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Fail to measure swimming routines

Former Member
Former Member over 6 years ago
Hi, Since the last firmware update of my vivoactive 3 music, i have been experiencing some problems with the swimming widget of my watch. I swim 2 times per week more than 5,000 mts each time . Every time —since the laste update, as i say— at the 1,300-1,500 meters it starts to fail in different ways. It stops to give a wrong distance measures, also stops to give the pace, and after a while it finish the counting and return to the main screen. One time it becomes unresponsive, until I connect it again to the computer. I have read all the recomendations you have on your web page for better and more accurate readings, but still failing. What's going on with this watch?! I have talked with someone on the Garmin chat, and they told me to reset the watch to the default settings, and that will repair my issue for sure: isn't true!!! Still failing again and again!!!! This is frustrating!!
I also use my watch for other sports and It works fine enough!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hiya, I’m having the same problems. I’ve sent to back as faulty this week for the same thing.

    Im training for a 5km swim at the end of the month and can’t being with the constant faffing and stress about whether my watch is recording my swims. I’ve ordered a Fenix 5 now.....
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hello, same problem as well... It started two weeks ago with the last firmware update.
    I swim 3x per week (3000-3500 meters each time).
    First time I noticed the problem was the day after the firmware update, it became unresponsive and only recorded 2800m (total time ok).

    Still working fine for running and cycling (and skating).
    (12-15hours per week).

    I am back to my Vivoactive HR (3 years old product) for the time being !
    I am disappointed because the VAM3 is a very good product (price vs form factor and features).

    Regards.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Ah ha! I know how to fix this! I had my Vivoactive 3 music for 6 months and all was fine. It then started really mis-counting lengths and distance after updating, couldn't seem to catch up with itself and after about 30 to 40mins of swimming it would just reset itself back to clock face. It did record the swim up to that point but random info would be missing when synced with the app.
    I thought this was a problem with the unit and Garmin agreed and replaced it under warranty.

    New watch did exactly the same thing out of the box so definitely a software issue. All other activities work fine. So, what you need to do is every once in a while just press the button on the side to start a rest period/interval and then press it again straight away! The lengths/distance info is immediately corrected and up to date. I swim for an hour 2 or 3 times a week and do 2500m so I pressed it once every 15mins and all was fine, then did once every 20mins and all was fine. Going to try once after 30mins next time. This is definitely the fix though...
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Ah ha! I know how to fix this! I had my Vivoactive 3 music for 6 months and all was fine. It then started really mis-counting lengths and distance after updating, couldn't seem to catch up with itself and after about 30 to 40mins of swimming it would just reset itself back to clock face. It did record the swim up to that point but random info would be missing when synced with the app.
    I thought this was a problem with the unit and Garmin agreed and replaced it under warranty.

    New watch did exactly the same thing out of the box so definitely a software issue. All other activities work fine. So, what you need to do is every once in a while just press the button on the side to start a rest period/interval and then press it again straight away! The lengths/distance info is immediately corrected and up to date. I swim for an hour 2 or 3 times a week and do 2500m so I pressed it once every 15mins and all was fine, then did once every 20mins and all was fine. Going to try once after 30mins next time. This is definitely the fix though...


    I also try to do that, but still failing with me...
    Someone in the help chat told me that Garmin already knows the problem and they are working on it. I hope it's true, because I also like this watch for other stuff.
    In the mean time there is another option if you like to record your routines on Strava that probably will help you:
    I realize that this issue start happening after the 1,500 Mts. So the last time I went to swim, I stop the watch after every 1,500 until I reach the 6,000mts. Then I found a web page that glues your routines in one file only (https://gotoes.org/strava/index.php).
    Regards!
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    Someone in the help chat told me that Garmin already knows the problem

    The best way to be sure Garmin is aware of the problem is to contact Garmin yourself. Use the Support Centre tab at the top of the forum page.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    I was starting to think it was just me having this problem with the watch resetting itself after about 1500m. The problem started early March 2019.

    Garmin support told me it was a fault with the watch and wanted me to send it back (at my own cost and wait to get a refurbished one sent out to me in 5-10 days). In the end it was easier just go back to the shop for a replacement (no postage costs and got a brand new one in 5-10mins!).

    However, as per some of the other replies – the problem persists with the new Vivoactiove. I have let Garmin support know about it but have heard nothing back.

    I’ll give the rest period on/off trick a go. Thanks for sharing that tip simbuck00.

    I hope Garmin get this sorted quickly though. It’s a bit pitiful considering it everything was working fine up until March.
  • 0 over 6 years ago
    When I was swimming lengths, mine used to update every length so I did not have to count them. It now updates periodically. In a 25 meter pool, every 6 lengths and in a 17 meter pool every 9 lengths. It does this pretty reliably and accurately counts lengths. Calculating, it appears it is updating the watch screen every 150 meters.

    I'd much prefer to have it update every length although it does appear more accurate now. It doesn't skip the occasional length. I concur that pressing pause and restart will immediately update the screen.

    Today my watch did produce the triangle of death and reset at 925 meters though.
  • 0 over 6 years ago

    Same issue since the same time, still ongoing 3 updates later. Annoyed and thinking about jumping the Garmin ship. Have had a replacement, been in touch with Garmin support, keep sending them zipped Garmin folders so their 'engineers' can investigate and still no word on a solution. Frustrated.

    Update: Software version 4.3 no longer crashes when swimming up to 3000m.

  • 0 over 6 years ago

    I just did quick 3x600m (with 20secs rest between each set and alert set for each 200m). No problem. 

  • 0 over 6 years ago in reply to godolphins

    Yes, it works if you pause the workout but it's a pain. I just want to get in and swim.