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Was sold APAC version on the sly on Amazon....to return or not?

Former Member over 6 years ago

Hey all,

I recently bought a VA3 off amazon and while trying to install an app that was supposed to work with the VA3 was given a "this app is not compatible with your watch" message. Going back and forth with the developer we realized that my watch was the APAC version. Its on firmware 5.2. Needless to say I was kinda pissed as I'd like to have known it was an APAC version before buying. That said, however, and all emotion aside, I'm wondering if its worth it to exchange, as I got a fairly good price on the watch.

?
Question. What are the differences between the APAC and ROW versions and are the differences significant? Do they change functionality and accuracy? Should I return the watch and buy the ROW version?

Thanks in advance

0 jim_m_58 over 6 years ago

Unless you need the languages on the APAC version, I would without a doubt exchange it. Firmware updates for APAC come after ROW devices (often weeks), and in the event there's any beta releases (that's really common for Fenix devices), they generally aren't compatible with APAC devices. And as you see, you couldn't install something that would install fine with the current ROW firmware.

Also, other than english, you can't install a number of languages on APAC devices,

0 Ramvivoactivehr over 6 years ago

I had an Asian version initially as I bought it where I live in the Philippines. Sent it back for the altitude issues & received a US/ROW version which I use currently. No difference at all between the two. The performance & options, bugs & all are the same. I have not experienced any delays in software releases. Not sure but looks like Garmin releases updates simultaneously unlike the phone manufacturers for their phones.

0 Jano22222 over 6 years ago

Jim_-m-58 is right . In my experience the apac is much slower when it come to updates .

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

i have the apac version but mine comes with international firmware... maybe cos this was the preorder batch.
so basically no issues with getting firmware updates right away.

0 VagnPetersen over 6 years ago

I had the exact same experience - I bought the VA3 from Amazon and got an APAC version. Initially I was pissed and was VERY close to return it, but since I am using only the English language, I decided to give it a try. Now I am pretty pleased and decided to keep it because I do not have any problems with altitude (I am on ver. 5.2) and the battery life is also OK.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" :)

0 VagnPetersen over 6 years ago