Ok, so for those that have the issue where the phone disconnects and reconnects frequently during an activity, are you using a chest HRM? Because I've been testing by putting my phone in the same place as when I run and it doesn't disconnect. Obviously other sensors like gps are not active but could it be the ANT+ signal causing interference? On the other hand my phone also seems to disconnect at the same places, so maybe its wifi signals getting in the way. I'm going to try running without my strap tomorrow to see if there is a difference first and then try removing other signals. Garmin have agreed to exchange my 5 for the 935 tri bundle but they are taking an age to sort the RMA out. It's been a week already. If I could get it sorted I would like to keep the fenix but it's driving me up the wall
I ended up turning the connected / disconnect alert off on my F5. My phone and watch has good range while at work but at home it constantly connects and disconnects. I wonder if the wifI repeaters at work also help with the bluetooth signal??? My wife has the 5s and her watch stays connected just fine at the house.
It seems to me the f5 has a really weak BT and ANT+ antenna. I went through three f5's, and now have an f5X. The last f5, while Bluetooth was decent enough between it and an iPhone 6S+, it topped out at 35 feet, line of sight. Throw some walls in there and that distance went down. That's not what bugged me though. ANT+ disconnects between the f5 and Scosche Rhythm+ were the killer. I couldn't wear the Rhythm+ above the right bicep, with the f5 on the left wrist without disconnects. Place both on the same arm and no problem. Thing is, having both on the same arm constricted blood flow a bit too much for my comfort.
I performed a distance test between the f5 and Rhythm+, using both Bluetooth and ANT+. The Rhythm+ is dual BLE/ANT+, BTW. ANT+ to the f5 topped out at 14 feet, line of sight. Bluetooth topped out at 17 feet, line of sight.
The f5X I received can receive ANT+ from the Rhythm+ to at least 35 feet, and if I shorten that by 10-12 feet it can go through two walls. Bluetooth between the f5X and the same iPhone 6S+ isn't even a comparison; it has the range the f5 did, plus another 15 feet or so and through two more walls. I'm so glad I returned the f5 and went for the f5X.
