Garmin watch in the bin after 5 years! WHY Garmin?? 

Agreed. Changing batteries should be standard option on any electronic device.

Ironic; one would think the Fenix could rise from a dead battery

The policy of non-replaceable batteries started with the original Fenix; I know because this happened to me. For this reason, I will never buy another Garmin watch again (although I love the Fenix 5 Range); so I have switched to Suunto instead ..... Well done Garmin, you've driven a Garmin user (with many of your products: Rino, Montanna, Fenix etc.) to Suunto

Hi! Garmin dealer in Croatia confirmed that battery can be changed , no problem. Price is not to high but the point is that it CAN BE CHANGED.

I completely agree! Garmin states that the user cannot replace the battery. It must be sent to Garmin via RMA. The cost is $170. I did not know this when I bought this watch a few years ago. If I had I would at least be able to factor this into my decision making . The actual batteries are available online and average $20 . So that means either the labor to replace the battery (or the profit Garmin wants) is $150 or so of the $170 charge. In my opinion the watches are priced at the top of the curve and now I see that replacement (even something as common as a simple battery) is at the top of the curve too. What’s the old saying? “The maximum amount that customers are willing to pay. I will charge as much as the traffic will bear-I need to make a profit you know”

Totally agree with you. I’m on my 2nd Forerunner 735XT in 4 years. My watch which isn’t as expensive as the Phoenix but still if I’d spent over £200 per item on a normal watch and wasn’t able to get the battery replaced I wouldn’t purchase them again. It’s a pity they can’t treat their customers and the environment with more respect, instead of exploiting both. Once you’ve got used to having one they’re a hard habit to break - and that’s what they key into.

You're perfectly right. That's totally unacceptable from Garmin. We should be able to replace the battery ourselves or at least, to have it replace. Not to throw away an item of 500/700 or even 1000$ after 3 or 4 years.

Garmin won't sell you a battery to replace it yourself. They want some insane amount to send it to them to replace the battery. Fortunately, Amazon sells replacement batteries for these watches for about $12.00. Get an 8 mm Torx bit and remove the 4 screws on the back off of the watch. Then carefully remove the tape tacked down to the watch innards. Find where the two wires go from the battery and peel back the tape covering the solder points of the two wires. Unsolder the two wires, solder in the 2 new wires from the new battery, then put everything back together and replace the watch back. Then charge the battery and you're back in business. This procedure is listed on youtube as a video.

Thanks for sharing the video. I would expect the battery life to be better and if the battery goes it definitely needs to be replaced by Garmin. Garmin MUST take care of this even if there is a Fenix 10 out there by then. That’s how you take care of the existing customers. Agreed, with time tech gets obsolete, but that’s not what we are looking at here... with the price paid, the watch should be upgradable.

Service is service. Battery replacement must be an option to the customer. I like to decide what I’m going to do with my stuff. Unfortunately I did not take attention on the policy before buying it.

I was just about to buy this and now I don't want one thanks for the vid

I'm in support of at least a battery replacement option.

Great point ... son's 5s is now with me for the battery replacement. He loved this watch, but has switched to Polar instead! Stupid policy, so I've suggested he avoids Garmin until they work out how to retain customer loyalty.

I completely agree with you, I am on my second Garmin 7x. They charge you $270 to replace it after warranty is up. Only been two years! Need to take this into account when purchasing future Garmin Products.

I have the Garmin Fenix 5x plus for about 1 and half year and the battery gone dead. The replacement at Garmin is too costly and I put the watch aside for almost 2 years and found a 3rd party replacement battery from the online store for less than $50. DIY it myself and it started running again.

Hi yes totally agree with you… why pay so much and you cant repair it of change the battery! Ive got a fenix 6 second hand and i will also consider changing the battery when it loses its power. Thanks for the video tho i guess a g shock is better.

Battery replacement takes 30-45 minutes. Just take it slow and pay attention to lead placement and o-ring.

