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GPS accuracy very bad !!

Hi,

Tried yesterday the GPS for the first time (GPS + Galileo) and I was very disappointed but the quality of the trace. I am in Paris so in city but I ve never a so bad GPS. In the same area, my Ambit 2 is perfect and following my route but with the Fenix 5X plus, I have more than 40 meters error sometimes !!

I can't understand how a watch costing 4 times a GPS watch can be so bad !! Is there something to do ? I sync it with Garmin connect mobile to have last sat data.

May be it can be a technical problem with the watch... Is there a widget to check GPS accuracy ?

Thanks

Top Replies

Garmin-Heath over 6 years ago +1 verified

If you are continuing to have this issue, follow the steps in the Support Article below:

Improving the GPS Accuracy, Distance and Speed Readings of an Outdoor Watch

After trying those steps and you…

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0 joshtee over 6 years ago

We at Garmin would like to look into this more, but to do this, we need you to contact us directly since everyone uses their devices differently and in different environments. To do this, we need more details to understand what is happening with your device. To provide us with that data, please email us at [EMAIL="[email protected]"][email protected][/EMAIL] with your device type in the title so that your email gets sorted to the correct team.

In the body of the email, add the following:
• Your concerns and any examples of what you have seen.
• Software version of your device
• Link of a sample activity that shows your concerns
• Garmin Folder

Once we have the data, we will work with you directly to improve on your concerns.

Thanks!

Anyone having distance issues or other GPS issues, please follow this advice so they have the info and can try and fix it.

0 falconeye75 over 6 years ago

Do you notice any improvment with new GPS FW 2.30 ?

0 joshtee over 6 years ago

It just became available, for me. I'll give it a try today.

0 Stewart.Fairbairn over 6 years ago

Updated to 5.0 and have GPS update 2.3 Did a 5.6km OWS today and track was very decent. At last the OWS seems to be fixed

0 Crispin_Ellisdon over 6 years ago

After installing new soft 5.0 the worst gps from last month

Did you follow this process after the update? https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5x-plus/1396081-applying-gps-firmware-updates-what-you-need-to-know

In my experience of the Fenix 3, 5 and 5+ that first static GPS ‘soak’ (I normally do 25 minutes) is critical to getting a good track for the first 2-3 activities after a GPS software update.

0 falconeye75 over 6 years ago

Hi,

What was your GPS firmware version during your tests ? Di you test the last GPS version 2.30 ?

When I read you I am affraid. I ordered a Fenix 5X + in July and I returned it because its GPS accuracy was very bad. On Fenix 5X plus forum I read that GPS has been improved with firmware 2.30, so I ordered the Fenix 5X Plus Titanium version at 1149 Euros ! I didn't received it but I am affraid I made (again) a big big mistake.

If somebody has comparison between GPS 2.30 and previous version and could send its tracks on Garmin connect I will be very happy.

Our friend on Fenix 5 plus forum are also having a lot of trouble with their GPS accuracy, see :

https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s-plus/1408045-apple-watch-series-4

Hope Garmin will become more professionnal soon.... I can't imagine this company is providing aircraft GPS !! Please do your best to hire better people in your teams !

Thanks

0 falconeye75 over 6 years ago

Hi,

I can confirm that the Fenix 5 Plus series watch is a piece of junk (sorry, but there is no other word to describe this watch and its software). I returned my preivous watch because I thought it had a GPS problem and I was with firmware 3.20 and GPS 2.20.

After some months, I decides to buy again the Fenix 5X plus (I took the Titanium version this time), I said if the GPS is bad, I will have at least a beautiful watch (even if it will cost more).

So, to speak about this piece of junk, I get my new GPS 5X plus Titanium yesterday, I updated it with the last firmware. I went to a not covered area and waited for 35 minutes without moving with the GPS on.

After that, I decided to continue (after the 35 minutes fix) with a walk in Paris (I know there are lot of houses and buildings), but trust me, I took this way lot of time with other GPS years before and the trace was good enough. With this trace (see the link below), you still have the drunk man syndrom, you have lot of loops on the walk, I am not even speaking about crossing buildings.

The trace is never smooth and always seems hesitating.

My seetings were : GPS + Galileo and 1 seconds.

I don't understand how people said new the new GPS version solved probelms, let's see by yourself.

My advise is : If you are thinking about buying this watch for GPS, forget it. You can use it to monitor your activity, your heart, that's all, but for the price you can buy an Iphone and an Iphone watch.

Here is my trace :

http://www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#Ai8RIDMM

If I made something wrong, please tell me.

0 falconeye75 over 6 years ago

Hi,

At first, sorry if I was a little hard with my language yesterday and thank you Seilogramp for your modification.

Here are some pics of my courses (at the same place with 3 watches) :

- Fenix 5X plus black in July 21st
- Ambit 2 on september 30th
- Fenix 5X plus Titanium tested today (october 7th)

Both Fenix watches (the black I returned and the Titanium I have now) were configured with Galileo + GPS and 1 second recording.

Just to mention that yesterday I made the first fix for 35 minutes with the 5X plus titanium and it's the one I used today (7th October).

As you can see, the last firmware (5.10) and GPS firmware 2.30 are the worst I had ever seen (also compared to GPS watches I had 10 years ago).

How a watch costing 1150 Euros can have a so bad GPS ? For the first Fenix 5X Plus (black) I was told may be the watch was defective but as you can see, the second watch is worst !!

Are they serious at Garmin ? How can we train with a so bad GPS ? Galileo was intended to give more precision but this watch cannot even compete with a chineese 50 $ watch. Do you have some advices ? I made everything they ask for, even waiting for 35 minutes for first fix instead of 15 minutes.

Click on images to see details.

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0 jimoestman over 6 years ago

I’m curios. What are the yellow and orange tracks underneath the ambit track?
and How does the track look like from above and not from an angle?

0 jimoestman over 6 years ago

What’s the tool you use to show these tracks?
Maybe a stupid question, but does it show track with the elevation?