Be forewarned: You're walking into a $800 purchase where there's no interest in engaging you as a customer.

In Italy they replaced 2 defective 5x Plus's. Yes I had to wait 3 weeks or more for it to happen, but that's the way it is.

I have a 6x Sapphire now, works fine from day one, not having the problems that others have, maybe this time I was lucky to get a non defective unit, like I've got in the 5x Plus day one release.

Yes, it is time for them to start checking their QC, their production line and the companies they cooperate with for the assistance/repairs/product replacements. But the most important thing, they have  to STOP hiring contractors for their software. They hire somebody to implement new software features, but when they finish the programming, they finish the contract too, so the bugs and improvements for the new software is a blind man's game, but is just my opinion from what i've read and heard from people directly involved with Garmin.

I love Garmin products, I think they are the best when it comes to sport related watches, but on software and listening to the mountain of complaints piled up over the years, they are a bad joke. Too bad for some of Garmin employees, like Heath for example, who really want to help as much as possible, they have their hands tied up.

I feel bad for regular Garmin employees as well.  Contract workforce has no loyalty.  Their product is usually sub-par.

Be forewarned!

*sigh*

Do we really need another post about Garmin? You said you might be ready to make a move, so perhaps you should.

All this because you can't get your F6 when you want it?  Have you tried holding your breath until you've turned blue?

In France I have had my Fenix 5X replaced because of HR sensor issue.
It has replaced by a very new model with golden pins. The wait has been 5 weeks...

One year later I have had a crash on my 5X Plus (day one) after an upgrade.
I was mad !!
I have phoned them. We have tried on the phone to hard reset the watch but it was apparently bricked.
Instead of another 5 weeks wait for a brend new watch, I have driven to their HQ near La Defense in Paris. I have been able to talk to a very nice technician.
It has been gently replaced in a 24 hours turnover by a new one in its box (another band and cable as bonus).

So I can be VERY satisfied by Garmin and their support. Since I have been a very happy Instinct owner.
And now I'm back on Fenix 6 and I got ZERO issue.
If any issue I could not fix would occur ? It is under warranty for two years !! 
And yes, Garmin France stand for their customers !
You mileage may vary but this is my experience so far and my two cents.

Garmin is one of the best consumer electronics companies I've dealt with when there were issues.  No, they aren't great on communication, but they are much better about replacing products than companies like Samsung or LG, in my experience.  As far as software is concerned, yes, there are bugs, but they constantly work to improve their software.  This is also significantly different than other companies I've dealt with.  For example I've owned Sony products with bugs that were never fixed and the only way to get a software fix was to buy the next model.'

Finally, I don't know another product that has so many features and works with so many other products (sensors/power meters...etc.)

Because of this, I'm on my 3rd Garmin watch.  I started with an Epix (which my son is still using 8 years later) moved to a Fenix 5x plus and now have a Fenix 6x pro.

To be fair, the delay on new orders doesn't necessarily mean there are delays for warranty replacements. Garmin typically will have some units set aside for that purpose so they can respond to defective units if needed. My personal experience has been that Garmin support has always been rather quick to respond to issues and get a replacement sent out if needed. I've owned quite a few Garmin products over the years and never had any major problems with them that weren't covered under warranty. Small bugs, sure, but they've usually been fixed in a reasonable time frame.

If there is another product out there that will meet your needs then go for it. The Fenix line isn't for everyone. For me, as a triathlete, there really isn't anything else that would work as well for what I use it for.

Contractors can help with particular problems but when you rely on them for regular operations to increase profits you will get what you pay for.

I am using a Vantage V since my experience with Garmin has been disappointing.

The VV has become excellent, reliable and is very good looking.

The GPS is everything but lousy and there is not a single issue with the software.

Also, the warranty is 2 years, even for us in North America.

Just sayin’...

Yes.  We need another post about Garmin.  

This is a Garmin discussion forum.  

Not a “all hail the dear great leader Garmin” forum.