Garmin xero is acting wonky

6brshooter

6brshooter

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    • Oct 2, 2012
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    Illinois
    #1
    Bought a xero last Feb and have been using it for the last yr. I noticed early on that sometimes it would show the first shot in a session as 60+fps faster than the rest. Not always, and when it happens it was usually first rd. Fouled barrel, cold barrel, warm barrel, doesnt seem to matter. It has missed 15 or 20 shots over the year, but so did my magneto speed.

    Yesterday, I did a velocity node test to narrow down a couple flat spots. Started at 40.4gr and went to 43.8gr in .2gr increments. I've done this test before with magneto and it worked great to find some accuracy nodes, using powders or bullets or cartridges I didn't have experience with. I trickled up to each charge and verified weight, alpha brass, br4, amd 107smk in 6creed load. The garmin was a shit show.
    784ef8ac-9528-4dce-8d0f-53361354f56c.jpg
    37570c9e-972d-4365-b40b-3df33f395177.jpg

    The ammo was loaded and went straight to range in loading block, it never left my sight. Cartridges were single loaded and fired in order, lowest to highest charge. Some velocities stair-stepped as expected, some dropped 20-60fps, and 1 dropped 150fps. The "slower" shots felt normal and in line with previous and next shot. 1 day I was having issues with it showing a random "fast" rd in a couple different rifles/loads groups. A friend had his garmin with him so we put them on each side of my rifle and only my unit would show a random fast shot, his would not. Mine even dropped a shot or 2 that his captured.

    I talked to garmin today, hoping they would have an easy solution or rma this shit box. Unfortunately I get to be a garmin engineer and send them folders of data, kind of a pain in the ass as I'm not the most computer savvy. After I send them this, I have to do a hard reset, and then burn some more rds to see if it's fixed or not. If it's not fixed, they wanted me to get my buddys garmin, he's 40miles away, and run them side by side and video the discrepancies and send the video to them.

    Seems like with athlons new chrono out, they'd really want to step up and take care of their customers, instead of have their customers do the fault analysis.
     

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    #2
    I wouldn't take the do our job for us bullshit, just lay out the problem and ask how they will handle it.
    If they give you the run around again handle it your way as in word gets around quickly in this community and there are solid competing products.
    You have already tried playing nice.
    I don't own one so it may be a settings or sensitivity issue but they should be able to sort that fairly easily if that's the case.
     
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    #4
    If you’re running them side by side (pending one isn’t attached to the gun and ones not or something like that) then you obviously have an issue

    Them asking for videos/files etc is kind of bs. You should be able to just send the unit in and they can set it next to however many they want and test it.

    Otherwise maybe try running it next to your MS and just record the two screens for 5-10 shots. Even just cheap AR ammo should show if they match up or not
     
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    #6
    hafejd30 said:
    If you’re running them side by side (pending one isn’t attached to the gun and ones not or something like that) then you obviously have an issue

    Them asking for videos/files etc is kind of bs. You should be able to just send the unit in and they can set it next to however many they want and test it.

    Otherwise maybe try running it next to your MS and just record the two screens for 5-10 shots. Even just cheap AR ammo should show if they match up or not
    Click to expand...
    Yeah, both were on their own tripod, sitting on concrete as I shot prone. It didn't always throw a fast shot, but the way it acted yesterday....it should be easy to determine. They called me back to get permission to access my garmin account and had me upload the last session to the app. They wanted this xml file to see what exact parameters and whatnot is on my xero. I pretty well thought it would be easier to rma it and they can sort it out on their time.
     
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    #8
    XLR308 said:
    I wouldn't take the do our job for us bullshit, just lay out the problem and ask how they will handle it.
    If they give you the run around again handle it your way as in word gets around quickly in this community and there are solid competing products.
    You have already tried playing nice.
    I don't own one so it may be a settings or sensitivity issue but they should be able to sort that fairly easily if that's the case.
    Click to expand...
    Yes, I don't get into the weeds on electronic stuff if it works out of the box. About only thing I changed is to show es,ave, sd on string. They did say they'd never saw this or heard about this. I kind of thought they might want unit back in hand to fully vet, instead of having me play mad scientist with it.
     
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    #9
    6brshooter said:
    Yes, I don't get into the weeds on electronic stuff if it works out of the box. About only thing I changed is to show es,ave, sd on string. They did say they'd never saw this or heard about this. I kind of thought they might want unit back in hand to fully vet, instead of having me play mad scientist with it.
    Click to expand...
    What you changed is nothing more than anyone else would to display the relevant info that everyone wants.
    Just sounds like you got the wrong rep on the line or they are giving you the run around due to a known issue they don't want to advertise.
    Have you done a search for similar issues reported ?
    A quick search of known issues is inconsistent readings from miss alignment.
    The target window may be out a bit, just a guess.
     
