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Cracks on Forerunner 645 Music body

SaidB
over 6 years ago
Hello garmin users,

I just wanted to highlight some issues I recently discovered on my black645M. I have it since March and had no issues till last week.

When I removed it after a run, the band detached itself and that's when I discovered that the body was cracked where the band pin inserts into the body of the watch
What's worse (if that's possible) is that after inspecting the entire body, I've found that the 3 other holes for the pin were also starting to crack.

I am very cautious with my watch that has never been shocked in any manner. I do switch bands sometimes (official garmin bands) and I'm always careful when doing so.
I don't understand how this piece can be so fragile after only 9 months of not so heavy use, I'm wearing it daily at work and I've been running with it only around 40 times (no swimming).

I've just returned it to the shop as it is still under warranty and I hope that Garmin won't make any trouble to replace it but I'm now afraid that such an expensive piece of gear may not last that long finally... My previous Vivoactive HR died after 9 months also but this time it was after a one sessions at a swimming pool so the water proofing was probably faulty that time.
I can't afford a Fenix Chronos that is full metal nor want to carry such a heavy watch, the F645M is the perfect size for me and has the functions I want in a watch...

I'm adding some pictures of the cracks so you can see what it looks like.

I've seen similar posts for other models but nothing so far for this watch. Has anyone faced that already? ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1431516.png ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1431517.jpg
  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Naval97

    After my last (3rd) contact with Garmin, I received and email saying that an other look was taken of the wrist strap hole crack and that it was indeed a manufacturing problem.  The person authoring the email (distribution being frowned on) said that a "few" units early on were subject to this defect. .

    I only wish that it didn't take screaming my head off to get this done.  I've been promised a refund and a new watch.  I will post again when they appear.  Garmin's eventual ownership of the issue somewhat restores my faith, but I guess it will always be caveat emptor.  Thanks Corbin!

    Bob Canavan

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Naval97

    Congratulations for winning the fight and thanks for sharing!

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Please take a look to the crack I found in my FR645.  This one is not music.  It is not a shock it looks like a burnt.  I do not know if the watch was overheated and caused this while charging but it is really weird for me.  As some of you I have had FR420 - 620 - 630 and now this 645.  Also I will have to pay to replace it for a refurbished unit, but my watch only has 6 or 7 months of use.  I train hard, use it in an average 5 days a week but I really do think that this is not a problem related to wearing the watch.  It is something weird that should be checked carefully in the lab to improve future products.  

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I have noticed that there are cracks on my 645 non music. Where the strap attaches to the watch.  

    Sent some pics to Garmin and they offered to RMA it. Bear in mind my unit was purchased in April 2018.  

    I have had a number of issues with Garmin products and every time they have gone above and beyond my expectations.  There aren't many companies that give such good service outside of warranty periods.  

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I am so thankful i found this thread...this morning while putting on my jacket my Garmin just fell off my wrist. I thought maybe somehow it just came unhooked but when i took a closer look i saw the piece where the pin connects had broke. I was shocked...so i called the Fleet Feet store where i bought it from and they told me they would contact their Garmin rep Monday. I will let you know how it goes...I am in the USA

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I can join the crack party Grin

    This morning prepping for my race my watch band fastener fell of, snapped at the corner. Lucky me I had a spare band laying somewhere in a drawer. While changing the watch band I noticed on the bottom side that both lugs started to crack. It’s still in early stages but noticeable.

    Tonight I will contact Garmin Netherlands by email with some photos and linking also to this thread. Hopefully they will exchange it. Otherwise I may consider an other brand.

    crack bottom side 

    crack upper side

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Now this have happened to my unit. Both metal inserts in the lugs where the pin for one side of the wristband attaches broke off.

    It seems like a manufacturing flaw, if the material is likely to fatigue they should have been better reinforced.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to JOBERO76

    Oh my that looks really bad, I have cracks exactly at the same points.
    I hope Garmin is going to acknowledge this problem soon and offers some kind of replacement program like Apple does. The cases are piling in now. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I got in contact with the Dutch Garmin support and after some mails back and forward with photos, they issued a replacement. I am really happy with how the took care of the issue but I am also worried. Did they fix the issue in the production proces or is it a matter of time when the first cracks will appear again? 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to MiKi

    I believe this was a manufacturing defect so we shouldn't have any further issues. Was your watch bought within a few months of release?  Mine was out of guarantee and they still replaced it.  This would seem to point to a known issue