Epix gen 2….an epic fail

Anyone have their back button broken after 1 swim.
For context I purchased a Garmin Epix gen 2 in April to train for my Ironman 70.3. First time taking it for a swim in salt water it breaks 1 MONTH FROM the race. Garmin thankfully replaced it. 2 weeks after that replacement the same thing occurred. I thought fine Garmin will replace this one PRAYING it will come before the race. But no, they refused to replace it and all they could offer is a refund.
The issue with this is now not only am I watch less right before my race but I previously bought my Epix gen 2 on sale, now they don’t stock this watch and I’m forced to shelf out hundreds of more dollars to buy the newer model. WHICH WILL LIKELY BREAK AGAIN. I have spent 6 months relying on this watch for training and now for the race I can’t use it. Do not buy this watch if you plan to go in salt water

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0 Vizi 8 months ago

Unfortunately, many users had same problem, and not only in salt water but in pool as well. Garmin kept ignoring the issue and it remains to be unresolved. That is why they emphasize leakproof buttons on Fenix 8 because Fenix 7 and Epix had notoriously bad buttons.

0 5594306 8 months ago in reply to Vizi

yeh its a real shame because it has all the capabilities i want in a watch. Any recommendations on a watch that might not have these issues or is it a roll of the dice with another fenix or epix

0 Vizi 8 months ago in reply to 5594306

It is a roll of dice as far as I can tell. Only try if you have warranty based on which you can get watch replaced after failure.

0 Faby 8 months ago

Can you explain better the problem to me? it means that you can't use the buttons underwater? I have an Epix Pro and I've used them at the sea and in the pool underwater to change the data display, but I haven't had any problems so far.... should I be worried in the future?

0 Vizi 8 months ago in reply to Faby

Just one of the thrads sbout this common issue: forums.garmin.com/.../back-button-issue-2-new-watches-broken-watches-in-24-hours

0 Dr Phil 8 months ago in reply to Faby

Faby said:
it means that you can't use the buttons underwater?

Garmin have always recommended that you don’t press the buttons underwater anyway but that does not mean you can't use it in the water. Should you be worried for the future? There are some people posting here that have had problems with the watch after a single swim but it’s not something I’ve experienced. I swim several times a week, in the sea mostly but pool occasionally, and my watch is fine. How big is the problem? It's not possible to judge that by the number of posts because there are those who post negatively in many of these forums for no other reason than they can and contribute nothing. I can at least share my experience and honestly say it's not something I've experienced with my Epix Pro Gen 2. I can’t explain why some people purport to have several watches broken in as many days after a single swim but I am not worrying about the future of my watch.

0 Mike Y 8 months ago in reply to Faby

All it takes is one unlucky button press and your watch will pump water inside. These buttons have simple o ring for waterproofing. ( It is why redesign with F8)

It is specifically written in epix pro manual under device care section

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-E5C62F3F-DCE3-4197-8CA5-E419B2A55D12/EN-US/GUID-756F63A5-750B-488D-809A-644D889E047A.html

"Avoid pressing the buttons under water."

Consider yourself been lucky and stop doing it

0 Chris-MTB 8 months ago

New fenix 8 has no holes in the case so this issue cannot happen on a fenix 8.

0 Luke 8 months ago in reply to Mike Y

It’s a matter to be lucky in any case: I NEVER pressed buttons under water and I always rinsed the watch after the pool training but I’m on my fourth Epix…

0 Faby 8 months ago in reply to Luke

But there are a differences between epix 2 and epix 2 pro?