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Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935
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I have a new (Jan '17) Garmin 935 that all of the sudden the elevation, on both runs and swims is all messed up. At times the elevation shows "0" and at times it shows 1600+ft when running on a flat surface. I contacted Garmin who sent me an email with a tip to re calibrate, which I did and no change. They also said soak in soapy water...which I did and no change either. They did say that if it continues, they would replace. Which is great, just frustrating and additionally I have heard of others with same issue. Have read that chlorine can be the cause, although no evidence to support and have a difficult time believing this, given the intention of this watch.

Although a nice gesture to replace, I have concerns that it will happen again.

Anyone have similar issues and able to fix without sending back? I know best to send back, I know, I know...but damn, seems like this shouldn't be happening.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Yep, my 2017 935 does the same thing. I haven’t done anything with it as I don’t really care about elevation data anymore

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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I've been having the same issue. I would do a simple 4 mile run in my neighborhood which is super flat and my Garmin would show a 600ft elevation gain. I called them and they told me the same thing...soak it in soapy water, send it back, etc. Didn't really want to send it back so I dealt with it, but it was frustrating.

One day I was on the Garmin Connect website looking at one of my activities. Near the picture of the watch there's something that says "elevations correction." On mine it said disabled. I enabled it and elevation was corrected. My 4 mile neighborhood run went from 600ft of elevation gain to 96ft. I can't figure out how to do it on the app and I have to do it for every activity. I'm sure there's a way to set it as a default; I just haven't figured it out (maybe someone else knows).

The one thing I can never get to work is the temperature. I can never get it to read and if it does it shows 72 degrees for the entire workout.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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If you swim or shower with the watch, it will happen again.

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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [stevej] [ In reply to ]
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This is a known issue to Garmin. Their 8.0 software updated F*d up the watch somehow that can't even be fixed by downgrading the version, beginning mid-March. Garmin support will give you the "have been swimming with it, and do you soak it" routine, but it's their fault. Elevations come out randomly doubled or tripled. When my 920xt lost the barometer, everything read as 32,000 feet. And I cared, because that kind of causes my effort to look awesome, but makes my training numbers all wrong.

Anyway, they have just RMA'd both my 935 and my wife's 935. Look on the Garmin forums for "elevation and temperature data is screwed on 935".

I'm closer to the feathered end of the spear than the point.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I don't think this is unique to the 935. There were lots of reports of issues with the 920, too.

I have a 920. So far I have not had the issues YOU describe (0, 1600, 0, etc). However, I do get skewed altitude readings when I go from inside to outside quickly. I can see the "right shape", but it loos slanted. Like my whole run was on a hill instead of an out and back. I can see where the "normal" peaks are still. However, I find that if I've been outside for a while then the altitude curve looks about like the "corrected" curve, and I usually don't bother with the correction. I don't remember having this problem last year (same watch), but it has been consistent since the outside temps have been in excess of indoor temps (aka summer).

I assume this has something to do with a temperature correction factor that either isn't working right, or that the 920 doesn't have. I never really looked into the inner workings of the 920 altitude.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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This was a widely reported issue with the 920xt, which I've experienced also. Garmin was good about warranty replacement. My best guess was that it was caused by salt build-up from ocean swims, but it's possible it was chlorine from pool swims, or something else. I don't know whether it's technically feasible to design a barometric altimeter that wouldn't be susceptible to similar issues, though.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [Tom_hampton] [ In reply to ]
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Tom_hampton wrote:
I don't think this is unique to the 935. There were lots of reports of issues with the 920, too.

I have a 920. So far I have not had the issues YOU describe (0, 1600, 0, etc). However, I do get skewed altitude readings when I go from inside to outside quickly. I can see the "right shape", but it loos slanted. Like my whole run was on a hill instead of an out and back. I can see where the "normal" peaks are still. However, I find that if I've been outside for a while then the altitude curve looks about like the "corrected" curve, and I usually don't bother with the correction. I don't remember having this problem last year (same watch), but it has been consistent since the outside temps have been in excess of indoor temps (aka summer).

