Problems with Ant+ connectivity

That is a really interesting point. I have wondered about the black bezel and have worried that scratches on that might be easily noticeable.

I also need to correct my previous comment that the 935 doesn't have quick-swap bands! I was completely wrong, I just checked Garmin's website and realized the 935 is in fact compatible with quick-swap bands.
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I would test out the 935 in store before committing to it. It's a lot cheaper feeling and looking than the Fenix 5. The screen is some kind of plexiglass like the cheaper Garmins and smears much easier than the real glass on the Fenix 5. The Fenix 5 bands do fit, but by the time you add two new bands you've added $100 to the price. Might work out for you, but things to consider...

That was my problem with the 495. The impression of build quality when I put it on vs the Fenix was enough to make me move up to the 5. At the time I didn't know that connectivity on the 5 was a mess.

following up on a previous comment in made in this thread:

"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)."

I went to REI today and tried on the 5x and it was extremely comfortable and did not seem overly bulky at all. Surprisingly it actually felt a bit more stable on my wrist because of the slightly wider band, like you mentioned.

Going to be swapping soon.

I've been actually thinking about fitting a wider band on my F5. Anyone tried modifying a 26mm quickfit band from the 5x?

The build quality is one thing that is keeping me to the F5, wouldn't want to go plastic again after having the FR235 first. It really felt and looked like a cheap plastic toy in comparison. From functionality standpoint never had problem with it though.

Anyone know any email address for Garmin that is likely will get a response? I emailed UK support via the Garmin website to ask for refund/exchange of my F5 and have had no response and the UK online RMA form doesn't seem to be working for me.

Hi, i own a Fenix5 and like many of you, i also have problems with ANT+ conections. I use a HRM RUN or HRM TRI band and the watch in my left wrist.
The problem is that with some body positions I had constant dropouts (hyperextension lying on a floor, extension of the arms when i hang on a pullbar, arm behind head, arm resting beside body, arm behind body). Summarizing, any interposition of my body, between the watch and the band, causes a dropout. I had test the band connection with a Edge 25 and a Oregon 650 in the same body positions and I didnt get any dropout

I have contact Garmim Iberia's Support and they ask to send the watch to them so it can be evaluated. However when i received the watch back (4 days after) it come with a relatory saying that they had performed a "reset and update" (i was running 4.10 firmware?) and it had passed all tests (with multiple garmin bands and phones) without any dropout. So to them the Fenix 5 was perfectly "fine"
That was completely surprising, since even they said it's perfectly normal, I still have dropouts when I interpose my body between the sensor and the band !?
I contacted Garmin Support again. Initially did not want to accept a new shipment, however after insisting and exposing the problem, they accepted it, this time together with the HRM TRI band to be tested again. I will send it today...
When I have some news, I will post again.

(Sorry for my english, not my first language)

Hi, i own a Fenix5 and like many of you, i also have problems with ANT+ conections. I use a HRM RUN or HRM TRI band and the watch in my left wrist.
The problem is that with some body positions I had constant dropouts (hyperextension lying on a floor, extension of the arms when i hang on a pullbar, arm behind head, arm resting beside body, arm behind body). Summarizing, any interposition of my body, between the watch and the band, causes a dropout. I had test the band connection with a Edge 25 and a Oregon 650 in the same body positions and I didnt get any dropout

I have contact Garmim Iberia's Support and they ask to send the watch to them so it can be evaluated. However when i received the watch back (4 days after) it come with a relatory saying that they had performed a "reset and update" (i was running 4.10 firmware?) and it had passed all tests (with multiple garmin bands and phones) without any dropout. So to them the Fenix 5 was perfectly "fine"
That was completely surprising, since even they said it's perfectly normal, I still have dropouts when I interpose my body between the sensor and the band !?
I contacted Garmin Support again. Initially did not want to accept a new shipment, however after insisting and exposing the problem, they accepted it, this time together with the HRM TRI band to be tested again. I will send it today...
When I have some news, I will post again.

(Sorry for my english, not my first language)

I tried on two difference HRM-Tri chest bands on my Fenix 5 Sapphire & Chronos, they both have ANT+ connection drop out when I put my hand on the side of my body or behind my back. I hope they can focus on fixing the ANT+ connection firmware issue after they released the 5.10 updated.

Relative to the problems with ANT+/Bluetooth connectivity, has anyone been able to send their watch back to GARMIN Support and get their money back or exchange it for another watch? Or the returns/exchanges mentioned in this forum are only with others online our physical stores with "No Questions Asked Return Policy"

I was using the APAC version of the 5S. Terrible connectivity to even Garmin's own RD Pod. Garmin support did well and I was given a new set in exchange. Didn't help unfortunately. Same issues persisted. Sold it.

Swapped to the 935 and all the problems went away. I won't say Bluetooth is much better on the 935 but ANT+ and GPS have tremendously improved. The 935 feels and looks cheaper but it works. Putting a tempered glass screen protector helps to resolve the "no sapphire glass" problem and in fact improves on the 5S' sapphire display (935's display with tempered glass SP is clearer and retains the glass feel).

I have knocked the 5S around a bit but the paint, etc from the rim of the watch never got scratched. I was using the black version. So that is one data point against the common narrative here.

Just posting this to contribute and share my experience. Have been following this forum closely due to 5S issues and am glad I would not need to do so again any time soon. Hopefully Garmin changes the chipset in future and allows buyers to do an exchange.