Inaccurate tracking! Why?

[Swaba]

I walk side-by-side with a friend who wears a Garmin. My Alta HR consistently shows a much longer distance walked than her device. For example, yesterday, my Fitbit showed 4.1 miles. Her Garmin showed 2.8. The wooded trail we walked is a measured trail, 2.8 miles. What is going on here? Why is my Fitbit Alta HR so inaccurate?

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Swaba , the Alta HR itself does not have the ability to track the distance of an individual exercise, although it will give you your total distance for the day, which is based on multipying your stride length times fhe number if your steps for the day.  Is it possible that you are seeing your total distance for the day?

Alternatively, are you using the Fitbit app to track your trail walk?  In that case the app will use your phone’s GPS.  If your trail walk is in a wooded area your phone may have difficulty in getting a GPS signal and giving you an accurate reading.

[Swaba]

Yes, it was in a wooded area. But why would my friend with the Garmin get an accurate reading? I'm guessing the GPS is stronger and in her device, not her phone. Does that make sense?

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Swaba , I think the accuracy and sensitivity of GPS chips varies a lot.  Your friend’s Garmin is basically a dedicated GPS device, whereas that is just one of the features of your phone, so although I am no expert that makes sense to me.

[Swaba]

Thanks. This is beginning to make sense to me.