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Fixing wave count

Former Member
Former Member over 4 years ago

Garmin

What is your plan to fix wave count for real surfers?

The simple fix is to adust watch software to exclude activity under 5 or 6 mph when in surf mode.

The SUP group may need a slightly higher speed. 

Waves are aprox 10 mph, maybe 9.

Thisbis critical ifbyou want to be taken seriously.

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  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Today I have tried the solar surf for the first time and I'm very disappointed. In two hours the watch says 4 waves and 12kmh max velocity... I think I have caught at least twenty waves and have reached at least 20 km per hour ... 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1790845

    Try changing the Data Recording mode in Instinct's Menu » Settings » System to "Every Second" instead of the default "Smart Recording", and in the settings of the Surf Activity, change the GPS mode from the plain GPS to GPS÷Galileo. It will help with the accuracy and with the reactivity of the GPS, and hence it could also help with the wave detection.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to trux

    Now the watch is already in the box for give it back to the seller. I bought it only to count and measure the waves. I have others satisfying Garmin product and I'll try this solution only for the trust in this brand. The next good waves will be probably on 31 or the first of january if this solution doesn't work I'll ask my money back. However thank you Trux.   

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1790845

    So far no fix to the wave counting issue. Ive had two other surf GPS watches, Rip Curl GPS 2, Apple Watch 3 with Dawn Patrol app and now the Instinct Surf Solar. The Garmin is the WORST of the bunch hands down. Inaccurate wave counts and speed. One session it recorded 45 MPH!!  Maybe the big wave guys at Jaws can can get those numbers, but not a head high wave!!! Cmon Garmin address this issue!!!!

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I agree. So disappointing.Got this watch as a gift and its worthless at counting waves!!! Caught two waves yesterday and it recorded 18!!! They need to fix this ASAP or stop calling it a surf watch. It wont take long for the surf community to catch on and not buy this watch for surfing.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1881037

    Did you try the suggestions from my previous post? Not telling it is the real solution, but It could help.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to trux

    Dear Trux, today I have tried for the second time the watch in a surfing session. I followed your instructions, every second in settings and Gps+ Galileo in surf function. 
    I would have been satisfied if the wave count had been right on the phone but the result was worse than the lowest expectations. In 1:21 the watch says only one wave of 43mt for 13,5 km/h....
    Actually I caught eight or nine waves that were big and fast enough to be in the Mediterranean.
    So the watch can't do what it was bought for and i will ask for my money back.    

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1790845
    1790845 said:
    So the watch can't do what it was bought for and i will ask for my money back.

    Yes, I understand that decision. If the surfing stats were the main reason to get the watch, and they are not meeting your expectations, it makes no sense keeping the watch.

    Still, I'd like to ask you if you could share a link to the latest activity. I'd be interested in seeing the raw data (I can access it, if I have the activity link, and the activity is visible to Everyone). Perhaps I could see where the problem in the data analysis is, and recommend some adjustments of the algorithm to Garmin.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to trux

    Hi trux,

    I also tried the same instructions with every second and GPS/Galileo with the same result. I believe someone suggested an adjustment in the speed detection. Only counting speeds over 5/6 mph. That should eliminate all the false wave counts.

    Thank You

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1881037
    1881037 said:
    Only counting speeds over 5/6 mph. That should eliminate all the false wave counts.

    Well, if you know the exact cause, and the way to fix it, why not contacting Garmin directly and telling them about it? They won't necessarily see the complaints here, on the user forum. You should also consider writing directly the developer team ([email protected]), to bypass the Customer Support, because before they pass the information to the developers, it may take its time, and some information may get lost.