Pool Swim problem and request remain after 5.0 software update!

Hi Godolphin,

thank you, that is exactly my experience during freestyle swimming:

1. I posted this problem in the forum some weeks ago ("touch screen on during swimming - why?" for the old firmware - no response. I tried it now after fw-update and it is still the same flaw. It is a fault and unnerving when you want to stop and save workout. It seems to depend how hand or arm is dropping into the water, but it is proof that touch screen is ON in some instances - and that is complete nonsense! I will not change to breast stroke only because of this watch. I do not know why no one else is complaining about this -

Please Garmin this must be solved asap!!!!!


2. Yes you are right: I have experienced that OHR theoretically works during swimming - when swim workout is ended OHR switches (unintended) ON and HR is monitored. Therefore it seems just a burden for VA3 users to use this function ... and buy high priced watches where this function is implemented. (Garmin Blake has just closed a thread about this topic)

(In my opinion VA3 could be a outstanding watch for many people for this price)

Best regards

godolphins I would request that you email us directly through phone, chat, or email. If using email please include the subject line of "pool swim touchscreen" so that we can escalate this issue accordingly. I have been unable to recreate the issue that you are describing on multiple devices running multiple software versions. We will gladly escalate this, but will require information from you to do so.

Engel4sport The thread that you are referencing was closed because the correct answer was given. If the same or another user opens a similar thread we will not continue to close this, this was only done in an effort to clean up threads that have simple ask and answer questions.

Also, I would like to address the request that optical heart rate being turned on while swimming. We understand that there are other companies with devices that allow for swimming HR to be recorded with optical sensors, but after internal testing we have found that the performance achieved with our devices does not meet our standards of accuracy, thus we have not turned this on. We understand that this is an inconvenience for some of our users and we genuinely apologize but there are no plans to change this design at this time.

Thanks for response, @ garmin-blake -- I did email back "James" (from Garmin support) who asked a few questions.
Should I still send a message?
As far as recreating the problem, I think easiest way to re-create (out of water) is to set up an alert for every length swam. After you start pool swim activity, wait for first length and when the alert vibrates, try swiping the watch and this should take you to menu screen.

As far your OHR response ("but after internal testing we have found that the performance achieved with our devices does not meet our standards of accuracy, thus we have not turned this on.") -- I do not want Garmin to turn on OHR for pool swim for me, I just want Garmin to give the VA3 user the option to turn it on. :)Why not just do that and give a billion disclaimers about its accuracy? ;)

and buy high priced watches where this function is implemented.

When you say high priced watches, do you mean watches from other manufactures? Garmin doesn't sell any watches that have oHRM capabilities for swimming. Some of their higher priced watches will record swimming HR, but you have to use a HRM-Swim or HRM-Tri chest strap to do so.

I just want Garmin to give the VA3 user the option to turn it on. :)Why not just do that and give a billion disclaimers about its accuracy? ;)

I met a Garmin employee at a Beer Garden while attending a Tigers-Mariners game. I think he said he worked in Kansas and was visiting family. He had a lot of interesting things to say and this topic came up. I have no idea if this was his view or Garmin's view, but he made a valid point. Anyway, he said the oHRM already has a disclaimer on HR accuracies, yet many people say it doesn't work properly for running, treadmill, everyday use, etc. They return or exchange these devices and the majority are fine. Garmin can no longer sell these as new, and have to sell or exchange them as refurbished watches at a reduce price cutting into revenue. He added that many more would be returned for people saying it wasn't working properly for swimming. Even though Garmin is a successful company and could easily afford these losses, they would increase the price of their watches to recoup this revenue loss. Anyway, I thought I'd share. Garmin-Blake, are you allowed to comment on this?

Well, I suppose the beer-guzzling Garmin employee does have a valid point there.

I do find it hard to believe that people would return watches if there were clear disclaimers -- but I guess they see it as one more reason/excuse people will use to return stuff. They've got a business to run and know how to do it better than me.
Oh well.

for me pool swim is completely unusable. After I select this activity i get a full screen circle that says "wirst heart rate disabled" THAT WILL NOT... GO AWAY EVER. So if I go for a swim and change the pool lenght as I swim at home and in the 50m public pool I need to:
1. start the activity
2. stop the activity
3. discard because i just wanted to change the settings:mad:
4.go into activities,
5. hold swim
6. change the setting
7. go into activities again
8. select pool
9. start

touching the wirst rate message does not do anything... i know how it's suppsoed to work like :)

When you say high priced watches, do you mean watches from other manufactures? Garmin doesn't sell any watches that have oHRM capabilities for swimming. Some of their higher priced watches will record swimming HR, but you have to use a HRM-Swim or HRM-Tri chest strap to do so.

You are right, I mean those watches working with (special) HRM-belts,

VA3: what I have seen on the chart - for time during swimming with swim-app offline - oHR@swimming would definitely work FOR ME. But I understand that Garmin will not enable or advertise that function or give any guarantee. However, that is why I would also be interested to have this as an option. Maybe there is a workaround with 3rd party app (some day)??