I assume this has something to do with a temperature correction factor that either isn't working right, or that the 920 doesn't have. I never really looked into the inner workings of the 920 altitude.

I get something similar with my 920, usually on morning runs. I have an out and back 5k that's a gradual 100' uphill to the turnaround, but often the 920 shows me as starting 200' higher than the actual elevation, going level or slightly downhill to the turnaround, and then about 200' downhill on the way back...

"I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 10, and I don't know why!"
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I'm on my third 935. First was a warranty replacement due to altitude meter / thermostat failing. Second was a crash replacement where I chatted with the support guy for a while. He said chlorine kills the protective membrane for the thermostat/barometric pressure sensor (altitude). He recommended rinsing the watch after every pool swim to let it last longer.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/nbrowne1
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [Tom_hampton] [ In reply to ]
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I have the same problem with my Fenix 3 HR from 2016.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I had to return my 935 for the similar issue when the barometer failed in April. Garmin support was excellent and I had new watch in a few days. You can restart your 935 in debug/test mode and find various test screens as shown in the attachment:
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [niccolo] [ In reply to ]
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I had my 920xt replaced under warranty for wonky altitude data after about a year of ownership. But I'm a duathlete - that watch was never in salt water and I never went swimming with it in a pool or otherwise. Still, wonky-ass and replaced.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Chiming in to report that I'm having the same issues with my 935. Garmin Support was no help either. Very frustrating.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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My F5 has the same problem. It’s stuck at 26k feet. I pretty much Everest every run and ride now. But I don’t care about elevation except at races but I use my Edge520 for that.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I have three Garmin devises and not one of them is close to the other as far as elevation. Chalked up as poor Garmin software.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [David_Tris] [ In reply to ]
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David_Tris wrote:
Anyway, they have just RMA'd both my 935 and my wife's 935. Look on the Garmin forums for "elevation and temperature data is screwed on 935".

Both my wife's and mine are having the same 0 or gigantic elevation gain issue. Mine is RMA'd for a different issue at the moment. Might do the same for my wife's 935 later.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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I was thinking of buying a 935/F5 so I could use the Garmin running power, glad I didn't.
Guess the 735 w/Stryd is a safer bet.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Has anyone tried to update the firmware to "beta v8.99" and see if it would resolve the issue?


Forerunner 935 software version 8.99 Beta
as of May 11, 2018

https://www8.garmin.com/...details.jsp?id=11751
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [tie3] [ In reply to ]
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tie3 wrote:
Has anyone tried to update the firmware to "beta v8.99" and see if it would resolve the issue?


Forerunner 935 software version 8.99 Beta
as of May 11, 2018

https://www8.garmin.com/...details.jsp?id=11751

Just to answer my own question. No, v8.99 beta firmware didn’t fix the problem. :-(
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [Tom_hampton] [ In reply to ]
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This is definitely not a new issue for Garmin. I have a Fenix3HR with the same issue and I know people with 910 and 920 that have the same issue. In the past I had great success with Garmin customer service but this time was very frustrating.
As of now before a run where I care about elevation i will manually calibrate the altimeter with GPS and 95% of the time it holds up for the length of the run (sometimes even a few more after). Based on history I would not expect this issue to go away any time soon.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [rdros] [ In reply to ]
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I do a lot of pool swimming, mine is also wacked.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Update: Received a notification before my run this morning that the firmware had been updated to 8.1. After my run, saw the elevation gain was being recorded again. Seems like the update fixed the issue.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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Having the same issue with my 935. Tried warm soapy bath and a hard reset. Ill try to update and see what happens. I have a race this weekend, super frustrating.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [trigirl244] [ In reply to ]
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how do you hard reset?
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Kind of a first world problem :) I'm in the same camp
and my 935 has had some screwy elevation stats. I just got a 520 for my bike. I assume their bike computers do a way better job than what they can put on a wrist. Plus there's no chlorine or other chemicals to mess that up. Accurate elevation data doesn't matter all that much to me on runs, I think it's more of a cycling stat. Anyways, I think Garmin's answer is to spend more money on their stuff!