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    #11
    6brshooter said:
    When I did another velocity node test with my magneto speed 1.5yrs ago
    View attachment 8617625
    Click to expand...
    My magneto speed has always been spot on but hanging it on the end of the barrel kind of adds one more thing to tune out after velocity testing.
    I wanted to get one of the Garmins but I'm hardheaded and wait to see what problems arise before jumping on something new.
     
    #12
    Yeah, I really liked the garmin at first, seemed spot on. Sold my magnetospeed to a buddy in another state. Then I started noticing small quirks with my garmin. My wife just spent 30min trying to upload these files to garmin and wasn't able to. I'm calling them on Monday and they can do some proper CS. If not I just blast them.
     
    #13
    XLR308 said:
    What you changed is nothing more than anyone else would to display the relevant info that everyone wants.
    Just sounds like you got the wrong rep on the line or they are giving you the run around due to a known issue they don't want to advertise.
    Have you done a search for similar issues reported ?
    A quick search of known issues is inconsistent readings from miss alignment.
    The target window may be out a bit, just a guess.
    Click to expand...
    I try to aim it directly at target, at end of forend on longer barrels and closer to me on shorter barrels, about 4-5" to the right, clear of bipod leg. It's pretty well aligned parallel to bore, I would "think" it's aimed pretty good? I was really hoping there was something simple that could be resolved over the phone or an easy send it to mothership. I'll call back on Monday. I will say their options to call you back, via setting a time with them, is pretty nice. I didn't have to go through robots or wait for 20min on hold.
     
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    #15
    My garmin has missed three shots and completely freaked and lost all data for a group one time. I've had it close to a year.

    It's most recent hiccup was last week when it lost the hole group on the fourth shot out of five. I pulled the trigger and when I glanced at the garmin, the screen went black, then flashed the startup screen like you just turned it on.

    I got into the history to see if it saved everything up to the moment it choked and there was nothing there.

    It just updated a week or two ago when I connected it to my phone.
     
    #16
    XP1K said:
    My garmin has missed three shots and completely freaked and lost all data for a group one time. I've had it close to a year.

    It's most recent hiccup was last week when it lost the hole group on the fourth shot out of five. I pulled the trigger and when I glanced at the garmin, the screen went black, then flashed the startup screen like you just turned it on.

    I got into the history to see if it saved everything up to the moment it choked and there was nothing there.

    It just updated a week or two ago when I connected it to my phone.
    Click to expand...
    Has it been mounted on the rifle?
     
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    #17
    XP1K said:
    My garmin has missed three shots and completely freaked and lost all data for a group one time. I've had it close to a year.

    It's most recent hiccup was last week when it lost the hole group on the fourth shot out of five. I pulled the trigger and when I glanced at the garmin, the screen went black, then flashed the startup screen like you just turned it on.

    I got into the history to see if it saved everything up to the moment it choked and there was nothing there.

    It just updated a week or two ago when I connected it to my phone.
    Click to expand...
    Sounds like everyone should compile data like this and hit them with it at once.
    Seems like a larger problem that's hasn't been properly addressed.
     
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    #22
    I had one instance where my garmin gave some really off the wall numbers that had me scratching my head. About 2/3 of the readings were good and the rest were way off. It was one time only, and I was shooting from broken shade out into bright daylight. The transition was only a few feet in front of me. I moved back into the solid shade another 10-15 yards and the issue went away. Not another errant velocity. I didn’t think radar was affected like that but I guess it can be.

    Is there any chance that something in or around your shooting area is causing a problem?
     
    #23
    Holliday said:
    Strange, both my magnetospeed (over the course of 8 years I think) and the Garmin never missed a shot.
    Click to expand...
    I shouldnt have said my magneto has missed a shot. If I didn't get strap tightened up perfectly on a polished SS, it would slip and show inconsistent velocity. A piece of hockey stick tape on barrel would give traction for rubber pad and make it act fine.
     
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    #24
    Dot3 said:
    I had one instance where my garmin gave some really off the wall numbers that had me scratching my head. About 2/3 of the readings were good and the rest were way off. It was one time only, and I was shooting from broken shade out into bright daylight. The transition was only a few feet in front of me. I moved back into the solid shade another 10-15 yards and the issue went away. Not another errant velocity. I didn’t think radar was affected like that but I guess it can be.

    Is there any chance that something in or around your shooting area is causing a problem?
    Click to expand...
    That sounds like my local range. They've got crappy "benches" so I always prone out on broomed concrete. Bipod is just off concrete so I can load it up and garmin is usually near edge of concrete. Shade from roof ends just a foot or so from concrete. 1 day my garmin was recording fast first shots and I mentioned to a friend that it acted like my old beta chrony with light, but I didn't think radar would be effected. The other day when I had this crazy string it was mostly sunny but windchill was 12° and was shooting into 15mph headwind.

