Very unreliable connection to Fenix 5X Plus

My inReach Mini seems to drop its connection to my Fenix 5X Plus very frequently. If I try to carry it in my pack (on my back), it won’t connect at all, and even when carried on my shoulder or in the front it seems to drop the connection occasionally.

Is anyone else having this issue, or do you have any tips on strengthening the connection?

0 jsla7527 over 6 years ago

I have Fenix 5 plus. I've seen very occasional drop out when I had Mini in my pack (in the lid). When I have it for my shoulder, the connection seems rock solid. Same with front pocket/hip belt.

When you say drop out, you mean it gets to the point when the watch reports that it lost connection to inReach? I don't think it should do that. I kind of rely on that to warn me if I happen to forget my inReach somewhere or something happens to it - seems like a nice safety feature. But if it's not connected in the first place, it won't help you much.

0 Element58 over 6 years ago

Interestingly I just came here to say the same thing. Was just out for 4 days and also attached the inreach to the back top of my pack. 3 feet away from my wrist. lost connection all the time in fact it was not connected more than it was. The last day I just turned off the connection after a while instead of wasting battery trying to look for it connecting, disconnecting. Strangely when I put the pack down and walked away it would connect and then tell me i was out of range when I walked too far away.I only have the Fenix 5x not the plus but it's the same behavior

0 jburchm1 over 6 years ago

jsla7527 my watch reports that it has lost the connection to the inReach, after being properly connected for a while during an activity.

0 WD over 6 years ago

Ive experienced some dropouts when on my back as well. If I relocate to my front shoulder, then its usually fine. I have also noticed a dropout when listening to music, from the 5X+. Overall, I just try to keep it close. I think the manual said 10ft or something...

0 Yoda over 6 years ago

Seem to have the same issue here. Got my Inreach Mini two days ago. Synced it to my Fenix 5 via ANT with no problem this morning, tossed the Inreach in a little pocket on my shorts, and went for a 4mile run to test it. Received the 'Lost Signal' message multiple times during the run. Also noted that when I cycled through a few pages on the Fenix that the breadcrumb trail page was replaced with the 'Lost Signal with Inreach' message, which is a little ironic if you think about it. Concerning as one of the reasons I decided on the Mini was the ability to sync to my Fenix, particularly for Trail runs out of cell phone range. My Inreach Mini apparently can't stay connected through the shorts fabric the 12-18 inches from my wrist to my backside.

0 twolpert over 6 years ago

I haven't had much chance to experiment with this. However, the thing you need to avoid in general is putting your body between the watch and the inReach. I can't tell just where the pocket was. If it was not a hip pocket on the same side as the watch, you might try it there.

0 Yoda over 6 years ago

Thanks twolpert! That's helpful feedback...and of course there are known issues with ANT+ and Bluetooth in the Fenix 5 series which have been reported as unit specific rather than model wide, and mostly confirmed as corrected in the Fenix 5+ release. Interestingly though, just paged through DC Rainmaker's review of the 5+ and he points out that ANT+ connectivity has been corrected in all ANT+ sensors he tested... Except the Inreach Mini which drops signal regularly unless the Mini is in his shoulder strap.
??????
So I think you're spot on there...the Inreach Mini has to be in a 'line of sight' (for lack of a better term) for ANT+ connectivity with the Fenix 5 (including according to DC Rainmaker, the 5+ series). Arguably, I usually will be carrying a running/Fastpack of some sort when trail running in places I'd be taking the Inreach Mini, so I'll look at carrying it on a shoulder strap or front attachment of some sort and see how that goes..

0 Element58 over 6 years ago

I sent my issue to Garmin support (5X not the 5X+) and after a few back and forth emails they said its a known issue:

"Our Software Engineers are aware of the current situation and are working on a possible solution.

What I can do at the moment is create a PSC case for review by our software team, and once the solution is found, they will release an update, but there is no current timetable when that update will be released."

0 jmv_colorado over 6 years ago

Finally found this thread after much searching. I’m having the same issue. My inReach Mini disconnects every few minutes from my Fenix 5X Plus. So much so that I had to just manually disconnect them permanently. I have tried the Mini in an outer hydration pack pocket, a front hip pocket (direct line of sight to my Fenix, about 18" away), and even with the two sitting side-by-side. Doesn’t matter.

I’ve been in touch with Garmin support. They have offered to replace my device, but have also said there is an upcoming software update ... "We were just told that this should correct the issue for you. It of course is up to you if you would like to do the update or do an exchange. We want you to be completely satisfied with your device and usage." Kudos to customer service, but I’m not sure if I should wait for the firmware update or try the replacement device (or both).

Is anyone NOT having this issue?

0 twolpert over 6 years ago

I am seeing some connection issues. But not to the degree that you and other vocal users are seeing. I have no recommendation with regard to exchange vs. wait for the f/w update. There are way too many possibilities to speculate on what might be wrong, other than possibly faulty hardware...

Edited to add: There are at least two types of lost connection warnings. There is the occasional one-line "searching for inreach" message. I suspect that this is normal in some cases, such as when you first open the iR widget on the watch. I see this one somewhat more frequently than I expect. And in some cases, such as when sending messages during an activity, in conjunction with other issues.

The other message is a lengthy message that fills screen. Basically warns that the inReach appears to be out of range. This one is accompanied by a vibration. I never see this one unless I actually walk out of range or turn the inReach off. I still don't think it's conclusive, but... If you are seeing this one consistently, you might want to give a little more weight to the idea of getting a replacement watch (or Mini - hard to say which end the problem is on).