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Is there an issue with garmin watches in salt water or am I just unlucky?

8780313
over 2 years ago

I've had my fenix 6s since May 2020, wore it daily and used it for cycling, hiking and pool swimming.

I signed up for an open water swimming event, did a couple of swims in fresh water, then last Sunday had a swim in the sea.  When driving home the watch died which was strange as I had charged it and updated it that morning.

When I got home it wouldn't turn on, tried charging it, connecting it to the computer, holding down power button, resetting it, cleaning it basically everything I could find online but no joy watch wouldn't power up.  I contacted garmin support the next day who got me to try things again then confirmed it was unrepairable.  As it was out of warranty I could pay £130 and get a refurbished watch if the same model but I'd rather have a new watch as its something I use regularly and liked the idea of a new one.

While I was deciding what to buy, my mum gave me a loan of her fenix 5s that she never used, it was bought second hand and rarely used.  I went for a swim in the sea, and halfway thru the swim, I noticed it had turned off.  It will turn on while connected to the charger but turns off as soon as I take it off the charger.  Haven't contacted garmin about this, I have no box with serial number and no proof of purchase and it will be well out off warranty.

Has anyone else experienced this? Ive swam twice in the sea and got 2 broken watches, got to be seriously unlucky. Put me off getting another garmin as I would be wanting to use it for open water swimming and it seems maybe they aren't suited to that.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I've been swimming in salt water with my old Fenix 3HR as well as my 6X without problems. My 6X has even been in a cold chamber at -80°C as well as in the sauna at 120°C and is still working.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I used a Fenix 5x on road and MTB biking and running intensely for 6 years but I was afraid for surfing but knowing I was about to buy a new watch I gave a try… shame on me (or Garmin) because one week later the altimeter died…

    The watch still works but the altimeter. 
    It can only be because that session…

    I bought a 7x but will use the old 5x for surfing.

    i guess the impacts on water that happens when surfing were not taken seriously on his design.

    several reports on it 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5129608

    I went through five Fenix 7 watches (Garmin kept replacing them) and gave up - same issue after surfing. Ended up down grading to the Fenix 6 and haven’t had an issue even after 2 weeks surfing in Indonesia surfing 4hrs a day.  

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    If is out of warranty i would just fill it with jellatine that was used on many automotive electronics. Just to be sure. My f6 pro solar was apart not long ago, for a battery replacement. It only leaves me when its on the charger. No issues so far, and i do press buttons sometimes underwater... If you not sure than take it to a watchman to reinforce the o rings on the button. And if you are a diy person you can replace the top and bottom seals with high temp loctite si 5980 (yes that's engine gasket). My last G-Shock died from water and washing up liquid all gaskets turnet into goo.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 8637210

    Same here, waiting for my 5th replacement. I guess the Fenix 7 Is not made for salty water.. none of the 4 I've had so far lasted me more then 10 days (I surf nearly every day).

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Never had problems. If you have this much issues then, why not get a certified divers watch like the descent mk3. Or stop pressing buttons under water :) . I have had issues with my G-Shock but not under salty water.... you wold lough. few years ago i was working as a chef and due to short staffed evenings , i was washing dishes few hours. Dishwasher liquig ate the gaskets in few hours.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Mezey

    I've been using Fenix watches since the Fenix 3 for surf ski paddling, ocean swimming and scuba diving without ever having an issue. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I’m so sorry to hear! I used my Venu for 3 years and all of the sudden one day swimming in a lake it died. I have a Venu 2 plus and I’ve been swimming And diving up to 40 meters without any issue. Having said that, I have to my husband a Venu 3 and the thing literally died after swimming in the sea! I’m going tomorrow to the store to claim the warranty but this gives me really the bad feeling that salty water damages the garmins.

    I also read in other forums that is not recommended to operate the buttons while in the water as it can provoke leaks 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5129608

    I sent to Sav 3 Fenix 7 all dead after putting them in the ocean during sup surf, first time !

    I ve bought an Epix gen 2 receive Saturday 6 January 24, I just put my arm in the sea > dead 

    I’m waiting a new one but I will loose one year warranty as initial one was 2 years but after Sav only 1 year !

    I don’t understand their issue and they told me that they are not aware of such cases !!!

    serail number of Fenix 7 were different, and it was the cobalt blue modèle 47.

    the Epix was gen 2 sapphire white 47 model.

    I m fed up with them especially are they didn’t analyse what’s wrong in France and send new one.

    :)

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5804127

    Same 4 watches 3 Fenix 7 and 1 Epix gen 2 dead after just puting them in ocean even slowly !