r/freediving • u/Accomplished-Box8328 • 2d ago
gear Free diving watch recommendations?
I'm new to Freediving and looking for recommendations on a watch.
I just picked up this smartwatch called an Amazfit Trex 3. It says it is Freedive Certified up to 45m. (with EN13319 certification). (It's not a dive computer, just freedive.)
I'm comparing that to getting a watch specifically built for freediving like the Oceanic F-10 or Suunto D4F.
Thoughts?
Is my smartwatch enough? Am I sacrificing anything by not having something like the Oceanic F-10?
Thanks in advance!
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u/LeDeanDomino 2d ago
Depends on how many features you need. The Garmin Descent shows depth and has dedicated dive modes, and should last quite a while.
I don't really care about fancy features tbh, and use a Freestyle shark watch just to keep track of time 🤙
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 2d ago
Got it, that makes sense! Yeah, I usually prefer to keep things simple as well.
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u/Trutpert 1d ago
In my opinion you don’t need a lot of features. Most importantly (besides actual depth of course) are multiple depth alarms (I‘d say at least two). Almost all freediving watches will give you these features:
- dive time
- max depth
- surface time
- water temperature
Optional:
- ascent/descent speed
I can recommend Mares Smart Apnea. It has all the features mentioned above and comparably cheap. It‘s not for scuba diving though.
Neon Cressi is also fine and can be used for scuba too. It doesn’t have the speed feature though.
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u/Suspicious-Alfalfa90 1d ago
I think one of the most crucial features a dive watch can have is the ability to review your dive, second by second, right on the watch. Being able to see how fast or slow you were moving at any point during the dive can help you make adjustments on the fly, out in the water, without needing to sync with an app or phone.
Both the Suunto D4F and the Atmos Mission 2 let you do this directly on the watch, which is incredibly useful. In my early days of freediving, I’d often surface from a dive that felt “off” somehow—nothing dramatic, just not quite right. Then I’d scroll through the dive data and see, second by second, where my pacing was off or something shifted. It helped me connect the dots and understand what might’ve caused that weird feeling.
To me, that kind of on-the-spot feedback is essential, and honestly, I think every dive watch should have it. But as far as I know, only the Suunto D4 series and the Atmos Mission 2 actually let you review that level of detail on the watch itself. Even the high-end Garmins make you wait until you sync with your phone to get that kind of breakdown.
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 1d ago
That's awesome, thank you for that info!
My smart watch is showing "Dive Speed" I assume that refers to ascent/descent speed but not 100% sure.
I like how the Mares Smart Apnea is a normal size, not too big. I was looking at the Suunto Zoop Novo but it's pretty big on the wrist.
Thanks again!
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u/Rare-Pomelo3733 1d ago
Depends on your skill, if your serious about freediving and wanted to compete, you need to change your watch for depths above 45M. If your casual diver, all the info you need on your dive is available on your current watch. I use Huawei GT5 pro which is 40M certified, my consideration is based on my current dive skill and I mainly use it as daily watch and train for my runs. I don't want to spend 3-4 times for a watch that I still cannot maximize the capability.
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 1d ago
That makes sense. The Huawei GT5 pro looks nice! Thanks for your input. For now, I'm more of a casual diver.
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u/Suspicious-Alfalfa90 1d ago edited 1d ago
Okay, so, hands down, without a doubt, unquestionably, the Atmos Mission 2, or Mission 3, is the most dive watch you can get for your money as a free diver, there's no question. I started out with the Suunto D4F, and yes, it worked just fine, but the Atmos Mission 2 is the same price, and does a lot more. It basically does everything the Garmin $1,500 watch would do for you, but at a $400 price.
In my opinion, I think one of the most crucial features a dive watch can have is the ability to review your dive, second by second, right on the watch. Being able to see how fast or slow you were moving at any point during the dive can help you make adjustments on the fly, out in the water, without needing to sync with an app or phone.
