Fenix5 Open Water (OW) failure

4682078 over 2 years ago

I had (thank god no more) a Fenix5 replaced for water leakage inside, and now, recently, the new one completely died after the first open water session of the year...
On top of it, it never caught properly the GPS signal while OW swimming, I had to rise the arm above water for 30ish seconds to allow (at least) to catch the signal once I was in the farthest spot (embarassing, isnt it?).

Anyhow, long story short, Garmin never replied to my complaints (I was a Garming fan) and I got myself another sportwatch (100€). No more arm over the water anymore to catch the signal, precise tracking while OW swimming and, no water leak inside!!! it was so satisfing seeing the swimming distance increasing while training, I was not used to that anymore...

Just to conclude, seriously this watch passed the tests for 5atm underwater as they claim????? if yes, I want to see the data... I really think that, for these obvious reasons, this watch is not suitable for OW swimming and that the claim that it is, should be removed from its described fetures.

0 rockncrag over 2 years ago

My fenix5x has survided around 30 shallow diving trips(15-30m). 50 plus kayak dunkings, 50 Open and pool water swims and so much more.... I have had it only around 11months... I just suspect you have bee incredibly unlucky...

0 4682078 over 2 years ago in reply to rockncrag

Many thanks for your feedback and for sharing your experience! Mine just passed the second year of life, therefore, the warranty is not valid anymore. The first year I used it for swimming as well, and it survived to water leaks, but never caught properly the GPS signal.

My guess is that the o-rings of the buttons may deteriorate with time and water exposure. Still quite a poor performance such a watch though.

I will try to see if garming can provide me some support for these issues

Thanks

0 rockncrag over 2 years ago in reply to 4682078

I can't really comment on the longevity as yet. I do know that several of my clients have the same watches(fenix 3-5 ranges) and have had them longer than me. I asked them a huge amount of questions before I bought mine including swimming.kayaking and diving and even Caving and Cave diving(I am an outdoor instructor) and all Highly rated theirs in those and and many other situations.. I was Suunto user for 20+years before getting my 5x so I have no loyalities to Garmin watches BTW so my opinion is not because I am a Garmin Fanboy. But I have to say I love My F5x...