Comments on: Cracked Face on Forerunner 310XT

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:29:06 +0000

This happened mine as well.. Fell out of my locker from about 3 feet onto tiles.. I’m bringing it to a watch repair guy to have a look. He said on the phone he’ll have no problem fitting new glass.. the problem could be keeping it water tight. I’m thinking i’ll get this done and if it doesn’t work either pay for the ‘repair’ or buy the new model.. To be fair its ridiculous for a watch like this not to survive a small fall. I didn’t even consider that it could be broken until minutes later when i picked it up. Though it has been a fantastic watch for over 2 years with no problems at all.

By: Håkan, Sweden

Håkan, Sweden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:02:37 +0000

Garmin Sweden wants about 174 EUR / 235 USD to replace the broken unit. They say there is no problem with the screen. It is “as designed”. So was USSR too. I did not accept the offer and got the watch back. I have removed the broken glass and will try to replace it myself.

If Garmin continues this product line I will bet the next version will have a better screen (plastic glass?) and/or a rubber/plastic frame around it, raised some mm.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:27:45 +0000

I knew there was something amiss in the 310xt’s design. I had a 305 which had a recessed screen and thought that the screen of the 310xt was very vulnerable to bumps and impact. I did not realize how big the problem was until I researched and came across this post.

I already installed a screen protector when I bought my pre-owned but from the posts I read here, it seems that won’t offer any protection if I drop my 310xt. My cheap but not so good looking solution was to cut off thin loops from an old inner tube and placed them on the top and bottom portions of the face. This may suffice to protect the screen if ever (which I hope will not happen) the unit drops face first. I am still thinking of a DIY protection for the whole face to address impact on the corners. I think Gamin should come up with a solution and offer them free to 310xt owners.

Here’s how my solution looks like:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6149276664_083d177d30_z.jpg

By: Håkan, Sweden

Håkan, Sweden — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:15:51 +0000

Same here, today I was out inlining, crashed when I was fixing my new difficult ear-phones and I got my left rod between the skates from behind, quite a surprise! Very stupid doing such a thing when skating with rods. The screen is smashed into lot’s of pieces… Will send it to Garmin Sweden on monday. Hope they want to keep me as customer.

By: Pepe

Pepe — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:21:06 +0000

I also crashed my Garmin 310XT. GARMIN (Germany) sent me a new one!! Without anytihng to pay!!! Now I’m also looking for a face-protector…

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:50:42 +0000

Just adding my name to the list of disgruntled Aussie based owners of smashed screen garmin 310XTs.
I would have been happy to pay $99 – but they want $218 ($229 u.s. at today’s exchange rate) here in Australia.
There is no way I’m paying that (or buying any more garmin watches for that matter) after this.
Maybe if enough people spread the word Garmin will have to adopt a more fair world wide policy (and hire polite customer support staff)

By: Dominic Taverniti

Dominic Taverniti — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 21:29:25 +0000

Chad – Great suggestion on the Sugru!! Thanks for sharing. I can’t blame you for looking at other brands given the return policy for Garmin in the UK. Regarding design though, the other Garmin wrist GPS units appear to be better thought out for durability than the Forerunner 310xt – they’re just not waterproof. What other brands and models are you looking at? I’d be interested to hear if they’re waterproof, which is a “must have” feature for me.

By: Chad from Sunderland UK

Chad from Sunderland UK — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:58:19 +0000

Hi, I just purchased this watch today, but will return it and get one of the polar ones instead. Thanks for the heads up. Also Have you considered using this stuff and modding your watch:- http://sugru.com/

I used some to stop my glass shower screen door from banging onto the sink. The stuff sets like rubber and stuck to the porcelain with no problems, the glass door now just bounces off safely, unfortunately I did not realise it came in different colours and I got sent green. They do it in orange so you could match the colour of the watch and it peels off leaving no mess if you want to resell your watch.

Heres a video of someone who used it to protect an I-phone:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ0d0JkSrvY

From what I’ve read on this forum you could make it into a small thin rolled out line and put it round the outer glass and maybe a small lump on each corner of the face?

Good luck.

(Oh, and also, sorry to hear about the people that have had their watch crack, the returns policy sounds like it sucks in the UK, OVER £100?!?!, that, along with the fact its an obvious material choice mistake in the design and construction mean I will not buy a Garmin watch)

By: Steeve

Steeve — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:38:34 +0000

Same Story here, dropped on tiled floor and the glass face smashed into pieces
Let see how goog the RSA customer support is going to be.

Same thing to me yesterday.

By: Deon

Deon — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:10:20 +0000

Hi I am from South Africa Mpumalanga I have also cracked my 310xt what must I do to Fix it?