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Pool Swimming lap counting: PLEASE make it better!

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Pool Swimming lap counting: PLEASE make it better!

I've happily owned an Instinct (1) Solar for almost 4 years. But the over-reporting of laps on pool swims always bothered me. It happens under specific circumstances. In my case, if the swimming pool is crowded and I unfortunately have to slow down, it ends up counting double (or triple) laps. Every firmware update would give me hopes this became better, but it never really did.

Now I bought an Instinct 3 Solar, and had high hopes this would be better, just to figure out it's just as bad... I understand the tips (have a clear push from the wall etc [1]), but there is no excuse to not make this algorithm better! Instead of relying ONLY on the acceleration sensor, it should cross check with:

  1. Time
  2. Number of strokes
  3. Avg direction my hand is pointing when it enters the water (compass stuff, NOT GPS)

For example, if I on average complete 50m (a length) in ~50 seconds with ~ 25 strokes, HOW ON EARTH can I complete 2 or 3 lenghts with similar time or # of strokes? Or how can I have started a new length (turned around) if I'm still pointing toward the same direction?

Developers, please make it better. There's so much complaint on the internet about the bad lap counting. The above proposal can make it much more accurate!

Thanks in advance.

[1] support.garmin.com/.../

  • 0

    Dear Garmin Team, please remove the 14-meter minimum pool length limit!

    Explanation: I have a 10-meter pool. I’m forced to swim with the 14-meter setting — this is discrimination!

    Laps are counted perfectly, but at the end of each workout, the total distance is calculated based on the 14-meter setting, so I have to manually correct it every time using a calculator. The watch was supposed to make life easier, not force me to use extra tools! This is a major disappointment.

  • 0

    finally found time to swim more often and after coming from i2x, i found i3 solar's lap counting really bad. While i2x at most overcount by 1 lap, i3x over count by quite a few laps.

  • 0

    The lap counter is really bad, some small deviation from a perfect length will add a new length - even with times less than world's best swimmer could achieve. There should be a minimum time per length, e.g. "no lap faster than that 50 seconds per 50m, otherwise wait". An alternative could be a swim mode with manual lap times...

  • 0

    Finally get to make it work. A really strong push off, followed by a distinct glide is the key to log a new lap and once a lap is ended, don't make big movements other than turn and push off for the next lap. Otherwise, a few laps can be added. So if you want to rest, adjust your goggles etc, pause the swim manually first.