For those of you that use Garmin- how many use the watch pretty much 24/7 (daily to work, swims, running / biking, mowing the lawn, and so on)?
Does it seem to withstand the beating and keep on functioning?
I’ve got a few buddies who use theirs only for bike/run and have another for swim, mowing the lawn, etc for fear that the “nicer†Garmin will get gummed up from water, dirt / dust and whatnot.
Seems silly to have a really nice (expensive) watch and not use it 24/7 for fear it will die early.
What have your experiences been? I’m not investing in something that I’ll need to tip toe around.
YMMV - I have been consistently using the same Garmin watch (935) for approximately five years, wearing it daily and occasionally even while sleeping. I have a screen protector as a precautionary measure against damage to the face of the watch. The watch has been a extremely reliable, with nearly no change in both battery performance and overall appearance. Strongly recommend.
I wore my Fenix daily and do the same with my Epix. I charge it once a week in about 45 minutes.
They do what they are marketed to do plus tracking stress and sleep on boring days and nights. The bezel does show more wear than I’d expect but it’s purely cosmetic and a result of my clumsiness but the screen remains looking new.
I’m a 7x24 wearer, except for showering. The only meaningful damage sustained is a solid scratch on the glass of my 935 from a fall while hiking. Its still going strong as a hand-me-down with a family member. Have an Epix now and it does everything I do without a second thought.
I wear my epix sapphire 24/7. The altimeter gave out after about 14 months. Outside of the warranty but Garmin still replaced it with a refurbished. They said the chlorine from swimming can damage the sensor and should be washed out after every swim.
I wear my epix sapphire 24/7. The altimeter gave out after about 14 months. Outside of the warranty but Garmin still replaced it with a refurbished. They said the chlorine from swimming can damage the sensor and should be washed out after every swim.
No other issues.
I’ve had mine (Fenix 5) replaced twice. I rinse it well after every swim and the sensor still eventually dies…known design flaw.
To the OP, they are great as an everyday watch. No reason to constrain them to workouts only. Also, get a screen protector off Amazon. I was in a major bike crash that shattered the protector, but the actual Garmin screen underneath survived without so much as a scratch.
So I guess that would be my next question …………. does showering afterwards not clean the sensor?
What does one do to properly clean the sensor?
Thx!!
I’ve been wearing my 920XT 24/7 for about 7 1/2 years, the only issue I’ve had was the stock Garmin straps would break after about 10-12 months. Switched to a cheap strap from Amazon, no problems for the last 4 years…
I’ve got a dinosaur Fenix3 that’s been going at least 9 years, between a friend and myself. I wear it 24/7, including R/B/S, pool, hot tub, steam room, sleep, shower, and gym workouts. Still going strong. It’s been through 4 stock bands, one neoprene band, and currently on its 3rd fabric webbing band. The battery still lasts about 4 days, and made it through my last 14 hour IM. And, the altimeter still works.
My Fenix 3 just hit its 8th birthday. Goes through a strap a year and sometimes has issues with connecting to the charger (I am on my second charger). One large scratch on the face from the corner of a granite countertop. Otherwise still going strong. Battery holding up much better than my 305 or Edge 520.
If I was shopping now and I was going to buy just for biking and running I would get a 965 over the Epix. Epix is meant to be a 24/7 watch.
To you and all 24/7 wearers - is there anything you do to avoid contact dermatitis, or are you just luckier than me?
I tend to get a patch of irritation after days/weeks/months continuous that then takes quite a while to heal. Lately I’ve reduced the amount I wear the watch to hopefully avoid it - but I would like to find a better solution as it is my primary activity tracker since my (OG, non subscription) Oura ring went missing
Wear my 945 24/7. Only take it off to weigh every morning or to charge. Sauna, steam room, cold plunge, yard work, etc stays on. Got screen protector from Amazon. Still on original band going on 5 years. Only thing I had to replace is the ring on band that holds the excess band x2.
