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Crazy Feedback from Garmin Shop? Just me?

1662631
over 2 years ago

Hi all,

I've had my FR 235 for 4 years. Last week it ran out of battery so I charged it. It seemed to charge fine and the battery says 100%. 

Since then I cannot get the watch to sync, connect to GPS nor generally function properly. It also freezes. I've tried to reboot and restore defaults. Still nothing. I've tried to link to Garmin Express on my laptop, nothing. The watch isn't recognised. 

During my attempts, a couple of times when I hit the power off button the screen just fades away which seems weird. 

So I popped into an official Garmin shop (Westgate, Singapore) this afternoon. The assistance basically told me that the 235 is obsolete and no longer supported by Garmin. He said the battery usually gives up in 4-5 years hence my problems. So I said what are the options and all I got was, you're welcome to buy a new watch and throw away the old one. 

Is this valid? I am so astounded. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Well, yes, usually it's 2 years of responsibility from a seller.

    If it's battery, you can try to replace it. But it may be some other problem.

    Check some tutorials how to open it, so you can see if it looks ok inside.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to BunBun!

    Thanks for the reply. 
    I should have been clearer. My issue isn’t around the warranty, it is more about the product lifespan and the Garmin reputation for their representative to say basically our products you spend hundreds of dollars on only last 4-5 years then you’re on your own. 

    Even if I wanted to pay for the repair with Garmin, I couldn’t as the model is obsolete already in their world. 

    Perhaps I need to change my mindset with smartwatches. I have a Rado watch that’s over 60 years old and it is as reliable today as ever. 

    I suppose with technology across the board that obsolescence is quick to come around and we live in a disposable world. It doesn’t make it right though 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 1662631

    Those seem connected, after last sells they need to provide 2y and then can end support. If lifespan would be longer, then probably also warranty.

    But sure, more durable products would be better, or a least with easier access to battery.

    When it was supported, users mentioned they were proposed to exchange malfunctioning watch by a refurbished one, example: Forerunner 235 heart rate readings. So if one had a watch in overall good condition, then could still be better to change battery alone or with some local service.

    You can ask the support directly online to be sure.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 1662631
    1662631 said:
    I've tried to link to Garmin Express on my laptop, nothing. The watch isn't recognised. 

    Also you can try holding button while connected by USB as in this post: You need to format the disk in drive E"?.