GPS Sync/Soak - Hike mode vs Walk

My partner and I both have a newer Fenix 6 Pro and neither of the devices work properly in hike mode vs walk mode. I have done a recent (today) update/sync with Garmin express to ensure the EPS file is current, which it is. I have compared the hike mode with the walk mode setting and they are identical other the the activity itself. The watch work well in all other modes (swim, bike, xc, etc) except for hike. Today we even tried the GPS soak (Turn on the device and wait 2 min before you move or start the activity) and this did not change the situation what so ever. Anyone else seen this issue?

Below is what Garmin recommended (which is incorrect given the Fenix 6 will not mount to a mac without the Android File Transfer)

Here are the instructions I would like you to follow for testing:

Delete Files

Get the watch connected to a computer using the charge cable into a USB port. Open the File Explorer (windows key + e). Find the Fenix listed along the left side with other drives and open the GARMIN folder. Delete the following:

Activity
Apps
Courses
Monitor
NewFiles
Remote SW
Workouts
anything with TPT_Backup
GarminDevice.xml

Once these are deleted, unplug the watch and perform a Hard Reset (hold the top left button for 20 seconds to force the watch to shut down - do not use the power off option in the menu) and reboot.

GPS Soaking

Select an activity (Hike)
Wait for the GPS Ready (beep/vibrate)
Wait an additional 2-5 minutes before you start the timer for your activity
After a few minutes have passed, press the start button, then physically begin your activity

It's important that you do not move around much during this process, as once you begin moving, it is far less likely that the watch will pick up any new connections or build stronger bonds.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

When you say newer watches, how long are we talking? I'm wondering if it was just a bad GPS fix during your hike compared to when you did your walk. Are you hiking in an area with a lot of tree cover or terrain that may challenge your satellite reception? Is one activity set to use GPS and the other GPS plus GLONASS or Galileo? Have you and your partner tried hiking together with one using hike and the other walk and then seeing if there's a difference? I know it's a lot of questions, but it may help.

0 RonaldRoss over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Watches are less than a year old. And to your point we were out today with one watch in hike mode and the other in walk. The watch in walk modes performed as it should yet the one on hike did not. Same route, time, conditions, etc.

0 RonaldRoss over 4 years ago in reply to RonaldRoss

Good point. I will try the watches in different GPS modes. Currently they are both in GPS+Galileo mode.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to RonaldRoss

That's interesting about the differences between the hike and walk apps. I'm assuming you tested using it the other way around eliminating the possibility of one of the watches being defective? I know this isn't a fix and you shouldn't have to do this, but maybe try an IQ device called Hike2+. I actually prefer it over the native hike app. I've read several post where people are finding WHR to be off when using the hike app and they prefer using the walk app when hiking. Garmin does state on their support pages that they use different algorithms for WHR depending on the chosen activity. I've also read many post about bad GPS tracks while hiking. Based on previous post and what you and your partner are finding, I wonder if Garmin is doing the same with GPS? I wouldn't think so, but it's got me wondering.

0 Michel_e over 4 years ago

I tell friends to go ahead I arrive in 10 minutes because the GPS is asleep

0 RonaldRoss over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Thx..What do you mean by WHR? And yes, I have indeed used the watches the other way around and surprisingly we both have the same issue. Also, under Setting/About we both have a "Current" CPE as I did do a sync from Garmin Express earlier today.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to RonaldRoss

WHR. Wrist heart rate from the optical sensor.

0 Tim_B_ over 4 years ago

I may have missed it a few times, but what’s the actual problem?

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Tim_B_

GPS track using the hiki app vs. the walking app on the same course.

0 RonaldRoss over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

The Hike2+ app worked just fine however there was a slight difference with the details published on Alltrails, My partner had her watch in walk mode during the hike and was able to record the activity closer to what is the published. Still looking to understand why the native hike app on both Watches will not work.