The Suunto Ocean, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Garmin Descent MK2i offer options for divers of all levels, from the Suunto’s simplicity and affordability for recreational divers to Garmin’s advanced features, GPS navigation, and multi-sport capabilities for technical and adventurous users.

Editor’s Choice

The Garmin Descent MK3i is the Editor’s Choice for its unmatched combination of advanced dive features, multi-sport functionality, and premium design. With air integration, GPS navigation, and a vibrant full-color AMOLED display, it excels in both technical diving and everyday use, making it the ultimate all-in-one dive computer.

Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (4.9/5)

Image	Product	Ratings	Price
	Suunto Ocean	★★★★☆ (4.4/5)	Click for Best Price
	Garmin Descent MK2i	★★★★★ (4.8/5)	Click for Best Price
	Garmin Descent MK3i	★★★★★ (4.9/5)	Click for Best Price

Introduction

Choosing between the Suunto Ocean, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Garmin Descent MK2i comes down to balancing simplicity, advanced features, and versatility. The Suunto Ocean is a durable and affordable dive computer ideal for recreational divers, offering essential dive modes and a straightforward interface.

In contrast, the Garmin Descent MK3i and MK2i represent the pinnacle of dive computer technology, with full-color AMOLED displays, advanced air integration, GPS navigation, and multi-sport functionality. While the MK3i offers the latest upgrades in navigation and user experience, the MK2i remains a robust option for technical divers and adventurers seeking exceptional performance.

Whether you prioritize simplicity, technical features, or multi-sport capabilities, this comparison will help you choose the perfect dive computer for your underwater adventures.

Design and Build

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean is designed with durability and simplicity in mind. Its rugged composite body and scratch-resistant mineral glass lens ensure reliable performance for recreational diving. The lightweight and compact design make it a practical choice for divers seeking a straightforward and travel-friendly option.

• Materials: Composite case, mineral glass lens.
• Depth Rating: 100 meters (330 feet).
• Weight: Lightweight and easy to wear for extended periods.
• Best For: Recreational divers prioritizing durability and simplicity in a no-frills design.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i combines premium materials with a sleek, smartwatch-inspired design. The titanium bezel and sapphire crystal lens offer exceptional durability, while its compact form factor makes it comfortable for everyday wear. The full-color AMOLED display adds a modern touch, ensuring the device looks as good as it performs.

• Materials: Titanium bezel, sapphire crystal lens, silicone strap.
• Depth Rating: 100 meters (330 feet).
• Weight: Lightweight but sturdy, ideal for daily use and diving.
• Best For: Technical divers and adventurers seeking a stylish, durable, and versatile dive computer.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i shares much of the same premium construction as the MK3i, with a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal lens. It features a slightly larger design, providing a bold, rugged appearance that caters to technical divers. Despite its size, it maintains comfort for multi-day wear.

• Materials: Titanium bezel, sapphire crystal lens, interchangeable straps.
• Depth Rating: 100 meters (330 feet).
• Weight: Slightly heavier than the MK3i, emphasizing durability.
• Best For: Technical divers who need robust build quality and comprehensive features for demanding dives.

Display and Readability

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean features a monochrome, high-contrast LCD display designed for clarity and simplicity. Its large digits and clean layout ensure that essential dive data is easily readable underwater, even in low-visibility conditions. The addition of a backlight enhances usability for night dives or darker environments.

• Display Type: Monochrome LCD.
• Readability: High-contrast, bold digits for easy reading.
• Backlight: Adjustable for low-light or night diving.
• Best For: Recreational divers who prioritize simplicity and clear data presentation.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i boasts a vibrant full-color AMOLED display, offering exceptional brightness and readability. The customizable interface allows divers to prioritize key metrics, tailoring the display to their preferences. With anti-glare technology, the MK3i ensures clear visibility in a range of lighting conditions, both underwater and on land.

