I have seen a few people say that they have had their watch bands on their Garmin watches break without warning, and hence their watch just descends to the bottom of the ocean never to be seen again. I was in at my local Harvey Norman today getting a new watch under warranty (breakdown in GPS recording) and I asked the question as to whether the warranty would cover this circumstance. I may as well have asked what the square root is of 45678. Has anyone who has lost a watch actually enquired as to the situation with warranty?
Interesting. Did the band suddenly give way, or did it happen during a crash or a gybe? It really doesn't take much for these straps to come undone. If something catches the loose end of the band, it can easily be pulled open. Even with the two retaining loops on my Garmin watch, I've had the strap pulled right out of them and left hanging on my wrist by just the buckle. I was very lucky not to lose it. I generally wear a long-sleeve wetsuit or rashie over my watch to prevent this from happening. If you search through these forums, you will also see that people have made custom covers out of old neoprene because losing watches in the water is not uncommon. I don't think this would be covered under a warranty claim. In most of these situations, the band doesn't actually have a manufacturing defect or break I suspect. It simply gets pulled open or the pins give out under force.
Never use the Garmin rubber watch bands for watersports, the breaking of the band is almost guaranteed over time. I have a few brand new ones removed prior to the watch being used, always replace with a webbing band, and not one of those quick fit ones either. Never broken a webbing band or lost a Fenix, but killed a lot due to start button failure, .
I have been wearing a Garmin watch on my wrist for the last 10 years 24X7 except for when charging the battery about an hour a week. This includes a few hours a week swimming, a few hours a week cycling, and about 10-20 windsurfing sessions a year. My older Vivoactive had several of the clips that hold the excess band break and in need of replacement. I have never had the band itself fail or a watch fall off accidentally in any way. Of course I am sure it is possible if it got caught and a lot of force was applied. I think one key thing is to not do the band too tight for windsurfing so flexing muscles do not stretch it.
My old vivoactive is still in service with my son. I am amazed at the durability of the band given the extensive use it has had. He just 3D printed a new clip for it.
I did used to have a Garmin Swim (normal watch that does lap counting but no GPS), and I stopped using that when I got the vivoactive, and it sat in a drawer for many years, and then I cleaned the drawer and the band had fallen apart. That was purchased around 2014 and I discovered it fallen apart about 2 years ago.
Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
I lost mine in a stack but I think it caught on something as I heard a crack / snap. I now wear a Watch suit and it's great! GPS results are good and I don't have to worry about losing another watch. I'd worn mine 5 years straight 24/7 . I think if I hadn't had that stack it would still be going.
No band breakage for me but I have had 2 Garmin 765's that have given up on me. First one was within 12 months - screen just started displaying gobbly gook. Garmin replaced on warranty. Replacement lasted about 4 years - function button stopped working. Anyone keep an on sales? Where is everyone buying from? From what I can find, Garmin 255 runs between $260 (Ali Express - to good to be true?) and $469.
The 255 has largely disappeared from retail stores in Australia. Deals can be had on ebay for around $400. Otherwise, I have heard of several people who have bought from AliExpress. The products are original, but you will not have an Australian warranty. From Ali after paying GST you are probably looking at $300. The replacement model the 265 is widely available in Australia and can be had for around $550. However this watch is not currently approved. Which it should be as it is the same internally as the 965 which is approved. I might follow this up with the GPSTC advisory a panel to see if the 265 can get the tick of approval.
jn1 said.. Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
Lost my Suunto with this band - as only 1 pin needs to get dislodged, then it's gone it's a new technology problem the old army style strap is one piece so if you lose a pin you still have the watch attached
I think I have posted this before, the easiet way to avoid losing your watch should the strap fail is to pass a 200mm loop of elastic through one hole of one side of the strap, then put your wrist into the loop as you put your watch on. Should the strap break (On either side) then the strap and watch will be left dangling on the elastic loop.
jn1 said.. Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
Lost my Suunto with this band - as only 1 pin needs to get dislodged, then it's gone it's a new technology problem the old army style strap is one piece so if you lose a pin you still have the watch attached
Garmin don’t use standard watch pins, they are thicker and stronger. The Fenix 7 and later use really thick pins, actually bloody difficult to remove.
tbwonder said.. The 255 has largely disappeared from retail stores in Australia. Deals can be had on ebay for around $400. Otherwise, I have heard of several people who have bought from AliExpress. The products are original, but you will not have an Australian warranty. From Ali after paying GST you are probably looking at $300. The replacement model the 265 is widely available in Australia and can be had for around $550. However this watch is not currently approved. Which it should be as it is the same internally as the 965 which is approved. I might follow this up with the GPSTC advisory a panel to see if the 265 can get the tick of approval.
jn1 said.. Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
Lost my Suunto with this band - as only 1 pin needs to get dislodged, then it's gone it's a new technology problem the old army style strap is one piece so if you lose a pin you still have the watch attached
jn1 said.. Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
Lost my Suunto with this band - as only 1 pin needs to get dislodged, then it's gone it's a new technology problem the old army style strap is one piece so if you lose a pin you still have the watch attached
Garmin don’t use standard watch pins, they are thicker and stronger. The Fenix 7 and later use really thick pins, actually bloody difficult to remove.
Yeah agree. Finger tip goes white getting them out.
jn1 said.. Bands replaced using airsail's ebay recommendation. Thanks for info airsail. These bands feel much more comfortable and rugged. Replacing was very easy and quick. Pics below.
Lost my Suunto with this band - as only 1 pin needs to get dislodged, then it's gone it's a new technology problem the old army style strap is one piece so if you lose a pin you still have the watch attached
Garmin don’t use standard watch pins, they are thicker and stronger. The Fenix 7 and later use really thick pins, actually bloody difficult to remove.
I think I have posted this before, the easiet way to avoid losing your watch should the strap fail is to pass a 200mm loop of elastic through one hole of one side of the strap, then put your wrist into the loop as you put your watch on. Should the strap break (On either side) then the strap and watch will be left dangling on the elastic loop.
This is a great solution and is the solution I would use if I was worried. I have had good experience with the Garmin bands, but if I have a bad experience, this seems like a low cost reliable way and you can remove it when not using it for water sports very easily. I was going to use a small lanyard tether with a fine loop to pass through a band hole. Attach or remove in a few seconds and as a secondary tether it is going to take multiple failures to lose your watch.
