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Dead out of the box, and doesn't appear to charge...

Former Member
Former Member over 8 years ago
I purchased a new 235 today, and when I got it out of the box it was completely dead. That seems unusual for this kind of item, but I figured it just needed to be charged.

For the first half an hour it was connected to my laptop, and the only thing that showed up on the screen was the garmin name/logo. There was no battery that shows that it's being charged. And when I went to set up garmin express it couldn't find the device. I've moved the 235 to a USB plug that goes into the socket, thinking perhaps my computer wasn't providing enough juice. However, about an hour plugged in the only thing that is showing up is the Garmin name. The buttons are not operational.

Have I just not charged the watch long enough? Am I being impatient? Or did I get a dud out of the box? I feel like this is a really stupid question but I've never encountered this sort of issue with any device of this nature before. And the quick start guide provide the impression that the 235 should come with some battery life.
  • 0 over 7 years ago
    Did you plug the clamp with the right side? I remember guys who were so enthusiastic about their new watch that they didn't notice that they placed the contacts of the clamp on the glass and the rubber on the contacts of the watch...
  • 0 over 7 years ago
    Try pressing and holding the light button for 10secs whilst it is connected to the power.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    If the above suggestions do not allow the watch to charge or power on, we would recommend that you reach out to us through one of our Product Support channels (phone, email, or chat).
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    Update: Spoke with Product Support over the phone, and after trying various tests, they described the watch as "dead on arrival". I'll be returning it to the store where I bought it. Kind of amazing that Garmin would package up and ship a completely non-functioning product, and doesn't give me a lot of confidence in their quality control procedures. Its replacement will be another brand.
  • 0 over 7 years ago
    emma1420 you mentioned not liking chest strap with the polar - what type of activity are you looking to get HR for because if you want accuracy for running or strength training (just as a couple of examples) you may well not get the accuracy you need without that strap. If you search the forums here (and for any other wrist based HRM) you'll find many people dissatisfied with accuracy. I myself wouldn't use the wrist based for anything other than 24/7 tracking and maybe hiking.
  • 0 over 7 years ago
    emma1420 you mentioned not liking chest strap with the polar - what type of activity are you looking to get HR for because if you want accuracy for running or strength training (just as a couple of examples) you may well not get the accuracy you need without that strap. If you search the forums here (and for any other wrist based HRM) you'll find many people dissatisfied with accuracy. I myself wouldn't use the wrist based for anything other than 24/7 tracking and maybe hiking.


    Agree with this 100% except the comment about using the onboard HRM while Hiking. Due to actual EXPERIENCE I have learned that the Wrist HRM isn't even close to accurate while walking my dog, a 22 lbs. 12 year old Cocker Mix. I also have the Strava Rhythm Plus and the only I time have found ANY Optical HR monitor to be somewhat accurate is at near complete rest or if you have the 3 to 5 minutes to wait for an actual "lock". Note, in my experience that "lock" IS NOT persistent, as soon as the HR readout cycles off the watch goes back to estimating the heart rate. So, take the time to wait for a "lock" at the start of a run and after 2 or 3 minutes it's back to estimating the HR and they all seem to use a motion based algorithm to estimate the heart rate and because that math is based on studies of the "average" (obese) population of today those estimates are usually 10-25 beats per minute high for people who are actually Physically Fit.
  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Just want to add that in 2021, things haven't changed.  New 235 out of the box.  The limited quick start guide says plug it in.  Says nothing about what the display should look like when charging.  Says nothing about having to "reset" a new device out of the box.   Just like Fitbit, my device would be absolutely useless without an online user forum.