My old Fenix 3 HR would stay connected to my phone via bluetooth at least twice as far as my new F5. Did Garmin decide to gimp the bluetooth transceiver on the F5? It literally buzzes all day long... sometimes when I'm walking only 15 feet away from it. Yes, I can turn off the notification but I really liked how my old Fenix 3 HR would buzz and warn me when I left my phone behind. Nice feature to have. Would hate to lose that feature because of a gimped BT transceiver. I'm hoping that my unit is just defective. Any others here that had a Fenix 3 HR and now have a F5 experiencing the same?
Today I finally see just how bad the f5 is with Bluetooth, and I already knew it was struggling with ANT+
I have a Suunto Spartan Ultra, which I use almost exclusively for running and trail running. It's almost never paired to the iPhone 6S+ that's used for Garmin Connect Mobile paring to the f5. I forgot the SSU was still paired to the iPhone this morning. I'll give an illustration of how far away the SSU was receiving notifications.
My bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Laundry room
Converted garage
There's almost an exact straight line drawn from where the iPhone is sitting, through those rooms, going top to bottom, finally ending in the converted garage where the SSU sits.
The iPhone is sitting in my bedroom and the SSU is in the converted garage. I have the f5 on and it loses connection in the kitchen. I go into the converted garage and hear the SSU give a chime, which is unfamiliar to me. I look and sure enough it's a notification. I'm astounded. Now I really see just how bad the f5 is in Bluetooth range when compared with something else.
My local REI now has FR 935's in stock. The f5 is going back and I'm joining the 935 club.
I've also given up with the f5 and joined the 935 club. Unfortunately the first was faulty and the second was used, the third should arrive tomorrow. I spent a bit of time with the first one and Bluetooth range was brilliant, probably better than my old f3.
What really pisses me off, is that there is no official statement from Garmin, either acknowledging BT range/stability issues, or just stating, hey, "the range is 3-5 meters". Did anyone see the actual range listed anywhere in the manual etc.?
I know how frustrating it is when you have a problem with your f5 and someone else posts that all is well with their device... but I have to say that my bluetooth connection is rock solid. I used a f3 for almost 3 years and the f5 connectivity is exactly the same. If I leave my phone (iPhone 6) on my desk at work, I know exactly where the connection drops off when I'm moving around the office, typically about 20m away from my desk, which is double the 10m spec.
I wonder if the problem is with a specific batch of devices?
I know how frustrating it is when you have a problem with your f5 and someone else posts that all is well with their device... but I have to say that my bluetooth connection is rock solid. I used a f3 for almost 3 years and the f5 connectivity is exactly the same. If I leave my phone (iPhone 6) on my desk at work, I know exactly where the connection drops off when I'm moving around the office, typically about 20m away from my desk, which is double the 10m spec.
I wonder if the problem is with a specific batch of devices?
Thanks for your input - since two weeks I'm struggling to decide if I should RMA my watch or not - Garmin support proposed RMA, but they ignored my question if they can officially confirm that there is some known issue with BT... I really want to avoid RMAing the device just to get another one with same behavior. From the other side - it can also be the phone causing problems etc. I really think Garmin should do better job in communicating known issues and status if they work on fixes.
Thanks for your input - since two weeks I'm struggling to decide if I should RMA my watch or not - Garmin support proposed RMA, but they ignored my question if they can officially confirm that there is some known issue with BT... I really want to avoid RMAing the device just to get another one with same behavior. From the other side - it can also be the phone causing problems etc. I really think Garmin should do better job in communicating known issues and status if they work on fixes.
I see you're on an Android phone? I remember seeing somewhere that an Android user fixed their bluetooth issues by unparing the watch with the GC App, then pairing it directly with the phone, not via the GC app. Is this something you've messed around with?
I see you're on an Android phone? I remember seeing somewhere that an Android user fixed their bluetooth issues by unparing the watch with the GC App, then pairing it directly with the phone, not via the GC app. Is this something you've messed around with?
I've tried EVERYTHING on this stage :). below are "official" troubleshooting steps I got from Support - helped for a day - solid connection, but, still only 5m max. After a day - again, random disconnects, even if the phone is in the pocket. Sometimes refuses to re-connect without restarting BT on the phone.
1. Remove your device from Garmin Connect Mobile:
Launch Garmin Connect Mobile on your phone.
Select the Menu option in the upper left of the screen.
Select Garmin Devices.
Tap and hold on the fenix 5.
Select Remove device.
Confirm removal of the fenix 5.
2. Log out of Garmin Connect Mobile.
Select the Menu option in Garmin Connect Mobile.
Select Settings.
Select Sign-Out.
3. Remove the fenix 5 from the bluetooth settings on your phone.
Select Settings on your phone.
Select Bluetooth.
If the fenix 5 is listed please tap on the gear icon next to it.
Select Unpair.
4. Clear the App data from Garmin Connect Mobile.Restart your phone and your fenix 5.
Select the settings on your phone.
Select Applications or Application Manager.
Locate Connect.
Select Clear Data or Storage.
Select Clear Data.
5. Re-pair the Device and your phone.
Launch Garmin Connect Mobile on your phone.
Sign-in to your Connect account.
When asked if you have a device you would like to pair select Yes.
Select all devices.
Select fenix 5.
Confirm your information is correct.
Before selecting search for device please enable bluetooth pairing mode on your fenix 3.
Press and hold the Up button on the fenix 5.
Select Settings.
Select Bluetooth.
Select Pair Mobile Device.
Tap Search for Device on your phone.
Follow the on-screen steps to complete pairing.
