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Condensation inside Instinct Crossover

XMCE
over 2 years ago

Quite significant water condensation build up on inner side of the watch glass during activities in cold weather. Eventually it'll disappear, but until that the watch display is practically unreadable. Looks to me like a design issue. Is this a reason for a refund? 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    For all with this issue, I'd try and really strong arm garmin support exchanging to a different model or a full refund. If condensation is still happening on multiple successive exchanges, it will happen again.  This seems like a manufacturing issue that no software update will ever fix. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to net1994

    Sure do. Garrmin Support already answered that they will try exchange on March with a new batch and if condensation appears they will exchange to a different model for me. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago
    1. Just tested my Instinct at a watch maker, it is leaky!
  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Johan

    How leaky it is can you give me detail? I tested my instinct crossover at home by putting an ice cube on it for a few seconds and there condensation appears but no water leak in when I use it in a bathtub or during shower. I guess it is the humidity inside watch since manufactured.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to LongNguyen

    It was tested with a confisticated waterproof tester, it showed deformation right away, so couldn’t get further to the next step

    20230515_witschi_proofmaster-cp_data-sheet.pdf

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Johan
    Johan said:

    It was tested with a confisticated waterproof tester, it showed deformation right away, so couldn’t get further to the next step

    20230515_witschi_proofmaster-cp_data-sheet.pdf

    If that particular tester does NOT show derformation, then integrity is compromised...

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I have the same issue with my Crossover. 

    Garmin refers to this support page (see below), basically saying this is totally normal.

    The watch has MIL spec (-20 degC) but below freezing point it becomes unusable due to the condensation (screen unreadable).

    I wonder how a lawyer would look at this misleading spec....

    Troubleshooting Condensation Under the Screen of a Water Resistant Outdoor Watch

    Garmin® devices can experience temporary condensation, moisture, or fogging inside of the lens when you transition to an environment with a significantly different temperature. To decrease the chances of this occurring, make the transition in temperature as gradual as possible. If condensation does occur, move to a warmer environment to promote evaporation. 

    If condensation, moisture, or fogging does not go away after a period of time in a warmer environment it is possible the seals that provide water resistance have failed. This can also be said if there are dried water spots on the inside of the glass or visible puddles of water inside the device.

    Being mindful of these signs of water ingress and natural condensation will help determine if a repair/replacement is needed. For more information on water ingress please visit Garmin's water rating website.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to rdecocq

    This is the BS they told me the first time I had condensation inside my watch. It's not normal. If it happens it's because there's already moisture inside the case. No watch should do that. It's a defect that seems specific to the crossover.

    When I was hiking Mt Whitney last October, many people had garmins and other watches. Mine was the only one that was fogged up. It was so bad I couldn't see anything on the watch face. The watch was useless. That's obviously not "mil-spec" or acceptable for any outdoors utility watch. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I get a replacement watch from Garmin, they told me that the fog spot was to big ( nearly half the lcd screen), it was out if specs, hope the new one will be ok, I’m very happy with this model

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to rdecocq
    rdecocq said:
    The watch has MIL spec (-20 degC)

    Can you publish the section of the military standard that contains „ -20C „ ?

    rdecocq said:
    I wonder how a lawyer would look at this misleading spec....

    He won't do anything because it's a common advertising slogan "tested to military standard". Any company can advertise with that. However, there is a catch: the product does not have to have passed the test.
    Furthermore, there is no evidence for these in-house tests. Have you received an official certificate from Garmin that your watch has passed the test? I don't think so.  Only external tests are really meaningful. Your lawyer won't do anything about it. Garmin has simply - like many other companies - worked with the usual advertising. Absolutely normal and not prohibited.