Completely agree. I was refused a battery replacement service after 5 years of ownership. Besides the battery, the watch is otherwise still perfect. It's disgracefull, particularly from a company that promotes outdoor activities, trowing away a piece of electronics with a large amount of embeded energy which is very difficult to reuse, let alone recycle. Assuming a cost of 500 Euro for a Fenix 5, Garmin is basically charging 100 a year for ownership - this also puts costs into perspective. Very disappointing from an environmental awarenss point of view. Not to mention the customer service when I called for the replacement: ll I got was a very aggressive sales pitch to puchase a new watch. These products are clearly designed and marketed to increase consumption, not lifetime. Alas, we are forever consumers. Ahmen Luckily there is an alternative to throwing away. Buy a battery replacement kit from the likes of Subtel or others and do it yourself. It works perfectly and is relatively cheap. Get smart!

I've got a 26.5 year old Casio Altimeter watch. Still running. It's on it's 4th or 5th battery and 5th strap. Was worn daily for 17 years until the case was damaged during a theft attempt in Peru (yes ripped the watch right off my wrist). Thanks for info, I would have assumed the battery was replaceable on the Fenix, which I was considering buying until I saw your video... Even my Samsung S8, can have the battery replaced.

It has the screws to open the watch. Otherwise they would make it as a one piece without possibility to open it! Aftermarket batteries will be in a few years definitely available.

I just changed the battery on my Garmin Fenix 5x I am back up to 5 days of life! It was easier than I thought it was going to be...

Garmin has had an out of warranty repair service for every watch as far as I'm aware. While they say that they don't replace batteries, you can just sent it is for a refurbish exchange. I just did this with my fenix 3 and it was $110. So sure, maybe that's expensive to replace the battery, but you can always send it back for a refurbished unit. Basically, they DO replace batteries, just not if you just ask to have the battery replaced.

Just to clarify from my comment on your other video and provide further information. The battery is non-standard shaped. Though it is a standard 3.8v li-ion battery 430mAh. You could source a rectangular battery of a smaller size which would fit. The battery isn't soldered to the board but rather uses a standard connector. Though I wouldn't consider the part user replaceable. It is as simple as unscrewing the case and unpluging the old battery. My concern would be the average person would likely not take the correct precautions to reseal the case. Perhaps in 5 years time if I still have a Fenix 5X (rather then a Fenix 8X) then I'll write a guide. Searching the batteries model shows a company in India. I'll see if I can post up a disassembly video if there's interest for that or a guide.

I changed the battery on this exact watch, really straight forward. Just a few screws🤔

I was looking into buying a 5x however after watching this I won't bother. Thanks for the heads up.

I have a Garmin D2 Charlie that stopped working after charging it overnight. After calling Garmin, everything you mention is the same. Garmin won’t repair the watch or sell a battery. I think I am done with Garmin. I will use my Apple Watch- at least apple will provided some incentive to upgrade to their latest watch. This is wasteful on part of garmin.

Totally agree. It's unbelievable that you would pay 1000AUD+ (current price starting at more like 1250AUD+ for current model) for something that lasts 5 years tops (in reality). We have 'Fit for Purpose' Consumer laws in Australia and I wonder how long it will be before someone takes Garmin on re this. I won't be getting another (I have 5X) if they don't start making watches with battery serviceability.

Having the same issue with my Montblanc Summit - £800 and no battery replacement service available. It's a disgrace that businesses can create devices that are effectively destined only for the bin after (in my case) just under 3 years!

5-6 years battery life beats the Apple Watch at 1-2 years by far. I agree though, Garmin should offer battery replacements. I wonder if the solar options on the 6 series offsets the battery wear and tear.

You might want to ask Garmin what they mean with life-expectancy. Normally when the capacity of a battery is reduced to 80% it is considered to be done. If this is also the definition of Garmin, the 5 Years won’t be an issue for > 99% of the use-cases, although the watch can't do the 24h long GPS-tracking any more.

