Any issues with GPS on Fenix 8 / Enduro 3? (Just for Connect IQ apps)

So I've had reports that my app was consistently losing GPS positioning, but only on Fenix 8 and Enduro 3.

I got my hands on an Enduro 3, and sure enough it loses positioning all the time for extended periods of time - buy only in Connect IQ apps! Normal apps seem to be fine. My Forerunner 965 has no issues at all with the same app, same conditions.

See here (Enduro 3) all the gaps in the speed chart: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/18479034851

Similar track in the same conditions at the same spot, but FR965, no gaps.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/16721160270

Another one, Fenix 7X, same conditions same spot, no gaps.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/10446310656

I turn on the positioning as suggested by Garmin in their docs, trying Sat IQ first, then All + GNSS, etc. all the way down to simple GPS .

From my logs, I can see that every time All+GNSS is picked (Sat IQ is reported by the Enduro 3 and FR965 as unsupported for some reason). Yet it works perfectly on the FR965 (and 7X before that) but terribly on Fenix 8 and Enduro 3...

Any idea?? For now I'm wondering whether Garmin got confused with the enum and is thinking All+GNSS (for apps) is actually GPS only, or GLONASS only for instance.

  • OK there was an inefficiency in my app. Upon startup I was calling enableLocationEvents three times in a row. Removing this inefficiency *seems* to have fixed things with the Enduro 3. At least from walking in circles in a nearby park (since that seemed the most prone to trigger the problem - of course my neighbors all think I'm mad now). I will need to test more - it would be weird to me if that fixed the issue.

    Also, yes on Sat IQ... It's really a shame we have it available in the enum as CONFIGURATION_SAT_IQ but no watch reports it as supported. But what would the simplest invocation of enableLocationEvents do? Would *that* actually use the overall watch preferences, that are by default "Auto-Select", i.e. Sat IQ? Is there a way to check what configuration is being used when nothing is specified?

    Position.enableLocationEvents(Position.LOCATION_CONTINUOUS, method(:onPosition));
  • my neighbors all think I'm mad now

    It's all "marketing". Believe me I'm talking from experience. Just make them think you're healthy, fit.