Watch Mode — What It Is and Why It Matters
Watch mode is a function on wrist-mounted dive computers that displays the current time, date, and sometimes additional features like a daily alarm, stopwatch, or dual time zone when the device is not in dive mode. This allows divers to wear their dive computer as an everyday timepiece between dives.
Premium dive computers from Garmin (Descent series), Suunto, and Shearwater Tern blur the line between dive computer and smartwatch, offering fitness tracking, notifications, GPS, and other lifestyle features in watch mode. Budget dive computers typically offer only basic time display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a dive computer as my only watch?
Absolutely. Many modern dive computers are designed for daily wear with watch mode features. Garmin's Descent series and Suunto models are popular choices for divers who want one device for diving and everyday use.
Does watch mode drain the battery?
Watch mode uses very little power compared to active dive mode. A dive computer in watch mode can run for weeks or months on a single charge or battery, depending on the model and whether features like Bluetooth are active.
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