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How water proof is the 1030.

peterlip8_
over 6 years ago
Hi All,
I've recently been using my 1030 while stand up paddling as I prepare for a half marathon (on a SUP). As it is for cycling, it's great for monitoring distance travelled, and effort (I use a HR strap), so it's a good tool to monitor progress. The big question I have, how water proof are these things? Has anyone got any personal experience with this? It claims to be IPX7, which according to this https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/waterrating-definitions means it should be fine as I don't expect to dive with it to any depth.
I currently have it in a pocket or backpack, but am thinking of mounting it on the board where I can see it. Most of my paddling is on a river, so no waves to deal with except for the occasional boat wake, so it shouldn't get any water except for the occasional splash.
However, the start and end of the paddle are at the river mouth to the ocean, so there can be a few waves there.
If I'm hit by an unexpected wave and flip the board so that the 1030 is totally submerged (in salt water), I suspect it should be fine given the rating. But is this rating real, and can I gamble with a AU$749 product?
Anyone have any experience like this?

Peter.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    I would say - what you'll do is an absolute "no-go"!
    Keep in mind that there are reports, where normal rain can already cause problems with the USB plug.

    You have to think about some kind of protection - a waterproof box like GoPros have...
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    The water protection on the Edge is for rain. However dipping it in water is a different story. Given the value of the device I would not do this.
    However the sport watches are much more adequate for what you want to do. I have a Fenix and it even have a SUP mode. I know nothing about SUP however.

    Cheers
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    So, what I'm hearing is that Garmin's claim of
    Withstands incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
    is bogus, and not to be trusted? And if my 1030 did drop in the water for 2 or 5 seconds and then die, they would not honour the IPX7 rating?
    For some reason I had the same thought as mcinner1, and i thought I read somewhere that the USB port is a potential weakness for waterproof-ness, but I've searched these forums, Ray's review of the 1030, etc, and not found any reports either for or against how water proof the 1030.

    So while I'm happy to hear peoples opinions and respect what you may have to say, I posted this question to see if anyone has either had a failure caused by water damage, and if so what was the circumstances. And did Garmin replace it because of the IPX7 claim, or didn't replace it because they don't cover water damage?

    Or alternatively, I'm fishing for peoples experience where their 1030 has been through a big water event and the 1030 passed with flying colours.

    The other alternate is, does anyone know of a waterproof case? That would be cheaper than investing in a another device.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    Ok, you're right: no reports for searching "rain" in 1030 forum.
    It's different for search-results in Edge 1000 forum - and Edge 1000 also is IPX7 rated.
    Maybe Garmin did a better job on Edge 1030.

    Just a thought:
    on the backside of the device there are little holes: for acoustic beeps and barometric pressure.
    If water gets in to the barometric holes the elevation-figures go nuts (don't work anymore).

    But - why not - try it - and send back the device if it's drowned.
    (I'd be too cowardly, though) :eek:


  • 0 over 6 years ago
    So, what I'm hearing is that Garmin's claim of is bogus, and not to be trusted? And if my 1030 did drop in the water for 2 or 5 seconds and then die, they would not honour the IPX7 rating?
    For some reason I had the same thought as mcinner1, and i thought I read somewhere that the USB port is a potential weakness for waterproof-ness, but I've searched these forums, Ray's review of the 1030, etc, and not found any reports either for or against how water proof the 1030.

    So while I'm happy to hear peoples opinions and respect what you may have to say, I posted this question to see if anyone has either had a failure caused by water damage, and if so what was the circumstances. And did Garmin replace it because of the IPX7 claim, or didn't replace it because they don't cover water damage?

    Or alternatively, I'm fishing for peoples experience where their 1030 has been through a big water event and the 1030 passed with flying colours.

    The other alternate is, does anyone know of a waterproof case? That would be cheaper than investing in a another device.


    I think ipx7 rating allows an occasional splash of water. For your information I clean my Edge 1030 after an off road ride under the watertap. I don't want scratches on the display by wiping mud just off. First rinse than wipe. I left my Edge 810 on the bike many times when I clean my ATB at the carwash. All without problems so far.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    I'd get a water proof case with a clear lit you can see through. Maybe Pelican makes one for phones. Something submersible. Mount that to your board. If you drill holes, sand the area and seal with silicone RTV.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    Get a small water proof cell phone dry bag case. You can still access the touch screen and they usually have a lanyard. The Joto Universal Waterproof case on Amazon for 8 USD. Another choice is the SeaToSummit TPU Guide Waterproof Case for Smartphones designed for sea kayaks.
    Why take a chance?
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    Thanks all. I may try a dry bag. The challenge is mounting it so it's view-able, and that I can stop start the time through the bag.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to peterlip8_

    I have been caught out several times with water ingress into every Garmin Edge from 800 to current 1030. The light but consistent rain today affected the functionality of the device from screen flickering to switching screens at will. I always carry a sealable poly bag but didn’t think of sealing the 1030 inside it and paid the Price. As in the same problem with the 800, 810, 1000 and 1030 it’s always been the USB port and the pathetic attempts by Garmin to design a fully functioning seal. Surely all the development on the devices should have included a fully waterproof seal. 

    I popped the device into a container full of rice because some portable devices have “dried out” using this fix. I’m dubious and pessimistic but no try no win?