Start/stop button behaviour

On my recently purchased fenix 6pro the start/stop button has different feedback than the other buttons. It can be pressed down with 2 stops where the first one does not initiate anything. For pressing it further down one needs to apply more force than for pressing the other buttons, and it has a more audible clicking sound. Anyone else has the same issue. Or is this a feature to avoid accidentally pressing this most important button.

I also tested on another fenix 6 in a shop which showed similar 'problems' although I needed less force to press the button full down. But the 2 positions were clearly feelable.

Coming from a fenix 5x and before that a 3 I never had any issues with the buttons. They all provided the same feedback.

Any comments welcome.

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0 renton82 over 5 years ago in reply to Steffen

My first "solar" was perfect, replaced one has this kind of issue, so not all units are affected, i'm waiting an answer from Garmin-Heath about this, he is trying to understand this problem.

0 Steffen over 5 years ago

Today I went to shop where I tested a Fenix 5. All buttons of this model had this 2-way click. So I think it's a normal behaviour of the fenix 6.

0 Cristu over 5 years ago

I just send back my Fenix 6 Sapphire due to button problems. The DOWN button feels like is stuck on the way release and has 2 steps, very bad experience to press each time I used it. Had 5 Plus and all buttons feels firm and responsive as it should. They told me that it;s normal behavior for F6. Anyway, they told me that it's going to warranty and I will be informed about it. Are they allowed to OPEN the watch to 'repair' buttons ? or replace the watch as it should be ? Anyway they wouldn't gave me another one on the spot, should wait 14 days for return and buy from another.

0 DanielPribis over 5 years ago

I' m being using my Solar 13th day with absolute satisfaction in all ways (GPS accuracy, HRM, battery etc.), but this morning middle left button (up-menu) started to have a problems. I was reading this forum before my Polar was purchased and knew about it. So when I opened the box on the desk in front of the local Garmin seller, first thing I tested were all buttons. They worked perfecty, each one the same way with clear click and reaction. Now one mentioned button feels very soft and has 2mm limit to click and work. I wouldn't say that this is normal and being afraid what will happen next with this one, or the others in near future. I came to 6 Solar after 3 years of using my 3HR, where all the buttons worked just same and perfect. Garmin, please explain this watch' s behaviour clearly!

0 lindajm22 over 5 years ago

Ugh! I have two buttons acting this way on my two day old 6S Sapphire and after returning several 945s with this problem I just don't think I have it in me to start exchanging devices again. The replacements were worse than the original. <sigh>

0 C.sco over 5 years ago

Guess I got lucky, all my buttons feel fine, and feel the same. Either that or I just have lower expectations about how buttons are supposed to feel. Had mine for about 3 weeks now, haven't noticed anything unusual about them at all.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I have the same issue - the two right-hand buttons have a ‘double click’ as described and the three left-hand ones are fine, although the down button doesn’t really have an audible click. I’m not sure if I want to roll the dice and ask for a replacement only to find out that one is the same or even worse, given how many others there are with this issue. Does anyone know if Garmin can do advance replacements, even if they have to hold a charge on your card until the faulty one is returned?

0 Ben over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

Same issue here - although it just started today. Before, all buttons on my 6s Pro had a firm push with distinctive click. Today, the start/ stop button became all mushy, much harder to press and the click is gone. Had the unit for two weeks now before this happened.

Unsure what to do - it still works, just needs a bit more force to push it. But am afraid it will become worse over time.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I just get my replaced and will report back if the replacement has the same issues. Garmin is so far not aware of any issues with the buttons according to the customer support.

0 lindajm22 over 5 years ago

If you don't like your buttons, turn on key vibe. It offers feedback when you feel the vibration that you've pressed the button so you don't always have to look at the watch to be sure. I had to do that on my 945 and it made 100% difference. Yes, it uses a bit of battery, but not enough for me to really notice.