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

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

Did you also have the bells beach model?

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

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

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?

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

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. 

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.

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.