Problems with Ant+ connectivity

It is interesting that you are experiencing this with the watch not on your body. I've had similar experiences doing a rock climbing workout (hangboard & campus board) while the watch is maybe 1.5 meters away. I ended up moving the watch to my on of the gear loops on my harness so it would keep consistent connection.

Having same problems as well with HRM-Tri. It is definitely watch, as I can see drops on Garmin log while at the same time ANT+ on the phone still receives and processes data correctly. Initially I thought this is happening because watch were not moving, being next to me in gym or on not moving hand - indoor bike, going into some weird power saving mode. However that's not the case. Once I start keep watch on hand or trying to move them from time to time, gaps are not that big but are still there.

It also seems that Garmin is trying to do something on the background meanwhile, already noticed few occurrences when HR went to 70 instead of zero while real logged on another device was much higher, I see it since v4.21

Having same problems as well with HRM-Tri. It is definitely watch, as I can see drops on Garmin log while at the same time ANT+ on the phone still receives and processes data correctly. Initially I thought this is happening because watch were not moving, being next to me in gym or on not moving hand - indoor bike, going into some weird power saving mode. However that's not the case. Once I start keep watch on hand or trying to move them from time to time, gaps are not that big but are still there.

It also seems that Garmin is trying to do something on the background meanwhile, already noticed few occurrences when HR went to 70 instead of zero while real logged on another device was much higher, I see it since v4.21

I always had dropouts of HR in the Gym or strength training at home. On F5 and on my previous 920XT. Thus I would treat strength training as kind of weird behavior of HR belt, than F5 Ant+ connection issue.

Thanks for the feedback. If i'm understanding all of this correctly, it seems the problem only applies to ANT+.

I'm going to move forward with the hopeful assumption that devices that use Bluetooth (rather than ANT+) will work properly.

Since I currently have zero external devices...I should just be able to buy devices that use Bluetooth and I will be fine. Fingers crossed. Starting with a HRM and going from there. I feel bad for everyone who already owns several expensive devices that need ANT+, I would be extremely frustrated.

If i'm completely wrong here please let me know!

All type of connectivity is weak, my phone is loosing connection with the watch in just a couple of meters. If the body gets in the way less than a meter and the connection drops. If my arms are above my head or at the back connection with hrm tri is gone. Very disappointing.

I swapped my sapphire 5 for a 5x this afternoon. The connectivity to my phone is already so much improved that I wonder why I waited so long. I connected my HRM, Speed, and Cadence sensors, and the connectivity appears to be much improved as well. Time will tell, but there is clearly a major difference between the 5 vs 5x. I can connect to my phone from several rooms away now vs previously I was lucky to maintain a connection in the same room. I hope Garmin fixes the 5, because I really like the size, but i'm done worrying about it for now. If you have the option to swap a 5 for a 935 or a 5x, I recommend it. The difference is night and day.

Awesome. I got mine from REI so I definitely have the option to swap. For me there are 2 things that are making me hesitate on the 5x: 1) 5x is huge. - my wrist is 6.75" so it's doable but the 5 fits me better. 2) I don't even own any connected devices so I haven't noticed any of the issues everyone is talking about. (but it still sucks owning something with a flaw and knowing i would be limited in the types of devices I can buy in the future to connect to it).

As for the 935, there are two things keeping me from going that route too: 1) it doesn't come with a sapphire screen. Yes i could get a screen protector but the peace of mind that comes with a sapphire screen is not something i'm willing to give up. 2) It doesn't come with the quick swap bands. I am using the watch for fitness/outdoors as well as for professional occasions so being able to swap bands easily matters to me.

Let us know if anything changes in regards to your experience with the 5x.


*Edit on 8/4/17: I just realized the 935 IS compatible with the quick swap bands. I mistakenly implied that it's not.

I purchased mine from REI mostly because of their return policy (and member dividend). I'm glad I did. Now I need to go sell the Garmin Red quick fit band I bought for the 5. The increased size on the X is going to take a little getting used to, but I think I'll get used to it quickly. It fits nicely and the wider band makes it comfortable/stable on my wrist. I had both watches briefly, couldn't get true-up to work, so I gave up and returned the 5.

I swapped my sapphire 5 for a 5x this afternoon. The connectivity to my phone is already so much improved that I wonder why I waited so long. I connected my HRM, Speed, and Cadence sensors, and the connectivity appears to be much improved as well. Time will tell, but there is clearly a major difference between the 5 vs 5x. I can connect to my phone from several rooms away now vs previously I was lucky to maintain a connection in the same room. I hope Garmin fixes the 5, because I really like the size, but i'm done worrying about it for now. If you have the option to swap a 5 for a 935 or a 5x, I recommend it. The difference is night and day.

Crazy how much difference there is, right? Sounds like your f5 was worse than the one(s) I returned to REI and they had respectable Bluetooth. Same tests I had performed with the f5, but with the 5X showed me how much better then 5X is at Bluetooth and ANT+ connections. Not even a contest.

Like you, I thought the 5X would be too big, but as it turns out it fits lots better. It's more stable on the wrist and the OHR works better, at least for me.

Congrats!

As for the 935, there are two things keeping me from going that route too: 1) it doesn't come with a sapphire screen. Yes i could get a screen protector but the peace of mind that comes with a sapphire screen is not something i'm willing to give up. 2) It doesn't come with the quick swap bands. I am using the watch for fitness/outdoors as well as for professional occasions so being able to swap bands easily matters to me.

I bought the Sapphire Black one, and I don't have scratches on glass, but I have significant scratches on the black bezel, which are silver. In my opinion its even worse. If I should make the decision again, I would take the one with mineral glass.
Sorry for the off-top