Just got a replacement after the pin corrosion, how is your f5 holding up?

Hi guys,

I just got a brand new replacement for my Fenix 5, but I believe it's an old production unit, since it has a 7 months old firmware (12.40) and the silver pins like the other one.

I'm expecting the same issue I had before in the next weeks or months, so how is yours holding up? I read about people asking for 2 or more replacement after just some weeks.

Also, any news on how to prevent this to happens?

edit: old serial was 5361xxxxx, new one is 5363xxxxx

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0 LeWim over 5 years ago

I got my replacement more than a month ago, and so far no new corrosion. I have to say that I cleaned the previous one more or less daily under clean water and the new one consequently after every activity, so in the end more than once a day.

Until now I haven't seen a "normal" Fenix 5 (without X, plus, ...).

0 Michalis over 5 years ago

I had two replacements. They second one I now have, has no issue with corrosion after approximately two months so I am good. I have extensively researched this issue and to my knowledge there is nothing you can do to avoid it as it is not related to something you do.

0 Cane over 5 years ago

So, let's hope for the best. Are your F5 replacement recent than mine? I mean with a serial # > than 5363xxxxx

Also, the old one was Rev. D, I don't know about this one because they sent the new watch in the old box, and the Rev. is written on the box.

0 Michalis over 5 years ago in reply to Cane

My serial now is 536305xxx. The issue appears immediately so if after a month your watch looks ok then you are most probably fine.

0 Cane over 5 years ago in reply to Michalis

536305xxx that's same as this one I just got, maybe it'll be ok! Fingers crossed.

0 Morten over 5 years ago

I got my replacement three months ago (pushing four actually). It's a refurbished model, SN starts with 53A1. What i notice is that the second pin (the one that corroded) is a little different than the other ones, seems like different material or something. On the old F5 all pins looked the same. Have not seen any rust yet, with similar care as on old watch; rinsing after hard workouts/sweating and showering with it occationaly. I make sure to dry the pins with some paper and airdrying the rest before putting it on.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Morten

My second pin is dull looking. Has been since new. My SN is 53631. Not showing any signs of corrosion.

0 Kovinic over 5 years ago

I faced with corrosion after my first ride..I had possibility to replace it but I didn't because I was afraid that replacement will have some other issue. So I decided to keep it.

The thing that I am doing since than is that I am cleaning contacts before each charging with contact cleaner for PCBA components and after that I put small piece of heat and water resistant tape which is very durable and lasts until next charging.

I have two small dots since first occurance but after I started with treatment mentioned above in the post no additional dots and presence of corrosion.

I recommend this if you don't want to replace existing watch. It takes you no more than 5 minutes before each charging and you don't have to clean it so often.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Kovinic

It's absolutely shocking that you have to do this on such an expensive watch.

0 Cane over 5 years ago in reply to Kovinic

Your pin looks perfect to me, are you sure it wasn’t just some dirty stuff?

Sometimes it looks like rust, but it’s not. On my old watch and others I saw there was a very recognizable wear and tear of the pin.

btw I have the suspect that leaving the pin dirty during the charge can cause the problem.