UPD: Garmin has an MRA program - if device is broken they send you a refubrished (new?) one for about $140. Worked for me. My 5s is dead after two years. Not completely dead, but the battery doesn't hold even a day with no activities, backlight is dead, bluetooth stopped working completely. Not usable.

I've only had to replace the battery on my Rio Karma once (I know it's not a watch, but it's great old tech), the first one lasted for over ten years! Same with my Palm T3! You can still get replacement batteries for these fourteen years on. I'm sure you'll be able to get a replacement battery for these watches, even if you're not wearing the watch every day in ten years time. I don't listen to music on my Rio Karma that often, but it's still going strong and I still think it's cool (retro) tech. If you don't run the battery right down before recharging, it should increase the number of cycles considerably.

Agreed. Shame on you Garmin. I was going to buy one but now i'm thinking more than twice. Thx for info.

Literally send it to me. I'll swap the $4 Li-Po battery and hock it on ebay for $100

would like to buy Fenix 6x Pro Solar. After seeing this, I have to think it over

100% agree. I won’t buy a epix 2 if battery replacement is not an option from Garmin. If that is the true, I will definitely move to Apple/Huawei Watch.

I still have my old Fenix, and it still recharges, and works! (No #, Fenix 1???)

Agreed- 5x owner; very disappointed by Garmin's building in obsolescence to their top of the range products.

I have had my Fenix 2 for over 5 years now and the battery is running as good as the day I got it. These batteries are replaceable and available on eBay if you need to.

Regulators should be onto these guys. Like the single charging adapter being applied in Europe. The cycling Garmins i bought x 2 were always garbage. Always ran out on long rides, 6 hrs and then gone even when new.

Completely discussed by this news. I can't believe Garmin would promote this kind of behavior!

I purchased a Garmin 405cx about 8 years ago. Battery quickly degraded until it stopped working after s couple of years. Same thing, throw it away! It’s just about selling c number of units per year $$$ I was thinking about buying another but you’ve jogged my memory

I mean they would make good money from doing batt replacements I’d imagine, but 5 years is a decent amount of time to get the use of the watch not to mention if they support with updates that long I don’t know. But the watch can be bought for like £350 give or take, it’s like 5.80 a month

Did the fix that issue 4 years later?

Completely agree, not to mention other competitors offer software updates that keeps improving the device as they come up with new features. For example on garmin 5S no smart battery management such a shame I regularly go out of battery during activity

I have the 3 hr saphire, I agree with you, these watch are too damn expensive to just throw away, my battery is failing now, I bought the watch through my PX, retired military

Agreed. I have a 920XT that is only lasts about 10 hours. Considering a new GPS watch, considering something other than Garmin because of their battery.

On the plus side, there do seem to be servicers out there who will replace the battery for you. I've asked for a quote from one of them. The battery itself shouldn't cost more than a couple of quid and it looks like an easy job to replace it - 5 screws on the watch bezel.

Thank you, I was about to purchase a 6X.Changed mind

All my old Garmins are still going strong. I cannot imagine using my Fenix 5X in 5 years time. Furthermore, plenty of people get their watches replaced with a refurbished model for a very good price when they wear out, break, battery dies outside of warranty. I have done this in the past with a 310XT although it was a button not battery problem, but the same would have applied had the battery failed not a button. I think Garmin are pretty good at doing this.

I've had the Forerunner 235 for 3 1/2 years and the battery is crap. It will fully charge, but then drains in about an hour by just sitting there. I contacted Garmin support, but they just sent me a bunch of tips about optimizing the battery life. Turn off Glonass, disable noises and vibrations, and so forth. However, I can hardly find these functions before the battery significantly drains. Man, this sucks. I also have the Forerunner 245, which I'm using. So I'm OK for now. But I might just set aside a few dollars from each paycheck. Then the the 245 dies, replace it with a watch with a replaceable battery.

