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Does anyone else think the worst thing about Garmin watches is the charger?

i00
over 2 years ago

I have had 3 Garmin watches - and generally love them...

However, I think that the charger really needs to be dropped in place of wireless charging!...

On all 3 of the watches I have had I have struggled to find a good fit for the charger... I try to always double check it after plugging it in as the connection is absolutely horrid.  On several occasions I have taken my watch "off charge" to find it dead shortly after because it wasn't actually charging!

Also my dad has had a Garmin since the start of the year, he showers with it (fresh water, does not swim with it on), and some of the pins on his are starting to corrode (quite unacceptable for a watch you can apparently swim with)!

I loved my fenix 6 and when the 7 came out I really hesitated purchasing it because of the charger.

Please Garmin make the 8 have wireless charging.

Am I the only one who thinks hates this?

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  • 0 over 2 years ago

    If the pins are corroding,  that's most likely caused by charging it while the pins are still wet, either from sweat (hi salt) or other impurities in the water (since no one swims in demineralised water, I think? ;))

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I bought my first Garmin watch recently. I too think the charging port is poorly designed and may collect dust/dirt due to the cavity. Also, I wish Garmin ships the watch with longer cable.

    Have had my Coros watch for more than 2 years, never bothered to *thoroughly* rinse the watch after sweaty activities or pool swims. The charging pins are still in excellent condition because charging the Coros doesn't require friction to hold the cable in place - it uses a "clip on" type of charging connection. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Having the option of charging wireless would be neat, but I still would want the watch to also have a wired connection if I want or need to use it.

    1. I don't want to carry a wireless charger on backpacking trips, it's unnecessary extra weight versus just a small cord
    2. I like being able to directly access the watch file system and transfer large files via USB connection to a PC.
    3. Sometimes it's necessary to plug the watch into a PC to resolve booting issues; can't do that if wireless connectivity is the only option (although, ideally it would be better if Garmin just gave us a way to resolve booting issues without having to plug into a PC)
  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to ramon_73
    ramon_73 said:
    These pucks are down right awfull, many disconnects.

    Maybe there are different companies making these, and some are worse than others? I have seen a few people report that they're awful. But my experience has been the opposite. I've bought ten of them over the last couple years, and I only had one failure out of all of them. I didn't spend any time trying to figure out why that one $4 charger failed, I just threw that one away and continue using the remaining nine.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Before putting on the charger the watch the charging port should be dry. Otherwise it will start to corrode. Like others commented my favourite charging method was the one Fénix 3 had. You could even charge the watch on the fly (ultra distance).

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to ramon_73

    Mine work without issues.

    But I had no problem with original Garmin cable either.

     I wash my Fenix with soap and water after every workout an letting it dry.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I think this is the best area for the charging slot. It can be coverd by removable rubber. Also you can charge the watch while wearing it. Slight smile

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to ArionK

    Or you buy just a pack of those:

    Gesponserte Anzeige – Fintie Staubschutz Stöpsel kompatibel mit Garmin Vivoactive 4/3, Fenix 7/6/6 Pro/6x Pro/6s/6s Pro/5/...

    Amazon carries them, got to invest like 6,99 nowadays which is overpriced since I got mine the day I bought my first Garmin for 5,99 ;-) No corrosion, never. No need for change with me. One could ask, why Garmin hadn't an idea like this, probably easier than writing dozens of lines in the manual about washing & drying the Charger Slot. But then: most likely they would charge 9,99 each. ;-)

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Erik T7
    Erik T7 said:
    One could ask, why Garmin hadn't an idea like this,

    Because by closing with such a cover also no existing moisture can escape and thus a corrosion of the contacts can be favored.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to bluefish

    Obviously you have to attach the cover, when the watch is dry completely. In my case: Day 1 TacDelta until now T7 no issue whatsoever, contacts like brandnew. Seal is complete.

    Works for me and all people I know personally some of whose have Garmins much longer than me. No corroded contaxts for one of them. Which differs slightely from the reports I read here from watches without cover. Obviously all of the happy users attached the cover when the watch is dry completely. In my case: Day 1 TacDelta until now with T7 no issue whatsoever, contacts like brandnew. Seal is complete.

    Of course everybody can do as they please. No offense intended, just wanted to share what worked for everyone of us.