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Problem with the loading cable

I received my 5x yesterday. Unfortunately I have problems with the loading cable. The connection to the PC is not stable and need to bend the cable slightly at the connector to the watch. Has anyone have similar problems?
Garmin Support will send a new cable and i hope it solves the problem and there is no defect at the connector of the watch.
By the way I am not very happy with the new design of the connector as dirt will get in there quite easy. A plastic cap would be nice to cover it.
All the best
wolf

0 Tangmu over 8 years ago

I just got a replacement 5x for a barometer problem. It has an intermittent data connection when connected with the cable. No problem with charging, but the data connection cuts in and out unless I push against the connector at the watch end.

This is with both the new cable and old cable.

My previous 5x, which I still have, does not have a problem with either cable.

So the issue is with the connector on the watch, and not the cable. I'll be getting another RMA for this one, and crossing my fingers I can get one where everything works. I went through this several times on my Fenix 3 (not cable connection, but other issues where the new one had different problems than the one returned).

Both watches are on 2.90 (the new replacement came with 2.5 and updated to 2.9 over Bluetooth). My PC is Windows 10.

I'll summarize: Original 5x with either of two USB cables maintains a solid data connection with the PC.
New 5x has very intermittent data connection using either cable, connected to the same PC.

0 jakubx80 over 8 years ago

Interesting. I checked on the engineering case file yesterday with Garmin, and the rep told me they did not have a resolution yet.

Correct, they suspect they know a root cause but have no resolution. Replacement is not an ideal resolution. I have my RMA watch on its way.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I just pluged 5x to usb for 3.30 update, then watched loading status and bam Garmin Express lost connection but was charging further. Seems best is to don't touch the 5x if its connected to Garmin Express.

0 Alex.Pa1 over 8 years ago

The problem is definitely mechanical. When the cable is plugged in there is a considerable amount of "wobble". Either the left side of the cable goes all the way down, or the right side - as though there is a slight protrusion in the middle preventing both sides from getting sufficient amount of contact at the same time.

Applying a reasonable amount of force to hold the cable tightly against the watch and stopping this "wobble" prevents USB disconnections, so in my opinion this problem could definitely be fixed with a more forgiving cable design.
I like my watch, and certainly don't want to exchange it for a refurb because of this.

0 Tangmu over 8 years ago

I had 2 or 3 Fenix 3 replacements, and 1 5x replacement. All were brand-new watches, not refurbs.

0 valentin.d over 8 years ago

The problem is definitely mechanical. When the cable is plugged in there is a considerable amount of "wobble". Either the left side of the cable goes all the way down, or the right side - as though there is a slight protrusion in the middle preventing both sides from getting sufficient amount of contact at the same time.

Applying a reasonable amount of force to hold the cable tightly against the watch and stopping this "wobble" prevents USB disconnections, so in my opinion this problem could definitely be fixed with a more forgiving cable design.
I like my watch, and certainly don't want to exchange it for a refurb because of this.

I don't have the 5x yet (out of stock in France for 3 weeks), so I don't figure out this cable. From your opinion, do you think it would be feasible to manually adapt the connector, by removing (scratching?) some plastic from it for example ?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

same issue with my 5x and 5s. this new plug in cable is a horrible idea.

0 bad.badger over 8 years ago

It looks the workarounds suggested by some forum members work. I mean those that suggest you connect your F5X to your PC via USB 2.0, not 3.0. Personally I found an old USB 2.0 hub and use it to connect my watch to my laptop. Everything works fine and there are no connection issues.

However it still doesn't give is the clue whether it's a faulty cable that can't handle 3.0 transfer or it's a software issue... :(

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Unfortunately none of those work a rounds are effective for me.

My F5x will make and break the connection with the slightest touch whether it is attached to a hub, a desktop, or a laptop. USB 2 or 3 makes no difference. My cable or my wife's cable makes no difference.

With my wife's F5s the only way to break the connection is to unplug the lead. Movement has no effect at all, I can (literally) drop the watch on the desk from the height of the cable, or swing the watch around on the end of the cable and the connection remains just fine. It does all this whatever USB port it is plugged into.

Her F5s's connection is as impressive as my F5x's is poor.

0 Heine_De_Villiers over 8 years ago

Have to agree . I have 2 cables , one works perfectly and the other gives constant problems