Why is Garmin ignoring the GPS issue?

I have some history with Garmin watches: FR620, Fenix3 then Fenix 5. For FR620 the initial issue with GPS tracking was kind of fixed. For Fenix 3 it was average. I was expecting some big improvement in the hardware for Fenix 5. Simply said Fenix 5 is worse than Fenix 3 at this level. I have to use a calibrated foot pod to avoid pacing errors. Garmin chosed to ignore this issue. So this will be my LAST Garmin device.

It won’t be popular but can I just save you the heartache and lay this out?

1. The Garmin Fenix line have metal cases and because of it a design that limits antenna reception. Garmin miscalculated and the bottom line is the new 5S and 5 have reduced GPS and ANT+ reception.

2. Garmin likely knows this design suffers from reception issues more than they anticipated and have done all they can in the year since their release to fix it with software but obviously there are many physical hardware issues they can’t overcome. Redesigning the hardware is the only real fix.

3. I’m sure the next generation of Garmin Fenix devices will have better reception as a priority but Garmin won’t be offering a wide scale recall or discounts.

They don’t have anything to say because there is nothing to say. It won’t get better until the next set of watches and it will be up to each of us to decide what to do when that time comes. For me I’ve realized I have been chasing ever more powerful fitness watches for years and years when my real needs are if I’m being honest much more simple. I’m throwing my hands up in the air and selling my 5S and 820 and getting an Apple Watch.

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.

Or at least include an editor, like other tracking services, to get rid of those manually. I hate if such an error messes up the activitys top speed for example.

By looking in to GPS data, in my opinion there are things that Garmin could do in software side to improve the outcome.

If they have access to acceleration and GPS they could try kalman filters. If indeed they are already using it, maybe they could give us access to the parameters in a simple format like expected speed for the activities.

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.

because they have a SiRF gps chip

waiting for the Fenix 5 GPS fix, if no any improve after some months, I will consider to use my old Fenix 3 or buy another device .
Fenix 5 have a long battery life than Fenix 3 ,but the GPS data can't accept.

It won’t be popular but can I just save you the heartache and lay this out?

1. The Garmin Fenix line have metal cases and because of it a design that limits antenna reception. Garmin miscalculated and the bottom line is the new 5S and 5 have reduced GPS and ANT+ reception.

2. Garmin likely knows this design suffers from reception issues more than they anticipated and have done all they can in the year since their release to fix it with software but obviously there are many physical hardware issues they can’t overcome. Redesigning the hardware is the only real fix.

3. I’m sure the next generation of Garmin Fenix devices will have better reception as a priority but Garmin won’t be offering a wide scale recall or discounts.

They don’t have anything to say because there is nothing to say. It won’t get better until the next set of watches and it will be up to each of us to decide what to do when that time comes. For me I’ve realized I have been chasing ever more powerful fitness watches for years and years when my real needs are if I’m being honest much more simple. I’m throwing my hands up in the air and selling my 5S and 820 and getting an Apple Watch.

I agree with you on the most part. The metal is the culprit here I think, since the FR935 is literally the same watch (hardware and softwarewise) but in a smaller and lighter casing which is made completely out of plastic. And I think this is the most important factor: Plastic vs. metal. People mostly compare the F5 with older gps watches which are all made out of plastic. While not athestically pleasing, plastic provides the best reception i.e. signal passthrough. I had the FR935 myself for a limited time and based on the 3-4 runs I made with it, the GPS tracks looked way more consistent as well as the pace was much more reliable, even in crowded areas. In addition, the Ant+ and bluetooth range was significantly longer, I'd say on par with my fenix 3.

Therefor, I disagree that the next line of fenix devices, which are due in january 2018 (CES), will definitely adress this issues. The GPS issues were omnipresent with the fenix 3, but it didn't have issues with Ant+ or bluetooth range (it didn't have a metal bottom, maybe this is where the Ant+ and bluetooth range issues come from). So one would consider that garmin adresses this issues in their future products. Looking back at the successor, the F3HR, it suffered from the same GPS issues and also introduced altimeter and barometer issues to a point where garmin had to silently exchange the sensors in later production units (later units didn't have those issues). Observing the current GPS issues now with the F5 and newly introduced Ant+ and bluetooth issues, I wouldn't hold my breath for a fixed new fenix watch in january.

I guess this is why garmin introduced the FR935 after the F5 (3 months past the F5 if I remember correctly). Of course it targets a different type of athelet, however it is the better F5. I just didn't like the look of it and garmin knows that. Thats why they raised the fenix prices because they focus more on a "lifestyle" athelet who prefers form over function. This type of costumer is willing to spend more money and is less focused on 100% reliablility and precision. This is just what I think garmin assumes when designing their devices. I know that there are people around that want the F5 to function as it should (considering the price point), myself included. But I came to the point that garmin very well knows of the issues with the fenix design and yet they will continue with the inclusion of metal. We just have to accept here, that a good looking, 100% reliable and precise sportswatch does not exist as of now (good looking is of course subjective). Maybe they will come up with some new materials on future fenix watches that will solve the persisting issues. Until then, I wouldn't consider buying a new garmin watch.

Why is Garmin ignoring the GPS issue?

Because there is no GPS issue.

I am so sick of hearing about this.

If you have a device with a defective GPS then return the damn thing.

I have owned F3, F3HR, F5, F5x, and the GPS is always good. I have compared the GPS (and heart rate) to many other devices (Polar V800, Suunto Ambit 3 Peak, Spartan Ultra, Fitbit Ionic, and others), and the GPS is always on par with them all.

Has the GPS ever freaked out and gone off track once in a while?

Of course it has, and so did every other single device I have ever used. And yes. Even the Suunto Ambit 3 Peak (probably the best commercial GPS device on the planet).

I have been using my F5 in GPS ONLY mode lately and it seems to be slightly more consistent. But only slightly.

If you really want a military grade GPS device, join the freekin army...LOL

Your mileage may vary. I have owned F3 (4 units), F3HR (2 units), F5X (2 units)- each of them suffered from pretty bad GPS- especially when compared with my Polar V800/Ambit 3 Peak. I feel that Garmin is not doing anything about it as they can't change the hardware they are having to work with mid-gen.

It's another question if they want to do anything about it at all- seeing as their watches are selling like hotcakes. Why fix something that is not broker and sells? Now, the F5 series sensor issues are something that they are most certainly actively looking into.

The solution for me has been to sell my Garmin Fenix 5X- I have not looked back since.

My mileage does vary...

www.mygpsfiles.com/app/#nfpZiydI

F5 compared to A3P.

Don't understand why you could have so many fenix's that have had GPS issues.