FINAL UPDATE (9/10/22): there was apparently an update that FINALLY led to Fenix + Light starting an activity with my set lighting choice (day flash). Before now, the headlight would always default back to high-beam mode when starting an activity. The last week has been error free. After nearly 3 years of this problem (using a Fenix 5, 5+, 6s), finally progress. There's still that annoying bug where the light resets if you don't cycle through modes fast enough, but I can live with that.
UPDATE (3/2/22): I spoke too soon. On the first test-ride, the light was displaying nearly all of the original issues--just starting with a different light mode. Detailing in the second reply. Will do further testing, but at this point I doubt I'll discover a solution that works.
UPDATE (3/1/22): I may have found a solution that works and have listed it in the second post. I'm leaving this initial request here unedited, as this MAY still be an issue for others who have not recently updated their units or have added a UT800 to their Fenix without manually setting a light mode
My garmin front light wants me dead. I can't count the number of times I've had to take my attention away from the road and cycle through the light modes. Can anyone help me figure out what's going on? I've spent a good year testing with various equipment and awaiting a Garmin CS response.
Problems: the light mode resets itself at the 2 minute mark (exactly) of any activity, and while running said activity, it will constantly attempt to reset itself whenever I try to manually cycle through the solid light mode.
Equipment: UT800 SMART light + Fenix 5x/5+/6s + RTL500/510/515
Settings: Light, radar, watches, everything updated. Light sensor mode set to INDIVIDUAL (Auto also not working). UT800 works the same with all 3 tested Fenix watches and all 3 radar units (Radar light modes work fine!). Removing/adding light sensor does not help. Used with preset BIKE activity on all Fenix watches.
Lets say that the light has the following modes:
- Mode0: Light off
- Mode1: Bright Solid (starts here)
- Mode2: Medium Solid
- Mode3: Low Solid
- Mode4: Night Flash/Peloton
- Mode5: Day Flash
Power the light on and it starts in mode 1. I can cycle and set as I please before forming a light network with my watch. As soon as I select an activity with my Fenix, it connects and the light mode resets to 1. As soon as the activity starts, it remains however I set it UNTIL IT HITS THE 2:00 MARK AND THEN IT RESETS TO MODE 1 AGAIN! I'm forced to set the mode mid-ride. Assuming I remember to check the light 2 minutes into the activity (half the time I forget and my light dies @ full brightness), changing the mode again is a nightmare. The light wants to stay on mode 1. Unless I have successfully cycled to mode 4, 5, or 0, it will reset to mode 1 within 1 second of hitting the mode select button. I have to hit the mode button 3 times in rapid succession, and even then it sometimes still resets to mode 1 before I can reach mode 4/5/0. I sometimes have to hit the mode select a good dozen+ times before I successfully cycle beyond mode 3. Once I reach mode 4/5/0, the mode will remain unchanged until a disconnect or activity end. And the only way to tell the mode is to tilt my head to see the light indicator on the side, as it's near impossible to see a lit light during the day. I can easily replicate the issue without variation (at least this terrible light is consistent).
I have no Edge unit to test with, nor would I want to use one. I've barely commented on the Radars (retired the 500 and 510) because they all worked great. Radar powers on to mode 1, then automatically switches to my preferred Day Flash light mode as soon as the network forms--and can be manually cycled to whatever light mode I wish without fail (exactly how the UT800 should operate?)
TIA