A tiny instrument that makes an enormous distinction

My Garmin watch not often leaves my wrist, as is evidenced by the intense white patch of pores and skin the place the watch lives. Naturally, I put on my Garmin after I’m touring. Whereas the battery life of my go-to system (the epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire) is kind of good, it does require charging roughly each week or much less, relying on how I am utilizing it. On longer journeys, then, or if I am going into a visit and not using a full cost (which is typical), I will want to have the ability to cost my watch.

Sadly, I am unable to let you know what number of occasions I’ve forgotten my Gamin charging cable at residence. I do know I am not alone, both, as that is a quite common thread within the operating teams I am in. Plus, after I do keep in mind to pack it, it is yet one more wire amongst my telephone charger, computer charger, and others. So after I noticed the tiny ​​Abanen charging adapter, I used to be instantly onboard. This miniature system converts a USB-C cable right into a Garmin charger, which means I’ve one much less factor to convey alongside.

Editor’s selection

Abanen Charging Adapter for Garmin

The Abanen Charging Adapter lets you join any USB-C system, turning it right into a Garmin 4-pin charger. It is tiny and light-weight and comes with a small strap to connect to your key ring or backpack so that you simply at all times have one with you. 

Professionals

• Very small and light-weight
• Is available in a pack of two
• Features a tiny strap with a clip
• L-shape design places it comparatively flat in opposition to the again of the watch

Cons

• Solely supposed for use with a USB-A to USB-C wire
• May void your Garmin guarantee for power-related points

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Value, availability, and specs

The ​​Abanen charging adapter is offered as a two-pack from Amazon for $9.59. It is just accessible in black and comes with two tiny cables with clips.

What I preferred concerning the Abanen charging adapter

Set it and overlook it

The Abanen charging adapter may be very easy however very helpful. The tiny little system attaches to the top of a USB-C cable, turning it right into a Garmin charger. Since I just about at all times have a USB-C wire with me, it means I’ll not often be unable to cost my watch. Even when you do not have one, USB-C cables are capable of be bought nearly wherever, together with fuel stations, whereas Garmin chargers are most undoubtedly not.

I discovered this little adapter actually useful for topping up my watch battery within the automobile when driving someplace for a hike if I forgot to take action at residence (which is much too frequent). Earlier than, I needed to keep in mind to convey my Garmin charger after which take it again out of the automobile after I bought residence.

The Abenen adapter makes use of an L-shaped design, permitting the USB-C wire to put parallel to the again of the watch moderately than assembly in a perpendicular method just like the Garmin charger. It sort of turns right into a stand whereas charging, which is moderately good after I nonetheless wish to see my watch whereas it is related to the charger.

Though I solely used the adapter for charging, it does work for information switch as effectively. If it’s essential join the watch to your pc to switch maps or different recordsdata, it is possible for you to to make use of this.

On the finish of the adapter is a versatile loop to which you’ll be able to connect a clip or wire. The versatile nature provides me extra confidence that the half will not break over time. It comes with two little cables with clips, which I girth-hitched on. I clipped one onto my keyring and hooked up the opposite to the backpack I usually fly with. Since I often do not convey my keys with me if I am flying someplace, having this adapter on my backpack makes way more sense so I do not overlook it when touring.

Because the adapter is so tiny, it does not take up a lot room and provides subsequent to nothing when it comes to weight. It is not noticeable on my key ring and is even much less noticeable on my backpack. It really is simply an attach-and-forget sort of accent.

Associated

Did you damage your Garmin watch? It may be under warranty

You have got some safety ought to your new Garmin watch break.

What I did not like concerning the Abanen charging adapter

Near perfection

There’s actually nothing to dislike concerning the Abanen charging adapter. However, if I needed to be nitpicky, one draw back is that the corporate says to solely use a USB-A to USB-C wire as a substitute of a USB-C to USB-C. It does not say why on the Amazon itemizing, and I did use a USB-C to USB-C wire after I wasn’t paying consideration. It charged simply tremendous, and my system hasn’t behaved any in a different way since then, however I suppose it may have long run implications if that is what I at all times used.

I’ve solely been utilizing this charging adapter for roughly every week, and that is solely been in my residence, so I am unable to communicate to its sturdiness or longevity at this level. If I expertise some kind of failure as I proceed to check, I’ll make sure you replace this evaluation. But it surely appears to be well-made and has labored completely so far.

The one actual difficulty with this adapter is said to your Garmin warranty. Garmin’s guarantee doesn’t apply to “injury to a product that has been related to energy and/or information cables that aren’t provided by Garmin or injury to a product that has been related to AC adapters and cables that aren’t licensed by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and usually are not labeled as Restricted Energy Supply (LPS).” Since you may be plugging in non-Garmin cables, which means your warrant might be void.

Garmin’s guarantee solely lasts for one yr, so in case your system is older than that, the above will not matter. However, when you have a brand-new system, it might be value contemplating earlier than hooking as much as any third-party charger or adapter.

Must you purchase the Abanen charging adapter?

For the value and performance, it is a no-brainer to select up the Abanen charging adapter, supplied you could have a appropriate Garmin watch. The tiny measurement is ideal for journey, and the two-pack means you’ll be able to toss one in your keys for native journeys and one in your journey bag for longer journeys. Even if you happen to do not take journeys lengthy sufficient to justify bringing alongside a Garmin charger, the flexibility to put largely flat on the again of your Garmin makes it, in some methods, higher than the inventory Garmin charger for sure conditions, anyway.

Editor’s selection

Abanen Charging Adapter for Garmin