Since Garmin had to redesign the the 5 plus to get sensors and GPS to work correctly, isn't it time for Garmin to acknowledge the fenix 5(s) doesn't work as advertised and provide an exchange program?
The usual cause of high wrist HR readings is poor positioning and placement. The watch band should be snug, and positioned on the fleshy part of the wrist, well away from the wrist bone (this is higher and tighter than most people are used to wearing a watch). This gives the watch more blood supply to measure, and prevents external light from entering the sensor with each arm swing.
Thanks...I knew that. I have not changed anything. I find the HR and Stress monitoring to be erratic as of the last couple of months. Lots of periods "Unreadable" HR spikes. I have not reached out to Garmin yet, but may do so. Has anyone experienced similar issues? I also find it will drop my Scoche HR monitor.
I have one of the first Fenix 5 (the middle one - not the S or the one with maps) and have not really had any issues with GPS, it seems to work well. I have noticed then when running it will report a ridiculously high heart rate for my slow pace, like 175 bpm when I can tell from how I feel this is nonsense. I came here to find a solution for that issue (until recently I was using a Soche HR) and I see I need to try wearing it a bit higher on my arm.
What problems are you guys seeing that would suggest a recall is in order?
The major issue is that of sensor connectivity can be problematic with some devices. Somehow the metal case of the F5 interferes with the antenna signal, and you can get sensor dropouts. Stages power meter is notorious for this, and Stryd has been problematic as well. It is worth noting that these are typically located a little further away from the wrist than say, a chest strap HRM. If it affects you, try transmitting on BLE rather than ANT+ (or vice versa).
The major issue is that of sensor connectivity can be problematic with some devices. Somehow the metal case of the F5 interferes with the antenna signal, and you can get sensor dropouts. Stages power meter is notorious for this, and Stryd has been problematic as well. It is worth noting that these are typically located a little further away from the wrist than say, a chest strap HRM. If it affects you, try transmitting on BLE rather than ANT+ (or vice versa).
Thanks. So far the only sensors I have used are a Garmin footpod (ANT+) and my Soche Rhythm HRM (BLE I think). The BLE device is just inches from the watch.
I remember that shortly after I bought the F5 Garmin announced some other watch that was the same but with a plastic case and less expensive. I considered returning the F5 at the time but ultimately I kept it because it looked nicer.
Oh today I wore the F5 higher on my arm during my run and the HR data looked much more reasonable, but it kept slipping down and coming loose. I didn;t care for that. I'll have to experiment with different places.
Since Garmin had to redesign the the 5 plus to get sensors and GPS to work correctly, isn't it time for Garmin to acknowledge the fenix 5(s) doesn't work as advertised and provide an exchange program?
They're never going to do that. I would guess that for 99% of the f5 users, it works great...mine does. If you're really unhappy with the watch, why don't you just sell it and buy something else?
Here's something new and maybe it needs it's own thread...as of this past month...my Fenix5 likes to simply drop the last 4 hours of either All Day HR or Stress. It happens randomly. Sometimes after I sync and charge via computer, sometimes not. It really is odd to me I am all of a sudden running into multiple problems.
Another very happy customer of a Fenix 5 for 1 year, I use it for lap swimming, open water swimming, hiking, seakayaking, SUP, surfskiing and windsurfing (with Surfy66's great app: JMG-APP Wind-Kite Surfing). Out on the open water the GPS is just as accurate as my GPSMap 64s though it is useless for my open water swimming as I mostly do breaststroke. For swimming, and windsurfing I use a chest HR strap.
