Garmin Descent G1 Solar Dive Review - Jack of All Trades, Master of None
As a recreational diver, everything you need and nothing you don’t.
My Thoughts:
I picked up the Garmin Descent G1 mostly out of curiosity. I’d been logging dives manually and using a basic computer for years, but I wanted something that could do a little more without feeling like I was strapping a mini tablet to my wrist. More than anything, I wanted a daily driver - something I could wear to the gym, to work, and into the water without swapping gear or worrying about durability. The G1 looked simple enough, and after a few dives, I realized it was exactly what I needed: no frills, just solid performance and useful features that actually fit into my dive life.
One of the first things I noticed was how intuitive it felt underwater. The screen isn’t flashy, but it’s clear - even in low visibility and the layout makes sense. There’s a “big numbers” screen option, which is great for divers who want maximum readability or have trouble seeing smaller text underwater. Personally, I prefer the layout with the active compass - it gives me a sense of orientation that’s especially helpful on drift dives or when I’m navigating unfamiliar terrain. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in how I interact with the watch mid-dive. Also note the watch will automatically begin your dive when it senses you’ve breached the surface. During the dive, the G1 vibrates gently to alert you to things like ascent rate violations or approaching your no-deco limit. It’s subtle but effective. If you ascend too quickly, it’ll let you know. If you’re doing a safety stop, the watch will automatically start a countdown once you reach the right depth. You can also manually start a stop if needed. Once underwater, the G1 automatically starts logging your dive. The default screen shows your depth, dive time, and no-deco limit. You can scroll through other screens using the buttons. After surfacing, the G1 logs your dive automatically and saves it to the watch. You can sync it with Garmin Connect via Bluetooth to view your dive profile, GPS entry/exit points, and other metrics like heart rate and temperature. I usually review my dives later that evening and add notes to my log. It’s a smooth process and makes trip documentation for Florida Dive Log way easier.
The G1 uses the Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm, which is solid and trusted, but I did find the factory settings a bit too conservative for my dive style. After a few dives, I adjusted the conservatism level to better match my comfort zone and dive profiles. You can also customize pre-dive metrics like gas mix and whether you’re diving in salt or fresh water, which helps accuracy of metrics and is a nice touch for Florida divers who bounce between springs and the coast. You can also choose your dive mode: Single Gas, Multi-Gas, Gauge, Apnea, or Apnea Hunt. I usually stick with Single Gas for recreational dives, but switching to Nitrox is easy- just hit the settings icon before starting the dive and adjust your gas mix. These settings are sticky, so once you dial them in, you won’t need to adjust them every time. It’s not trying to be a tech diver’s dream machine, but for recreational and advanced divers, it covers everything you actually need.
The GPS feature surprised me. I didn’t think I’d use it much, but it’s become one of my favorite things about the watch. After surfacing, I can mark my location and later match it to my dive log, which is especially helpful when I’m exploring new sites or cataloguing trips for the blog. It’s also great for surface swims - knowing where I started and ended up adds a layer of awareness I didn’t have before. Battery life hasn’t been an issue either; I’ve done full dive days without worrying about it dying on me.
Outside of diving, the G1 has quietly become part of my daily routine. I wear it to the gym, track sleep, and check my heart rate before early morning dives. It’s not trying to be a lifestyle gadget, but it does enough to be useful without feeling like overkill. I like that it blends into my day without demanding attention—just a solid piece of gear that works when I need it.
Health and fitness tracking:
Wrist-based heart rate (24/7)
Pulse Ox (spot-check, sleep, all-day)
Respiration rate
Body Battery™ energy monitor
Stress tracking
Sleep score & insights
Fitness age
Health snapshot
Hydration & women’s health tracking (via Garmin Connect)
Smart Features:
Bluetooth® and ANT+® connectivity
Smart notifications
Calendar, weather, sunrise/sunset
Text response/reject call (Android only)
Connect IQ™ support (watch faces, widgets, apps)
Environmental Tolerances:
Operating Temp: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Underwater Temp Range: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Charging Temp (USB): 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Charging Temp (Solar): 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F)
