Fenix 5S Plus altimeter wildly incorrect

My Garmin Fenix 5S Plus v14.00 no longer reports correct elevation. I was at a known spot at 11,760 feet elevation and it reported 11,151 feet. Any tips?

Top Replies

Garmin - Chris over 3 years ago +1 verified

There are two things you can do:

1) Clean your altimeter port by soaking your watch in luke warm water. (No other chemicals should be added to the water.)

2) Calibrate often, especially before all outdoor…

All Replies

0 jeromej_ over 3 years ago

It is difficult to answer without knowing the setting of the watch.

Pressure varies with altitude (10m per hPa), but also with time/weather. During a standard day 2-4hPa per 24h, but if weather is dynamic pressure can change 1hPa per hour.

So, it's all about how the watch should interprets the ambient pressure change? as an altitude change or weather change?

The setting of the device is then critical.

Personally, when outdoor climbing, hiking and paragliding, I set the watch to interpret pressure changes as altitude changes and I calibrate the device often. When sailing, the reverse, pressure change should be interpreted as pressure/weather change.

Hope it helps.

Jerome

+1 Garmin - Chris over 3 years ago

There are two things you can do:

1) Clean your altimeter port by soaking your watch in luke warm water. (No other chemicals should be added to the water.)

2) Calibrate often, especially before all outdoor activities. When you do, calibrate manually by inputting your current elevation.