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Fenix 6X Pro GPS and altitude problems

Majasako
over 5 years ago

Once again, the Fenix line has failed my trust. I was expecting better calibration of the GPS chipset and the altitude sensor, as my earlier watch was a 3 HR, but no. The altitude randomly and unexpectedly rises/sinks without any warning. Auto calibration is ON, and my altitude changed from 168 meters to 82 meters just now. If I calibrate with DEM, it will set the correct altitude. It can keep it on the correct altitude for a few days, but it then calibrates it at least 100 meters less, usually. Very frustrating.

Also the GPS track will wander all around the place too much. The older F3HR was much more spot on, the Fenix 6X will have an error distance of 20 meters from the actual position at worst.

Luckily, there's something good in this watch still: it's way faster than the 3HR, battery lasts quite long and the HR sensor is a tiny bit better than the 3HR, but still awful and not usable for any real training.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Les86

    So if anyone has any insight on this please let me know I just wanted to add one thing. Today I did calibration at work set to 76ft based on my location while at work for 5 hours it didn't move . Then I drove home for lunch it showed 125 (actual is right around 85). Went right back to work and now it's showing 109. Is this normal?? Or is it possible this is defective by chance?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Les86

    When you're calibrating the altitude, are you also calibrating the barometer to the correct pressure for your location?  A .05 inHg change in pressure is about 50 feet of altitude change.  Pressure levels will change simply by wind gust, temperature changes, pressurized buildings, etc.  While in auto mode, the watch has to guess if the pressure change was due to weather/temperature or an actual change in elevation.  Sometimes it guesses correctly, sometimes it doesn't.  Doing this all day long will give you a barometer drift that will throw off your altitude readings  Try this, calibrate the altitude and barometer to the correct measurements.  If you're staying at remotely the same elevation, but your altitude has increased/decreased, check your barometer reading.  If your device isn't defective, you'll see the pressure change.  As a guideline, a pressure increase of .05 inHg will lower your elevation 50 feet.  A .05 decline will increase your elevation reading by 50 feet.  Nine times out of ten, this is the reason you read post about the altitude change when the start and finish point is the same.  The user didn't look at their barometer reading at start and finish to see if the elevation change was actually due to a change in the barometer.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to tess

    That makes sense thank you but I do calibrate the altitude followed by the barometer but I do this through the DEM or GPS selection on the watch. Call me stupid but how do I get the correct barometer reading any other way. I know weather stations have it but my location to the weather station can be off by 100s of ft??  To add My home location is off now by more the 100 ft and I seen the barometer reading has changed too.

    I am not trying to make a big deal about this I just want to make sure that this watch is not defective. Call me crazy but i would like to think as high end as this Fenix 6 pro is I would think it would have something like altitude spot-on but I know there is a window for error like there is with all sensors and measurements.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I am thinking of buying the Garmin Tempe for getting better altitude readings based on the "real" temperature (not body temp). What experience do you users here have from this sensor, is it worth buying?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9899006

    Tempe is okay - but VERY slow. If you keep your tempe inside and go for an outside run the first 5-10 minutes it will show a lot warmer than reality. If it is cold it will never show the true temperature as it will get some heat from your feet. Mine is usually off by about 1-3 degrees dependent on how cold it is.

    Tempe is a very old sensor.... 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to kaz911

    Ok... thanks for your reply. Is there any another temperature sensor from other brands that could work better?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9899006
    9899006 said:
    I am thinking of buying the Garmin Tempe for getting better altitude readings based on the "real" temperature (not body temp).

    Unfortunately, the Garmin Tempe sensor works independently of the barometer and doesn't affect altitude readings in any way.  If you still decide to get one, they work well as long as it's not in direct sunlight.  Otherwise it can read a little high. When I cycle I attach it under my bike seat.  When hiking I'll attach it to my pack. Running can be a little trickier. If it's warm out, attaching it to clothing can pick up body hit and if attached to your shoe it will pick up radiant heat from the pavement. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Les86
    Les86 said:
    Call me stupid but how do I get the correct barometer reading any other way. I know weather stations have it but my location to the weather station can be off by 100s of ft?

    No, your not stupid as this can be a very difficult task.  I use my phone and check Weather Underground for weather stations near me.  I'm very fortunate enough where there are many (they also use personal weather stations) around me so I'm able to calibrate correctly.  Being a good distance from the nearest weather station/airport does pose a problem and I'm afraid I don't have a solution to offer you.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    garmin APAC version device works well with Beidou, and the GPS result works very well than global international version, I can confirm it with most of my friends, as I'm using an international Fenix 5(also international fenix 3 ), but most of my friends using APAC version and works with beidou, for example, garmin 935/945 device. 

    when we attended the same marathon race, they result always have 200-300m error with 42.195KM, but my result maybe 44km or 45km, it give so many distance as a gift to me