• Display Type: Full-color AMOLED.
• Readability: Customizable layouts with excellent contrast and anti-glare properties.
• Backlight: Automatically adjusts brightness for optimal visibility.
• Best For: Technical divers and multi-sport users who value advanced readability and customization.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i features the same full-color AMOLED display as the MK3i, providing vivid visuals and sharp contrast. Like its successor, the MK2i allows full customization of the screen layout, ensuring divers can focus on their most critical data. The display is slightly larger than the MK3i, offering a bolder look while maintaining exceptional clarity.

• Display Type: Full-color AMOLED.
• Readability: Bright, sharp, and customizable, with excellent visibility in all conditions.
• Backlight: Adaptive brightness for enhanced usability.
• Best For: Divers seeking a larger, bold display with maximum customization.

Features and Functionality

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean focuses on essential dive functionality, making it ideal for recreational divers who need simplicity and reliability. It supports key dive modes and includes safety alarms to ensure a safe underwater experience.

• Dive Modes: Air, Nitrox (21–50%), and Gauge.
• Safety Features: Audible and visual alarms for ascent rate, decompression, and oxygen toxicity.
• Logbook Capacity: Stores up to 75 hours of dive data.
• Battery: User-replaceable CR2450 with approximately 1 year of use or 100 dives.
• Best For: Recreational divers who need essential features without advanced technical capabilities.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i is packed with advanced features for technical diving, navigation, and fitness tracking. Its air integration and multi-sport functionality make it a versatile choice for both underwater and topside adventures.

• Dive Modes: Air, Nitrox, Trimix, CCR, Freediving, and Gauge.
• Air Integration: Supports multiple tank monitoring with the Garmin T1 transmitter.
• Navigation: GPS with surface mapping and entry/exit point tracking.
• Multi-Sport Features: Fitness tracking, cycling, running, and swimming metrics.
• Battery: Rechargeable with up to 80 hours in dive mode.
• Best For: Technical divers and adventurers seeking a comprehensive, multi-functional device.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i offers a feature set similar to the MK3i, making it a powerful tool for technical and recreational divers. While it lacks some of the latest upgrades found in the MK3i, it delivers exceptional functionality and performance.

• Dive Modes: Air, Nitrox, Trimix, CCR, Freediving, and Gauge.
• Air Integration: Supports multi-tank pressure monitoring via the Garmin T1 transmitter.
• Navigation: Full GPS with surface mapping and route tracking.
• Multi-Sport Features: Includes fitness metrics and smartwatch capabilities.
• Battery: Rechargeable with up to 80 hours in dive mode.
• Best For: Divers who need robust technical and navigation features with multi-sport functionality.

Ease of Use

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean is highly user-friendly, featuring a straightforward menu system and button navigation tailored for recreational divers. Its large, high-contrast display and pre-configured dive modes minimize setup time and ensure an effortless diving experience.

• Interface: Simple button navigation.
• Setup: Pre-configured modes for quick and easy operation.
• Learning Curve: Minimal, making it ideal for beginner and recreational divers.
• Best For: Divers prioritizing simplicity and ease of operation.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i combines a touchscreen and button interface, offering intuitive operation for both underwater and topside use. The customizable layouts and menus may require an initial learning curve, but they allow divers to personalize the device to their preferences.

• Interface: Touchscreen and five-button navigation for flexibility.
• Customization: Highly configurable displays and settings.
• Learning Curve: Moderate, as advanced features may require some familiarization.
• Best For: Technical divers and multi-sport enthusiasts who appreciate customization and advanced functionality.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i features the same touchscreen and button interface as the MK3i, ensuring intuitive operation across its comprehensive feature set. Its large display and customizable layouts enhance usability, though its advanced capabilities may feel overwhelming to novice users.

• Interface: Touchscreen and button navigation.
• Customization: Full control over display and settings.
• Learning Curve: Moderate to steep, depending on the user’s familiarity with advanced dive computers.
• Best For: Divers needing a balance of customization and intuitive operation for technical and multi-sport use.

