hydrophobic coating?

Does the watch come with an hydrophobic coating? Is it going to wear off? Or are these just the normal properties of saphire?

Top Replies

gaijin over 5 years ago in reply to 9983380 +2

Take that screen protector off and you'll be all set!
9983380 over 5 years ago in reply to deherdtr +1

Hi. Garmin support told me that they hadn't seen any problems like mine and asked me to send them the device, However, the stains eventually wore off and now they are not noticeable so I did not return…
thejr over 5 years ago in reply to EnjiBee +1

I decided not to bother returning mine, although Garmin did say I could send it back. I just didn’t want to spend any days without my watch - how would any of my exercise count without it!

They did…

All Replies

0 kachlicka over 5 years ago

Noticed the same thing in the shower today on my non-sapphire 6X Pro. This definitely wasnt the case on my previous F5. Looks cool, no doubt

0 Volker over 5 years ago

Normal behavior and a detect detection for sapphir glass.

www.youtube.com/watch

0 scotthunter2 over 5 years ago

I think you mean hydrophobic which means water repellent (oleophobic is oil resistance more relevant for touch screens)

0 KrapfenKringel over 5 years ago in reply to scotthunter2

Yes

0 MiHighGator over 5 years ago

I think it may have an additional coating on it, which will likely be very helpful if any sweat gets on the screen. I don't recall my F5+ having such distinct hydrophobic properties. I noticed it immediately the first time I got in the shower with my F6.

0 C.sco over 5 years ago

It's possible Garmin put Rain-X or something similar on the sapphire glass, but then why wouldn't they also put it on the gorilla glass?

I think more likely it's just a natural property of sapphire glass, but I'm only guessing.

0 9983380 over 5 years ago

Has anyone noticed defects on the oleophobic coating of the screen? Mine seems to have oil stains which, once I clean the screen, seem to repeat in the same pattern. They appear when I touch the screen, or go for a run (with the sweat) or after a shower.

0 scotthunter2 over 5 years ago

My 6S sapphire screen is prone to getting splattered by minor spot marks probably from dried on sweat, but I normally give the screen a light rub with some hand soap when I'm in the shower which clears it. And yes mine exhibits hydrophobic properties like the photo above; the water forms large globules and beads off the glass very readily. Would be interested to know if this is the nature of pure sapphire or if there is a water repellent coating on the glass.

0 thejr over 5 years ago in reply to 9983380

Yes! I’m seeing the same thing. I called Garmin and sent them photos and they said I could send it back to them (at my cost) for a replacement. I’m really in two minds to do that though because I don’t want to be without a watch for a week (does any exercise count if you can’t track it?) and it when you clean the screen you can’t see it or can barely see it. But I’m worried it might get worse.

0 thejr over 5 years ago in reply to thejr

This is what I mean. When I clean with a microfiber cloth then it’s not really visible.