Problems with Ant+ connectivity

Needless to say, I am very frustrated. The F5 is useless at this point for running and biking. None of my power meters works correctly. And I am not even complaining about the thousands of Connected/ Disconnected messages I get on a single bike ride. It's been over two months and Garmin treats this as a nice to have feature. This is core functionality and this is what they promise and advertise.

Did you get connected/disconnected msg? I never got it, even in case of dropouts.
What is the tool you are checking the dropouts in fit file? As it is interesting to know, that now the watch started extrapolating the data when disconnected. I was thinking, I don't get disconnected...

Another frustrated Fenix user

Hi! Just to add me to the list of frustrated people who spent hundreds on a watch that fails to connect to sensors using a quite old (as in, proved!) protocol mostly developed by the same manufacturer.
I have a F5 Sapp and get constant disconnects from my stryd footpod, completely unusable as it is. Stryd and watch on left side, already did a hard reset, nothing seems to help.
I’ve just figured out my HRM-RUN also suffers from disconnects on RD side (HR seems fine)
Add to the mid the fact that Garmin has been completely silent at least in public… Shame…

Stages power issue

I've also noticed strange / reduced power readings compared to my Edge 520. Both (Fenix 5 non-sapphire) are paired with the same sensors and I was getting average power alerts on my phone from the Fenix that were ridiculously low. It was recording between 70-80 and I could see 250-350 on the Edge. At the end of the ride I killed the Fenix file and used the Edge one ...

ANT+, F5 and Watteam Powerbeat Power meter

Just adding to the thread another example of consistent dropouts using a power meter (that I haven't seen mentioned) and the F5.

This power meter works perfectly when paired to my Edge 520.

But, of course, I want to collect power metrics on the Fenix 5 because of the new metrics (aerobic/anerobic, training progress, etc.).

Garmin could, alternatively:

1. Do a firmware update for the 520 to support the Firstbeat metrics AND make sure this all flows through to the F5 so it's available on the watch widgets.

OR

2. Fix the F5 to properly and consistently record ANT+....

Given all these connectivity related issues, if you were giving someone advice to order a new watch, would you still tell them to go with the Fenix 5, or point them to the 5X - even though the 5X has less battery life?

I haven't had any problems with the F5 Sapphire and intend to buy a F5s for my wife to replace her Vivoactive HR. Using HRM Run4, Speed and Cadence sensors and Tempe. The Speed sensors connect to my watch through a brick wall after I've put the bikes away in the side passage.

I was having the occasional dropout with the Premium soft strap HR but not with the HRM Run4. I've also noticed the Run4 has a lot better sampling rate, seems to provide way more detail on the HR graph for some reason. You can see the HR changing all the time on the watch, no long spells at one particular HR.

F5 Sapphire, latest firmware, dropouts using BSX smO2 sensor. Main cause is body parts between watch and sensor, signal attenuation. Does not occur with my FR230.
Garmin, you must realize this is an issue!

Fenix 5 Sapphire, latest firmware (4.1) on both watch and HRM-TRI. Significant dropouts HRM-TRI

I first bought a Fenix 5X and made an agreement with the store that I could test the watch and hand it back if I was not satisfied.

After two weeks I decided to buy a bundle instead: Fenix 5 sapphire performance bundle with HRM-TRI and one yellow extra Quick fit band.

I also use a polar foot pod and used Polar H7 with the Fenix 5X (I had previosuly a Polar V800) and had no dropouts at all with Fenix 5X and Polar H7.

First run with Fenix 5 sapphire and HRM-TRI i actually didn't react, But the day after first strength training i had numerous dropouts. So now one run, two strength and one tennis I came to the conclusion that this is not acceptable. Both watch and Hrm-tri latest firmware.

I will try with "my" Fenix 5X this afternoon and see if there is any difference.

I played tennis this morning and the pulse is attached I will now play tenni again, but as said with Fenix 5X instead.

Concusion so far: combination Fenix 5X and Polar H7 is working flawless (no running dynamics however though) and a lot better than Fenix 5 Sapphire and HRM-TRI.

IMPOSSIBLE TO UPLOAD PICTURES

Stryd just confirmed (via email) that they still can't recommend their foot pod for the F5 and F5s. According to them, it's an issue with weak ANT+ signal on Garmins end.

I currently have a Garmin Footpod, which I haven't tested too much, but I want to start using it to accommodate for the terrible instant pace on my F5. Can anyone tell me how I would know if the footpod is suffering dropouts? I can see how it would be easy for an extern HRM or Stryd, but I'm not sure if you would be able to tell using the Garmin footpod. I believe the GPS takes over if the footpod drops out, based on the reading I've done. So if the footpod drops out and the GPS takes over, I wonder if I would see it as a glitch on the pace chart, or if it would remain fairly seamless?

Fenix 5 Sapphire, latest firmware (4.1) on both watch and HRM-TRI. Significant dropouts HRM-TRI

I first bought a Fenix 5X and made an agreement with the store that I could test the watch and hand it back if I was not satisfied.

After two weeks I decided to buy a bundle instead: Fenix 5 sapphire performance bundle with HRM-TRI and one yellow extra Quick fit band.

I also use a polar foot pod and used Polar H7 with the Fenix 5X (I had previosuly a Polar V800) and had no dropouts at all with Fenix 5X and Polar H7.

First run with Fenix 5 sapphire and HRM-TRI i actually didn't react, But the day after first strength training i had numerous dropouts. So now one run, two strength and one tennis I came to the conclusion that this is not acceptable. Both watch and Hrm-tri latest firmware.

I will try with "my" Fenix 5X this afternoon and see if there is any difference.

I played tennis this morning and the pulse is attached I will now play tenni again, but as said with Fenix 5X instead.

Concusion so far: combination Fenix 5X and Polar H7 is working flawless (no running dynamics however though) and a lot better than Fenix 5 Sapphire and HRM-TRI.

IMPOSSIBLE TO UPLOAD PICTURES

Thanks for the direct comparison.

I was thinking of returning the F5 Sapph for a 5X, not for the maps, but for Ant+. Not sure my wrist can handle the size though.