Fenix 8 will not connect and broadcast heart rate to edge 1040

I cannot get my new Fenix 8 to connect with my EDGE 1040. Just spins and does not give me the option to pair. This is disappointing as I need this feature to work. Both my other Garmin watches connect just fine. Called Garmin support and only got yeah we have heard there may be an issue and will work on it. No timelines and I didn't get the feeling they cared. For $1,200 I think if i can't get a timeline I will return it.

Anyone else having this issue?

0 tttedp 1 month ago

Yes, same. Initial pairing with an Edge 840 took forever (talking 5+ minutes where my F7 is instant). After pairing, it sometimes doesn't want to reconnect (times out). Toggling between ANT and BTLE helped once or twice but it's still very inconsistent and inconvenient.

Broadcast HR is a major feature I want from the watch and always worked. Not interesting in a HR strap.

Btw, there is a Fenix 8 forum with all the bugs being listed. https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-8-series/382626/fenix-8-list-of-software-issues

0 BMV 1 month ago

Yes, I have the same problem. The Fenix 8 can connect to the Edge, but my Edge 1040 is "Searching for Watch" forever without anything happening...

0 tttedp 1 month ago in reply to BMV

same. One thing I've noticed is it usually fails to connect on ANT+. If you toggle the sensor (tap on 'Details' on the Edge) and it will let you switch to BTLE. That seems to connect (eventually) but every time I turn off the watch or sleep the Edge, I have to go through it again.

0 ususle 29 days ago

It was the same for me. However, if you remove the "old" sensor (on the EDGE 1040), it works...

0 tttedp 29 days ago in reply to ususle

yes, if you remove the sensor and re-add it will usually repair but mostly BT only. I can't get ANT+ to reconnect after the first time. I've been keeping the connection BT and its mostly working (~80% of the time).

I opened a ticket with Garmin, they said they're aware of an issue particularly with ANT and are working on it.