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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https://www.hardreset.info/...reset/second-method/

Spoiler alert: It did nothing for the elevation issue, but figured it was worth a shot.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [trigirl244] [ In reply to ]
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Same issue here. I ran a flat 13.1 yesterday along the lake in Chicago and it recorded 1375 ft of elevation gain. I've just ignored it and hope that data doesn't influence any of the other metrics.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [trigirl244] [ In reply to ]
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My elevation was whacked out because the temperature sensor was broken.

Had to send it in for a replacement under warranty.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Unfortunately this happened to me as well. From what I can tell from reading other posts online, this has been happening to people who pool swim with their 935 4-5 times a week (this was the case for me). Garmin told me to clean out the altimeter sensor on the back with warm soapy water. This didn't work so they sent me a refurbished watch as a replacement. Huge bummer to spend $500 on a triathlon watch and have a sensor wear out from using the watch as it is advertised and intended.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [spencer99w] [ In reply to ]
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just chiming in late on this thread after searching on the forum for this issue. Same issue for me with the Garmin 935. no elevation readings and temp always says 100 degrees. Tried the soapy water thing. no luck. I pool swim maybe twice a week and always rinse the watch after. I'd rather they don't even include the altimeter if they know it's going to break. seems this is a long and ongoing issue for their watches.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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so, my 2nd 935 has now had its barometer die - about 8-9 months life each.
i don't think garmin will replace it now as its out of the warranty period (though i would have a very strong case under consumer law as its just not fit for advertised purpose... i think it is about time they were held to account for this).
i'll probably just put up with it in the short term as i have a goal race coming up and can't be left without a watch for the time they take over arranty returns anyway and i understand there are new watches coming next year.
my question is whether anyone knows if the problem still exists in the 945 and likely the upcoming 955?
if so, i might be best to just get the upcoming 745 which doesn't have a barometer - at least then i can get automatic elevation corrections and pay less too
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [pk1] [ In reply to ]
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pk1 wrote:
so, my 2nd 935 has now had its barometer die - about 8-9 months life each.
i don't think garmin will replace it now as its out of the warranty period ]

I just had a 935 replaced via warranty. garmin told me warranty is 1yr and replacement came with a new 1yr warranty so if yours died at 9 months they will still replace it. I know that it's a pain but until they get it fixed at least you're in under the wire.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [bjgwoody] [ In reply to ]
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I had the same issue, first one had an issue at about 9 months replaced with a refurbished unit, second one failed within 5-6 months and was still considered under warranty. When I called to get the second one replaced I requested a new replacement not refurbished as I have heard they have made a hardware change. They did replace with a new, its only been 5 months so not sure if this one will fail as well.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [hiker726] [ In reply to ]
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Same thing for me. Had my Fenix5 altimeter/temp die after ~9mos. Garmin clearly knows it's an issue and was really good about the exchange (they even have a program where they send you the replacement immediately and charge your card, then refund the card when you return the defective unit; so no downtime).

Personally I don't really need the altimeter, since GPS has similar data, but you can't not use the altimeter (even if it's broken), so all my runs/rides were zero elevation.

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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [bjgwoody] [ In reply to ]
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great to hear i probably have the option of getting it replaced, and can wait a bit until a more convenient time
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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Since this thread has been bumped, I'll link here to my similar thread for a fenix 3 - https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...3F_P6989940/?page=-1

i've still got it, still use it. basically, i just use it w/the altimeter broken and for most runs, i do the 'correct elevation' on strava. i don't go on garmin connect very often. odd thing is, maybe one out of every 8-10 runs, the altimeter works.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jonnies] [ In reply to ]
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just thought i'd add to this with an interesting experience i have had.
my garmin FR935 barameter died last year, confirmed through the diagnostic screen. i never got around to doing anything about it as the garmin replacement process is so painful being left with no device for weeks when the device is mostly working.
anyway, my barometer has started working again now - sensible looking elevation charts and overall elevation gain across a number of runs.
for obvious reasons i have not been swimming at all for a few weeks which i'm guessing has given the watch a chance to "recover" itself with the ports or whatever clering out. i have not washed it in any meaningful way during this period - no change other than not swimming. i'm not even a big volume swimmer at the best of times.

