Faulty Altimeter on Garmin Forerunner

UPDATE: Check out my post on how to actually fix a faulty altimeter on a Garmin Forerunner 910XT. It's quicker and easier than you might think.

— Al.

Barometric Altimeter Sensor Hole on Foreunner 910XT

Barometric Altimeter Sensor Hole on Foreunner 910XT

I’d hoped that after the tumble drier stopped working, the microwave blew up, the septic tank pump failed and the Hard Drive in my computer failed that we had seen the end of expensive things breaking – We can’t afford to replace anything else. But no, now the barometric altimeter in Garmin Forerunner 910XT has stopped working.

It has been working fine until now and apart from the odd glitch here and there my 910XT has been recording my daily training faultlessy. Then, the other day, for no reason at all the elevation data that it was recording was wrong. On one run it said I had gained over 40,000 feet in elevation within 50 minutes of running – I wish! It then didn’t really record any elevation changes after that but had me at about 56,00o feet of altitude the whole time. Don’t worry, I haven’t’ been doing some super-extreme altitude training, I’m still here at sea level really!

Here are a few runs and bike rides I’ve done lately with the incorrect elevation data:.

1. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/203289145 This was twice around the same loop that should look like this: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/198380917

2. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/202966344 This was a hill reps session so should look like this (just with a few extra hills): http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200672766

3. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/203591579 This was a hilly bike ride (after recalibrating the altimeter). It should look a little like this: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87339930

I’ve re-calibrated the altimeter a couple of time, reset the whole device a couple of times, performed a couple of hard resets and re-loaded the Firmware, but it still isn’t recording elevation data. I’ve only had the device since February though so it’s under warranty and I have lodged a request for repair / replacement with Garmin so hopefully I’ll get it fixed soon. Garmin UK have a very highly rated repairs and warranty service and they’ve always been quick and helpful when I’ve used them in the past so I should have it fixed soon. Although that will no doubt mean I’ll be without it for a few days which will be a little annoying as I tend to rely on it these days! I’d quite like to have it for the CRC MTB Marathon and Vitus Sportive that I’m doing at the weekend, but that isn’t likely unless they turn it around super-quick.

3 Responses

  1. Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

    GarminUK have replied and I have to send it back to them for repair / replacement.

    How will I cope without it! 🙂

    Al.

  2. Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

    Just taken a UPS delivery of a brand new Garmin 910XT… That’s cool as it means I have a spare ANT+ dongle and a spare charger etc.

    Just going to have to spend the evening sat in the corner beeping away as I set it up to work the way I want it to.

    As usual though a good service from Garmin UK.

    Al.

  3. Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

    Just thought I;d let you know that I’ve since had my Garmin 910XT replaced a further two time since this incident, both with a faulty altimeter. Garmin have replaced it with no questions asked, but I’m now on my 5th device so it’s something they need to sort out.

    My collection of spare straps, ANT+ Dongles and chargers is growing nicely though.

    Al.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.

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