Android connectivity issue

Former Member
Former Member
Hi,

I moved from Apple to Android this week and cannot connect my 5X to the Garmin Android app, does anyone have any advice?

I done all the obvious things: try repeatedly, turn bluetooth on and off, turn the devices on and off, search for useful advice online. Nothing has been able to break the dead-lock.

TBH I've had so many problems since moving from a Fenix 3 to a 5X that I'm pretty much ready to check out Polar and Suunto options, so any advice on that would be welcome too!

Thanks,

Tom
  • Hi,

    I moved from Apple to Android this week and cannot connect my 5X to the Garmin Android app, does anyone have any advice?

    I done all the obvious things: try repeatedly, turn bluetooth on and off, turn the devices on and off, search for useful advice online. Nothing has been able to break the dead-lock.

    TBH I've had so many problems since moving from a Fenix 3 to a 5X that I'm pretty much ready to check out Polar and Suunto options, so any advice on that would be welcome too!

    Thanks,

    Tom


    I'm using an Apple iPhone 8+, so I really can't help with the connectivity issues, but I can give some insight on the Suunto vs. Fenix 5x situation. I too have recently purchased a Fenix 5x, and having noticed the "problems" with it, decided to give it a little test on my own. The other day, I went for a short walk, about 2 miles, and wore both the Fenix 5x, and a Suunto Spartan Sport WHR Baro on the same arm. I (thought) I paired a Scosche Rhythm+ HRM to both, one ANT+, the other BTLE, but discovered later that the Scosche never got initialized, or turned on, so the HR info is really not accurate, as I didn't bother "seating" both down for the on board HR to be accurate. I was more interested in the GPS tracks, and elevation tracks. I have noticed that my Fenix 5x will "drift" as much as 30 feet while sitting at home, watching TV, which, of course messes up the Baro readings. The Suunto, on the other hand, stays pretty accurate (within 3 or 4 feet) even when I drive across town, and come home.
    I took both tracks, from the Suunto, and the Fenix 5x, and put them into "My GPS Files" for a comparison, and that result is shown here. Of course, this is but one test, but I believe all things are being equal, both set at "best" or 1 second recording, no GLONASS, and on the same wrist so they both are facing the same portion of the sky. Hope this helps.

    http://mygpsfiles.com/app/#seWWq6M0

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    I'm using an Apple iPhone 8+, so I really can't help with the connectivity issues, but I can give some insight on the Suunto vs. Fenix 5x situation. I too have recently purchased a Fenix 5x, and having noticed the "problems" with it, decided to give it a little test on my own. The other day, I went for a short walk, about 2 miles, and wore both the Fenix 5x, and a Suunto Spartan Sport WHR Baro on the same arm. I (thought) I paired a Scosche Rhythm+ HRM to both, one ANT+, the other BTLE, but discovered later that the Scosche never got initialized, or turned on, so the HR info is really not accurate, as I didn't bother "seating" both down for the on board HR to be accurate. I was more interested in the GPS tracks, and elevation tracks. I have noticed that my Fenix 5x will "drift" as much as 30 feet while sitting at home, watching TV, which, of course messes up the Baro readings. The Suunto, on the other hand, stays pretty accurate (within 3 or 4 feet) even when I drive across town, and come home.
    I took both tracks, from the Suunto, and the Fenix 5x, and put them into "My GPS Files" for a comparison, and that result is shown here. Of course, this is but one test, but I believe all things are being equal, both set at "best" or 1 second recording, no GLONASS, and on the same wrist so they both are facing the same portion of the sky. Hope this helps.

    http://mygpsfiles.com/app/#seWWq6M0



    Thanks for this.

    I had to have a unit replaced as the routing functionality went crazy, sending me on super-long routes (12k selected, turned out to be 20k though, painful!) and deciding half way round a circular route that it had sent me the wrong way. The new unit then didn't allow HR alerts to be set for no clear reason which was very inconvenient given I train using the Mafetone method. I finally got that sorted but now, two weeks before my first marathon the HRM stopped working so had to be replaced, the 5X itself no long picks up vertical cadence and I can't pair it with my phone. For a watch that costs £600 that is ridiculous. I've seen some really poor reviews of Suunto watches though so am in two minds, is the grass really greener? I guess it can't be much worse.
  • Thanks for this.

