Descent™ X50i, Premium Dive Computer, Air Integration

I bought this for a recent dive trip and did an extensive amount of research before going with this Brand / Model. I know Shearwater are pretty strong in the wireless market, but there were several features that Garmin offered that made me select the Descent X50i.I liked the GPS integration and the ability to automatically capture your location at the start and end of the dives. While we can’t use GPS under water, it does show you the topographical map view of the area which is nice to see.One of the main features that sold me was the ability to create custom data screens. I use Garmin computers for cycling and they have that ability as well. I created several custom layouts (1 for general diving, 1 for when I’m ascending, 1 for environmental conditions) and they all worked well.The size and clarity of the screen is excellent. I need reading glasses on land and have been looking for a solution for reading standard computers / gauges while diving. I didn’t want to use the stick on magnifiers. The display was clear and readable through all my dives. The numbers are bright and crisp.Some additional notes on concerns I had:Battery Life: I did 4 dives (2 AM / 2 PM) each lasting about 45 mins and at the end of the day the battery was at 57%. I’m using the Air Integration with the T2 transmitter and in between dives I had the computer on and was monitoring my off gassing. I brought a power bank just in case but didn’t need it. I would’ve been fine if there was a 5th dive. Some people may want it to last longer, but I don’t have an issue with charging overnight. I already do that with my phone. It would bother me if it didn’t last through a day of diving, but that’s not a problem.SubWave (Sonar) Noise: I read a lot about the sound that the SubWave makes. I didn’t hear anything and neither did the rest of my group. I thought maybe it was due to my age, but everyone else is in their 20’s and no one heard anything. I even had the T2 Transmitter power turned up one level from the standard to make sure I didn’t have connection issues and still didn’t hear anything.T2 Connection: I was testing the set up in a pool prior to our trip to make sure everything worked correctly and became concerned because the connection would drop and I kept losing the Air Pressure data. I came close to returning the unit thinking it was a defect, but luckily decided to call Garmin Support first. They were VERY helpful and explained that the unit uses Bluetooth above water and Sonar under water. When you initially enter the water, the unit will switch over to Sonar mode but it waits until you’re around 10 feet under. The pool I was using to test was only 8 feet deep so it never made the switch and would lose the bluetooth connection within that time. Garmin assured me that it would be fine once I was in deeper water and it was. Everything worked perfectly. My last concern was that I’d lose the connection again when I was ascending and at a safety stop, but Garmin said that once it’s in Sonar mode it should remain there until I surface. They were right. I did 4 safety stops at depths from 20-12 feet and never lost connection.Overall I’m extremely happy with the Descent X50i. It did everything I expected it to do and the seamless integration with the Garmin Dive app was just like I’m used to with their other products. I’m looking forward to others in my group getting one so we can monitor each other’s air and depth.Wireless Connection:

Great dive computer

I own the Garmin Mk3i, M2ki, and this x50i. THe battery lasts for a good four to five dives in a day, have to charge it at night. Someone on here said otherwise and might be a one off, but no reputable dive computer would fail after one dive.Second, as to the chirp. That can be turned off or down. Basically the type of connection used is different from the other connections. After a few dives, you won't notice the chirp -- no one does.Brightness is pretty bright and large for the screen display.As to the transmitter and cost - yes, they are expensive. So is everything else. Welcome to adult toys (not sure why someone else complained about this).This does have limited texting but you are underwater!This has fully intigrated features for recreational diving and can be used for tech diving. Though the shearwater is better for tech diving.Downside. Just expensive.

Per the manual “battery type: rechargeable, built-in lithium ion battery”Same issue with their GPSs and watches: you end up captive to the battery service life, exacerbated by the fact many divers will put their equipment to rest for a full winter season, degrading the battery life quicker. While lithium ion does retain charge better than other battery chemistries over time, the fact this has no serviceable battery is a major red flag, and why I will stick to my Perdix (and Garmin descent as backup). I do like however their interface, expanded greatly over the more limited one available on their Descent dive watch.

Wow, expensive and basically useless for a real diver.Extremely low battery life. After a single dive, on high brightness the battery is super low.This would NOT function for a tech dive.CCR functionality, but a battery that can't support the dive.Loud chirp of the transmitter makes it very annoying. (sold separate for the price of your first born)message texts don't allow user set messages. Only very very basic messages which hand signals easily cover.the integrated flashlight is about as useful as a wet cigarette (if you're into that sort of thing).Get a shearwater instead.

It's the brand of quality