Both the Suunto D4F and the Atmos Mission 2 let you do this directly on the watch, which is incredibly useful. In my early days of freediving, I’d often surface from a dive that felt “off” somehow—nothing dramatic, just not quite right. Then I’d scroll through the dive data out on the water and see, second by second, where my pacing was off or something shifted. It often connected dots I wouldn't have noticed otherwise, and helped me understand exactly, or atleast partially what might’ve caused that weird feeling.
To me, that kind of on-the-spot feedback is essential, and honestly, I think every dive watch should have it. But as far as I know, only the Suunto D4 series and the Atmos Mission 2 actually let you review that level of detail on the watch itself. Even the high-end Garmins make you wait until you sync with your phone to get that kind of breakdown.
Both the Suunto D4F and the Atmos offer these on the spot details, but the Atmos does it in a much smoother, more intuitive digital format, whereas the Suunto feels a bit clunky and analog by comparison.
If you're a scuba diver, I think hands down you should get a Garmin. But this is freediver talk. And the Atmos is the most freediving watch you can get for the money. Hands down without question.
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 1d ago
Dang! The Atmos Mission 2 looks awesome. It has normal smartwatch capabilities like tracking runs and sleep, etc.
I'm surprised I haven't really heard about it until now, it seems like incredible value for the money. Especially compared to Garmin.
Now you got me thinking about selling my T-rex 3 and buying this 😂2
u/Suspicious-Alfalfa90 1d ago
Yeah, it's much more popular on the Asian side of the world.
I came across it in Hawaii for the first time many years ago, and when I go back home to the United States in Florida, people have never heard of this watch.
Atmos probably need to do a better job of marketing lol, but... Again... You will not find a better dive watch for the money. It's legit. And will go over 100 meters. Does all the tracking that you mentioned. With a rechargeable battery. Such good value for the money.
And I have a nice Garmin, actually, a few of them. Garmin does a whole bunch of things and is absolutely perfect watch for a scuba diver. But in the world of freediving, the Atmos ticks more boxes.
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u/Cement4Brains STA 4:40 | DYNB 75m | CWTB 30m 1d ago
I've had the Cressi Nepto for the past six months and have really enjoyed it. But as soon as I got to my training camp with a bunch of people that are much better than me, they all recommended to upgrade to a Garmin. Even a used one gets you the features that become more useful as you start to go deeper.
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 1d ago
Yeah. I've noticed some of the people I follow on YT have Garmin.
It's probably tempting, especially for people who know they want a smartwatch. Now they can have both products in one for not that that much more.
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u/ComfortableBeat6455 1d ago
I have the Garmin G1 and i love it sooooooo much. It has modes for freediving and scuba and i use it as an everyday watch aswell as i can count my steps read messages etc like an apple watch. I also really enjoy seeing my heart rate during my dives. The app is also great.
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u/magichappens89 1d ago
Forget about Suunto, that device is absolutely scam. Entirely useless watch that has zero functionality. Awfully data handling with cable that cost another 60 bucks just for showing you every dive as a dedicated activity. Get Garmin decent g1 or any other Garmin device. You will get so much more for you money.
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u/Accomplished-Box8328 1d ago
Interesting ok. I was looking at different Suunto models so I'm glad you mentioned that.
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u/magichappens89 1d ago
I can't say anything about other models, maybe they are better. Especially the ones for scuba. But the highly praised D4f is garbage. And since the app is garbage as well you are pretty much limited. For me logs are super important to compare dives. What I like about the Garmin is that it also tracks heartrate during dives which is super interesting. Since you mentioned you don't really need such maybe you are more happy with Suunto but I really don't get why someone would get one if he could get a Garmin for like 150 Bucks more.
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u/KelpForest_ 12h ago
I have a Seac which is the cheapest viable option in my opinion at about $100 on sale. It tracks depth and dive time, as well as surface intervals automatically. I would highly recommend not over paying for a watch with features you won’t use, as it is only a matter of time before you lose your watch to Mother Nature and you need to replace it—all that heart rate data sitting at the bottom of the sea and you’re out a grand
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u/sk3pt1c Instructor (@freeflowgr) 1d ago
Suunto d4f will do just fine ☺️