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Barometer malfunction after repeated swimming

AJ
11 months ago

Hi Everyone,

I am on my third Garmin Epix (two Gen 2 and a Pro), and all of them have had the altimeter/barometer malfunction after about three months of swimming. I contacted Garmin a long time ago, but they didn’t seem to know what was going on. I’m guessing it’s due to the position of the barometer on the right side of the watch. It’s the first part to enter the water, and with such a reduced diameter, the water shoots in with high velocity (Bernoulli’s principle in hydraulics), which may end up damaging the membrane that protects the barometer. This is just a theory, though.

My question is, has anyone used the Fenix 8 and encountered this issue? They added a sensor guard on this new line, and I wonder if that’s the reason.

  • 0 11 months ago

    Post in the F8 forum. FWIW I’ve been swimming with my F8 in the sea without any problems. But then I also have an Epix Pro that I’ve been swimming with and had no problems. 

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    Might be the frequency, I usually swim for more than an hour every day.

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to AJ

    Might be but I swim 3 to 5 times a week in the sea. 

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    Do you use the watch on the right or left hand? I've been thinking on switching it to the right one because it puts the barometer hole on the opposite side of the water impact 

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to AJ

    Always left hand. 

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    Me too, I wonder if it is the chlorine then, maybe some chemical on the pool, who knows, weird

  • 0 5 months ago

    STOP PRESSING BUTTONS UNDERWATER!  I had this same problem and got a new watch.  Garmin tells us that it’s because we’re not cleaning with fresh water afterwards, but from what research I’ve done and now having zero issues with the new Fenix 7X I can anecdotally say it’s from pressing the buttons underwater.  Lose a couple seconds by waiting to get the watch out of the water before hitting the lap or stop buttons.  

  • 0 5 months ago

    STOP PRESSING BUTTONS WHILE THE WATCH IS UNDERWATER!!  I’ve already been through one Fenix 7X due the barometer altitude issues.  Garmin will tell you the reason is from not washing with fresh water afterwards, but I can tell you I’ve had zero issues since I’ve been careful to avoid hitting lap or start/stop buttons until the watch is out the water.  

  • 0 5 months ago

    STOP PRESSING BUTTONS WHILE THE WATCH IS UNDERWATER!!  I’ve already been through one Fenix 7X due the barometer altitude issues.  Garmin will tell you the reason is from not washing with fresh water afterwards, but I can tell you I’ve had zero issues since I’ve been careful to avoid hitting lap or start/stop buttons until the watch is out the water.  

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to jkassnel

    STOP PRESSING REPLY MULTIPLE TIMES!!. Rofl