so there is a potential solution to the problem of not using your triathlon watch for swimming... not that this is reasonable or within product specs but it confirms the rumours that water/chlorine are the cause of the issues. hopefully the rumoured upcoming 955 might finally actually be a true multisport capable watch, though i doubt it.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [pk1] [ In reply to ]
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You don’t have to go without your device for weeks. Ask Garmin to send you the new one first, and then you will send in yours once you receive the new one. You will put down a deposit on a CC and it will be refunded once they receive your device. I

blog
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [stevej] [ In reply to ]
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stevej wrote:
You don’t have to go without your device for weeks. Ask Garmin to send you the new one first, and then you will send in yours once you receive the new one. You will put down a deposit on a CC and it will be refunded once they receive your device. I

That's exactly my experience with Garmin as well.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [jaretj] [ In reply to ]
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jaretj wrote:
stevej wrote:
You don’t have to go without your device for weeks. Ask Garmin to send you the new one first, and then you will send in yours once you receive the new one. You will put down a deposit on a CC and it will be refunded once they receive your device. I


That's exactly my experience with Garmin as well.

this seems to be one of the many ways in which garmin support in NZ suck - they will not do this no matter how much you complain, i have tried a few times with different defective products.
actually there is no garmin support in NZ anyway, it is run out of australia
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [pk1] [ In reply to ]
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pk1 wrote:
jaretj wrote:
stevej wrote:
You don’t have to go without your device for weeks. Ask Garmin to send you the new one first, and then you will send in yours once you receive the new one. You will put down a deposit on a CC and it will be refunded once they receive your device. I


That's exactly my experience with Garmin as well.


this seems to be one of the many ways in which garmin support in NZ suck - they will not do this no matter how much you complain, i have tried a few times with different defective products.
actually there is no garmin support in NZ anyway, it is run out of australia

Actually not quite. For my 935 altimeter replacement then two things. 1 it was shipped from Auckland. The support is based in Aus, but the warehouse is Akl. And secondly then as soon as I gave them the tracking number for the one I was sending they sent the replacement. So was without it overnight. Did take some specific prodding to sort out. This was about a year ago.
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [Duncan74] [ In reply to ]
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Duncan74 wrote:



pk1 wrote:
jaretj wrote:
stevej wrote:
You don’t have to go without your device for weeks. Ask Garmin to send you the new one first, and then you will send in yours once you receive the new one. You will put down a deposit on a CC and it will be refunded once they receive your device. I


That's exactly my experience with Garmin as well.


this seems to be one of the many ways in which garmin support in NZ suck - they will not do this no matter how much you complain, i have tried a few times with different defective products.
actually there is no garmin support in NZ anyway, it is run out of australia


Actually not quite. For my 935 altimeter replacement then two things. 1 it was shipped from Auckland. The support is based in Aus, but the warehouse is Akl. And secondly then as soon as I gave them the tracking number for the one I was sending they sent the replacement. So was without it overnight. Did take some specific prodding to sort out. This was about a year ago.

interesting, i got a very firm no each time i tried to find a way to avoid being left without a device, i thought i was being quite firm myself, getting into being difficult/rude when polite requests got nowhere. i will have to push even harder next time!
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Re: Elevation all whacked on Garmin 935 [pk1] [ In reply to ]
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To clarify my 'specific prodding' involved referencing the way the US handled it and begging / sobbing. At no point did I 'push'. Mainly as I'm, a shaven legged lycra wearing streak of piss and used to get bullied when the guides came around selling biscuits so didn't even try pushy/rude for fear of further humiliation.

Seriously, I always go with a clear proposal of how it could happen to offset risks. I actually offered to pay for new one on credit card / as a hold that they could reverse. So I made it easy for them to say yes, but hard to say no.

Out of interest where did you buy it from? If Harvey N or Noel Leaming, depending on how long since you bought it (and I'm not restricting to within 12 months) they may also be able to assist. I had a Vivoactive that was swapped out 4 times before garmin admitted it was shite and gave an upgrade / discount, but Noel Leaming used to swap them out in store with new or reconditioned that they would hold on instruction from Garmin.
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