Garmin Descent G2 Review - Dive, Fitness & Smart Features Tested

If you’re looking for a dive computer that delivers both exceptional underwater performance and everyday fitness tracking, the Garmin Descent G2 might be the perfect choice. Featuring a vibrant AMOLED display, multiple dive modes (recreational, technical, and freediving), and up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, the G2 is a big leap forward from the monochrome G1. Its upgraded screen makes dive data clearer and navigation more intuitive.

In this review, we’ll dive deeper into the key features and real-world performance of the Descent G2 to help you decide if it’s worth your investment.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Design and Appearance

The Garmin Descent G2 strikes a balance between practicality and style, offering clear upgrades over its predecessor, the G1. Whether for diving or everyday wear, this watch delivers both professional performance and a fashionable look.

Key Upgrades

• Screen Upgrade:Features a 1.2-inch AMOLED color display with 390x390 resolution, replacing the G1’s monochrome MIP screen. The display is clearer and supports touch operation on land.
• Eco-Friendly Materials:The case, bezel, and buttons are made from recycled ocean plastics, paired with a sapphire crystal for scratch resistance and durability.
• Comfortable Wear:With a 45.5mm case and a weight of only 65g, it is lightweight and comfortable for long-term use. Compatible with QuickFit bands for easy style changes.
• Water Resistance: Supports 10ATM (100 meters), suitable for recreational and technical diving.
• Optimized Operation:Combines five physical buttons with touch controls, following the high-end Mk series logic, and remains easy to operate underwater.
• Color Options: Available in black and Paloma pink, catering to both neutral and stylish preferences.

Summary

Compared to the G1, the Descent G2 offers major improvements in screen clarity and smart functionality, while maintaining a lightweight, eco-conscious design suitable for recreational divers and everyday fitness users.

Rating: 9/10

Reason:Comprehensive upgrades in screen and functionality with more intuitive operation, with only slightly limited size options.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Dive Features

For diving enthusiasts, the Garmin Descent G2 is an all-in-one dive computer that combines professional diving, freedive training, and underwater navigation. Whether you’re doing recreational dives, technical dives, or freedive practice, it delivers reliable data and intuitive operation, making every dive safer and more efficient.

Dive Mode Experience

The Descent G2 supports multiple dive modes, including recreational diving, technical diving, multi-gas (single gas, high-oxygen, Trimix), closed-circuit rebreather (CCR), and freediving. Key data such as depth, dive time, ascent/descent rates, and gas consumption are displayed in real time, allowing divers to monitor their dive progress at a glance.

Safety Monitoring & Alerts

The watch automatically triggers decompression stop reminders, depth alerts, and ascent rate warnings. Customizable alarms and vibrations ensure safety during both deep dives and freedive training, helping reduce the risk of diving-related accidents.

Underwater Navigation & GPS

The built-in 3-axis electronic compass provides precise underwater navigation. GPS allows you to mark entry and exit points, making it easy to track dive paths. When paired with SubWave sonar technology or Descent T2 sensors, positioning becomes even more accurate, even in low-visibility conditions. Paired with the Garmin Tides App, you can also access tidal information to plan dives effectively.

Freedive Training Features

The Pool Apnea Mode allows customization of breath-hold duration, target depth, and training plans. It displays critical metrics such as no-decompression limits (NDL) and CNS/OTU in real time, helping improve freedive skills. The large-number display ensures all key information is clearly visible, even for users with poor eyesight or those who need to read data quickly.

Dive Logs & Data Management

All dive data- including maximum depth, dive time, ascent/descent rates, heart rate, and temperature charts- can be automatically recorded and synced with the Garmin Dive App. You can add dive buddy names, dive sites, notes, and even photos for comprehensive dive tracking. GPS also helps mark underwater mooring points, making it easy to navigate back to target locations.

Conclusion

The Descent G2’s dive features are rich, intuitive, and precise. Whether you’re a recreational diver, freedive enthusiast, or technical diver, it provides reliable support and truly excels both in and out of the water.

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason:Comprehensive functionality, excellent safety monitoring, and precise navigation, though advanced technical dive features may be complex for beginners.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Battery Life & Alerts

The Garmin Descent G2 offers robust battery performance and comprehensive alert features, meeting the needs of both diving and everyday use.

• Battery Life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and approximately 27 hours in dive mode (actual duration may vary depending on usage). The rechargeable battery supports both fitness tracking and diving scenarios, easily handling weekend or short diving trips.
• Alert Features:Provides audio and vibration alerts, including approaching no-decompression limits (NDL), maximum dive depth, and ascent/descent rates. Vibration feedback also applies to button operations, ensuring every action is confirmed physically.
• User Experience:Turning off the always-on display extends battery life, and a simple wrist flick quickly illuminates the screen for convenience.
• Comparison with Previous Models:The G1 offers longer battery life (up to 28 days) and a solar-charging option for added flexibility. While the G2 lacks a solar version, its battery performance in smartwatch and dive modes is sufficient for most daily and diving needs.

