Defective (4 watches in 3mos) - Garmin Instinct 2 Solar/Surf

Have had four garmin instinct 2 solar surf (Bells Beach Model) in the last three months.

Each time, same pattern; works ok for a couple weeks, i take it surfing once or twice, then the battery starts to drain 1% every ten minutes for no reason (all GPS/HR monitor/Pulse Ox turned off). After another day the watch freezes and won't work at all.

Garmin has had no explanation nor have they acknowledged that this is a persistent issue across models.

Not sure what to say here, pretty disappointing, use Garmin for inreach and marine electronics and never had issues like this with their products.

Top Replies

2518400 over 2 years ago in reply to trux +3

Ok, i doubt that a little soap ruined the seal in a matter of weeks but it’s possible. Seems to be pretty consistently going to sht after surf sessions though.
Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to trux +1

trux said:
Showering with the watch is not the best thing to do, especially if you use soap or shampoo - it can damage the sealing

While I’m sure there might be some strong detergents out there that could…
2518400 over 2 years ago in reply to gaijin +1

Have done that with each watch and they don’t have any idea what’s going on

All Replies

0 3399592 over 2 years ago

I had a similar issue with my first Instinct 2 Solar Surf after about a week or two, then got a new one through REI which I've had for a few months now. I surf quite a bit. My second watch just went from full charge to 0 today with no tracking or anything being used, and I'm worried it may be the same issue I had with my last one. I have yet to recharge it and see if it is fixed or bricked yet but I feel like it might be. And it looks like there's no i2-solar surfs in stock anymore on REI or Garmin website so I'm a bit worried. Love the watch otherwise. I wish they had a battery tracking feature telling you what is draining or at least a chart of how fast it's draining

0 2518400 over 2 years ago in reply to 3399592

Did you also have the bells beach model?

0 3399592 over 2 years ago in reply to 2518400

I think I did. It was the only solar surf color option available when I bought it, it was white/black with a black band

0 2518400 over 2 years ago in reply to 3399592

Everyone i’ve been in touch with on this recurring issue all had bells beach models.

0 bgcameron over 1 year ago in reply to 2518400

I'm having the same issue. My second Instinct 2 solar surf just died while surfing. It seems they are out of stock at this point, so I am not sure what I will get for a replacement.

0 2518400 over 1 year ago in reply to bgcameron

I got a standard instinct 2 solar which still has the surf function and no issue yet after a couple months and many surfs….literally went through four solar surf bells beach models though. Think Garmin had a defect in their line of production on the instinct 2 solar surf models and maybe hasn’t yet realized or doesn’t want to acknowledge it.

Was yours the bells beach model?

0 bgcameron over 1 year ago in reply to 2518400

Yes, mine was the Bells Beach model. Garmin hasn't acknowledged it is a known issue yet, but the person I spoke with today sounded like they wanted to explore this further after I mentioned this discussion thread... Does the standard version also show tides and surf conditions?

Ps- I sent you a DM

0 6946588 over 1 year ago

I have just taken my 2nd Instinct 2 back for replacement due to the same issues (after 2 Forerunners failing on me too). The first Instinct 2 died after 3 weeks and 2 surfs, and the second after 2 months and about a dozen surfs. I always rinse my watches in fresh water after activities. The problem starts when I go to use the watch after a surf, and the operation is erratic/ frozen. Then one of the buttons stops working, then the battery drains rapidly. Not really that keen to persist with Garmins anymore, as I know I'll get that one that fails just outside the warranty period.

0 3955981 over 1 year ago

Chiming in, I also have the bells beach model of the instinct 2 solar surf edition and now experiencing fast power drain (half a day full charge to flat) that has persisted through hard reset and a factory reset.

0 Mr B over 1 year ago

I had the exact same experience. Went thru 2 watches. Went for a surf then all of a sudden battery starts draining. First one the sensors stopped working, second one the battery just drained. I was then told that Garmin will no longer be importing the surf version so I am upgrading to the Instinct Solar 2X. Really bad experience so far so hoping a change in models will have better results.