Jiří Filip When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Ultra to the world in September, it apparently left no one in doubt that this product is not aimed at ordinary users, but primarily at athletes, adventurers, divers and generally everyone who will use their advanced functions. And precisely with professional divers from Divers Direct we managed to agree on the fact that they will try the watch for us and then describe how the user, for whom the watch is said to be intended, perceives it from their point of view. You can read their impressions below.
The Apple Watch Ultra has been a hot topic among divers since the beginning. We've been waiting a long time for the Oceanic+ diving app, which finally turned the watch into a full-fledged dive computer, not just a depth gauge for snorkeling. The app is out there and the watch actually works underwater without any problems.
Thanks to their parameters, the Apple Watch Ultra is intended for recreational divers for no-decompression dives up to a maximum depth of 40 meters. They have a beautifully bright display, simple operation, basic functions and settings. In a lot of things, they defy the established order, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Apple often changes the world with controversial decisions. But diving can hit hard.
They monitor all basic data and do not allow to make a mistake
A diving watch has the underwater task of monitoring your depth, dive time, temperature, ascent rate and monitoring decompression limits. The Apple Watch Ultra also has a compass and can handle diving with air or nitrox.
Alarms that you can set yourself are also useful. The watch can notify you of the chosen depth, the reached dive length, the decompression limit or the temperature. When the set limit is exceeded, a warning will appear at the bottom of the screen, and in case of a more serious violation of the limit of depth, exit speed or decompression, the screen will flash red and the watch will vibrate strongly to the wrist.
Controlling under and above water using the crown requires strong nerves
You switch between screens with different data by turning the crown. But sometimes it's a game of nerves. The crown is very sensitive and does not always react the same under water. In addition, you can turn it by mistake during normal hand movement, communication with a buddy or just by moving your wrist. Fortunately, you usually do not switch between vital data, depth and time to decompression do not change on the display. The touch screen or other gestures do not work underwater.
Without a paid app, you only have a depth gauge
Apple Watch Ultra is presented as an outdoor watch for rugged runners and divers. But without the paid Oceanic+ app, they only function as a depth gauge and are therefore useless for scuba divers. It is for this that they receive the most criticism. You can pay for the application for CZK 25 per day, CZK 269 per month or CZK 3 per year. That's not a lot of money.
When you choose not to pay for the app, the Apple Watch works either as a depth gauge or as a basic freediving computer in snorkel mode.
Battery life can't compete yet
The Apple Watch generally does not last long on a single charge, and its Ultra version is unfortunately no better. Three dives in reasonably warm water will probably last. With less than 18% battery, it won't let you turn on the diving app anymore. If you are already under water, they remain in dive mode.
Four dives a day are no exception on a diving holiday, so at that rate you would have to recharge the Apple Watch Ultra at least a little during the day.
Beginners or occasional divers are plenty
The Apple Watch Ultra can do everything you need as a beginner or purely recreational diver. The watch will fulfill its purpose, whether you are just thinking about scuba diving, or you already have a basic course and dive occasionally on vacation. Those who want to devote more time to diving, make deeper dives or go on diving holidays, will not be thrilled with the Apple Watch mainly because of the battery life and the paid application. For those who find other uses for the Apple Watch Ultra, the diving functions will pleasantly complement their capabilities.
I'm going to do a bob
And they are not pennies