While most people will probably know Garmin from its wide selection of fitness trackers and smartwatches, it should be said that the company pushes a lot of R&D towards different fields, such as with its GPS equipment and other wearables which are catered to more specific usage. Take for example its new D2 Air X15 and D2 Mach 2 watches, which are designed for pilots.
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Garmin says that both devices are equipped with advanced aviation, health, and fitness features, in addition to bright touchscreen displays, built-in speakers and microphones. They also feature avionics connectivity, voice commands, and an aviation-centric “morning report” to start the day. What else is there to expect though?
First up is the D2 Air X15, which comes with a rather premium design and hardware components. There’s an AMOLED display that’s protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and is wrapped within a 45mm case, powered by a battery that on paper can last for up to 10 days with regular use. As it is designed for aviation, the X15’s watch face can change colours to match current flight conditions based on airport weather reports, and pilots with a PlaneSync-equipped aircraft can also use the watch to check their aircraft’s status, including fuel, electrical, and location information. Priced starting at around 650 bucks, the D2 Air X15 also comes with a new built-in LED flashlight that offers multiple white light intensities and a red light for nighttime flight operations.
Meanwhile, the D2 Mach 2 offers a more rugged design and graphical interface, with longer battery endurance as well—Garmin says that it can last up to 26 days in smartwatch mode. It also features a sunlight-readable AMOLED display under sapphire glass, in addition to leakproof buttons and a new sensor guard. The Mach 2 includes the most advanced aviation maps to date on a Garmin pilot watch, with detailed topography, colour-coded airspace, and the ability to quickly zoom into runways to view positioning.
Additionally, pilots can track their flight path with a live track log displayed on the map, and there’s also a new feature which allows users to set up personal minimums tolerances for critical weather conditions including crosswind, ceiling, and visibility. The watch can monitor weather against these personalised limits, and can also send alerts if a threshold is crossed. As it is a Garmin watch, the D2 Mach 2 also supports recreational diving activities with a 40m dive rating, and a single-gas scuba dive activity.
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In terms of pricing, the D2 Mach 2 is a lot more expensive compared to the X15, and is available in two sizes with a 47mm option starting at $1,349.99 and a 51mm option starting at $1,499.99. Both watch models are now available via Garmin’s official website.
