Review on ✈️ Unlock the Skies: Garmin D2 Air - The Ultimate GPS Smartwatch for Aviators by David Flores

Garmin product shows promise but fails terribly in testing. I love Garmin products and have been looking forward to buying the D2 for years, but couldn't stand Garmin's higher prices. I liked this watch so I decided to buy it. My reasons for buying this watch were emergency and backup navigation, a backup altimeter, and a wrist-based heart rate monitor. Everything looked fine on the floor, but the first time I operated the watch, the flaws became apparent. The heart rate monitor was difficult to use and required me to be very still to get a reading. Even flying a light aircraft in still air was difficult for him, apparently due to the natural vibrations of the engine and airframe (see image from the Garmin reference materials). This defeats its purpose of being a pilot's watch. He also gave me testimonies so scattered that I didn't believe him. It was difficult for him to fix the satellites on the plane. I understand they need a good view of the sky but then again this is a flight clock which by default means they are in the cockpit. If it's just an open cockpit watch, then Garmin should claim that. Once fixed the navigation worked fine when I had time to enter my waypoint etc but the menu is very unwieldy if you are in an emergency scenario which was another premise of my purchase. The altimeter was excellent - no complaints about anything. It connected to my phone via Bluetooth and adjusted perfectly to the local barometric pressure and very close to the aircraft's instruments. You did it right. Other issues include the following, but I'd survive if I got better scores in all three areas above: - The software is unwieldy - It's too easy to quit the app during an accidental flight; Cannot return to widgets during in-app flight. Too many different apps are required to set up and use the watch. Garmin world. I was a Garmin Pilot backer and was happy with that, but the USAF chose ForeFlight and all my W&B information is preloaded into it, so I dropped Garmin Pilot. I know Garmin wants to link their products but you guys have to try to compete in other ways as it's not sustainable for you. I think your profitability would increase if products like watches could be chosen more freely. To be clear - I'm not returning it for this reason. I would take it, but you can do better. If Garmin is reading this, let me help you design and test this watch in the real world. I also want a watch that works and I'm willing to pay for it, but please let's do it right. There's no need to fiddle with it any further.