Second replacement watch dead after 3 months.

That's unfortunate.

Don't recall other reports here of it just going black when just wearing it - if that is what you mean?
Been on a few flights with mine - clearly nowhere near as often as you would of course. Does this happen on a flight or is your job just a coincidence I wonder? You would think so...

Not sure. I'm using the official Garmin wall adapter charger I had for my FR620. That's about the only other possibility. Garmin are replacing again.

Interestingly, when I pushed the reset button with support on the phone, Water came out from around the button....

Hmm I'm on my third unit with both of the previous two failing due to the ingress of water. I wonder if there is a dodgy batch circulating that may have had some manufacturing issues?

There are a few posts here with watches dying when taken for a swim.

I’m very disappointed with the 735xt. After taking a long time to decide whether to get the Fenix 3 or 735xt I sold my trusty 610 and opted for the 735xt. Yesterday my second 735xt watch died after going swimming. I’ve now had two watches that have malfunctioned due to water ingress and the disappointing thing is its taking 3-4 weeks to get a replacement. Yesterday within 30 mins of leaving the water for the first time with my replacement watch it behaved as though the start (grey) button was constantly being pressed even though it wasn’t. Shortly after the screen displayed the Garmin logo only for a while and then went black. I’ve put it on charge this morning and the screen is not displaying correctly and the watch constantly vibrates.

I’m now not sure what to do. Do I return my watch and get a third hoping it doesn’t have any water problems? I am less tempted to do this after reading this forum don’t appreciate the long turn-around time should it happen again. Alternatively I could try the Fenix 3, however I wanted to the step counter and the Fenix 3 looks a little big as an everyday watch. Is the Fenix 4 going to be announced shortly? My last option is to look at other brands of watch such as the Suunto.

Regards
Craig

Problem replies here

At my wits end here.

Have had three units of this watch now and each one dies after about three months. Use it everyday (train 6 days/week).

Garmin have replaced under warranty everytime (after a lengthy process) but starting to wonder what is going on? Has anyone had similar issues please?

Watch suddenly goes black screen (just wearing it with a full charge) and then cannot be reset. Doesn't respond to reset or being plugged-into computer.

It's a good unit but I'm wondering if there is a design issue? For the record I'm not doing anything extreme with it but work as an airline pilot.

Please report if you have had similar.

Only curious about the point been an airline pilot, I'm airline pilot too and the same happened to me.
I don't train everyday but just bought the watch for Christmas and started using it, all the problems began after a swimming test and then the watch started vibrating continuously after that the screen faded.
Now when turned on it shows like a pixel screen with multi color dots but no info readable, my guest is that water came in the unit.

Waiting for the response from Garmin after troubleshooting.

Rockwood Lisse

Hi Ayel

Thats interesting. I have deduced that the unit perhaps isn't quite as robust as had hoped.

In my experience, there is an issue with the watches waterproofing. (see thread 'called multiple waterproof failures'). Have been PM'd by a few here (also replies on DC Rainmaker) from others who have experienced the same. I think the issue possibly lies with the seal. Perhaps the pressurisation cycles weaken them also.

I have also had a user tell me that overcharging them expands the battery and compromises the seal.

In my case, I put the issue down to wearing on the inside of my wrist and that the watch can't handle the impact on the water during freestyle. Thats a plausible explanation but the watch is supposed to be suitable for immersion in 50m water. I swim 400km a year and have never had any waterproofing issues in 23 years with various other watches. Someone on here suggested I should wear the watch on the outside - all great until you arrive for the dreaded 50 x 50 backstroking! In my view it's either waterproof .... or not!

I'd expect that any watch that you need to turn around your wrist depending ons wim-stroke was probably bought from a gas station!

Have been liaising with Garmin support in Aus. For the record they have been fantastic, but obviously stopped short of admitting any problems with the design. They weren't able to get or disclose the test results of the failed watches..... Just standard brand-name protection strategy at play there. Nicholas (garmin) was fantastic to deal with also.

It's a shame because the concept of the watch is great. In my view just doesn't suit being used under a heavy training load. If they made a more robust version in time to come I would consider.

Luckily in Australia, consumer law demands a product must be fit for purpose and this hasn't been in my experience. I have been through 4 units in 6 months and have finally given up. Garmin have organised a full refund.

All the best.