Problems with Ant+ connectivity

I asked about that and Tech support said absolutely no upgrade path/exchange for a newer model. All they would do was exchange for a refurb of the same model:
We would only exchange the fenix 5 out for another fenix 5. There is not an option to upgrade unfortunately.

Garmin responses always seem varied, I bought my F5 from an online retailer and had it just under 2 months. I called Garmin who although they claim to have never heard of the problem (really?) they agreed this was not acceptable and deemed the watch to be faulty. They said if the watch was bought direct from them then they would issue a refund but as I bought from a retailer they emailed me a letter to send to retailer when returning watch as faulty.

Chatting to Garmin again, I was able to confirm serials after 010-01688-00 536132248 should not have the issue.

The person I chatted with didnt have a clue about the issue until I referenced the case above - apparently it doesn't appear on their issues register as it's deemed fixed.

Garmin responses always seem varied, I bought my F5 from an online retailer and had it just under 2 months. I called Garmin who although they claim to have never heard of the problem (really?) they agreed this was not acceptable and deemed the watch to be faulty. They said if the watch was bought direct from them then they would issue a refund but as I bought from a retailer they emailed me a letter to send to retailer when returning watch as faulty.

I had sent a conventional email to tech support (not through the web site) and a different person responded. He said they do have a fix and would RMA exchange the unit. I am still waiting for it and will post some crude signal strength distance figures when I have both in hand.
So it seems that not all of the tech support people even know about it!

Hi

I`ve had my Garmin Fenix 5 since Desember 2017. I started out with a Polar Bluetooth pulsestrap and had alot of dropouts on my pulse messurings. So i bought an expencive Garmin HRM tri strap. I`ve had the same types of dropouts with this.
The connetion range between the watch an phone is also pretty bad. I sometime lose connection while having the phone in my back pocket and the watch on my wrist.

I contacted Garmin (Norway) and explained this problem, reffering to this forum and this tread. Explained that this seems to be an issue with many F5 and F5s models.
He told me that he`d never heared of this problem before. Told me to erase my HRM tri from the watch and add it again to see if that helps. If that didnt help he would send me a new HRM tri.

I guess its ok to check certain things out but, i dont like when i feel like im being lied to..

I did the whole erasing thing and it did nothing, i`ve emailed Garmin back and waiting to see what the reply is.

I have had my new Fenix 5 plus for only a day but it does indeed appear that ANT+ is now fixed in the newer models, it's just a shame that Garmin will probably never do anything to address this issue in the F5.

I am not sure this is actually fixed with the "Plus" version. I have been comparing tracks of my 5x plus to a old Forerunner 305. While testing, I was noticing the Fenix was losing HR on the screen (Garmin Ant+ chest strap). The 305 showed no such issue. Looking into it further, on Garmin Connect, you can see that the HR drops out regularly. Gaps all over the place. The FR305 shows zero drops on the same ride. Both units mounted on MTB handlebars.

I am not sure this is actually fixed with the "Plus" version. I have been comparing tracks of my 5x plus to a old Forerunner 305. While testing, I was noticing the Fenix was losing HR on the screen (Garmin Ant+ chest strap). The 305 showed no such issue. Looking into it further, on Garmin Connect, you can see that the HR drops out regularly. Gaps all over the place. The FR305 shows zero drops on the same ride. Both units mounted on MTB handlebars.

In my case it certainly appears fixed, I never had problems with either of my Garmin basic and premium HR straps on F5 or F5+. My GSC-10 units on the other hand were completely unusable as they never held a connection on F5, but on F5+ I have not experienced any connection issues.

I posted some GC rides to this thread. I was using both the 5 x Plus and the FR 305 at the same time connected to the same HR strap.

https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5x-plus/1379187-5x-plus-dropping-ant-hr

I had sent a conventional email to tech support (not through the web site) and a different person responded. He said they do have a fix and would RMA exchange the unit. I am still waiting for it and will post some crude signal strength distance figures when I have both in hand.
So it seems that not all of the tech support people even know about it!

@bjrmd: Hi bjrmd, do you already have your new device in your hands and can say something about signal strength? Thanks.

I also contacted Garmin support (Germany) as my watch also shows drop-outs with HRM-Run. I have the silver version with blue band and from the SN I don't know if I have an old or new version of the watch.

@bjrmd: Hi bjrmd, do you already have your new device in your hands and can say something about signal strength? Thanks.

I also contacted Garmin support (Germany) as my watch also shows drop-outs with HRM-Run. I have the silver version with blue band and from the SN I don't know if I have an old or new version of the watch.

The new "hardware" version is definitely better, about the same as a Forerunner 230. While not perfect, it's acceptable and if you can get one, your needs should be met.

Thanks a lot for your fast response.
I don't know the Forerunner 230 but "definitely better" sounds good to me.

Has anybody tested the procedure from k3sk with a "new" device?
My current device looses connection when I put my hand behind back already half way.
It has SN 537010xxx and thus I cannot compare it with the SN Neelam provided in post #480 (which is 536 version).

...

The ANT+ receiving issue is easily reproducible:
1. Put HRM belt on your chest
2. Pair it with Fenix 5 and start workout
3. Put your hand with the watch above your head or behind back and signal will lose after several seconds