Bluetooth and WiFi Issues with 5s Saphire

Former Member over 8 years ago

I bought a 5s Saphire. It connects to my router and is paired to my smartphone. The Bluetooth disconnects even when it is near the phone. It will never reconnect automatically. I have to force a re connection.

When I go to Garmin Express on my PC, the software indicates no WiFi connection even though I can verify that the 5s is connected to the router from the 5s.

I get no notifications. I have enabled notifications in the 5s menus. I have also ensured that I have disabled "Do Not Disturb" on the 5s.

$700 is a lot to pay for a device that can't function without issues. I suspect the issues are the Garmin software rather than the hardware. If they want to sell high end hardware they have a huge incentive to make the software function easily.

My Microsoft Band 2 reconnects to my Smartphone automatically whenever I return to the proximity of my phone. I get notifications without problems on my Band 2. The Microsoft software is fantastic.

I have owned Garmins for decades and haven't had issues with hardware that isn't supposed to have as much functionality as the Fenix 5s.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I forgot to mention that it is ridiculous that Garmin does not provide support on Saturday.

0 ShannonA over 8 years ago

I bought a 5s Saphire. It connects to my router and is paired to my smartphone. The Bluetooth disconnects even when it is near the phone. It will never reconnect automatically. I have to force a re connection.

When I go to Garmin Express on my PC, the software indicates no WiFi connection even though I can verify that the 5s is connected to the router from the 5s.

I get no notifications. I have enabled notifications in the 5s menus. I have also ensured that I have disabled "Do Not Disturb" on the 5s.

$700 is a lot to pay for a device that can't function without issues. I suspect the issues are the Garmin software rather than the hardware. If they want to sell high end hardware they have a huge incentive to make the software function easily.

My Microsoft Band 2 reconnects to my Smartphone automatically whenever I return to the proximity of my phone. I get notifications without problems on my Band 2. The Microsoft software is fantastic.

I have owned Garmins for decades and haven't had issues with hardware that isn't supposed to have as much functionality as the Fenix 5s.

Do you have an android phone or iOS. If android you need to tell it display notifications.

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Notifications only come by way of BT and not every by WiFi, so even if you have a wifi connection, you won't see them unless the watch can get thim over BT from your phone.

0 Dr Phil over 8 years ago

I forgot to mention that it is ridiculous that Garmin does not provide support on Saturday.

And how many other watch manufacturers provide service over weekends?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

And how many other watch manufacturers provide service over weekends?

Microsoft for One. I don't know about others because I have mostly bought Garmin products. I have been fortunate and not had issues in the past. The Fenix 5s can do so many things, and the software hasn't been perfected to utilize all the functions of the 5s. My Nuvis, Forerunners and Edge haven't had all the functionality of the 5s.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Notifications only come by way of BT and not every by WiFi, so even if you have a wifi connection, you won't see them unless the watch can get thim over BT from your phone.

I haven't expected to get notifications via WiFi. I don't get them with Bluetooth connected to my smartphone. I have checked notifications on the pone and notifications for email, messages and about 10 other options are enabled. The Bluetooth is also problematic in that it won't automaically reconnect if you move away from the phone and later return. I also experience disconnections even if the phone is less than a few feet from the 5s. This disconnection may be a hardware issue. I perceive most of my other frustrations are software related.

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Have you checked in the Garmin Connect Mobile forum?

https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?444-Garmin-Connect-Mobile-Application

Maybe something to do with your phone, it's settings, etc?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Have you checked in the Garmin Connect Mobile forum?

https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?444-Garmin-Connect-Mobile-Application

Maybe something to do with your phone, it's settings, etc?

My phone gets notifications flawlessly from my Microsoft Band 2. My Band 2 also will reconnect to the phone via Bluetooth if I move out of range of the phone and back in range of the phone. The phone never loses Bluetooth connectivity to the Band 2 if the phone remains in proximity to the Band 2. The Band 2 does not have all the functionality of the 5s, but it spoiled me with interaction between my phone and my laptop. I never had to look at my phone if I received an email. I just glanced at my wrist. The 5s is about 3x more expensive than the Band 2.

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Does the MS band use BT or BLE as that could be different. Also, with a Garmin, GCM in involved and has settings that control how it works. Are you using a WindowsPhone, Android, or iOS? It wouldn't hurt to check/ask in the GCM forum for the type of phone you have.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Does the MS band use BT or BLE as that could be different. Also, with a Garmin, GCM in involved and has settings that control how it works. Are you using a WindowsPhone, Android, or iOS? It wouldn't hurt to check/ask in the GCM forum for the type of phone you have.

The Band 2 is Bluetooth. I use a Windows 10 phone.