First Run Using Instinct and Altimeter goes Crazy

My altimeter goes crazy after my first run. It went from 140 above sea level to -451. Plus my Storm alert went off and they ain't no storm coming. When I connected it to Garmin Correct it fixed the problem but I don't think that's how's its supposed to work. Any ideas?

Thanks - James

0 trux over 5 years ago

What is your setting for auto-calibration during an activity (see the watch Settings » Sensors & Accessories » Altimeter)?

Wrong pressure reading may be also caused by the pressure sensor oriffice been clogge with dirt, water, or sweat - either before or during the activity. Make sure it is free of debris. Keep it dry before and during the activity. Never put any sharp objects into the oriffice.

0 toadblogger over 5 years ago in reply to trux

Auto Calibration is on. The fact is my arm sweats during 6 mile run. It's almost a brand new watch.

0 trux over 5 years ago in reply to toadblogger

When starting an outdoor activity, make sure you wait till the satellites are acquired (a checksign appears right up), so that there is a valid GPS position and elevation already before you start. Better method than the GPS calibration, whose theoretical accuracy is in the order of tens of meters, would be using the DEM mode (Digital Elevation Model), which is available in the latest beta version of the firmware. You could also try turning the auto-calibration off, and calibrating the altimeter manually before starting the activity. However, I use the auto-calibration, and do not experience any problems. I also take care that sweat does not accumulate under the pressure sensor oriffice (on the right bottom side) - drying it up and then for example with a sleeve, or sometimes just with my fingers.

0 toadblogger over 5 years ago in reply to trux

Thanks. I also note that I had a huge elevation spike on the same course about 8 days ago on my Fenix 3HR which has never had that problem. I got in touch with Garmin they told to do a soft reset and ran a test on my watch which is ok. Told me to get back in touch if it kept doing it.

0 toadblogger over 5 years ago in reply to toadblogger

Well it kept doing it and worse (elevation went to 6742 when it should have been around 200 and the Stairs went to something like 601 (should have been 3) so they're gonna to replace it. We'll see.

0 toadblogger over 5 years ago in reply to toadblogger

Got the new one and it's still doing the same thing. A lot of spiking, crazy elevation levels, crazy stairs. I'll put the track for the Instinct first and then my Fenix 3HR is accurate. I think it's a 6.10 issue.

Instinct: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4540166776

Fenix 3HR: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4538655312

There's no way to get 781 feet elevation when the highest elevation there is around 250.

James

0 darnich over 5 years ago in reply to toadblogger

I am using 6.52 beta and I think that a lot of altimeter issues have been solved, although I calibrate the watch daily and only manually

0 toadblogger over 5 years ago in reply to darnich

Thanks!! I hiked with it yesterday for 4 miles and it was perfect and ran 3 today and it did a lot better. I'll look forward to the update.

0 darnich over 5 years ago in reply to toadblogger

Just noticed that floor tracking still sucks...I've only used the elevator today and instinct shows that I've climbed 5 floors

0 gaijin over 5 years ago in reply to darnich

darnich said:
Just noticed that floor tracking still sucks...I've only used the elevator today and instinct shows that I've climbed 5 floors

Stop jogging in place while riding the elevator!