Watch Worries - advice please

[Shake-and-run]

5 years ago I bought a Garmin Vivoactive 3. I had hoped its heart rate monitor could be linked to my Garmin headset on the bike, but if I could, I never found out how, so for 2 years I just use it to tell the time. Then I started running and the watch came into its own as I used it to track and record my efforts and to programme my workouts. I am sure there is still more it can do but I love it for this alone (and for letting me know when my mobile is ringing when I've left it in another room!).

2 years ago it had a bit of a wobble and would not record properly, the Garmin help desk were really helpful and in exchange for a 'reasonable' amount of money I sent it back and got a refurbed one in is place. For two years it has been fine but now it won't charge. A couple if times it could be persuaded to charge with a bit of wriggling and turning on and off, but now I get flashes of the lightening symbol but it just won't hold it. I've been on Garmin chat but it seems that I have to take it somewhere, and as I'm currently in France, that will have to wait.

My reason for this post is not to ask for technical help (but willing to hear any suggestions, and yes I have cleaned the contact points), but to ask if anyone uses a watch that is not a Garmin, and if they do, how do they get on with it? The new Garmins are eyewateringly pricey so I want to consider my options before spending the next two months housekeeping.

Meanwhile my dear old Garmin is switched off to save the 25% of charge I have left for my next run, then I will have to record on my phone until I'm back in the UK and I can go shopping.

Thank you XXXX

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Have you contacted Garmin? I’ve found them very helpful any time I’ve had a problem.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

As I said, I have been on the chat with Garmin but they say it is not something they can deal with on line. I think they are very short staffed as they could not get rid of me quick enough. They have given me a french number to call (only open MON TO Fri ). I will follow up when I get back to U.K. but I’m looking at alternatives to garmin because even a refurbished replacement is expensive.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

Have you checked out The Running Channel’s video on running watches?

youtube.com/watch?v=C7Z-T8b...(Not working as expected?)

[nowster Graduate10]

Garmin has been replacing Vivoactive 3 watches with battery problems:

support.garmin.com/en-GB/?f...

See link on that page titled "Garmin's Online Exchange for the vivoactive 3".

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks for the tip Nowster, tried it but it says it cant confirm the serial number is eligible and I have to contact product support. Looks like I will have to wait until I am back in the UK

[nowster Graduate10]

Silly thought...

Have you tried cleaning the gold contacts on both the watch and the charging cable? A damp bit of kitchen roll should be sufficient.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes, no good.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you are having problems shakes. I’ve had my very basic forerunner 35 for 4 years with no problems. If you run with Strava while in France I think you can add it to Connect manually later.

[Catwise Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Sorry this reply is so late but I just saw it and wanted to add a little something. I have a Vivoactive 3 and recently had trouble getting it to charge. After seeing all the advice about cleaning, which I did with no improvement, I decided to actually submerge it in water for a few minutes. I figure it has so much sweat and lotion etc dried on it from my arm that my attempt with a cotton swab and alcohol couldn’t possibly get all the way down in there. It worked! It’s supposed to be water proof down to something like 50 meters I think so a few minutes/half an hour in a cup of warm water clearly can’t hurt! Worked for me!

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to Catwise]

Thanks catwise, I tried it and now it is fully charged. Not dancing with joy just yet as other things have worked once. But a very positive step. Fingers crossed it keeps working. 🥰

[Katnap Graduate10]

Do you have a little bung to cover up the charging port?I've got some spares if you want to see if it helps keep it clean.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

Rear of Vivoactive 3

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Cool …. That might help. Thank you.

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

No worries!