Garmin today introduced D2 Bravo, the second generation of its D2 pilot watch that debuted in 2013. New features in the Bravo edition include altitude alerts, with preset alerts for altitudes requiring supplemental oxygen, and easy access to current aviation weather information. The new watch has a slimmer design, faster GPS fixes and longer battery life than the original version. It also can be connected to your smartphone. Aviation routine weather reports (METARs) can be displayed on the face of D2 Bravo in plain language and are color-coded to indicate visual or instrument meteorological conditions. The watch will be available in July and sells for $699, the company said.
Other features include exclusive direct-to and nearest airport functions, complete with a worldwide airport database. Pilots can quickly navigate direct-to airports and create Mark on Target waypoints for easy navigation to customized locations. Similar to Garmin portables, customizable data fields display GPS ground speed, GPS track, distance, altitude, estimated time en route, bearing, glide ratio and more. Other D2 Bravo features include an altimeter with an adjustable barometric setting, compass with an HSI, moving map display, and simultaneous display of date and Zulu/UTC time. Information such as speed, altitude and time en route are recorded and stored for each flight. D2 Bravo also features the option to set up vibrating alerts as a reminder to perform time-sensitive operations such as switching fuel tanks while in flight.
