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Multiple Waterproof failures FR735XT

Hi there.

Have just had this watch replaced by Garmin for the fourth time. It's the same issue every time : screen goes completely blank during swim and the watch never responds. Just interested to hear any thoughts.

Have several friends who have it experienced any problems. Initially thought I may have been the wall charger but this appears not to be the case.

I wear the watch on the inside of my wrist (it faces inside my arm) can possibly be the only thing I do that nobody else does. Hard to say how this may cause failure other than pointing to a pressure/water proof issue.

Just to be clear, I am a professional who lap/ocean swims, rides on rollers and runs outdoors. Have owned many watches over two and a half decades of ironman tri (Mainly Polar as I was once sponsored but their product quality dropped about 10 years ago).

Interested to hear some genuine thoughts. Sadly Garmin have never replied to my questions as to what they've found in their testing of my failed units.

0 tmk2 over 8 years ago

One thing to be cautious about is pressing buttons when the watch is submerged. The manual discourages to do it and I know people who were not aware of that.

The only other thing that comes to my mind is sheer mileage. The waterproofing of this watch doesn't seem to be too impressive. It might work for someone who does two 45-minute training sessions a week (like me :)) but might be more easily killed by someone swimming 5-10 hours a week. Just a theory of mine.

0 lochindaal over 8 years ago

I swim 4-5 times/week with no problems and doing tri training.

Possibly as you state if your swim stroke causes the watch face to strike the water each time could be causing too much impact.

0 kitenski over 8 years ago

I'm swimming 2-4 times a week since July with my 735xt and no issues. I do wear it on the outside of my wrist.

0 barkcat over 8 years ago

Just for future reference in case anyone has the same issues and is looking for a precident.

Spoke to Nicholas at Garmin support in Australia today 6/1/2017. He said that they haven't seen any problem like this before with the 735XT but retrospectively advised not to wear on the inside of the wrist just in case there is a problem. Not being argumentative, I brought the point of the watch being suitable for swimming and this surely can't be an issue.

For the record, I don't have any axe to grind with Garmin as the concept of the watch is perfect for me (if it didn't fail!). I'm a professional and was trying to assist Garmin with clarifying. Sadly they stated they never inspected any of the failed units. This would have categorically closed the issue for once and all. I have another theory but will keep that private.

Clearly there is an issue with the waterproofing which is brought to bear when wearing the watch on inside of wrist - it is a plastic unit after all. My humble opinion is that this unit is better suited to athletes who train fairly lightly - as opposed to full-time.

Garmin are kindly organising a full refund. Not sure if I will give them another go or not yet. Mixed feelings with the experience.

0 kitenski over 8 years ago

thanks for the update, perhaps the new Fenix is tougher??

0 barkcat over 8 years ago

Perhaps. 50/50 on whether to give it a try yet. Thanks for your reply

0 michaeljswann over 8 years ago

With the watch on the inside of your wrist, the dynamic pressures it experiences would be much higher than if worn on the outside of the wrist.

The waterproof rating is a static rating. When you start moving things through water, the forces go up dramatically.

0 barkcat over 8 years ago

Pastyre

Thanks Michael

This is all great info. Ray Maker also been fantastic.

Anyone hazard a guess as to the likelihood of same outcome with Fenix 5s (which has immersion rating of 100m) versus 50m for 735XT?

0 Dr Phil over 8 years ago

@barkcat

"My humble opinion is that this unit is better suited to athletes who train fairly lightly - as opposed to full-time."

No, it's more suited to athletes who wear the watch as watches 'usually' worn. Training heavy or light likely has nothing to do with it's waterproofness if it's worn on the inside of a wrist.

Prove that by swimming with it on the outside of your wrist where watches are 'usually' worn.

0 barkcat over 8 years ago

"No, it's more suited to athletes who wear the watch as watches 'usually' worn." Other users reporting similar water issues on DCR... and they wear the watch traditionally. Usually after 60 swims.

It's great to hear other opinions. By that rationale, perhaps Garmin should place a warning about swimming backstroke if worn 'usually'??

In my view it's either waterproof to 50m or not. Glad we have good consumer laws in Australia. Garmin have had absolutely no hesitation in refunding.

Interestingly I've just found out from a colleague that the same issue isn't present on Fenix from a fellow masters swimmer who uses inside of wrist and swam 400k in 2016.