estimates remaining gas time. All of them run a decompression algorithm, so the real difference is where you read the information and how much of it you get.

Both share the same 45.5 mm case, 100 meter water rating, dive modes and up to 25 hours of dive mode battery. The Solar version adds a Power Sapphire solar charging lens, which extends smartwatch mode from up to 21 days to up to 4 months, GPS mode from up to 26 hours to up to 39 hours, and makes expedition GPS mode unlimited with daily sun exposure. The non-solar model is offered in Powder Gray and Slate Gray; Solar comes in Black and Ocean Edition Azure.

Garmin's quoted solar battery figures assume all-day wear with about 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions. Under those conditions smartwatch mode extends to up to 4 months and battery saver watch mode becomes unlimited. The GPS figures of up to 39 hours and up to 205 hours in max battery GPS mode assume use in 50,000 lux light. Less sun simply means the watch leans more on its stored charge.

The standard silicone QuickFit band fits 128 to 224 mm wrists and the included extra-long strap covers 128 to 373 mm, using 22 mm QuickFit bands.

The Descent G1 Solar Ocean Edition shares the same dive features, 100 meter water rating and solar charging as the Black Solar model. Its difference is construction and color: it is made with recycled ocean-bound plastics and comes in the Azure colorway, with SKU 010-02604-04. All dive modes, the 3-axis compass, 200-dive log and Garmin Dive app support are identical.