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Any GPS tracking problems with Garmin (520) when paired to Stages PM?

Former Member over 8 years ago

I have been having GPS tracking problems on Strava (bad enough to pick up only approximately 25% of segments) with my new 520. I have speed sensor, 1 sec timing, auto stop off, GPS+GLonass

I tried friends 520 and set up both 520's identically (from what I can tell)

I have narrowed it down to Stages being paired to 520 giving our 520's problems.

Ride A 7/9/16:
MY 520 paired to Stages = bad tracking.
Friends 520 using GPS+Glonass Only = good tracking
Friends I-phone Strava app = good tracking

Ride B 7/10/16:
Friends 520 paired to stages = bad tracking

Any one else having these problems? Rides are on MTB in woods, so a person could say tree cover - But other device's track OK.
My 520 using GPS+Glonass only = good tracking
My I-phone Strava App = good tracking

I received a response from Stages and they telling me to contact Garmin to see if they have a suggested solution.
Thanks for reaching out to us. I do not know of any way that the Stages would affect the GPS/Glonass signal: it is transmitting power data using Garmin's ANT+ protocol, and any issues with tracking would be in the Garmin firmware itself. We have seen some issues with using Garmins for ANT+ power data with bluetooth enabled. Does the problem still happen when you have bluetooth disabled on the Garmin itself?

As this issue is seen across multiple 520s, and likely occurs with any ANT+ power meters, I would go ahead and contact Garmin to see if they have a suggested solution.

Rides are on MTB in woods, so a person could say tree cover - But other device's track OK.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I'm now on my third Edge 520. Prior two had chronic tracking errors. See my post: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?355923-Edge-520-tracking-errors-quality-control-issue&p=873792#post873792

From what you've described, I suspect you also have a bad unit. If you can, get the ride file numbers from your friends Garmin Connect file. Contact Garmin and open a case. Show them that your unit is failing while your friends is not on the same ride. Their standard answer when you call is that it's the terrain you're riding in. This is total BS! Don't give up and push the issue. Show them that your unit is failing on the same ride as your friend. The issue of where it's mounted is also a rouse. As long as it's somewhere up front on the stem, bars, or out front, you shouldn't have issues.

That's what I thought. But when I swapped 520's out, both running at same time. One GPS only - One w/PM sync'd. Problem stayed with 520 synced to PM. Both rides in same area.

I am going to try firmware change that was suggested above.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Another change I am going to do is change battery in Speed Sensor. I just bought it new,,but i read on a post that someone who bought there's new had problems and it was low battery - their theory was that it is motion activated and was on a lot during shipping. No plastic on battery to keep it from making contact

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I have a 520 with a Stages PM and never experienced any kind of GPS problems... Mounted on rubber band.

Is the Stages on the latest FW?

Not sure on Stages firmware - PM is less than a month old.

Stages saying problem with Garmin
"As this issue is seen across multiple 520s, and likely occurs with any ANT+ power meters, I would go ahead and contact Garmin to see if they have a suggested solution."

0 docslate over 8 years ago

Its not the battery, not Stages

I have had 520 tracking problems for the past several months. Frequently drifts off road and many Strava segments are missed are a may get an "off course" message after starting. I also ride with a Vivoactive. I have a Stages PM and after reading some posts here, unpaired the Stages. Last night the same thing happened. I rode through a state park with dense but not black out tree cover. The Edge 520 was about 100 yds off road and after exiting the park took another half mile or so to "find the road". The segment was missed on Strava. The Vivoactive was on road the entire time and Strava picked up that segment. I opened up a support ticket, have yet to get a response.
Also noticed that the segment start is often delayed on the Edge. If I stop and rest at the top of a segment or hill, my finish time may not be recorded until I resume and pass the erroneous finish line 200 feet further down.

0 docslate over 8 years ago

Its not the battery, not Stages

I've had a tracking problem for at least 3 months. I also have a Vivoactive and run it at the same time. 520 will frequently drift off road, many segments not picked up. I also have a Stages PM and after discovering this thread, unpaired the Stages last night. The same thing occurred. I was in a tree lined State Park but not opaque. The Edge was off road about 100 yds and probably took another half mile to find the road after exiting the park. The Vivoactive was on the road the entire time. Strava did not pick up the Edge segment but recognized the same segment on the Vivoactive. I opened up a support ticket with Garmin but have yet to hear back.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Garmins Response

First, please make sure you have the latest software on the Edge 520.

1. plug the device into the computer
2. Open Garmin Express then click on the image of your device and check for updates.

If you have not installed Garmin Express, please click on the link below to install

http://software.garmin.com/en-US/express.html

you may also need to clear some data from your device that may have some corruption. Please follow these steps.

*Warning - This will delete all activities so please upload them, if necessary, before continuing.
With the watch connected to the computer:
Windows PC:
On your keyboard, select the Windows key + E, this will open the file explorer
You should see the Garmin in the drive section
Double click the Garmin drive to open it
Double click the Garmin folder
Delete the Activity and New Files folders
Empty the trash on the computer
Disconnect the watch from the computer
Restart the watch
Mac:
You should see a drive labeled Garmin the side bar within Finder under Devices
Open the device labeled Garmin
Open the Garmin folder
Drag the Activity and New Files folders to the trash
Empty the trash on the computer
Disconnect the watch from the computer
Restart the watch
After doing this, we would recommend removing your sensors then pairing them again to the Edge 520.

Is your Strave account paired to your Garmin Connect account? Are you able to view the data in Garmin Connect? Generally signing out of your Strava account then signing back in and pairing your connect account again will resolve this issue.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

It looks like Garmin see this as a device too full and/or corrupt Activity files problem. It might be, not difficult to try, probably worth continuing to work with them on it, could take some time.

Can you ride with your Stages connected to it's Mobile App and see whether you get the data you expect? When the going gets tough I just use a phone and keep the Garmin as a spare. I never connect anything to the Garmin, not even an HR strap.

Member Olu.F. might be able to share some experience. https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?352064-New-Suunto-Spartan-Ultra-leaked/page11&highlight=stages

0 aweatherall over 8 years ago

Could you post the FIT file for the activity where you had this problem?
Do you have any Connect IQ apps loaded?

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Could you post the FIT file for the activity where you had this problem?
Do you have any Connect IQ apps loaded?

Excuse my ignorance. FIT File? I made my STRAVA public (normally private). Not sure if you are familiar w/STRAVA. Click on "satellite" and it will show how far off trail tracking wandered.
https://www.strava.com/activities/629941364

I do not think I have any Connect IQ apps loaded.

Hopefully get out today to same location and try Garmin Recommendations (clean out ride history and disconnect and reconnect all sensors) and new battery in Speed Sensor.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Same here, I've been running 520 with Stages for a long time, never had any GPS issues. Why do you think Stages affects this? Does it work fine without the power meter?

My 520 tracked fine w/o PM (I went w/o PM once).

I tried friends 520 and set up both 520's identically (from what I can tell)

Ride A 7/9/16:
MY 520 paired to Stages = bad tracking.
Friends 520 using GPS+Glonass Only = good tracking
Friends I-phone Strava app = good tracking

Ride B 7/10/16:
Friends 520 paired to Stages = bad tracking
My 520 using GPS+Glonass only = good tracking
My I-phone Strava App = good tracking

Rides are on MTB in woods, so a person could say tree cover - But other device's track OK. Other riders in area w/520's are saying no problems...but no Stages or Power Meter on them that I know of.