I was wondering about this before considering to purchase a fenix watch. After this I decided to just use my phone as a gps, no separate device anymore. Ok so a phone doesn't last much more than 5 years at the very best either, but at least it's more multipurpose and I'll need one of those anyways. In Garmin's defense, it is not easy to support a device for over 5 years, keeping it up to date and working with the latest smartphones. And developments go so fast, in 5 years there will be something far more awesome that everyone will want to have. But yeah, it sux anyways.

Disgusting policy by Garmin especially in this age where we are so well informed that consumer waste is having such a profound adverse impact to our environment.

After spending $1000AUS and finding out the life time is around 5years is simply appalling. Garmin if you wish to continue making sales then start selling replacement batteries or if this isn’t possible then either reduce the watch price or start offering a trade in system when the battery fails.....

I had mine changed, for 35 Euro (Fenix 5). But battery quality seems far from original. I agree that Garmin and others should offer this service.

Shame on you Garmin! I won't buy these expensive disposable watches. Thanks for the video!

645 also. They do not provide replacement. We should be able to sue in the EU for this

I just bought the GARMIN FENIX 6X PRO SOLAR TITANIUM DLC. For this price they should at least foresee a battery replacement I think.

On the charge cycles...if these r lithium batteries i thought u wana avoid draining the battery completely n try to keep the watch between 80% to 95% charged all the time? This should extenb battery life to over 8yrs? Can some one pls confirm?

u are not satisfied with your Fenix 5X ?? Problems?? If you have or had, please tell me. I would like buy one. Thanks

I have a FR220 and it won't even connect to GPS any longer even thought the battery is still fit and it's fully updated. Was going to pass it to my son for his cross country events, but it won't connect to GPS. Very disappointing.

Standard business model, most manufacturers don't repair (they leave it to 3rd party repairers). Original batteries are made too maximum size that will be fit in the watch case which often means weird shapes. 3rd party replacement batteries usually sized to a more standardized range of sizes. Smart watches are just like mobile phones, ie after say 4 years, once a phone needs a new battery or screen most people will want a new phone with all the new must have features. I wouldn't even consider sending my iPhone or Samsung back to China/Korea for a new battery! Plenty of independents either locally or online that do reasonably priced repairs.

I have my fenix 3 since 2017. i Noticed something weird regarding battery drain even if the watch is off. I already replaced the original battery that came with it as i thought it could be the battery that can't hold a charge anymore. To my surprise the new battery did the same. Keeps discharging even when turned off. Now the original battery is out of the watch I measured its voltage and guess what the original battery can and still hold a charge. It could be my motherboard or hardware issue that keeps draining the battery. Also what's weird is when you leave it off it will drain quickly! but when you turn it on it will discharge slowly like 2-3 days. Anyway all features are working except the said issue.

I have a Garmin Vivoactive 3 that I bought some time ago and did not wear. Decided to pull it out of the drawer and give it a try. Watch seems fully functional when plugged in but unplug it and it won't work at all. Looks like battery totally dead and can't be replaced. I've had my iPhone longer than this and it is still working fine. Shame on Garmin for making products designed to end up in land fill after a few years. Would never look at one of their products again.

I wonder if it could be reasonably safely replaced by some local watchmaker or watch store? And would the job be very expensive? I mean if youre choosing to throw it in the bin and letting some proffessional have a crack at it for a reasonable fee i would certainly give it a go after 5 or 6 years.

hi! Did you manage to replace battery by yourself? I'm considering to purchase new model from series 6, but this is one of biggest issue which I have to face regarding all electronic device: battery.

Not sure if it matters . You made a video indicating garmin wouldn't update the Fenix 3 . By the end of the 5 years you'd want the updated model anyway. Love the videos man.....

You can replace easily the battery. It is cheap also.

Dave, my charging pins worn down need a back plate with new charging pins, should I return to Garmin? Any help grateful, cheers

You are lucky, my fenix3 started to malfunction way before five years of use!

