QuickFit Bands for Venu 3 – possible?
The Garmin Venu 3, like many other Garmin models, uses QuickRelease bands. While the system is quicker than traditional watch band connectors, and you do not need extra tools, it’s not as quick and simple as Garmin’s QuickFit system. Another drawback I’ve noticed is that all QuickRelease fabric bands I’ve found come with unattractive plastic ends, often in colors that don’t match the band itself well.
One day, I wondered: Can I replace the QuickRelease pins on my Venu 3 with standard pins and use QuickFit bands instead? Why not give it a try?
The Experiments
I ordered two QuickFit bands from AliExpress along with a few sets of pins to see if I could make it work.
Fabric Bands Disaster
The first fabric band I received was nothing like the polished image in the product description. It turned out to be a QuickRelease fabric band with ugly plastic ends that had been “enhanced” with metal QuickFit adapters – a lose-lose combination. However, since it had a QuickFit mechanism, it was good enough for my experiment. The second fabric band, which didn’t have any QuickFit connectors, was fine.
I didn’t order any silicone QuickFit bands, but I suspect they would have been okay.
Standard Pins
From what I know, QuickFit pins have a diameter of 2.3mm. I decided to try standard 22mm pins first, as I already had some on hand. While they fit into the watch lugs without issue, the connection didn’t hold at all – the pins were simply too thin.
Verdict (expected): standard pins don’t work with QuickFit bands.
Seiko Pins
Next, I tested 2.5mm pins, which are described as to be for some Seiko models. They fit into the lugs, which was great! But there wasn’t enough space between the pins and the watch case, neither for the nylon band nor for the QuickFit connector hook.
Verdict: Seiko pins don’t work with QuickFit bands either.
Fenix Pins
Finally, I tried pins designed for the Fenix 6 (42mm) and other Garmin models (still from the AliExpress). These should have been 2.3mm in diameter and should give a bit more space between them and the watch case. But the ends of the pins turned out to be larger than the holes in my Venu 3’s lugs. I couldn’t install them at all.
Verdict: Fenix pins don’t work with the Venu 3.
The Conclusion
After I tried all these options, I ran out of ideas, reinstalled my the QuickRelease band, put my watch back on my wrist, and went for a walk.
On the bright side, QuickRelease bands are more widely available and generally cheaper than QuickFit bands, as they’re not aimed at owners of $1,000 watches.
Still, if anyone knows of a reliable way to use Garmin QuickFit bands with the Venu 3, please drop a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
