Problem with Fenix 5 GPS accuracy

Hi Aliasin, will Garmin running dynamic pods gives better distance accuracy ? I forgot to wear it. Only use during training .

Yes. Just clip it to your shoe and leave it there.

That's weird, without tall buildings, GPS should be fine. I wonder if Garmin representative can enlighten what's go wrong with Fenix 5, my previous Fenix 3HR also having similar GPS accuracy problem.

Hope firmware can rectify it. If hardware, then it's extremely disappointed and sad.

There is no sign of improvement at least since the F2. So it seems to me it's more like an hardware issue in my opinion. Garmin are okay (depends on the conditions of course), but there are cheaper, with less other features watches out there witch are more accurate and good. But no GPS in sport watches are 100% accurate, and will never be, probably.

My Fenix 5s GPS is out of control as well. I went paddling this morning & it is showing routes between houses and stoped at a totally different location to where I originally stopped!

I compared it to Montana 680t & the distance result is about 1.12 km out. Monta is very accurate but not fenix not sure if it is a setting. I have the watch & Montana set to GPS+GLONASS. Also the calories were out on the watch. Montana 599 where Fenix is 881!!

Aliasin??? seriously?? 310xt and 620 were better.... I have the same issues with my fenix 5... gps dont work correctly .

Take a look here: http://fellrnr.com/wiki/GPS_Accuracy

The 310XT had a SirfStar GPS chipset. So it is no surprise that it was better.

The 620 had a Mediatek chipset like the F5, but for some reason it performed better than other watches with a Mediatek chipset.

If you want reliable distance measurement from your Fenix 5, buy a Stryd foot pod for it. Or at least some foot pod.

I don't agree. Why we need to buy footpod? We spend a lot on the watch. We want also clear statement from Garmin what is the reason of the GPS issues.
Regards,
Jarek

It doesn't really matter if you agree or not. It is how it is. The newer Garmin watches do not have the same GPS accuracy as their older watches. If you are not satisfied with that and don't want to buy a foot pod, the Fenix 5 is not the watch for you.

There is an hardware problem with the Fenix if it is the antenna or/and the chipset I don't know. However what I can't understand is why there isn't any effort on the software side (as far we can tell from the versions).

Garmin, learn something about kalman filters and sensor fusion. If you already using it, the review the code since it shouldn't allow GPS jumps for a run.

Here's reply from Garmin Customer Service. I am not sure should I restore factory setting if you guys have done it but result remains

.

We have taken a look on your Fit file and found that mostly the inaccuracy poiny is in town centre where high rise buildings or the place where there are many trees.

Then, we would suggest you try to perform the master reset on your device as there are a few instances in which it may be necessary to perform a master reset. A master reset should be performed if the device is:

• Not functioning properly
  
• Needing to be restored to factory default settings
  
• Not receiving a satellite signal or GPS issue
  

All settings, workouts and satellite data may be erased when resetting the GPS. Workouts can be backed up in Garmin Connect. If you wish to keep your personalized settings, you will need to backup your device and kindly sync all of your activity data to your Garmin Connect account to avoid data getting lost.

To perform a master reset:

- Select Setting

- Select System

- Select Restore Defaults

The reset is successful if, once powered up, the device proceeds into the initial setup wizard. Once the reset and setup wizard are complete, place the device outside with a clear view of the sky for a minimum of 20 minutes to acquire satellite data.

The default support answer when something isn't working: 'Please restore factory settings'. It won't work....

There is a design issue (whether it's an error or not I don't know, but it's a choice it seems) with the fenix5 and 5s, as there was with the fenix3. Their choice of layouts and materials causes very mediocre gps performance (afaik the 5x, which has slightly different layout and maybe hw seems to have better gps). Most likely interference due to the metal casing.

Software can only fix so much, if the signal is unstable there's not THAT much sw can do. Also, for 8 out of 10 ppl it's good enough so no real urge for Garmin to change this.

I changed my F5 for the 935 and have no regrets at all, much like all the others making this change. The materials may look more plasticky, but the reception is improved quite a bit and material wise I actually have no complaints either.