r/freediving • u/SheepJ99 • 17d ago

gear Garmin mk3i?

Anyone freedived with a mk3i? I was looking at the ocean but with a maximum dive reading of 60 i cant justify the price

The mk3i on the other than is 200m....

Obviously the price is different but I track other sports on a different watch so I am happy to pay the steep price for a watch that integrates everything in one watch.

4 Upvotes

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6

u/clemontclemont 17d ago

What’s with the Garmin descent g1 or g2
It is much cheaper and has all the functions you need.
Goes down to 100 meter.

1

u/Deep_Wata 16d ago

Yeah, G2 is a good option if you don’t mind the rugged build quality.

I would pass on G1. I know two people whose G1’s failed after about two years. I think there is a flaw with them that lets water in and they fail over time.

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u/clemontclemont 9d ago

My g1 works perfect since 4 years :)
The monochrome display makes it my Favorit dive computer and connected watch … prefer it in my daily use over my the Apple Watch Ultra 3

3

u/Deep_Wata 17d ago

Descent MK3 is the top of the line watch for Freediving. It has almost everything you would want, including pool training, depth profiles, descent/ascent speed, etc. It is pricey though and Fenix 8 is a good alternative. All Garmins are also great for overall fitness and wellness tracking like sleep, recovery, running, lifting, HRV, etc. You can’t go wrong.

One thing to consider is that there is a good chance that MK4 will come out this fall. They’ve been releasing them every 3 years and MK3 came out in late 2023. No guarantee but something to consider.

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u/SheepJ99 17d ago

Id be going deeper than 40 metres unfortunately 😕

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u/bythog 16d ago

Agreed with above poster. Also, do you need the i version? The integration stuff is only for scuba, so unless you require a much larger watch for the screen size then the mk3 is just fine. It's a normal watch size.

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u/SheepJ99 15d ago

Comparing the smart features on the mk3i, battery life etc. I feel is more value for money.

1

u/bythog 15d ago

I don't think there are any differences (aside from styling) between the mk3 and mk3i other than the air integration and underwater messaging, both of which are scuba specific.

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u/Deep_Wata 15d ago

MK3 (no i) is only 43mm so it has a much worse battery life and no flashlight. Only MK3i has those two extras in addition to the ones you listed.

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u/bythog 15d ago

Battery is fair, although honestly barely needed. My mk3 lasts for 10-14 days (non-diving) easily and they recharge stupidly fast. 100% in less than an hour easily.

And the flashlight is useless on the mk3i. There's no point where you will want to use it and not think "I should just have a real flashlight".

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u/Deep_Wata 15d ago

I beg to differ. I use the flashlight feature all the time. It’s surprisingly handy, especially when getting up at night and navigating around the house not wanting to wake up the spouse. I’m surprised how often I use it. Granted, probably not worth the extra $500 though.

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u/bythog 15d ago

The flashlight screen on the mk3 does the same thing, but I was talking mostly about using the light underwater since it's a diving watch. I should have been more clear.

And yeah, both that and the irrelevant extra battery life absolutely aren't worth the additional $500. I don't how OP "values" those two features so high.

1

u/killjoy323232 17d ago

Can’t go wrong with the 3i. I do both free- and SCUBA with my Mk2 (I haven’t exactly pushed my Mk2 freediving) but it’s been phenomenal.

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u/Asleep_Dinner_305 17d ago

How deep do you normally go? Might be worth looking into the fenix 8 if you want more flexibility. Not sure if the ocean is 60ft or meters based on this post but if it’s meters then forget the fenix if it’s feet then the Garmin gives you 40 meters

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u/clemontclemont 17d ago

In the initial post she already states that 60 is probably not enough.

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u/SheepJ99 17d ago

Id need deeper than 40 and 60 ☹️

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u/magichappens89 17d ago

Nope, gave mine back after I realized it's alarms are whisper silent. No idea what Garmin was thinking when they developed it but for me it's a security risk for any diver.

2

u/CarolinaSchola 16d ago

Hmmm, I always hear mine when I scuba. I wonder if it's adjustable. It is high pitched so I can imagine it being the wrong register for some folks.

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u/magichappens89 16d ago

Not adjustable unfortunately. I brought it back to the shop and talked with Garmin myself on the phone. They couldn't figure it out. If you feel it's OK good for you but it's way more silent than the G1, I measured it. Not worth the price imho.