    I had to have a unit replaced as the routing functionality went crazy, sending me on super-long routes (12k selected, turned out to be 20k though, painful!) and deciding half way round a circular route that it had sent me the wrong way. The new unit then didn't allow HR alerts to be set for no clear reason which was very inconvenient given I train using the Mafetone method. I finally got that sorted but now, two weeks before my first marathon the HRM stopped working so had to be replaced, the 5X itself no long picks up vertical cadence and I can't pair it with my phone. For a watch that costs £600 that is ridiculous. I've seen some really poor reviews of Suunto watches though so am in two minds, is the grass really greener? I guess it can't be much worse.


    I have SO MUCH wanted the Fenix to be what it should be, but honestly, I don't use the "bells and whistles", and once again today, I gave it another chance with a walk in one of the parks we have here in Salt Lake City. This is not an easy park, there's lots of trees, but nothing compared to some of the stuff in Europe, or even the Eastern US. I tried without, and with GLONASS, and to be honest, this track makes me believe I have a $700 Fitbit, as the GPS function isn't functional. Tomorrow, I will take the SSWHRBaro out, and see what it does on the same park, and while I don't expect it to be perfect, I do expect it will be considerably better, without so many angles, and such.
    On the onset, the Spartan series did indeed lack some finesse, (to put it mildly), but after sevral updates, the GPS is as it should be, and there is functionality in the watch. One thing that I like is that during an activity, there is a band around the outer perimeter of the watch, with colors, (Green, yellow, orange, and red) to indicate your heart rate zone as defined in the watch. So, if you're using the Mafetone method, all you need to do is glance at the watch, and see what color, and where the pointer points within that color. Pretty neat.
    Okay, here is today's track, imported straight from Garmin.

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2592105805

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    I have SO MUCH wanted the Fenix to be what it should be, but honestly, I don't use the "bells and whistles", and once again today, I gave it another chance with a walk in one of the parks we have here in Salt Lake City. This is not an easy park, there's lots of trees, but nothing compared to some of the stuff in Europe, or even the Eastern US. I tried without, and with GLONASS, and to be honest, this track makes me believe I have a $700 Fitbit, as the GPS function isn't functional. Tomorrow, I will take the SSWHRBaro out, and see what it does on the same park, and while I don't expect it to be perfect, I do expect it will be considerably better, without so many angles, and such.
    On the onset, the Spartan series did indeed lack some finesse, (to put it mildly), but after sevral updates, the GPS is as it should be, and there is functionality in the watch. One thing that I like is that during an activity, there is a band around the outer perimeter of the watch, with colors, (Green, yellow, orange, and red) to indicate your heart rate zone as defined in the watch. So, if you're using the Mafetone method, all you need to do is glance at the watch, and see what color, and where the pointer points within that color. Pretty neat.
    Okay, here is today's track, imported straight from Garmin.

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2592105805



    Not great is it? I run a regular 10k route midweek and it can vary by about 500 metres from run to run, doesn't fill me with confidence! The worst is when you run a good time at an event and the watch comes up short on the distance (e.g. 9.8k vs 10k), so frustrating.
  • Hi,

    I moved from Apple to Android this week and cannot connect my 5X to the Garmin Android app, does anyone have any advice?

    I done all the obvious things: try repeatedly, turn bluetooth on and off, turn the devices on and off, search for useful advice online. Nothing has been able to break the dead-lock.

    Thanks,

    Tom


    Have you tried an earlier version of GCM.....you might have better luck....
    I'm running 4.1.11 btw...the last "no major problems" version lol.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    Have you tried an earlier version of GCM.....you might have better luck....
    I'm running 4.1.11 btw...the last "no major problems" version lol.


    Thanks for the advice, how would I do that?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    There's a post further down the page with the 4.1.11 version.....have a good read...( instructions etc)
    All the best, and good luck :--)


    Thank you! Tried but didn't work... the search continues...
  • Darn it! :-)
    Have you got an older Android phone to test with?
    Also I'd ring Product support.....and trouble shoot with them.....not through emails.
    Make an email with pics...send to product support....then phone them..
    All the best...
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    Darn it! :-)
    Have you got an older Android phone to test with?
    Also I'd ring Product support.....and trouble shoot with them.....not through emails.
    Make an email with pics...send to product support....then phone them..
    All the best...


    Good idea, I'll do that. Thank you!

    Tom
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    This magically started working last night, I have no idea how or why so can't help anyone else who has a problem aside from offering hope that one day it might start to work!

    Thanks for your help OEAGLEO and Sam201176