Rating: 9/10

Reason: Stable battery performance and practical alert features, though the absence of a solar option limits long-term outdoor flexibility.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Health and Fitness Tracking Experience

The Descent G2 is not only a professional dive computer but also a comprehensive health and fitness tracking watch. It provides all-day monitoring of steps, calories burned, floors climbed, and heart rate, giving you a clear view of your daily activity. Combined with blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate variability (HRV), and sleep analysis, you can gain deeper insights into your recovery and stress levels, adjusting your training or rest as needed. For female users, the Descent G2 can track menstrual cycles and pregnancy, offering personalized health and exercise guidance.

Its activity modes are extensive, covering running, cycling, swimming, strength training, yoga, HIIT, and surf tracking, even supporting freediving training. With Garmin Coach’s adaptive training plans, the watch analyzes training load, recovery time, and fitness level, helping users plan workouts more effectively. In real use, I can quickly check morning reports that summarize training readiness, dive readiness, sleep scores, and daily activity, making both daily workouts and dive planning more efficient and manageable.

The Descent G2 seamlessly integrates diving with daily health tracking, not only enhancing safety for dive training but also meeting the everyday fitness needs of multi-sport enthusiasts.

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason:Comprehensive and accurate health and fitness tracking that effectively supports diving and daily training, though the amount of data may be overwhelming for users focused solely on diving.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Garmin Descent G2 vs Leading Market Models

Summary

The Garmin Descent G2 stands out for its versatility, combining professional diving capabilities with comprehensive health, fitness, and smartwatch features.

• All-in-One Functionality:Ideal for users who want both diving and daily activity tracking in a single device.
• Diving-Focused Alternatives: For those mainly focused on professional diving or wireless tank integration, the Mares Sirius and Suunto Ocean may be better suited.
• Technical Diving Specialists:The Shearwater Teric excels in technical diving performance but lacks everyday smartwatch features.
• Value Proposition: Overall, the Descent G2 offers a high-value, versatile option for divers seeking convenience and multi-functionality.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Smart Features

The Garmin Descent G2 is not only a professional dive watch but also a fully featured smartwatch, balancing everyday life and outdoor activity needs.

• Smart Notifications: Receive SMS, calls, and app alerts, ensuring you stay informed even during diving or workouts.
• Payments & Convenience: Supports Garmin Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and NFC transit cards, allowing quick payments with just a wrist raise- ideal for travel and outdoor activities.
• Music & Entertainment: Built-in music storage with Bluetooth headphone support for offline playback, reducing dependence on your phone.
• Navigation & Offline Tools: GPS/GLONASS/Galileo support and offline maps make outdoor adventures easier.
• Safety & Tracking: Can send real-time location in emergencies, providing peace of mind.
• App Expansion: Sync health data and customize watch faces, data fields, and apps via Garmin Connect and Connect IQ Store for extended functionality.

Real Experience:On a recent island diving trip, I relied solely on the Descent G2 to listen to offline music, navigate, receive messages, and even pay for lunch- lightweight and efficient.

Rating: 9/10

Reason:Smart features are comprehensive and practical, catering to both diving and everyday use, though some interactive functions are limited compared to flagship smartwatches.

Garmin Descent G2 Review - Scorecard

Garmin Descent G2 Pros and Cons - All-in-One Dive and Fitness Smartwatch

Pros

• Diverse dive modes: recreational, technical, free diving, Trimix, and CCR.
• Strong safety features: decompression alerts, ascent speed warnings, and gas calculations.
• Durable design: sapphire crystal, robust casing, water resistance over 100m.
• Health and fitness tracking: monitors heart rate, SpO₂, sleep, and supports 100+ activities including running, cycling, swimming, and strength training.
• Long battery life: supports extended use in both smartwatch and dive modes.
• Comprehensive smart features: notifications, music playback, Garmin Pay, full integration with Garmin smartwatch ecosystem.

Cons

• High price: more expensive than standard sports watches and basic dive computers.
• Steep learning curve: advanced dive modes can be complex for beginners.
• Large size: may feel bulky for users with smaller wrists.
• Not ideal for non-divers: some advanced dive functions may go unused.
• Limited screen brightness in deep or low-light conditions.
• No wireless tank integration.
• Shorter battery life in smartwatch mode compared to G1.

Summary & Recommendation

The Garmin Descent G2 is an all-in-one device combining professional diving functions with daily health and fitness tracking. It is ideal for users who want technical dive capabilities, safety monitoring, and a wide range of sports tracking in a single device.

For recreational or technical divers seeking a watch that integrates health and fitness tracking, the G2 offers high value. If your focus is mainly professional diving or wireless tank integration, alternatives like the Mares Sirius or Suunto Ocean may be better suited.

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason: Comprehensive functionality and stable performance, supporting both diving and daily use, though the high price and complexity of advanced dive modes require consideration for new users.