Battery Performance

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean uses a user-replaceable CR2450 lithium coin-cell battery, offering dependable power for recreational diving trips. While it lacks rechargeable functionality, its long battery life and simple replacement process make it suitable for low-maintenance divers.

• Battery Type: CR2450 user-replaceable battery.
• Battery Life: Approx. 1 year or 100 dives.
• Strengths: Low maintenance, easy to replace without professional assistance.
• Limitations: Non-rechargeable, so it requires periodic replacements.
• Best For: Recreational divers prioritizing simplicity and long intervals between battery changes.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery designed for extended use. It provides up to 80 hours in dive mode, ensuring reliability for multi-day dive trips. The device also offers impressive smartwatch battery life, making it suitable for everyday wear.

• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion.
• Battery Life:
  • Up to 80 hours in dive mode.
  • Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode.
• Strengths: Long-lasting battery, quick charging, and dual-purpose use.
• Limitations: Requires access to charging facilities during extended trips.
• Best For: Technical divers and multi-sport users needing a reliable and rechargeable power source.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i shares the same rechargeable battery system as the MK3i, offering extended dive mode and smartwatch functionality. Its robust battery life ensures reliability for extended diving expeditions and everyday use, similar to its successor.

• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion.
• Battery Life:
  • Up to 80 hours in dive mode.
  • Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode.
• Strengths: Long-lasting battery, versatile for diving and everyday activities.
• Limitations: Requires charging access during long trips.
• Best For: Divers looking for advanced features and reliable battery performance.

Value for Money

Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean provides excellent value for recreational divers, offering essential dive features, durable construction, and user-friendly operation at an affordable price. While it lacks advanced capabilities like air integration and GPS, its simplicity and reliability make it a cost-effective choice for beginner and intermediate divers.

• Strengths: Affordable, durable, and easy to use.
• Limitations: Limited features; lacks air integration, GPS, and rechargeable functionality.
• Best For: Recreational divers on a budget who value simplicity and durability.

Garmin Descent MK3i
The Garmin Descent MK3i is a premium dive computer that justifies its higher price with advanced features like air integration, GPS navigation, and multi-sport tracking. Its versatility as a dive and smartwatch makes it a worthwhile investment for divers who want a high-performance, all-in-one device.

• Strengths: Comprehensive features, multi-sport capability, GPS, and air integration.
• Limitations: High price point; advanced features may be excessive for recreational-only divers.
• Best For: Technical divers and adventurers who value cutting-edge features and versatility.

Garmin Descent MK2i
The Garmin Descent MK2i offers robust functionality comparable to the MK3i, making it a strong contender for value. While it may lack the latest upgrades of the MK3i, it remains an excellent choice for divers who need air integration, GPS, and multi-sport functionality without paying a premium for the newest model.

• Strengths: Advanced features, reliable performance, and slightly lower cost than the MK3i.
• Limitations: Bulkier design and fewer upgrades compared to its successor.
• Best For: Divers seeking premium features at a slightly reduced cost compared to the MK3i.

Pros and Cons

Suunto Ocean

Garmin Descent MK3i

Garmin Descent MK2i

Overall Rating

Overall Rating: Suunto Ocean vs. Garmin Descent MK3i vs. Garmin Descent MK2i

Final Scores

• Suunto Ocean: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5) – A durable, user-friendly dive computer offering excellent value for recreational divers.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: ★★★★★ (4.9/5) – A premium, multi-functional dive computer with advanced features for technical diving and multi-sport adventures.
• Garmin Descent MK2i: ★★★★★ (4.8/5) – A powerful and versatile dive computer for advanced divers, with slightly fewer upgrades than the MK3i.

Best For

• Suunto Ocean: Best for recreational divers seeking a reliable, affordable, and simple dive computer.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Best for technical divers and adventurers needing cutting-edge features and multi-sport functionality.
• Garmin Descent MK2i: Best for advanced divers seeking premium features at a slightly reduced cost compared to the MK3i.