Forerunner 945 lte (new 9/17/2024) v17.30, Lte starts and stops,

Setup completed, live track and live event sharing setup, invitations sent accept and map with pin in approximate location appears but no movement.

Smartwatch indicates activity run started, live track in progress; but control screen indicates lte: Standby = contradictory?

I spoke with Garmin support for 2 hours trying various settings changes etc. Conclusion the Lte signal strength is poor. Hmm. I live in northern RI, suburbs, iPhone Verizon service is good. I tried turning off LTE on Smartphone and carried iPhone and map tracking worked.

Original goal buying 945 lte version was to alleviate carrying iPhone.

Am I missing some setting change to get this to work without having to carry iPhone? Does Garmin have another plan to accommodate?

Thanks

Richard

0 ChipGorman 25 days ago

You should check this thread. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-945-lte/357227/forerunner-945-lte-dies-during-activities-and-resets-after-latest-update#pifragment-1279=4 It's a defect and nothing has fixed it for anyone as far as I can tell.Certainly not for me. I just cancelled my LTE subscription finally since it does not seem to be fixable. You should return the watch IMO because it's been happening since January and no progress.

0 Richard 25 days ago in reply to ChipGorman

Chip

Thanks for the advice. I will take a look and give this another try. I have tried lte live tracking and event sharing (no phone) at a couple different physical locations (multiple settings changes) with no success. All other features work well. Tech support indicated poor lte service in my area. After many attempts (with no success) I had to take a break. I was spending too much time in this frustrated state.

Time to get back to this. I will re-engage; test settings, contact tech support; maybe I missed something. However, I am a disciplined and patient person.

I will give you update. Thanks again.

Richard

0 Tyrese 25 days ago in reply to Richard

What I find interesting is there's almost no information/videos on YouTube about people's experiences with the 945 LTEs service. I find that strange. My thoughts are either the service is good overall and there's little to no interest in talking about it or there's very few customers using the service. I'm currently using the FR955 and it would be amazing if it had LTE. However LTE may not have turned out as it was planned which is a possible reason it's not included with newer devices. If I had some extra cash I'd pick up a 945 LTE to see if it's good. I may pick one up used if one pops up locally. Either way I'm happy with the 955; but I've always been curious about LTE.

0 Richard 24 days ago in reply to Tyrese

Tyrese

I have the same (surprising) observation. I found just a couple videos and utilizing the lte feature on line and they were several years old. Yes, why so few videos or comments (good news or not). I like the 945 lte and the ability to live track and leave my phone is very important feature for me (and I know for others as well). I also know it is important to have the correct settings turned on.

I will get back to this "project" next week; trying different geographic locations. This is my first Garmin and Garmin's reputation is good that their technical support is good I presume (but). I have tried multiple iterations with no success; every other feature works very well. Technical support says poor lte service. Hmm I run 7 miles a day same route every day. Mobile phone works 98% of the route. I live in Rhode Island (no deserts or mountains). My understanding is that lte networks utilize same cell towers as 5 g (I know there are some differences).

It would be helpful if I could find someone in my local area that I could connect with and compare notes.

I will update next week.

Richard