Poor ANT Connectivity

Just went for my first short bike ride with my f5, with the following ANT devices paired:

Stages Power Meter
Garmin HRM Run
Garmin Speed Sensor
Garmin Varia Rear Radar Light
Garmin Tempe Sensor

All of which I'd previously paired and set-up with my f5 without any problems. All of these devices (apart from the Tempe) were also paired with my Edge 1000 mounted on my handlebars.

Previously, I had all of these (except the Varia) paired with my f3 and the only connection problems I'd encounter during rides would be the Tempe (mounted under my saddle) would sometimes drop out for a single 1-minute reading.

However, with my f5 it's a different (and not good) story - Even before I started the ride, my Stages PM kept disconnecting and reconnecting, and at the end of the ride there's no power recorded at all. During the ride I kept getting messages come up on the f5 that the Varia light had disconnected and reconnected several times. Connection with the Tempe seems to have been lost for about 80% of the time as the temperature shows long blocks clearly taken from the f5's internal sensor (where it's much warmer as it's picking up skin temperature). The heart rate trace also shows a point where it's dropped the connection with the chest strap.

As I said, my setup is the same as I've been using with my f3 for the last 2+ years and apart from lots of very short Tempe drops, I never experienced anything like this. I've also checked the activity as recorded on my Edge 1000, and everything's fine on there.

Is anyone else experiencing similar?

FIT file can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/eei3y3sfcj8151d/73JD2214.FIT?dl=0

0 Dr Phil over 8 years ago

Actually the 920 did/does not work well with Stages. Check back through the forums and you'll see heaps of posts about that.

As to the other connections, there might well be issues that Garmin needs to address.

0 meste7 over 8 years ago

For fun, try disconnecting everything but Stages & HR. See if it drops...

I wonder if this is an issue ONLY or F5 and F5S and NOT for the F5X - F5X being bigger maybe Garmin kept the ANT, BT and Wifi antennas as in F3. I am asking as I experienced a similar desync today - check Power and cadence, both they go out in the same time - never had this issue with F3 - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1649719977

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

My Garmin speed and cadence as well as hrm all dropped and reconnected intermittently throughout first two indoor spins on a F5.

I bought new hrm thinking my ancient one might need upgrading, and will work better. I had not seen this thread before, however, now I will be in test mode. I would really like to get stuff up and running

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I've been having problems with the Garmin Tempe sensor and frequently not being able to read the temp on the watch, the display for temp is dashed out and eventually times out and back to the watch face. I know the signal strength is okay on my 5X because my watch paired with the Tempe when I was in the garage and the Tempe was in the house so it connected easily over 8 feet and through brick wall's. It seems like I'm not getting data or at least it's not being processed. I've read on here the Tempe only transmits every 4 seconds so that can't be helping things.

0 meste7 over 8 years ago

I've been having problems with the Garmin Tempe sensor and frequently not being able to read the temp on the watch, the display for temp is dashed out and eventually times out and back to the watch face. I know the signal strength is okay on my 5X because my watch paired with the Tempe when I was in the garage and the Tempe was in the house so it connected easily over 8 feet and through brick wall's. It seems like I'm not getting data or at least it's not being processed. I've read on here the Tempe only transmits every 4 seconds so that can't be helping things.

Are you saying that the F5X connects very well when F5 does not - with the TEMPE?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I don't have access to an F5 so I can't say I'm afraid, it's just I'm frequently not getting temp readings from the Tempe although I can connect to from a fair distance so believe signal strength/antenna are fine.

0 cpapenfuss over 8 years ago

Very poor ANT+ signal

Just got back from my first ride and run with the F5. I am also experiencing serious drop-outs from my Powertap P1 pedals. Pretty much every other minute. Same thing when running - my Stryd drops every other minute for a few seconds. Averages are way off when I compare the data to that recorded on my F3. Wondering if this is a hardware or software problem.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Returned the F5 back to the shop due to bad interoperability with stryd and it seems with other devices and now other complaining about BT weack connection to phone... First time after F3, F3HR I send something back... That core things should work just fine out of the box... For me F5 simply regressed. I'm sure this will be adressed soon or later.. I hope as surely F5 is great.. Such a pity this was overlooked.

Like to know though if F5X has same issue

0 cpapenfuss over 8 years ago

Stages PM really bad as well

After my prior post, I went ahead and did a short ride with my cross bike which is equipped with a Stages PM. The F5 connects without any issues. However, calibration fails repeatedly. I was not able to get a single calibration. In the meantime, my F3 and the Edge go through the process without a problem. To make things worse, the signal continuously drops during a ride. I need to hold my arm down towards the pedals to make it record power data (not very aero!). The F3 and Edge 1000 record everything just fine.

That is three devices that don't work with my F5:
- Powertap P1 PM
- Stryd
- Stages PM

Just wondering: does Garmin actually test their products before shipping? The F3 had a plethora of issues most of which were subsequently fixed. BUT: this is not a cheap watch. It should really work.

0 fkelsch over 8 years ago

I have two Stages power meters and they have a weak ANT+ signal. It has cause issues, such as trying to initially pair with some Garmin Edge units like the 810. Although they work well enough once paired with the Edge products I have had issues with Forerunner units. If you are wearing the F5 (or 920XT) on your wrist, the right wrist will work better and even better with the F5 facing inside the right wrist. It gives it a better line of sight to the Stages PM since the crank arm comes between the Stages meter and your left wrist.

Since the F5 supports BLE and the Stages PM does also, I have found this to be a better way to connect than using ANT+, even on my TT bike when I am in the aero position. You might give that a try. Pair with F5 with the Stages using BLE and disable the ANT+ connection since it can only be connected to one at a time.