Ready, set, charge: Preparing your new Garmin watch for first use
Made an investment in a Garmin watch and want to treat it in the best way? If so, you might be wondering, ‘do I need to charge my Garmin watch before first use?’
You do not need to charge your Garmin watch before first use, even though it is highly recommended. You can start using a new Garmin straight away and charge it later at any point in time. However, it can cause your watch’s battery to take a small hit in terms of its lifespan.
All information I have shared here in this piece is in line with Garmin’s official recommendations.
Do I Need To Charge My Garmin Watch Before First Use?
No, You do not need to charge your Garmin watch before first use, even though it is highly recommended. You can start using a new Garmin straight away and charge it later at any point in time. However, it can cause your watch’s battery to take a small hit in terms of its lifespan.
Should I Charge My Garmin Before I Use?
Yes, it would help greatly if you charged your Garmin watch before first use as it ensures that the battery has enough power to juice up and run all of your watch’s features correctly.
Before you charge your new Garmin watch though, make sure the charger port is clear of any dust or debris. If you see that it is not, wipe the port with a clean and soft cloth.
After you have done that, plug the charging cable into either your wall outlet or computer USB port and connect it to your watch. If you are using a wireless charging dock, place your watch on to the charging dock. The charging dock will automatically detect when the watch has reached full charge and will power down accordingly.
All that was pretty simple, but one important thing that you should note here is that you should never leave your Garmin watch on the charger either overnight of for an extended period of time. This is because doing so can damage its battery. Another thing you should keep in mind is that you should always avoid using a faulty or damaged charging cable.
How Long Should I Charge My New Garmin Watch?
When you bring your new Garmin watch home and are ready to use it, it is always best to charge it 100% before making first use of it. Depending on its model, it takes a new Garmin watch anywhere between one to six hours to reach a full charge.
Should I Let The Battery Of My Garmin Watch Fully Drain Before Charging?
The answer to this question is a profound yes. It is always a good idea to allow the battery to drain completely before you decide to recharge it again. Doing so can help preserve the life of your Garmin watch’s battery.
This is due to a thing called “deep cycle charging.” When you recharge a lithium-ion or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) after it is fully drained, you are actually putting it through a deep cycle charge. The process not only helps keep the cells balanced, but does not let them get overly discharged either. This saves the internal chemistry of the cells from getting damaged and prevents their overall lifetime performance from getting reduced.
Another important point that you should be aware of here is that if you do not let the battery completely drain before recharging, it may affect the overall performance of your Garmin watch. When you charge your watch when its battery is only partially drained, it doesn’t hold its charge as long over time and can cause issues when you power it on.
What If I Don’t Charge My New Garmin Watch Before First Use?
If you don’t charge your new Garmin watch before first use, it could cause problems with the battery. Without a full charge, the battery cannot hold enough power to function correctly, and its lifespan might also be shortened. Additionally, if the initial charge is not substantial enough, certain features, such as GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, or step counting might malfunction.
How Do You Charge A New Garmin Watch?
Charging a new Garmin watch is an easy process. All you need is the included charger cable, which should come with your purchased watch. Connect one end of the cable to your watch’s USB port and plug in the other end into a power source such as a computer or wall outlet.
If you have a newer Garmin model, like a Fenix 5X Plus, it will likely include its proprietary charging cradle that attaches to the backside of your watch. To charge this type of device, you need to:
- Place it into the cradle and ensure that all four connection points are correctly aligned.
- Once that is done, plug the USB cable into the cradle and connect it to a power source.
- If you are using a wall outlet adapter to charge your watch, make sure that it is compatible with the model of your Garmin watch.
- You can check the product manual for more information on this. Most models come with an AC adapter, but if yours does not include one, or if you need a replacement, remember to purchase one that is endorsed by Garmin to ensure proper compatibility.
When charging your watch, keep an eye out for any indicators on the display screen letting you know when charging is complete. You may also wish to periodically check and ensure that all connections are secure throughout this process.
Key Takeaways
- You do not need to charge your Garmin watch before first use.
- You should charge your Garmin watch before first use to ensure optimal performance.
- You should charge your new Garmin watch 100% before first use.
- It takes a new Garmin watch between one to six hours for a full charge.
- To preserve the battery life, allow it to drain fully before recharging again.
- Not charging your new Garmin watch before first use can cause problems.