Vigorous Activity and Inaccurate Barometric and Elevation?

Hi,

I have an instinct. When I do vigorous Activity, the Elevation and Barometric pressure readings will both elevate to a very high level for a period of a couple hours, then return back to normal. It's very strange and only seems to do it when I have an intense workout. Does anyone else have this issue? Is this issue related to the instinct or does the fenix do it too?

0 trux over 5 years ago

Most likely due to the sweat clogging the pressure sensor hole. You'll find dozens of posts about it here on the Instinct forum, with plenty of tips. What works well for me, is drying the wrist under the right side of the watch with my tshirt, or just with the fingers of the other hand, when I see it is too sweaty.

0 Joe over 5 years ago

Garmin Instinct has design error and in turn useless barometric altimeter during an intense workout. Some genius put sensor hole under the watch and sweat always clog the hole. Just one of many Instinct's flaws...

0 RickOShay over 5 years ago

Joe,

Thanks for responding. A couple questions for you.

What do you think are the other flaws?

Do you have a fenix? I believe the sensors are on the side. I was wondering if you have trouble with the fenix as well?

0 Joe over 5 years ago in reply to RickOShay

I don't have Fenix but I can compare same tracks from my running club and Instinct have worst GPS accuracy of all Garmin devices. Even 5 years old Fenix 3 is much better or much cheaper Forerunner 45. So major flaw for me is GPS accuracy. It is huge difference do you run at pace 5:30 or 6:00... In general Instinct always undercut distance.

All Fenix watches have sensor opening on the side so their altimeter is better for sure. So most important thing is what features do you really need. Anyway I'm not fan of >$800 devices for 2-3 years of use.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

Your storm alert and abnormal heart rate alert its working?

0 RickOShay over 5 years ago in reply to Joe

Seems like if it's water resistant, a little sweat shouldn't mess with it.

0 trux over 5 years ago in reply to RickOShay

RickOShay said:
Seems like if it's water resistant, a little sweat shouldn't mess with it.

The problem is not the resistancy - the watch will resist the seat indeed easily. The problem is that it influences the pressure reading, while it applies additional force on the pressure sensor, when it enters the sensor hole.