Fenix 5 Sapphire bad GPS

Former Member over 4 years ago

I have a Fenix 5 Sapphire and I have a lot of problems with the GPS.

I run regularly and with friends and my watch seems to get the pace and distance wrong. The maps have regular zig zags.

I bought this in July 2018 prior to running the Berlin marathon that year.

Do I have a faulty one? Is it settings?

Many of my friends have cheaper Garmin watches and don't have this problem.

Regards,

Karim

0 razmichael over 4 years ago

Sounds like it may be settings (first thing to check) - either your are using SMART or ULTRA TRACK

General setting:

Settings->System->Data Recording has Every Second or Smart recording. Check that this is Every Second.

Under the settings for each activity (example RUN):

Run Settings->GPS. Here you can select the satellites in uses plus whether to use Ultra Track - make sure you are NOT using Ultra Track.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to razmichael

I chatted with Garmin.

I changed Data to Every Second. It was set to Smart.

Ultra track was not set, and it remains at GPS normal.

I was told the watch case material [metal] is more challenging in downtown areas.

I will try every second. We will see how it goes.

Thanks!

Karim

0 razmichael over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Smart setting can certainly cause straight lines in your route. You might also set the GPS to GPS+GLONASS (or Galileo) as having the extra satellites can help in an area with varied views to the sky. Debatable about the medal crown - more to do with antenna, GPS Chip and software. Cities (with tall buildings) is tough for all GPS - some handle it better than others.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to razmichael

I changed the Fenix 5 to every second and I'm still getting pacing issues and squiggles in my route. I don't see that in the person I was running with.

I think the Garmin support person was right about the metal casing. I was asking what cases people with Garmin's have and most don't have metal. I'll try GPS + GLONASS.

I'm thinking it's best to avoid metal cases on running watches. Today's route is usually fine. I'll see what happens when I run in a built up area again.