Garmin · Updated July 2026
Garmin Descent G1: price, specs & release date
The Garmin Descent G1 costs $549.99, #6 cheapest of 10 dive computers (median $519). It earns a Gold Deskmark — 44/100 pay-blind standing, #2 of 7 in class.
Verified Jul 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Full native dive functionality built in, and cheaper than an Apple Watch Ultra.
- Skip if Post-dive reboots observed during his own diving with the watch is a dealbreaker.
Garmin Descent G1, released 2022-03. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: garmin.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Garmin Descent G1 a good buy?
At $550, the Garmin Descent G1 is #6 cheapest of the 10 dive computers we track, where the median is $519. On the spec sheet, its battery life dive hrs of 25 is the lowest of the 6, its weight grams of 61 is the lowest of the 5, and its max depth rating of 100 m is at the median of the 10.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 1 outlet has it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Garmin Descent G1
No whitelisted outlet published a full lab-tested Descent G1 review; the only genuine hands-on signal comes from DC Rainmaker (Ray Maker), who has a number of dives logged on the G1 in his long-term testing queue. In an Apple Watch Ultra comparison aside plus his own follow-up comments, he flagged post-dive reboots and firmware/feature updates lagging behind the Instinct 2 line the G1 shares a codebase with, while noting its native dive tools cost less than an Apple Watch Ultra.
Tested by DC Rainmaker
Consistently praised
- Full native dive functionality built in, and cheaper than an Apple Watch Ultra
Commonly flagged
- Post-dive reboots observed during his own diving with the watch
- Firmware and feature updates lag behind the Instinct 2 line it shares a codebase with
Where reviewers disagree Only one whitelisted tester (DC Rainmaker) has any hands-on G1 content, and it is a comparison aside plus follow-up comments inside an Apple Watch Ultra article, not a standalone review, so no cross-source agreement can be assessed. Integrity note verified against the source: the frequently quoted 'about 50% of my dives the watch has rebooted' line is from a reader comment (Neil Jones), NOT from DC Rainmaker, and is not attributed to the tester here.
The sources (1)
the Descent G1 is cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra ($799), and of course has all the native dive stuff built-in
the Instinct 2 series has had massive feature updates this summer, but the Descent G1 hasn't gotten those yet
Also notable that you're still seeing post-dive reboot. I saw that back this past spring as well, but haven't dived with it this summer.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $549.99 US suggested retail price $549.99. Garmin press release (2 March 2022): "The Descent G1 and Descent G1 Solar are available now suggested retail prices of $549.99 and $649.99 respectively." Backscatter retailer lists "Price $549.99" for SKU gr-010-02604-00 (base, non-solar Descent G1). $549.99 is specific to the base G1 (the $649.99 figure is the Descent G1 Solar). |
|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin |
| Released | 2022-03 |
| Algorithm | Bühlmann ZHL-16C |
| Max depth rating (m) | 100 |
| Display type | — |
| Display size (in) | — |
| Air integration | No |
| Gas mixes | — |
| Dive modes | — |
| Digital compass | Yes |
| Battery type | rechargeable |
| Battery life dive hrs | 25 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Weight grams | 61 |
Source: garmin.com (verified 2026-07-11) · corroborated by backscatter.com. The official Garmin press release (dated 2 March 2022) identifies the Descent G1 as a distinct model priced at $549.99 (versus $649.99 for the Descent G1 Solar) and states it is water-rated to 10 ATM (100 meters), carries a rechargeable battery rated up to 25 hours in dive mode, and includes a 3-axis digital compass with multiple dive modes (air/nitrox/trimix/100% O2, gauge, apnea, apnea hunt, CCR). The Backscatter retailer page (SKU gr-010-02604-00, "Price $549.99") confirms the base non-solar G1 identity and supplies the detailed spec sheet: "Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors", 100 m / 330 ft operating depth, 61 g weight, monochrome display, rechargeable clip-charger battery (up to 25 h dive mode), and companion-app sync ("Sync dive log to Garmin Dive Mobile app: Yes"). The $549.99 price matches verbatim across both pages and is tied to the non-solar Descent G1 rather than the Solar variant.
Is the Garmin Descent G1 worth it vs cheaper dive computers?
Garmin Descent G1 against its closest cheaper and pricier dive computers on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 10 ranked →
| Product | Price | Algorithm | Max depth rating (m) | Air integration | Digital compass | Battery type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Descent G1 this | $549.99 | Bühlmann ZHL-16C | 100 | No | Yes | rechargeable |
| Aqualung i330R | $489 | ZHL-16C Sport Version | 100 | No | No | rechargeable |
| Shearwater Peregrine | $580 | Buhlmann ZHL-16C | 120 | No | No | rechargeable |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Garmin Descent G1?
No whitelisted outlet published a full lab-tested Descent G1 review; the only genuine hands-on signal comes from DC Rainmaker (Ray Maker), who has a number of dives logged on the G1 in his long-term testing queue. In an Apple Watch Ultra comparison aside plus his own follow-up comments, he flagged post-dive reboots and firmware/feature updates lagging behind the Instinct 2 line the G1 shares a codebase with, while noting its native dive tools cost less than an Apple Watch Ultra. Praised: Full native dive functionality built in, and cheaper than an Apple Watch Ultra. Flagged: Post-dive reboots observed during his own diving with the watch; Firmware and feature updates lag behind the Instinct 2 line it shares a codebase with. (From 1 tester review, 1 lab-tested.)
How much does the Garmin Descent G1 cost?
The Garmin Descent G1 has a US price of $549.99 (US suggested retail price $549.99. Garmin press release (2 March 2022): "The Descent G1 and Descent G1 Solar are available now suggested retail prices of $549.99 and $649.99 respectively." Backscatter retailer lists "Price $549.99" for SKU gr-010-02604-00 (base, non-solar Descent G1). $549.99 is specific to the base G1 (the $649.99 figure is the Descent G1 Solar).), as of 2026-07-11.
How does the Garmin Descent G1 compare on price?
At $550, the Garmin Descent G1 is #6 cheapest of the 10 dive computers we track, where the median is $519.
When was the Garmin Descent G1 released?
The Garmin Descent G1 was released 2022-03.
What are the Garmin Descent G1's key specs?
Garmin Descent G1 (Garmin): algorithm Bühlmann ZHL-16C, maxDepthRatingM 100, airIntegration No, digitalCompass Yes, batteryType rechargeable. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.
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Step up
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