just search amazon for "fenix garmin charger", there's a ton of sellers. you're looking for this:
They sell a charger on Amazon with a round base and you just plug it into the port. The watch sits face up on it. It’s amazing and I’m surprised Garmin hasn’t made one because keeping my watch on the charger has always been so frustrating. This solves the problem and it’s super cheap. Amazon
For charging, you could try one of these... no connection issues with mine and you get 2 for <$10, so you can keep one in the suitcase for travel:
I find theseare a bit more convenient than the Garmin supplied cable. They tend to die after a while (or I've just had bad luck) but they're cheap so I have extras around.
Sure, this is the exact one I got. Bought a two pack. Works great for me. EZCO Charger Compatible with Garmin Vivoactive 3 4 4S/ Fenix 5 / Fenix 6 6S 6X / Venu Sq Music, 2 Pack 3.3 Ft USB Charging Cable Stand Station Date Syn for Fenix 5 5S 5X / Forerunner 935 Smart Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3TQP9B/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_R0235JGTKK3VQJJ0JGWP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I think it was the EZCO Charger Compatible with Garmin..., but there are a number of identical ones from various suppliers that I assume all come out of the same factory in China. This one was nice because it includes two.
Regarding charging it while wearing it: sandwhich one of these chargers between the watch and my wrist to charge my watch while running. Pro tip: you can even take one apart, hot glue some cables down and get the charger to only have half the stack height too.
I've used Garmin forever. I have a Vivoactive 3 right now. The only issue I have is with the terrible design of the charging port & cable. Eventually the watch will refuse to charge because one of the 4 pins won't make proper contact with the charging cable. I really wish they switched to a magnetic charger. Eventually you will need to get a new cable. I've had better success with this aftermarket charger. But it's still pretty finicky and I've had to wiggle the watch to get the pins to make proper contact.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3TQP9B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the cable. I have also used this with my watch on my wrist to charge. I just put the battery either in my vest or a fanny pack.
Just to confirm, is this what you're referring to?
Just to confirm, is this what you're referring to?
i use the pucks that ray mentioned in a review one day
I'm still using a Vivoactive 3 Music, but have purchased 3rd party accessories. I bought charging cables on Amazon that have a flat base so they sit very secure while charging, instead of having the watch tilted on its side. My husband also has a VA3M, so the 2-pack was perfect. They performed better than my original cable that came with the watch. They also came with covers for the port on the watch itself to help keep it clean (sweat and dirt build up did affect charging for me, so this is a nice bonus).
For watch bands, I did use 2 non-Garmin bands, but unfortunately one fell off and I didn't notice - completely lost my original Vivoactive 3. I haven't gone to another brand since, only Garmin. I might be overreacting, but I just don't want to risk losing another one.
Here's the charging cables I purchased. Here's the charging cables.
"without recharging during rests at aid stations" I mean if would run a 100m and my watch would go 24 hours, I think I would still recharge it just to be safe.
You can also charge it while running using something like this and a battery pack:
https://www.amazon.com/EZCO-Compatible-Vivoactive-Charging-Forerunner/dp/B07L3TQP9B/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=garmin+watch+charger&qid=1621004007&sr=8-13
You would just lose heart rate data while charging
Grab a pair of charging docks for easier charging. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3TQP9B/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6FWTHXYPV8ASK0KJPNC2
I've been tempted to get this:
Don't connect it to a laptop, buy an external battery, it will charge much faster too.
Some ultra-runners also use this kind of charger, you can charge the watch while on the run with an external battery pack. The only negative is that you don't get the heart rate while it's charging.
https://www.amazon.com/EZCO-Compatible-Vivoactive-Charging-Forerunner/dp/B07L3TQP9B/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=garmin+charger&qid=1603987559&sr=8-3