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Why is Garmin ignoring the GPS issue?

Hi,
It seems that with each firmware version that comes out, we are disappointed to find out that the GPS issues have not been address.
There's a 52-page thread on the GPS issues in the Fenix 5 and each time someone approaches you with hard proof that there's an issue, you dismiss him/her with various excuses.
https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s/152984-gps-accuracy

Why not address the issue?
Give us a clear statement whether you are aware of the problems and are working on it or if we'll never get an accurate GPS reading on the Fenix 5.

I've switched from the Polar M400 (which was very accurate) to the high-end Fenix 5 and I was expecting at the very least to get similar GPS accuracy (if not better due to it being a high-end watch and due to GLONASS support).

But what I got is a watch that works horrendously when the GLONASS is on (routes are all over the place) and inaccurate routes with GPS only.

If this issue is not resolved, I will never buy Garmin again!

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

There simply is NO GPS issue! The GPS is the best you will get with a small GPS receiver. Garmin could (perhaps, some day) provide a "GPS pod"
to put on your running shoe, like a "foot pod" or a "tempe". Then, they may be able to get enough receiving power to have GPS be more accurate.

0 thr4 over 7 years ago

I was just about to say the same and the screenshot above doesn't really signify any issue, too. I understand people are frustrated but the example above is a sideways drift of maybe 25 m in a narrow street with what it seems like multistory buildings on both sides. All my GPS devices past and current struggled at least once in similar setting. You should have seen the GPS track I recorded in Singapore with a FR630...

The tone of the complaints above is off-putting and floods geniune issues some people might have. Having said that I agree Garmin support could do a better job at times.

0 cpt_pickard over 7 years ago

The GPS is the best you will get with a small GPS receiver.

Then how come that my old FR110 or a USD 100 TomTom runner track consistently better? This argument has been around since F3. Nobody is complaining that the tracking is not perfect. We are complaining that it is worse than in 5 times cheaper or 8 yrs old units.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

perhaps ... larger antenna and/or located in a better place ... it just is what it is, and mine is accurate (within reasonable expectations).

0 cpt_pickard over 7 years ago

Well, but then it is not difficult to understand the frustration of people having switched from old cheap units to F5X only to find out that it tracks worse than the old gadget. Surely bummed me out when I got the F3. Decreased performance in a core functionality is not what you would typically expect when upgrading and that is why I think the complaints are fully justified.

0 thr4 over 7 years ago

The thing is that "perform worse" is very subjective. I have had a fair bit of Garmin devices and each of them had a "blunder", more than once. Perceived accuracy is often caused by limitations of GPS as a system and it's understandable people tend to overblow the cases where they see an issue. But I've run with my fenix for quite some time in all conditions and have not noticed anything odd; the examples provided in this thread are not outside of realms of normality either.

0 chong67 over 7 years ago

I got 5 signal bars outdoor. Indoor I get 1 or none. I have seen posting like at tall buildings everywhere, the GPS signal go crazy on the watch.

0 _brendan over 7 years ago

The biggest gripe I have with the GPS is Garmin Connects complete lack of intelligent processing of the data. When I look at the recorded location points there are always lateral location jumps like 50 yards away where it would be clearly impossible for me to be and then it snaps back to the real location on the next point. If it would start disregarding the bad data it would be really helpful.

0 jose.cboliveira over 7 years ago

Compared several running and bike GPS tracks for the same streets. Indeed the difference in quality is enormous. The bike tracks with the watch in the handlebars facing up is very good, in fact I can see the left and right side of the road lines. The running tracks are much worst with drifts above the expected 5m.

Maybe I will try to run with the watch facing up:cool:

0 wuwentao over 7 years ago

I have a Fenix 3 for 2.5 yeas, the GPS works very good .
Now I'm using Fenix5, found the GPS signal issue some weeks ago , and I also post it in garmin forum, seems no any response.
https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-t...ware-in-fenix5