Fenix 6x Pro - Bluetooth Skipping While Using GPS

I recently purchased a 6x Pro from a friend and have been using it to go for runs outside. I have been listening to podcasts stored on the watch while using the GPS to run. I have consistent bluetooth skipping where it seems to lose connection. I have tried it on two sets of wireless earbuds, first the AirPods - they were completely unusable. Then I tried it on my Galaxy Buds and those worked much better, but whenever the GPS is on it would start skipping. With the GPS off there was no skipping (ie, doing things around the house and not actively working out).

Now, I had a Fenix 6 Pro a year ago and I never had this issue with the same set of headphones.

I know older Garmin watches (Fenix 5 series, Vivo 3, Forerunner 645) all had issues with music skipping on bluetooth, but the 6 series was better.

My question is, is it a software issue right now? Or is there potentially something wrong with this watch?

If it is a software issue I suppose I could try to downgrade the firmware or install the public beta in the hope that a system update changes something for the better.

Any help would be appreciated!

0 seilogramp over 3 years ago

Some headphones are able to pair with the watch as a sensor, such as a footpod, so make sure that isn't happening.

0 Captain Flannel over 3 years ago in reply to seilogramp

Oh that is a great point, I will remove the headphones and make sure I set them up as a headphone via the settings.

0 sis651 over 3 years ago

Be sure your headphone isn't connected to your phone via the audio/music profile. I don't know the exact profile name, but that transmits all the audio from the phone to headphone, blocking the music from the watch. Normal phone calls profile doesn't do this. But the other profile does when it's enabled.

0 eezytiger over 3 years ago

A common problem with earphones is when the primary connected bud is on the opposite side of the body to the watch. Some /many buds can only connect on the right side, or default to the right. If the watch is on the left wrist your own body and head can obstruct the signal. Switching the watch to the right wrist may solve the problem, or forcing the left bud to connect first and then adding the right bud afterwards. You can do this with Galaxy Buds by removing only the left bud first from the case and closing the lid on the right bud. Once the left bud is connected you can then include the right bud and the connection should be more solid.

Indoors the signal can bounce off walls and avoid the obstacle of your own body. Outdoors there is nothing to bounce the signal. So I think it is less about GPS on or off and more about the environment.