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Instinct (1st Gen) - Problems with Altimeter

Moseleyi
1 month ago

For good few months I've been wondering why the altimeter basically stopped working or at least updating in near real-time..

In the past, I would see changes straight away, even when I was on a flight. For couple of months it stays static and maybe updates itself once in a blue moon.

Auto Calibration of Altimeter is ON

Sensor Mode is ALTIMETER ONLY

Elevation METERS

Has anybody had the same problems? Is it because of the old generation firmware or something?

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  • 0 1 month ago
    Moseleyi said:
    For good few months I've been wondering why the altimeter basically stopped working or at least updating in near real-time..

    May be because of a number of reasons:

    • Watch is locked into the barometer mode
    • Clogged sensor port orifice
    • Mechanical damage to sensor membrane
    • Electronic hardware failure
    • Bricked Sensor Hub firmware (SNS)

    You will have to try to find out which of that is the culprit. You can start by inspecting the sensor port (use a magnifying glass or a macro photo), double checking the altimeter mode in the settings, viewing both the altimeter and barometer graphs for the Last X hours, checking the SNS version in the menu System » About, cleaning the port by submerging the watch into a lukewarm water for some time, checking both the altimeter and barometer values while you are climbing floors,...

  • 0 27 days ago in reply to trux

    Hi trux,

    In settings, it's definitely altimeter only.

    System version is 19.10

    Barometer graphs shows the same thing (29) 

    And yesterday I went on a hike and it kept 29 all the time unless I updated it with GPS.. I'm guessing the sensor is completely broken in that case

  • +1 26 days ago in reply to Moseleyi

    Hello

    I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with the altimeter. There are a few steps we would recommend trying. 

    • Try manually calibrating the altimeter: Menu, Sensors and Access, Altimeter, Calibrate, enter the known elevation.
    • If the altimeter is still not working, try cleaning the sensor port. 
      1. Submerge the watch in warm clean water for 15-20 minutes
      2. Rinse the altimeter directly under the faucet
      3. Shake loose the excess water
      4. Try the calibration again
    • If there is no change, you will want to try a factory reset: 
      1. Ensure the watch is powered off.
      2. You may need to hold CONTROLfor up to 30 seconds to turn the watch off.
      3. Press and hold SET and GPS.
      4. Press CONTROL to power the watch on while holding these two buttons.
      5. After the first beep release GPS.
      6. After the second beep release the remaining button.

    If this issue continues, the device may need to be replaced. For this,  you will want to contact Garmin Product Support.