Your Garmin watch is out of date and you’re not quite sure what to do with it. You may think the first thing that come to mind is to put it up for sale on eBay, but that’s not the only option. We’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you repurpose your old sports watch or properly dispose of it if it’s beyond repair.
Keep it as a backup
This is a fantastic programme, not least because it enables you to connect numerous devices (watches, bike computers, power pedals, and more) and collect all of that delicious info in one spot. Is there a reason not to use a new watch as your main timepiece, while keeping an old model set up as a backup?
Doing so might be for any number of reasons. With that in mind, it is possible that your older watch is a bit thinner than your new one, so you may want to retain the older one for regular use and just bring out the new one for training sessions when you truly need all its additional capabilities.
Another option is to keep the older watch charged while the newer one is being recharged. But unless you’re utilising a power-saving mode on an Instinct Solar or other Garmin device, you’ll still have to plug it in every now and again. A second watch ensures that your daily data is complete, even if you just use it to add a few more steps or a few hours of sleep every now and again.
Use it as a bike computer
GPS pioneer Garmin’s Forerunner watches make excellent bike computers when strapped to your handlebars. Because it is shown on a screen rather than a wristband, you won’t be able to see your biometric data, but you will be able to see your location on the map.
You may quickly and simply connect and remove your watch’s body from your bike using a Garmin mounting device. In addition to the Fenix 6, 7, Quatix 6, 7, Epix (Gen 2), Enduro, D2 Mach 1, and Tactix 7 and Delta, it costs $29.99 / £26.99 / AU$49.
In the event that your Garmin watch is not compatible, there is also a less complicated mount that can be attached to your bike using cable tie and enables you to secure almost any Garmin watch in place during rides. You may get it for $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$17.99.
Donate it to a good cause
It’s possible to donate your watch if it’s still in working order. In the United States, nonprofits such as RecycleHealth accept functional sports watches and fitness trackers for recycling. Have a look around your region to see if there are any clubs or organisations that specialise on making sports more inclusive and get in contact with them.
Sell it
Selling your old Garmin might be the best solution if you don’t have a need for two watches and want to reclaim part of the money you spent on it. Ensure that all of your data is synchronised with Garmin Connect first to avoid losing any important metrics, and then go to the ‘Garmin devices’ section on the left side of the app. When you’ve found a watch you wish to sell, pick it and then press the menu symbol in the upper right to remove it from your collection.
A factor reset is necessary before you put your watch up for sale since it includes sensitive information, including GPS data. Press and hold the back/lap button to turn it off. Let go of the button when the “Clear user data” option pops up and click “Yes.” If you don’t have a back/lap button on your watch, you can erase your data by looking for your watch model on Garmin’s website; if you don’t, you can locate the manual by searching for your watch model there.
Shipping your watch requires careful packing and noting any banned goods that your selected shipping business will not handle. Make sure this is done before sending it off. Lithium ion batteries, such as those found in your Garmin watch, are a no-no for certain people.
It’s possible to sell your watch for components even if it’s not in perfect operating shape. Make sure you’re open and honest about any mistakes you may have made.
Recycle it
Even if your timepiece is no longer functional, you may still recycle it. In order to ensure the lithium battery and any other dangerous elements in your watch are handled safely, you must deliver it to the correct location (some LCDs contain small amounts of mercury, for example).
If you don’t know where to recycle your watch, Garmin can help you find a local recycling centre for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Simply fill out an online form with your name and the model number of the gadget you’d want to discard, then click “Submit”. Searching for “WEEE recycling near me” on Google should also provide some results.
If you’re still unable to locate anything, give a local electronics store a call. Many of them have WEEE recycling programmes of their own, and some of them will even offer you a discount on your next purchase if you bring in your old electronics to them.
However, it’s worth keeping the charging wire. A extra charger for any new Garmin watch is always a good idea since they all utilise the same sort of charger.