Garmin- brand new and sensors don't work

[Ridiculous24]

It's really pissed me off. It wasn't cheap, and I just can't get it to work. Has anyone else had this?

That sounds frustrating. I've not had this problem and I've had 2 Garmins which have been a doddle to set up and get working. Sounds like it may be faulty.

Do you mean the heart rate sensors?

Is it the sendors on the band? Have you dampened them?

Yes the sensors on the band. They haven't worked since I took it out of the box on Friday night. Just wondered if I'm doing something basic wrong. It's not damp as I've hardly worn it.

Are they on a chest strap or on the watch?

Contact Garmin, their customer service is amazing. The touchscreen on Garmin has just gone on my nearly 4 year old watch, I chatted online to someone, they asked me to upload a video of it not working and they're sending me a replacement. They will be able to help you get it working or replace it, especially as you've only had it a few days.

well, that's your problem.

I had the same thing. It wasn't till my husband had (with my full permission) adopted it for his own use that I discovered that you are supposed to have them slightly moistened. something to do with the current, I think.

Moist. Interesting.

Its on the watch.

On the watch band?!? The heart rate sensors are usually on the back of the watch not the strap. Are you sure it hasn’t got a protective cover on it? Is the light flashing on the back?

You need to dampen the band for it to work

I was assuming the heart rate band. The band that goes under your boobs.

They're not flashing. I've looked everywhere for plastic backing.

So, to be clear, I need to dampen the watch band and the sensor?

The people on Garmin live chat are amazingly helpful - try asking there

And yes, if they think it's faulty, they'll arrange for a replacement

The sensors on the watch strap don't flash and aren't providing any readings.

I recently sent my garmin back, couldn't get it to connect reliably to my phone.

Didn't like it as much as my Huawei so have bought a new one of those, GT 4 and I love love love it

You shouldn’t need to dampen the watch, that’s just chest strap monitors. I’d contact their customer services in the morning.

No not the watch. Do not wet the watch
Do you not have a band that goes round your chest. If you do this is what you dampen.
I suggest you get in touch with garmin as they may advise you better for your specific model.

Ah OK. No chest band. Just a watch. OK, I will not dampen it!! I'll contact them tomorrow. Thank you.

It's OK to get Garmins wet - I think every single one is waterproof at surface level.

And the live chat actually recommended soaking mine in a bowl of water when it hadn't been charging properly (best way to de-gunk the place where the cable goes in). But you shouldn't get the charging cable wet.

Just for anyone reading this in the future. Despite plugging in and updating the software it still didn't work. I spoke to Garmin who said they don't stock mine anymore but I could have a reconditioned one, which I didn't want, as I'd bought a brand new one. So I've sent it back and am getting a refund. Feel conned, but there you go.

You’ve not really conned as they’ve offered you a full refund! It’s odd that they say they don’t stock it any more if you’d just bought it new. What model is it?
I got sent a reconditioned one to replace a faulty screen that was out of the 2 year warranty and it’s still going fine nearly 2 years later!

It was sold via Amazon, so it has sold me a defective item. Its obviously a very old model. Maybe £200 is cheap for a Garmin? I wouldn't want to spend £200 on a reconditioned item, would probably rather something cheaper but new. One of the reviews said similar, so just think it's a bit dodge.

It's a bit shit for something straight from the box.

The cheapest garmins aren't much more than 200. Better to buy direct that from an independent scammer on amazon. £200 for a very outdated watch was a con anyway so they saw you coming