    Has anyone had any issue with ground interference? My local range, handy to me for 100yd load testing, has a pretty flat range, but maybe doesn't get mowed every week in summer(it's not manicured). Grass might get 5-6" tall. With me shooting prone and garmin on its tripod on concrete, target is 3ish' foot off ground @100yds, any possibility of interference? Obviously not an issue yesterday as grass is frozen back from winter.
     
    Last edited:
    #25
    6brshooter said:
    That sounds like my local range. They've got crappy "benches" so I always prone out on broomed concrete. Bipod is just off concrete so I can load it up and garmin is usually near edge of concrete. Shade from roof ends just a foot or so from concrete. 1 day my garmin was recording fast first shots and I mentioned to a friend that it acted like my old beta chrony with light, but I didn't think radar would be effected. The other day when I had this crazy string it was mostly sunny but windchill was 12° and was shooting into 15mph headwind.
    Click to expand...
    The problem seems to me then, that the winds gusting were retarding your velocity on some shots, and your garmin is fine.

    Seriously though, was that particular day also at your local range? Just to rule it out, can you situate the chrono so as to let it look through a more consistent atmosphere? Have you noticed the issue on cloudy days where there isn’t really a light differential?
     
    #26
    i was sorta half joking on comparing it to old beta chrony. Yes it was at the same range. I'm a creature of habit and always used magnetospeed for load work and statistical consistency of load. Once I got to a great load, I wouldn't use it unless an issue arose that required reverifying the load/rifle. Local range is 100 and on my farm I can stretch to 1400yds. I never used a magneto for distance shooting, as bayo would cause a poi shift. I should use the garmin more for distance shooting since it doesn't have the mounting issues of a magneto. With all that said, my confidence in my garmin is diminished to where I'm at "what's the point?"

    Generally set up like this for 100yd testing, garmin is positioned just a bit to the right of right bipod leg. Garmin not in this pic(obviously)
    1000000739.jpg
     
    #27
    Keep in mind if you’re proned out the unit could be picking up debris kicked up when you shoot as well.

    I assume it’s sending out radio waves and whatever they reflect off will be what the unit reads back. Much like a police radar unit. So a bunch of crap kicked up especially on the first shot could be causing this.

    In your pic try putting the unit centered between the two rifles. About where the Peterson box is sitting or even try raising it off the ground a bit more above the rifle
     
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    #28
    I will, once I reset unit. Waiting till Monday to talk to garmin as I was not able to send xml file to them. See how they want me to proceed. I will say that there was wet conditions when I shot yesterday, so no debris to fly around. Realistically that garmin is usually about where Peterson box is, maybe a bit closer to concrete, but within reach of shooting position where I don't have to come off rifle much at all to push a button.
     
    #30
    6brshooter said:
    I shouldnt have said my magneto has missed a shot. If I didn't get strap tightened up perfectly on a polished SS, it would slip and show inconsistent velocity. A piece of hockey stick tape on barrel would give traction for rubber pad and make it act fine.
    Click to expand...
    Oh good because as much as I hated the magnetospeed, I always found it to be insane reliable.
     
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    #33
    I had my Garmin act weird one time then I realized I chose the wrong velocity range. I don't remember if it was the lower or higher range, I chose wrong for what I was shooting, but other than that it has worked pretty flawless.

    There are thousands of these units out there being used now for quite some time. I would think if this was a mass problem it would have come to light by now.
     
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    #35
    Yeah, I don't think it's a large issue, and probably 99.0% garmin users are happy-ish. I've been using the garmin for over a year, a couple quirks here and there bit overall pretty happy with it until the other day. I also do know that I had it set right and proper velocity range selected. I just use it with rifle, 1700-5000 range, so i know that wasn't a problem. If I was garmin, and everything was 99% happy customers and perfect units, and someone called with solid data that their garmin was messing up, I'd damn sure get them a rma to get unit and see what's up, not just leave them hanging to do garmins repair service.
     
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    #38
    6brshooter said:
    Yeah, I don't think it's a large issue, and probably 99.0% garmin users are happy-ish. I've been using the garmin for over a year, a couple quirks here and there bit overall pretty happy with it until the other day. I also do know that I had it set right and proper velocity range selected. I just use it with rifle, 1700-5000 range, so i know that wasn't a problem. If I was garmin, and everything was 99% happy customers and perfect units, and someone called with solid data that their garmin was messing up, I'd damn sure get them a rma to get unit and see what's up, not just leave them hanging to do garmins repair service.
    Click to expand...
    i take it its still not solved?
     
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