Garmin Descent Mk3i
Technical dive computer with 200m depth rating, AMOLED display, and SubWave sonar
Where to Buy
€1239 / $1399Prices and availability are subject to change. We may earn commission from these links.
Overview
The Garmin Descent Mk3i is a 200m-rated technical dive computer featuring SubWave 2.0 sonar, 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen, and Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm. Designed for CCR, trimix, and multi-gas diving with air integration via T2 transceiver, it combines titanium construction with smartwatch functionality.
Technical Specifications
Physical Specs
| Case Size (mm) | 43 x 43 x 14.15 mm |
| Weight (g) | 68.3 |
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Bezel Material | DLC-coated titanium |
| Lens Material | Sapphire crystal |
| Back Material | Titanium |
| Strap Material | QuickFit 20mm silicone |
| Water Resistance Rating | 20 ATM (EN13319) |
Display
| Type | AMOLED touchscreen |
| Size (inches) | 1.2 |
| Resolution (pixels) | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 |
| Features | Sapphire crystal, auto-backlight |
Hardware
| Chipset | Garmin Proprietary |
| Storage | 32GB |
Battery
| Smartwatch Mode | Up to 10 days (4 days Always-On) |
| Typical Use | Up to 10 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 28 hours |
| Dive Mode | Up to 30 hours (15 hours with air integration) |
| Expedition Mode | Up to 10 days |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Diving - General Info
| EN 13319 Certified | Yes |
| Max Operational Depth Metres | 200 |
Diving - Scuba Features
| Supported | Yes |
| Dive Modes | CCR, Multi-Gas (12 mixes), Trimix |
| Decompression Model | Bühlmann ZHL-16C with Gradient Factors |
| Gas Mixes Supported | Air, Nitrox (5-100% O₂), Trimix |
| Max PO2 (bar) | 2 |
| Air Integration | Yes |
| Dive Log Capacity | 200 dives |
| Safety Features | Ascent Rate Alerts, No-Fly Timer, Dive Readiness Analytics, Dive2Dive messaging |
| Dive Computer Functionality | Built-in full-featured dive computer |
| Limitations | Air integration requires T2 transmitter |
Diving - Freedive Features
| Supported | Yes |
| Max Depth (m) | 200 |
| Modes | Apnea Hunt, Pool Apnea, DYN, DYNB, DNF, STA, CNF, CWT, CWTB, FIM, VWT, NLT |
| Depth Tracking Accuracy | ±0.1m |
| Auto Depth Tracking | Yes |
| Surface Interval Tracking | Yes |
| Safety Alerts | Customizable depth thresholds |
Smart Features
| Operating System | Garmin OS |
| Health Monitoring Summary | Pulse Ox, Wrist HR (underwater capable), Sleep Score, Dive Readiness |
| Activity Tracking Summary | 150+ sports modes, ClimbPro, Heat/Acclimation Metrics |
| Smart Functions | Garmin Pay, Smart Notifications, InReach compatibility |
| Payment System | Garmin Pay |
| Music Storage And Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | No |
| Emergency Features | Incident Detection, LiveTrack |
| Navigation Features Summary | TOPO maps, TracBack, Tide/Surf Data, Preloaded dive maps, Dual-frequency GNSS |
| Other Notable Features | ANT+ connectivity |
Max Depth: 200m
EN13319 Certified: Yes
Pros
- SubWave 2.0 enables underwater diver messaging
- 200m depth rating with ±0.1m accuracy
- Titanium DLC bezel & sapphire crystal
- Supports 12 gas mixes + CCR
- Dual-frequency GPS & 32GB storage
Cons
- T2 transmitter required for air integration (€499 extra)
- Complex menu system for casual users
- High price point (€1,449.99)
- 51mm version required for built-in flashlight