It can be changed, its very easy to do yourself and replacement batteries are found online

Not sure what all of the panic is for. The battery is replaceable by sending it into Garmin. You must first request and RMA and there is a fee for the service. Hardly throwing the watch in the trash. Maybe a bit more research would have been better before posting this video. This video is old enough to buy beer I know, but the point remains.

thanks for the info. That's a real deal breaker. I considered buying one with sapphire screen. but it's not worth it with that short lifespan.

I have a tactix 7 pro solar ballistic and i hope i can change the battery if it will go bad

Yes, agree with you. So environmental unfriendly choice by Garmin.

Doesn't Garmin offer a refurbishing option where you can have battery, bezel etc. replaced for a moderate price?

So what happened? Did you replace the battery yourself? Get another watch? Switch brands?

What's the battery widget called?

Rob Thank you.I was about to Drop $1350 in Australia on one of there bravo Av models and now i will not.

Same is true for the screen replacement. It cannot be repaired and they told me to chuck it.

This is one reason why I didn't buy this watch. I called garmin center and they said if battery wears out they offer new watch for around 1/3 of standard price. I wouldn't like to pay for new watch though. This policy is like planned obscolescene. I think it wouldn't be an issue to take battery off, but it might be a problem with replacement battery on the market.

They are on sale (5X) for $499.00 I was going to buy one, but now I'm not. Garmin, you just lost a customer.

Awesome information thank you Rob , totally agree with you.

The possibility to change the battery is a sustainable way of treating the environment. Why produce a new piece, if the old one can still work.

I have a fenix 3hr and now after 3 THREE years the battery gives up. And now I hear the first time that they have a no battery replacement "policy" (should we use this word here or would BULLSHIT be more appropriate?). For me it is simple: 1. I have a strict NO garmin policy from now on (a pitty, because their watch is otherwise awesome) 2. fortunately I live in Hong Kong where there is a high chance that I find someone who will change the battery...

That's good information to know. Not exactly what I was hoping for. It makes me wonder if the store warranty might be worth it.

GARMIN! That response is not acceptable.

Agreed. Do Garmin give a sh*t?

Garmin will make only it's top tier watches replaceable. Fenix series has 4 screws on the back. Battery is detachable . 2 pins connector. Quite simple.

Yes, shame on Garmin for that. I'm a Fenix 5x plus user, it's been only a year since I bought the watch which means in 4 years, most probably, the battery is gonna die? Does anybody know, Suunto has the battery replacement service?

Just like smartphone marketing.

Thanks for video. I was about to buy a phénix 6 watch for running, swimming. If garmin won’t allow to change battery. I would rather buy an Apple Watch and get a 79$ replacement battery when it fail.

You are lucky , my Garmin Fenix 3 battery is dying 3 months after waranty. I just ordered new battery from amazon (it cost 11€) I will replace it by my self.

Casio has a a new watch out called the G-Shock, Move. I think all Casio's have a replaceable battery. I really wanted to buy the Fenix 6X Pro Saphire, but now I don't know if I will.

The replacement battery costs 13euros here in Sweden, i will do the job myself

My Fenix 5 S is dead, passed away just last week, just after 3 years of usage. Probably the battery is gone, I'll try to replace it myself. I'm not going to buy another Garmin for sure. Completely unsatisfied by the performances of mine, each time I had to calibrate manually the altimeter, the gps calibration never worked.

Any mobile phone tech can swap this battery for you mate. It comes apart with some difficulty and the batteries are about $20.

If you calculate the price per day it's incredibly cheap. Get your money's worth out of it and you won't be disappointed.

I had the same thoughts about the battery life etc ,and read about people frustrated about the fenix 3 HR and the batteries basically only lasting about 6 hours agter a few years . If im paying R12,500 south african rand for a watch i would want to wear it for YEARS ! Thus i decided against buying the watch .

holly fucking shit???????? i was about to order one... is this for real ?