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Swim settings? issues

Does anyone have recommendation for pool swim settings? I've run into the following problems:

1. battery loss is huge -- I find it worse than activities having gps/hr on. I think this is b/c of # 2. (I do not have this problem with my original vivoactive).

2. backlight comes on the whole time because of water splashing against watch face. i do not see a way of turning backlight completely off for swim (if you say "use auto lock" -- see # 3)/ From what I read in manual, backlight is set to brightest setting for activities. I'm sure this makes the problem worse.

3. I do not think auto lock and pool swim intervals are compatible. When I had auto lock on and started a pool swim, I was able to unlock and start an interval ("rest" seconds start to count). BUT then the watch automatically begins interval without you unlocking and initiating a new interval session. In other words, the interval started by itself without me unlocking and starting it.

Basically, I just want to swim and every once in a while be able to rest and/or do intervals WITHOUT huge battery loss.

0 godolphins over 7 years ago

I called Garmin support and learned the following:

1. garmin was already aware and is working on auto lock not turning off touchscreen/backlight for swimming -- will likely be resolved in fw update
2. there is an issue with having auto lock on and trying to create swim intervals -- garmin created a new ticket for this. (basically the problem is with auto lock on, if you start an interval the "rest" times out after 15 secs and swim automatically restarts as if you never started an interval). I suppose this is just a bug that needs to be fixed but will not hold my breath for when... (frankly, if # 1 gets resolved, i see no reason to use auto lock for swimming)
3. I also brought up the inability to discard a swim activity and i guess this is normal. Not really sure why though...

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

For the 2) - I have sometimes set the backlight brightness to 0 before starting the swimming activity.

With the latest firmware (2.70) I've noticed that the watch does track the heartbeat even it says it is disabled during swimming. It's not shown under swimming activity but on the daily heart rate chart. Have you noticed that?

0 godolphins over 7 years ago

For the 2) - I have sometimes set the backlight brightness to 0 before starting the swimming activity.

With the latest firmware (2.70) I've noticed that the watch does track the heartbeat even it says it is disabled during swimming. It's not shown under swimming activity but on the daily heart rate chart. Have you noticed that?

I am going for swim in an hour or so and will report back. I will set HR "on" and brightness to 0% beforehand to test what you say.

It would be cool if we can get hr during swim (even if it's not as accurate).

btw, I have an aftermarket "milano" metal band with magnet clasp. it's a bit flimsy but does good job in water (does not come loose). only $ 13 on amazon. it does come a little loose during normal daily activities but easy to tighten up.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

What good is tracking your HR while swimming if it isn't accurate?

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

While I agree with that sentiment about HR during swimming... Even for someone like me for whom oHRM on the wrist works well for both cycling and running, it's next to useless when lifting weights or doing yoga but that data is still recorded to the FIT file. So why not swimming as well?

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Here's sample from the daily heartbeat chart. I took the watch off when going to sauna (just in case), so there's that small gap without data after the swimming.ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1287786.jpg

0 godolphins over 7 years ago

What good is tracking your HR while swimming if it isn't accurate?

I said even if it's not as accurate. I would be happy if I could get a few accurate readings during a swim. For example, it would be interesting to know what's my HR right after an interval -- which should be possible as the watch won't be in the water.

I just got back from swim (HR on/ auto lock off/ brightness set to 0%) and following happend:

I do not see any HR in my activity stats. (Zimo72: you have HR in your daily chart and that includes the swim? do you have HR in swim activity charts?)
The pool water caused the watch to swipe into settings several times and I had to "right swipe" to clear. Otherwise, it did not affect my swim.
I believe the 0% brightness saved much battery life. I lost on about 5-6% for the 35 min. swim which is not great, but not bad I can live with that.
Watch was perfect counting lengths and intervals worked like they should.

Thus, only problem I still see is not being able to use auto lock with intervals. I hope Garmin fixes this soon.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

OK??? What good is tracking your HR while swimming "even if it's not as accurate"? As accurate as what? Take your HR reading manually after an interval. If the VA3 doesn't work for swimming, how could you tell if your HR readings are off or if you got one of the few accurate readings? I don't understand how incorrect information would benefit anyone.

0 sjfwhite over 7 years ago

Same problem as original author with swimming. The battery drain is obscene because of the backlight. Also experienced the water somehow causing the setting screen to appear. The touchscreen needs to be disabled during swims because of the water continuously activating the touchscreen.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Lost 14% battery in a 26 minute swim. Not impressed. My vivoactive 1 (the original) only used about 2%.