I bought a 5x plus and oHR is not working consistently over 24 hours. I actually swapped out two other 5x pluses.. Same problem. The watch drops out most of the day. This has affected calorie counts during exercise as well as sleep data (especially REM). I have not had sleep data on the watch for weeks now. When I put the watch on the inside of the wrist...it works.. On the outside of the wrist for normal wear...it does not.. by the way..i am dark skinned..Garmin has not responded to queries... and updates have not fixed the problem.. anyone else has this experience?
From Garmin [h=2]OHR not working at all. And yes, I am wearing the device properly.[/h] 07-04-2018, 03:30 AM I have had 2 Fenix 5 plus units and one Fenix 5x plus. None of them have detected my heart rate. I am a Black American. I have a WHOOP strap and it works perfectly. When I put the Fenix on the palm of my hand or on the bottom of my feet, it detects my hear rate. When I put it on my wife, who is white, the Fenix works like a charm. At this point, I am livid. Anyone willing to join me in lobbying Garmin to get their engineering chops in gear? This is ridiculous. Sure, I can return it, but really? Any suggestions? JHNT:
I’ve also had this same issue, I went through 4 different 5x Plus watches after never having an issue with my former Fenix 5. I spoke with tech support a few times and they couldn’t fix the issue so they suggested that I switch out the watch (the rep literally said some people go through as much as 7 watches before finding one that works for them. That’s ridiculous!)
After trying out the 4th Fenix 5X plus, I decided to give the 5 Plus a try and so far it’s been better but still nowhere as consistent as my former Fenix 5.
As a disclaimer, Garmin does state (fine print) that due to skin color among other genetic factors that the ohrm won’t work for everyone. Ironically, if you place a thin napkin or paper towel under the sensor and sit the watch on your wrist, it’ll give you a reading although not very accurate over time.
However, if my wife wears the watch, it works like a charm (she’s lighter skinned than I am, closer to caramel complexion).
Also wearing the watch on the inside of the wrist gives an immediate reading but clearly isn’t practical.
I hope Garmin can fix this sooner than later because it does seem to be a serious issue. I cannot begin to express how frustrating this experience was for me. On several occasions, I considered switching from Garmin altogether. We weren’t sure if it was a software issue or a hardware issues, especially with the addition of the O2 sensor.
I use a chest strap for my exercises but for a wrist sensor to not be able to consistently give readings during sedentary times is unacceptable in my opinion. Not to mention that inaccurate HR readings is necessary baseline data and will affect other workout related data. At that cost, it’s unacceptable. And the fact that it hasn’t been addressed is even worse.
Another thing is considering the fact that it’s the same sensor from the previous models that maybe they didn’t have the sensor tuned up as high. I previously had a Fenix 5 and for the 9 months that I had it it never gave me any issues regarding to HR readings. When I bought the 5X plus it was a totally different story. Now with the 5 plus it’s indeed better than the 5X plus was for me in regards to HR readings but it has substantial gaps so maybe it can be fixed with software updates.
The 5x plus has been a nightmare in this regard, on my darker skin. The HR drops out randomly on the outside wrist position. The HR works flawlessly when the watch is on the inside of the wrist on the clearler skin. Then...miraculously, on another site someone recommended that those with this HR problem should wear the watch such that the sensor does not touch the skin. They recommended plastic under the sensor. Voila, the sensor has worked without dropping out on my dark skin on the outside of the wrist with the plastic under the sensor. I do not know why this works. GARMIN SHOULD FIGURE IT OUT. Plastic under my $1000 watch to get it to work is not sustainable.
And by the way pulse ox is more consistent since the plastic insert. Lol. This is a stupid solution for an expensive piece of watch.
Tried out the 4.64 beta and it’s better overall after downloading it 48 hours ago. Hopefully they continue to make sensor hub adjustments moving forward
I have been using the Fix-o-Moll 19mm round sliding clear tab affixed on the sensor hub for the last few days. It prevents the sensor from touching my dark skin (something I saw somewhere) and the result has been a 24 hour OHR. The sleep and pulse ox also working as they should. Don’t know the technical reason. It is a convenient solution in the interim over using plastic tape or plastic paper inserts under the way watch. Maybe Garmin reduced the thickness of the resin of the sensor hub. ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1402330.jpg
Hi, I have the same issue like you, My Fenix 5xPlus works fine in my wife's hand but doesn't read in my hand. My skin is dark and as you said Garmin did make a mistake. Please let me know if you have found a fix to this
