Watch turns off and reboots in cold water

kezzad 7 months ago

It won’t work in water below 10 degrees. You can replicate this by putting it in a glass of cold water for a minute, pulling it out and noting the watch turned off.

Watch flashes between music mode then just turns off entirely.

Anyone else do icebaths and have this problem? The other issue is Apnea training in a cold pool. Does it there too.

Note: if anyone else is going to try the cold water test, I think the watch detects if it’s not on your wrist. If AOD is enabled the screen will turn off regardless so don’t confuse the screen turning off with the watch failing.

For a watch that is MIL-STD-810 tested, this is a very basic test to fail……..

Top Replies

Garmin-Laurie 7 months ago in reply to bw +1 verified

Update October 7, 2024:

Our engineers have released the latest Public Software version 11.68. This does include a fix for potential shut down when the watch is subjected to a rapid temperature change.…
Hrvoje B. 7 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie +4

So the good thing is that this is hopefully a software issue...but the thing is, I don't understand how can you put up for sale a watch that hasn't passed any serious testings.
bluefish 7 months ago in reply to Volker +3

Volker said:
MIL-STD-810 tested

When the Instinct came on the market, I asked Garmin support to give me a certificate of passing the tests. They wouldn't, or couldn't.
Garmin-Laurie 7 months ago in reply to bluefish +3

Update September 25, 2024:

Our engineers have identified a potential concern, that may cause the watch to shut down when submerged in water. They have released the latest BETA software update version 11…

All Replies

0 Dr Phil 7 months ago

Why start another thread?

0 macnuts 7 months ago

kezzad said:
For a watch that is MIL-STD-810 tested

Did it pass that test actually? Fenix 5x was military tested, allegedly, but no results were ever published.

0 Volker 7 months ago in reply to macnuts

MIL-STD-810 tested: ok; MIL-STD-810 passed:? Or is tested = passed?

0 bluefish 7 months ago in reply to macnuts

macnuts said:
Did it pass that test actually? Fenix 5x was military tested, allegedly, but no results were ever published.

This is also not necessary. Every company can advertise that the devices have been tested. The fact that they must pass this test is not prescribed anywhere.

0 bluefish 7 months ago in reply to Volker

Volker said:
MIL-STD-810 tested

Unfortunately, there is nothing to stop a manufacturer from running the tests in-house and without external verification.

The company does not need to provide proof that any of these tests were actually carried out.

While in-house testing is perfectly fine on paper, the issue is that the company does not need to prove that the tests were actually carried out. Therefore, a company can claim that its device complies with this standard, having “fudged” or entirely omitted certain parts!

0 bluefish 7 months ago in reply to Volker

Volker said:
MIL-STD-810 tested

When the Instinct came on the market, I asked Garmin support to give me a certificate of passing the tests. They wouldn't, or couldn't.

0 Garmin-Laurie 7 months ago in reply to bluefish

Update September 25, 2024:

Our engineers have identified a potential concern, that may cause the watch to shut down when submerged in water. They have released the latest BETA software update version 11.81, that includes a fix for this. So if you are experiencing this concern, you may consider installing this update.

https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/fenix-8-series/f/announcements/386154/beta-version-11-81---check-for-updates-only

0 kezzad 7 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

Hmmm… it’s a valid fix for the ice bath scenario.

But the fix for watch turning off in cold water when using dive features is to install beta software that turns off dive features? That’s not a fix.

0 Garmin-Laurie 7 months ago in reply to kezzad

kezzad said:
But the fix for watch turning off in cold water when using dive features is to install beta software that turns off dive features?

I understand the concern. This will be released as a full Public release shortly.

+1 Dr Phil 7 months ago in reply to kezzad

The workaround, if you don't want to install beta software, is to get in the water, let the watch shutdown then restart. Once restarted the watch will not shutdown again while swimming.