Altimeter Fenix 5

Possible Altimeter (ambient pressure) fix for Fenix 5, Fenix 5X and Fenix 5S:

1) Silicone Spray - protect the rest of the watch for overspray and hold can back about 4-6 inches so you are not filling the ambient pressure sensor with silicone spray. The sensor itself is silicon so the silicone spray will not harm it or the watch (it is just very slippery if it gets on other parts). It is safe for rubber, plastic, metal, etc.

2) To prevent static buildup between the metal bezel top and metal bottom you can connect the two with a very thin piece of wire (maybe a copper strand) - this prevents a voltage difference between the two given that a capacitor is 2 pieces of metal with a dielectric between. The watch body acts as a dielectric. The actual ambient pressure sensor is measuring capacitance, so when a static charge builds on the watch body, it changes the reading of the ambient pressure sensor. If you can dissipate the charge between the metal bezel and the metal base of the watch (ie: a thin piece of wire acts as a short circuit so no charge can build - like a lightning rod acts to raise the potential above a vulnerable structure, the wire would keep charge away from the sensor.

So far this has been 100% effective in my testing ....

I think the Forerunner 935 is less susceptible because the bezel is the same material as the watch body (ie: not a metal conductor).

I know this is DIY, but I think ALL of the Fenix 3HRs, 5, 5S and 5X watches have a similar problem but only when subjected to low humidity and static discharge caused by clothes (ie: removing a jacket, long sleeve rubbing against the watch, etc.)

1) Above may be a good solution similar to soaking the watch in warm water with a mild detergent .... appears to help the sensor reset after static charge causes erratic readings.

2) Definitely addresses the charge buildup (it prevents it). One could technically take a tiny strand of copper wire (thickness of hair essentially) and loop it around a single top bezel screw and the closest bottom screw. The screws are hand tight, so if you loosen one to loop the wire around and then carefully tighten it to the same torque, you should not effect the seal - similar to removing one lug nut on a wheel and replacing it, then torquing it correctly - does not upset wheel.

My very affected Fenix 5 has been rock solid with respect to altimeter and barometer for 48 hours now and counting. Wearing jackets and keeping it on my arm 24/7 caused it to glitch badly within the 1st couple of hours of receiving it. I now have hands-five as my watch face so I can see what the altitude is and it is counting stair flights 100% of the time up and down now. Not going to comment on the exact accuracy of that (sometimes 12 flights, sometimes 11 flights on the same steps, but it gives a great elevation chart now that is accurate).

You are probably right. Maybe Garmin should give us the possibility to buy a replacement top. Plastic?
...sheap, or for free.

Or, alternatively, since the fenix line is popular for the "premium" look, then replace the caseback with plastic for the same reason. Or, do you think putting a clear protective film on the caseback could accomplish that too?

2) To prevent static buildup between the metal bezel top and metal bottom you can connect the two with a very thin piece of wire (maybe a copper strand) - this prevents a voltage difference between the two given that a capacitor is 2 pieces of metal with a dielectric between. The watch body acts as a dielectric. The actual ambient pressure sensor is measuring capacitance, so when a static charge builds on the watch body, it changes the reading of the ambient pressure sensor. If you can dissipate the charge between the metal bezel and the metal base of the watch (ie: a thin piece of wire acts as a short circuit so no charge can build - like a lightning rod acts to raise the potential above a vulnerable structure, the wire would keep charge away from the sensor.

body

That could be it, I was looking for Fenix disassembly images and there are rubber O-rings between the upper/lower metal and the body creating a capacitor. Since I changed my band from the rubber one to the leather one, never had any problem.

hi guys , and sorry for my fast post.
i just wanted to say that after 3 months (without problems) with my fenix 5 i ordered a plastic - silicon "condom" for my watch to protect it from scratches. the baro - altimeter went crazy for 2-3 activities.
then i got here and read about static electricity. i pute the plastic away and i had no problem since then. i didnt do any hard reset or even soft reset!
thx

Hello everyone,

I have altimeter concerns when I wear fleece-type clothing or wool sweaters. I have to soak the watch in hot water with soap, and it works well.

I have a 3 day old f5 from REI. I don't have any installed connect iq apps or watch faces. Everything was good even after skiing. All of my data looked good and driving back to Denver my altimeter starting going wonky. It showed 23k feet and then down to 700ft. I soaked it and calibrated and it seems to have stabilized. I'll be calling Garmin to add to the list .

Hi guys, from my point of view, these watches are made to be worn, instead of soaking them in soap water a every day. But anyway I have asked Garmin for support about my issues - please refer to link https://docs.google.com/presentation...e&delayms=3000. Garmin said, they are not able to open it. Could you please check it, if you can open this file?

I have sent them each list of this file exported as pdf, but they do not answer...

Many thanks

Just posted this in the barometer caibration thread....maybe it will be of so e help here too

Today, 09:32 PM
Well since tuesday i calibrated my altimeter then went to barometer and entered as requested the current sea level pressure ...989mb based on uk bbc weather app...since then its been spot on ..ive checked randomly the pressure on the weather app and the f5 and its been with in 1 mb at worst but mainly spot on or .2 or .5 differance ..as we speak the weather app says 997mb for the current time my f5 baro has just changed from 996.6mb to 997mb...alto is 22ft lower than the known 225ft for my current elevation...this to me is spot on...

since tuesday i have gps tracked 80 miles of cycling and its been spot on....

so maybe the f5 baro sealevel pressure request in calibration give it a parameter to work from...which now i think about it differently it makes sense....as the option would not be there otherwise.

i realise ive probably just jinxed my device now but .. if all it takes is quick baro alt calibration with a very easy to find pressure even for a given time via the weather app ..maybe say once week id be very happy...

Oh ..auto calibrate on and watch mode auto