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Troubleshooting a Approach S70 - 42mm or Approach S70 - 47mm Watch Altimeter and Barometer

When experiencing incorrect readings from the altimeter or barometer sensors on your Approach® S70 - 42mm or Approach® S70 - 47mm watch, there are a few factors to consider that might be impacting these readings, as well as some steps that can help increase their accuracy. For information on how these sensors work, see - Understanding How the Barometric Altimeter Sensor Works on an Outdoor Watch.

Troubleshooting the Barometer and Altimeter

One of the main troubleshooting steps to perform when you notice your altimeter or barometer is off is to calibrate the sensor. The watch offers two ways to calibrate; auto calibrate and manually calibrate. 

Auto Calibration

Auto Calibration On

Setting auto calibration to On calibrates the sensor at the start of an activity. This will provide a consistent relative starting elevation if you do multiple activities at specific locations. When the timer is started the watch will try to determine the best elevation source to calibrate to, based on the following priority:

  1. Manual calibration immediately prior to starting the activity.
  2. Prior manual calibration point at the same location.
  3. Recent manual calibration, if the quality of the calibration is determined to be good enough.
  4. Recent automatic calibration via weather data.
  5. Map data (DEM - Digital Elevation Map), if available.
  6. Prior Connected DEM point at the same location:
    • Connected DEM refers to elevation data from the Garmin Connect™ app on a paired smartphone.
  7. Connected DEM, if currently connected to a phone.
  8. Prior GPS point at the same location.
    • GPS, if a good fix has been acquired:
      • When the timer ring goes green the altitude is now calibrated.

    Before starting the timer, the elevation data field on the watch will preview the calibrated elevation.

    Throughout the activity, the watch uses DEM mapping data, and GPS elevation to make adjustments to altitude for any altimeter drift due to pressure changes caused by a weather event during an activity.

    When the device is not in an activity, weather data will automatically be requested in order to help calibrate the sensor as needed throughout the day.

    Auto Calibration Nightly

    The watch will calibrate the altimeter once every night during your sleep window set in Garmin Connect. If paired, the Garmin Connect app uses location data from the phone and compares it to the DEM information of the watch. This allows the nightly calibration feature to work better but is not required.

    • When starting an activity, the watch will show current calibration and give the options to accept, or recalibrate.
    • Nightly calibration is also performed when auto calibration is set to On and weather calibration has not occurred in the last day.

    Location data from the phone is required for nightly calibration and weather calibration. Location services need to be enabled on your phone, and the Garmin Connect app will need to be able to run in the background with a data connection. For instructions on how to enable this on your phone:

    Android

    It is important to follow every step listed to ensure the phone's location permission is properly enabled:

    1. Open the Garmin Connect app.
    2. Select Three Line Menu Icon (upper left corner).
    3. Select Settings.
    4. Select Phone Permissions.
    5. Select Manage Permissions. This will take you out of the Garmin Connect app and into the phone's app management settings.
    6. Select Permissions.
    7. Select Location.
    8. Select Allow all the time.
      • If "Allow all the time" is not an available option, toggle Location on.
    9. Tap the back arrow at the top left to back out and save these settings.
    10. Power off and then power back on the watch, and sync it through the Garmin Connect app.
    Apple

    It is important to follow every step listed to ensure the phone's location permission is properly enabled:

    1. Open the Settings menu on the phone.
    2. Select Privacy.
    3. Select Location Services.
    4. Toggle on if needed.
    5. Select Connect from the list of apps on the Location Services screen.
    6. Ensure "Allow Location Access" is set to Always.
    7. Toggle Precise Location on. 
    8. Power off and then power back on the watch, and sync it through the Garmin Connect app.

    Manual Calibration

    The accuracy of this mode is based on your GPS satellite strength. It is recommended to be outside and away from any obstructions for the best accuracy.
    If the altimeter of watch is displaying an elevation that is off significantly, it should be manually calibrated. Below are the options for calibrating the altimeter.
    • Known Elevation (Enter Manually) - Use this option to calibrate if you know the current elevation. This option offers the most accurate calibration. 
    • Use DEM - The watch will locate your position through GPS and use the DEM data to get an elevation reading from the map. 
    • Use GPS - This mode will determine your elevation through GPS triangulation. The accuracy of the GPS mode is based on your satellite reception strength. It is recommended to be outside and away from any obstructions for the best results.

    Calibrating the altimeter should always be done outside with a clear view of the sky. 

    1. From the clock screen, press Menu.
    2. Select Settings.
    3. Select Sensors & Accessories.
    4. Select Altimeter.
    5. Select Calibrate.
    6. Select an option and follow onscreen prompts.

    NOTE: Allow the watch to air dry before calibrating the barometric altimeter after doing any water based activities.

    Other Factors to Consider

    Some factors that might impact the function of the altimeter and barometer include rapidly moving air entering the sensor port while participating in high-speed activities; climate-controlled buildings which can have slightly different pressure indoors compared to the ambient pressure outside; and soap, dirt, or salts from sweat which can clog the sensor port.  

    Cleaning the Sensor Port

    Debris blocking the sensor port will need to be rinsed free. The sensor port is located on the left side of the watch, opposite to the buttons.

    IMPORTANT: Do not put any objects into the sensor port!

    1. Run low pressure, warm water over the sensor port.
    2. Gently remove any visible debris. 
    3. Shake away excess water and allow to air dry.
    4. Calibrate the altimeter.
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