Garmin repairs

[Zeffer]

Anyone with recent experience with GarminSA?

Need to send a 530 for screen replacement. Thanks

[milky4130]

10 minutes ago, Zeffer said:

Anyone with recent experience with GarminSA?

Need to send a 530 for screen replacement. Thanks

my guess is they are going to offer you a 540 and you pay in anything from R3000 to R5000 for the new unit & upgrade in model.

[Eugene Oppelt]

FYI

5 weeks queue at Garmie (feedback from LBS)

I am busy with a query with regard to moisture on my 830's screen

Likely scenario will be a discount on the newest model 

Edited April 9 by 'Dale

[Zeffer]

34 minutes ago, 'Dale said:

FYI

5 weeks queue at Garmie (feedback from LBS)

I am busy with a query with regard to moisture on my 830's screen

Likely scenario will be a discount on the newest model 

Good luck Dale

I am keen to now the discount if its worth pursuing for a 530

[milky4130]

They will most definitely not repair a cracked screen.

530 is +-R5900,

540 is +-R7900,

Garmin will meet you half way for the 540.

2nd hand 530's are going for +-R4000.

[milky4130]

Just found my old invoice 🧾 from when I sent in my Edge 520 (cracked screen) via a bike shop, this was in May 2021. Sent me back a 530 for R2500.

[Dogs]

About a year ago (May '24) I had the following options when my 520 malfunctioned:

• Edge 530 @ R4016
• Edge 540 @ R5355
• Edge 540 Solar @ R 6025

These are Ex Vat prices - went for the solar and am satisfied.

[ChrisF]

On 4/9/2025 at 12:26 PM, 'Dale said:

FYI

5 weeks queue at Garmie (feedback from LBS)

I am busy with a query with regard to moisture on my 830's screen

Likely scenario will be a discount on the newest model 

 

OUCH !!!

 

They are dropping the ball .... few months back CWC got my 530 resolved in 3 weeks, thats from me dropping it off to picking up the new unit.

[Jensie]

A guys 530 ears broke off, send to Garmin, +-3 weeks later he received a new 530 for R1800.
Thread must change to Garmin swaps, they don't repair.

 

[mikkelz]

https://www.tablemountainbikers.co.za/product/dog-ears-gps-replace-broken-garmin-tabs/

I went down the "self-repair" route with the replacement dog ears part on my original (first) Garmin (Edge 500).

Absolutely perfect solution. 

[Skubarra]

6 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

OUCH !!!

 

They are dropping the ball .... few months back CWC got my 530 resolved in 3 weeks, thats from me dropping it off to picking up the new unit.

I assume your unit was still under warranty, while under warranty the process is quite painless.

Once you are out of the warranty period though.... Then the pain starts

[ChrisF]

14 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

I assume your unit was still under warranty, while under warranty the process is quite painless.

Once you are out of the warranty period though.... Then the pain starts

 

Yes and no ...  Unit was still under warranty.  BUT, the damage was due to a fall ....  I noted this when I handed it in (hoping the insurance would help if needed).  Garmin replaced the unit, no cost to me.  Maybe I was just very lucky.

[Rowl]

So I have 2 devices that need some Garmin assistance, first is a FR45, battery is poked.

Second is a FR55, the start button fell out. Why I wonder does someone at iFix or something not consider Garmins, because of parts?

[SvenR]

Here's my Garmin experience and conclusion for the archives.

I'm not touching another Garmin device. The whole 'no repairs / swap out the device when its under warranty' approach leads to a disgusting constellation of problems that in 2025 don't need to exist. And this goes for both the in and out of warranty issues. Who the hell has to sit without their device for weeks to then be told the battery is dead and the only option is to fork out R2500 (in this case for a FR55 watch battery)? Reminds me of those Chevvy or Chrysler cars where they had to take the engine block out to replace the car's battery. Backwards.

My Wahoo experience by comparison is great. Also the hardware and software have been way better than Garmin for a good few years because they get the basics and everyday stuff right. I look at how others get all hung up with changing settings or navigation on the Garmins whereas I am making changes on the fly. And they know it but some are too attached to their Discovery points to realise its costing them not just money to be in the Garmin stable 🤣

[ChrisF]

52 minutes ago, SvenR said:

Here's my Garmin experience and conclusion for the archives.

I'm not touching another Garmin device. The whole 'no repairs / swap out the device when its under warranty' approach leads to a disgusting constellation of problems that in 2025 don't need to exist. And this goes for both the in and out of warranty issues. Who the hell has to sit without their device for weeks to then be told the battery is dead and the only option is to fork out R2500 (in this case for a FR55 watch battery)? Reminds me of those Chevvy or Chrysler cars where they had to take the engine block out to replace the car's battery. Backwards.

My Wahoo experience by comparison is great. Also the hardware and software have been way better than Garmin for a good few years because they get the basics and everyday stuff right. I look at how others get all hung up with changing settings or navigation on the Garmins whereas I am making changes on the fly. And they know it but some are too attached to their Discovery points to realise its costing them not just money to be in the Garmin stable 🤣

 

Do you have any experience with Wahoo, post warranty ?  Do they actually service items ?

 

PS - Very happy with my Wahoo products ... touch wood !!

 

 

I cant complain about my "user experience" with Garmin.  Only time I struggled on the fly was when I tried to activate a race map mid race .... I put that down to the user, I really should have figured that out before the time.

 

That being said .... with the later watches you get so much functionality !!!  But to get the best out of it you need to get the Garmin scale (which is not nearly a good one in that field)  Then become obsessive about multiple weigh ins to get the full health snap shot.  Sure, it may be very good metrics for a serious sportsperson, but becomes a complete deep dive into the Garmin eco-system.

 

Please dont get me wrong.  VERY good watch !!  Still a lot more info available than I can use !!  Just noting that some of the functionality is not available.

 

The new Connect+ .... and the official approach that all new functionality will be behind the pay wall .... no thank you, not for me.

[Rowl]

4 hours ago, SvenR said:

Here's my Garmin experience and conclusion for the archives.

I'm not touching another Garmin device. The whole 'no repairs / swap out the device when its under warranty' approach leads to a disgusting constellation of problems that in 2025 don't need to exist. And this goes for both the in and out of warranty issues. Who the hell has to sit without their device for weeks to then be told the battery is dead and the only option is to fork out R2500 (in this case for a FR55 watch battery)? Reminds me of those Chevvy or Chrysler cars where they had to take the engine block out to replace the car's battery. Backwards.

My Wahoo experience by comparison is great. Also the hardware and software have been way better than Garmin for a good few years because they get the basics and everyday stuff right. I look at how others get all hung up with changing settings or navigation on the Garmins whereas I am making changes on the fly. And they know it but some are too attached to their Discovery points to realise its costing them not just money to be in the Garmin stable 🤣

Re my post above, Garmin is offering R24xx towards a new FR55 as replacement for the dead battery😶

 

The FR55 will be replaced by a brand new watch under warranty due to the button that fell out. 

 

In future I might consider Suunto/Wahoo, but I'm locked in with Disco, a Fenix and an Edge.