Garmin Instinct - defective glass.

Former Member
Former Member

I have a second instinct and the same problem with breaking glass. Outside the circular glass are recesses. I consider this a manufacturing defect. Does any of the users have it this way?

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    For how long did you use the product?

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    I bought my first Instinct in January 2019. In March I noticed a problem with the glass. The first watch in the pictures is the one with the changed strap (the first four photos). Garmin gave me a new watch under warranty, but the problem is again. The current watch is on the other photos with the original strap. At the first watch, I thought that when buying, I did not notice this problem, suspecting the seller of dishonesty. Now I know I was wrong because I got a second beautiful new watch from Garmin. It is a pity that the problem repeats because it discouraged me from Instinct.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    Maybe I'm missing something, but I only see some dust and dirt around the circumference, I can't see any broken glass.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    There were sharp scratches on the first watch. Then I found this thread   https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/instinct/157382/screen-protector-do-i-need-one   and I thought that the seller sold me a used watch from which someone peeled off the protective film using a sharp tool. I informed the seller about this and he suggested that I file a complaint directly with Garmin. I did and Garmin replaced my watch. I wore my first watch from January to March. We have a cold winter these months in Poland and maybe temperature changes have a negative effect on the watch. Maybe the glass was chipping away from shrinkage and expansion. I do not know. I wore the second watch in the warmer months and did not have the same marks as the first watch. Unfortunately it wasn't dirt. According to Garmin it was glue that would flow out from under the frame. The seller recently gave me this information by phone. I wonder what made this glue flow out? The only chemistry the watch had to deal with was shower gel. In the summer in hot weather, I take a shower several times a day. Maybe too often? This watch has a military standard. Do you think he should be afraid of the shower gel? I have a Casio CPW-100 watch. This is one of the first Casio watches with a compass. I wore it for about 15 years. It does not look new, but has normal marks that the watch can have after 15 years of everyday wear. I have never had any problems with it except for a broken belt but after so many years it's probably normal. I left this watch out of respect for its reliability. I also have Garmin Forerunner 101. I had Forerunner 25. There were no problems with them either. In January, Instinct joined and problems began. I find Instinct a very good watch. It is lightweight with a durable battery and useful tourist functions. These are the most important features for me. Garmin sent my third watch to the seller on November 20. He hasn't arrived yet. I will give this watch a third chance. I will probably get a new watch from England. Maybe the problem was only locally in Poland? I found interesting photos online on one of the Polish websites dealing with testing of equipment. Perhaps the pictures show a similar defect of the watch. Link to the page:  https://pancernemobilne.pl/garmin-instinct-test-i-recenzja/     I wonder if they used photos of a dirty watch for the article. I wrote to them and wait for an answer. I should ask at local Polish forums, but for now I don't want to make a fuss. Garmin replaces my watches so I only described the subject here. Looking at the number of views of topics, I conclude that few Instincta users visit this forum. Maybe I'm even the only one from Poland. I also found a thread here:   https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/instinct/191798/scratched-screen  and I asked the author a question. For now, I'm waiting for the third watch and I'm a little scared, because as the Stark family from Game of Thrones used to say: "Winter is coming".