Problems with Ant+ connectivity

New watch is fine in all of these conditions


bluetooth works much better too and has range pretty much anywhere on the house now

There are less issues when running, mine also has no issue while running but if you do other sports or raise you hands above your head or whenever the body gets in the way, for example at the back, hrm tri disconnects. My old fenix 3 was fine in these situations. If you had Fenix 3 you can also realize that the bluetooth range was much better, it was working even between floors, now it is dropping in a few meters.

Hmm. I'm also experiencing better connection to Stryd than when I got the watch, but never swapped the watch. So some improvement has been done with newer firmwares too I believe.

In the beginning BT would disconnect within 2 meters when I turned away from the phone. But I also switched phone from Android to iOS. Now I can sync runs from another room and even use the find my phone feature...

Go figure. Anyway glad it works. I like the looks & build of the watch (silver/metal frame with black band), switching to FR 935 would feel like a downgrade in that sense although it may be more practical in other things (weight, probably slightly stronger sensor / GPS signal).

I just stumbled onto this thread as I'm also having issues. In my case a Fenix 5S + Power2Max NG Eco, dropping out power all over the place. I used my Edge 500 in parallel which picked up power numbers quite reliably, so it seems there is definitely an issue with the Fenix 5S.

I have emailed support, here's to hoping!

An update in case it's of use to anyone

On my ride after I posted the previous message, I set the Fenix 5S to display power on the screen. I ride road handlebars with my watch on the left wrist, with the watch face away from the bike. The power meter (Power2Max NG Eco) is on the crank, so on the right side of the bike.

I peeked at the watch while riding, and saw no power numbers. Then I turn my wrist, and power was picked up! so it was clearly a problem with signal reception. I then turned the watch to be on the inside of my wrist. A bit uncomfortable, but from the moment I did that the power signal was reliably picked up. So either the Fenix 5S has a poor antenna design, or the P2M NG Eco has a poor antena, or doesn't broadcast with high enough power. Or a combination of the above.

As a separate test, I paired the P2M using bluetooth instead of Ant+. On my subsequent ride the signal was picked up with my watch worn normally. The signal could be stronger on BT for the P2M, or the 5S perhaps uses a separate antenna for BT.

As for Garmin, their only suggestion so far is to update to latest firmware (which I already have) and reset the watch (and I don't particularly want to waste my time setting everything back how I want/need)

Hope that's of help to someone

I peeked at the watch while riding, and saw no power numbers. Then I turn my wrist, and power was picked up! so it was clearly a problem with signal reception. I then turned the watch to be on the inside of my wrist. A bit uncomfortable, but from the moment I did that the power signal was reliably picked up. So either the Fenix 5S has a poor antenna design, or the P2M NG Eco has a poor antena, or doesn't broadcast with high enough power. Or a combination of the above.

This is my experience too. Riding inside on my Tacx trainer. With the watch in normal position multiple dropouts on ant+. Turning the watch under my wrist no or very few dropouts.

Can anyone confirm that the newer models have had an antenna modicfication to address the bluetooth, and ANT+ issues as described here: https://the5krunner.com/2018/01/18/fenix-5-plus-confirmed-antennae-modification-garmin/ ?? I am looking to get either a F5 or FR935 and am in research phase, really prefer the looks/greater durability of the F5 over the FR935 but dont want my BT connection dropping all the time (ANT+ I could live without as I dont have any sensors/pods at the moment).

According to Garmin support the problem is still affecting new units. This is from Garmin Support replying to my request to replace unit:
"We would not being looking to replace the unit as you may well receive a replacement with the same issue which is why we are asking you to wait for the case to be resolved. "

This was a couple of weeks ago...

So, the problem still persists and it's assumed by Garmin. I'm waiting for a solution on this, suspect that it will need a replacement when they release updated hardware...

I have just bought a Fenix 5 and it works well with my Tempe, Basic HR and Premium HR.

However both my bikes have GSC-10 sensors and the Fenix will not stay connected for more than a minute or so. I am wearing the Fenix so not sure if this is having an effect and both my Edge 810 & Oregon 750t do not have this issue.

I am very disappointed that a premium product is still having issues so long after launch.

Likewise - very surprised that they're still selling it, quite frankly it doesnt do what it says on the tin.

Last response I got from Garmin support a few weeks ago was that it had been referred to their Taiwan manufacturing warehouse.