Fenix 5 - baro/alti crazy reading

Well, I have been doing some testing, and after using the warm water trick this last time, I decided not to wear sweaters and try using some lotion because of the dry air now in the winter months and I have not had an issue for three days now. I had an RMA number to send back to Garmin but wanted to make sure I had done all I could first. I am thankful for this post and what it has done to help me out at least. Hope others are able to have the same resolutions.

I got the below results:

Valid
Local Press: 102847.65
Base Press: 103816.74
local Alt: 78.93
baro temp: 29.88


local press is moving about but base press is solid, guess it's the cal reference pressure?

While watching this the local press has decreased with increase in local alt which makes sense. Altitude increases with decrease in pressure. Temp has also increased to just over 30.2 degrees. Local alt is about 210ft lower than that displayed in normal watch mode.

Hmmm, all this is a worry. I have a F1 and the altimeter was always within 10M of the GPS altitude. So very accurate.

Now I have a F5 and have noticed the altimeter is up to 300M different to GPS altitude. The GPS is pretty close to what reality is, so the error is in the pressure altimeter system somewhere.

And yes I have calibrated the altimeter a few times.

Is there no real feedback from Garmin on this yet?

Got an RMA for mine, it's going back to be replaced. Fully expect to have the same issue with the replacement. As long as it doesn't interfere with activity recording such as running and swimming then I'm not that fussed, doubt I'll get a refund anyway ????

In my case the warm water trick didn't make any difference, still all over the place.

This morning the altitude started to rise,instead of giving the bath, tried to put some water in the barometer hole and the problem stopped.

I can confirm that putting the fenix in warm water with soap for 30 minutes solves the problem. Rising in cold water and soap doesn't solve the problem.

The reset is not necessary

I went running a couple of days ago with a cotton hoodie, and after that my 5S altimeter started to tell me i was flying high, when i was at same level for hours. I did the warm water with soap trick and it solve it for me... stopped flying and been grounded on the floor ever since. I also stopped running with that hoodie, so now im more cold :(

I had the same problem with my F5, I think it unaccettable that a 700E device has such type of fault. I spent more type on the Garmin (and Strava) website to fix the altimeter values for my rides than relax, trust and enjoy my Fenix. Sent back to the dealer this morning. I don't know if I'll by it again, actually depends on how this discussion will evolve ;-)

I've found this post on Reddit for F3, very promising in case of replacements.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminFenix/comments/5sllwn/fenix_3_hr_altimeterbarometer_issues/dhsw64a/

Since my first Fenix 5 altimeter went crazy after a trip to Russia where it was very cold and my clothes were generating a lot of electrostatic electricity, I'm currently testing the following with my new replacement fenix5: every time I put on a jumper, pullover or tight fitting jacket, I take off the Fenix from my wrist. Once I'm all fully clothed, I put back the watch on. So far so good. No issue. Very accurate. I really think this could be the easiest solution to put in place instead of washing the watch every day. This should be done mainly in winter or when wearing long sleeves.

Today my Temperature read —- and my Barometer read —-. Altitude was all over the place. Currently my temperature is reading 60 degrees on my wrist and the barometer is reading 1438 millibars at 145 feet above sea level. Altimeter reads 21862 and falling currently.