Compass sensor affected by the springbars

I understand what you are saying. I am sorry you have an issue. I recommend contacting Outdoor Product Support to discuss it further. If you cannot calibrate your watch compass then use it successfully for that event/activity etc, then further conversation is needed. If you can calibrate your compass before using it and complete an activity with it functioning correctly, then your compass is working as designed.

I can relate to your frustration, as I also wore the watch “as is designed/intended to” and it still manage to gave me wrong readings and be completely unreliable. Wrote on the forums just to receive the same kind of answer. Honestly this is a completely unacceptable behavior by Garmin forums and support 

Another youtuber with same problem:

https://youtu.be/6gOrB--1cbE

Why can't Garmin just be honest and admit they are selling faulty device and take responsibility and offer repair or replacement? I bought Garmin watch because I thought I get quality and reliability for my hard earned money.

2394279 said:

Why can't Garmin just be honest and admit they are selling faulty device and take responsibility and offer repair or replacement?

Because the device is not faulty. The springbar is the culprit. Sure they should send you a better one, though you can as well demagnetize it, or buy a new one for a bargain if you want to use the compass now. If you prefer waiting for Garmin to do it, you certainly can, too. It will be much longer though

Please reach out to Outdoor Product Support in your region. Thank you.

Just want to add my 2 cents that my Descent Mk2i is experiencing the same issue. I can test it with my analog dive compass and get upwards of 40° or more off just by walking in a straight line (while wearing it which I assume is "intended use" for Garmin-Chris's clarification). Even this morning, I removed the pins and tested with my analog compass - it tracked MUCH more accurately and consistently. Then when bringing the pins close to the watch body, sure enough...the compass deviates upwards of 20° and then return to "normal" when I move the pins away from the watch body. Using the silicone strap and have had this watch replaced 3 times in the first year of owning it (also my first Garmin product) because of this issue and thank goodness for the forums actually being able to provide a logical answer. I have a ticket with Product Support open and just relayed the spring bar findings. Hopefully there's a recognized fix.

I had also had my watch replaced 2 times and the problem still persists. They aren't providing any solutions in Garmin support just providing replacement which doesnt help the problem. This is also my first Garmin product. Never had this kind of severe problems with Casio outdoor watches. I also informed them about the spring bar problems before and after both of the replacements but they havent offered any solutions.

2394279 said:

I had also had my watch replaced 2 times

2394279 said:

but they havent offered any solutions.

Absolutely incomprehensible and astonishing that they are unable to send you just new springbars and replacing the watch instead. Get new springbars - you can find a pack of 10 anti-magnetic springbars for some $5 or even less. Or demagnetize them yourself - either at a local watch repairman, or buy a demagnetizer - they cost around the same. Mechanical shock, i.e. hitting the object with a hammer works too, but it is rather risky, at the springbar, I'd tell.

Another solution, that helped some users, is gluing the springbar in place, in order to prevent its rotation. Once you calibrate the watch with the fixed springbars, it will hold the calibration.

And avoid keeping the watch near strong magnetic fields - for example chargers, loudspeakers, magnetic holders, etc.