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Compass sensor affected by the springbars

5288316
over 3 years ago

Recently bought a INSTINCT 2 SOLAR and I'm having an issue with the Compass sensor. I noticed that if I remove the original strap, and I leave the springbars on (in order to use a Quick fit strap), the Compass sensor is affected by the rotation of the bottom springbar. I have to repeat the calibration process every time I accidentaly rotate the springbar (and considering it is very loose it's very easy to happen).

It's so frustating and I'm wondering if this is a common problem. I bought the watch on Amazon and it is already been replaced 2 times, always with the same problem.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Juan Camilo Zapata

    You are welcome to reach out to Outdoor Product Support in your region if you need to discuss your compass concerns further. When your watch is worn, if there is an issue experienced when wearing it, please record a video to demonstrate the behavior and reach out to us. Thank you.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin - Chris

    Hello,
    I also have problems with the compass, so I tried to investigate and make a video of the various scenarios.
    With orignal silicon strap there isn't problem, the compass work well although a calibration is required at the start of each activity, but this is not a problem as the settings remain the same all the time.
    But if I don't use the original silicon strap (for me not possible as allergic to the material), the compass stops working precisely because the pins bars are magnetized. So also I make calibration after 1/2 minutes the compass goes crazy. 
    The silicone of the original strap shields this problem, therefore either the pins bars are demagnetized or without the original strap the compass does not work.
    In the video there are scenarios where:

    -with original strap the compass work perfectly
    - without pins bar (after a calirbation of course) the compass work perfectly, both wearing it and without it.
    - with the pins bar and the nylon strap the compass work after a calibration but it goes crazy after 1/2 minutes
    - demonstration on a precise analogue compass that the bar pins are magnetized.
    - demonstration that when the compass goes crazy the tilt and the inclination of the wrist affects the positioning. This to demonstrate that the problems of the magnetized pins bar  affect the 3 axys compass chipset (logical deduction given the tilt problem)

    Here you are video:

    Compass Problem Video

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    On the Tactical I tested the compass is all over the place: turns, does not turn, is correct, is completely off, does calibrate, fails to calibrate.

    If I were a soldier I would not like to depend on this device.

    How come this issue is not raised by more users? The malfunctioning compass has effect on the navigation, too. Maps and navigation do not work properly. Am I the only one wanting to use this? It is highly inacurate and cant possibly be meant to work this way. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to rentagreement

    I have this issue as well, and I’m on my 3rd I2 and all of them have had compass issues (never had an issue with the I1 Solar or any Fenix3hr/5/5plus/6pro). I’ll probably return my current I2 and be done with it, huge oversight by Garmin. Even with the original silicone band (on my wrist) I have to recalibrate the compass every time I use it, or the compass needle is way off and doesn’t move correctly when I turn. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to jeremyb77

    I said it before, it’s a design flaw and Garmin just want to cover it up, they claim we are using the watch in a way it wasn’t intended. I ended sending back my I2 also. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Juan Camilo Zapata

    I have ended my test of the Instinct 2 Tactical Solar as well - for the asking price the features are simply not good enough and definately not working properly and reliably

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to rentagreement

    agreed, in 2022 for an ABC watch starting at $350+ to have a faulty compass seems like a dealbreaker for the intended audience. You can upgrade to the Fenix7/Epix2 to get a working compass, and maybe that is what Garmin is hoping users will do. My guess is with all of their new products this year, they spread their R&D teams too thin to catch issues like this (quantity over quality). also, blaming the customer for using the product wrong is a bad gesture, that really indicates the product is too difficult for the customer to use, or the product is faulty. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Juan Camilo Zapata

    Unpopular as it may be, don't they have a point though if the issue only occurs when using the watch with a non-approved 3rd party accessory, as seems to be the case for some people?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to NeilJonesOnline

    I can't speak for anyone else, but my issue is with the official band the watch comes with. and mentioned above I'm on my 3rd I2 with this issue. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to NeilJonesOnline

    same here, used it as it came from the factory.