Did you know that Garmin 405cx's battery cant be replaced?

[FanieFiets]

I love typing rant messages while being placed on hold. I am now on hold for more than 10 minutes waiting for someone at Garmin to answer a phone. I just want to confirm that my girls watch replacement is going to cost R 900-00. Yes, that is what they told her. R 900-00 for the 405cx replacement. The watch is only 1 and half years old. I cant believe that anyone would knowingly buy a very expensive watch knowing that the company will rip them off every 18 months.

 

How does the other Garmins have the same policy? Does anyone have a solution for the 405cx?

Edited April 20, 2012 by FanieFiets

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Garmin is run by a bunch of sharks!

They are not doing well in SA and rightly so.

[capeofstorms]

My choice is a no brainer. Garmin. I can't believe people still buy Polar and with all the baggage that comes with it i.e propriety communications protocal, having to send you device in to have a battery replaced.

 

I mean it is a no brainer. I'm suprised Polar is still around!

[ricochet_rabbit]

it's after 3pm on a Friday......you can't seriously expect anyone to still be working

[FanieFiets]

Oh, update. The battery CANT be changed. The watch only lasts as long as battery does.

[FanieFiets]

it's after 3pm on a Friday......you can't seriously expect anyone to still be working

 

The call centre is in Pretoria....only the capeys are allowed half weeks!

[FanieFiets]

My choice is a no brainer. Garmin. I can't believe people still buy Polar and with all the baggage that comes with it i.e propriety communications protocal, having to send you device in to have a battery replaced.

 

I mean it is a no brainer. I'm suprised Polar is still around!

 

Ahooi, I think we found someone working at Garmin!!!! You, hey you, answer me!!!

[Bateleur1]

Oh, update. The battery CANT be changed. The watch only lasts as long as battery does.

 

Somehow sending a Polar unit to have a battery replaces sounds so much better

[Iwan Kemp]

That's why I bought a Mobii.

[Chain-L]

Have had my edge 705 for 4 years, no problems. Great product. service has been somewhat crappy after one firmware update caused the unit to not talk to my PC, but it seems to have sorted itself out. Also using a FR610 which has also been great sofar.

 

Never owned a Polar, but from what I've heard, more complex to operate and I don't like a gps strapped around my arm or a pod strapped to one pair of shoes that needs to be transfered every time I use different shoes.

[FanieFiets]

It just confuses me that you would design a watch where it is impossible to change the battery. Batteries are renown for failing, so linking all the other hardware to a component that you know will only last so not very clever.

 

This isnt a polar vs Garmin discussion as both have advantages and disadvantages that fit different people. Otherwise there would be just one company.

 

What I am saying is that if they are upfront and tell you that 'Hey, listen here, a disadvantage of this watch is that it cant be replace and should it fail after 12 months you must buy a new watch', it will make a difference in the decision making process. Hell, I do not have money to take that chance.

 

I have listened to Polar VS Garmin discussions, mudslingings (Capeofstorms?) and this is the FIRST time that I realise this fact of Garmin. How many of you did know this and would it make a difference in the watch you would buy?

[D-Mike]

In my experience I have only praise for Garmin

 

Bought a Garmin Forerunner 305 from a guy second hand. Went on a ride 6 weeks later, and unfortunately I did not have it properly secured (my fault) and it fell off. Only realized 2kms later. Went back and found it squashed by a 4x4.

 

I took it Garmin and asked if they could do anything about it. They offered me a new unit for R850. I was super stoked about it.

 

People have different experiences, but thus far Garmin has treated me really well.

[FanieFiets]

In my experience I have only praise for Garmin

 

Bought a Garmin Forerunner 305 from a guy second hand. Went on a ride 6 weeks later, and unfortunately I did not have it properly secured (my fault) and it fell off. Only realized 2kms later. Went back and found it squashed by a 4x4.

 

I took it Garmin and asked if they could do anything about it. They offered me a new unit for R850. I was super stoked about it.

 

People have different experiences, but thus far Garmin has treated me really well.

 

That is great service. But once again not the purpose of this thread. I'm talking about the the battery change and whether that is common knowledge.

[DaLoCo]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the 405 cx rechargeable?

 

That would mean that replacing the battery would be an incredibly labour intensive job, not as simple as changing a cellphone battery. But yeah, at R 900 it is a bit steep....

Edited April 20, 2012 by DaLoCo

[lyslexic]

It's their replacement model. They don't fix, they replace. so it's R900 for a new battery or as was in my case R900 for a busted lcd and very scratched watch. In my case I scored, In your case, it feels like a rip off.

 

Get there early, they get very busy and the queue doesn't move.

[D-Mike]

That is great service. But once again not the purpose of this thread. I'm talking about the the battery change and whether that is common knowledge.

 

I understand what you are getting at, but the title of your thread essentially says choose between Garmin or Polar. There could be a 1000 reasons why you would choose the one over the other. One of which would be the longevity of the battery and its replacement policy. Thus far I have had no battery issues, but that could change in a year. Will see.