Stride length doesn't update after GPS run

[awolfe]

I have the Inspire HR and Fitbit app for Android. My stride length is set to update automatically. I went for a run with both devices and tracked the run with GPS via the Android app. I expected my stride length to have changed after the run, but it did not. I have seen versions of this question posted with differing answers and for other devices. Am I correct in assuming something is not working as expecte

Moderator edit: Clarified subject & Labels

[LZeeW]

@awolfe   I am moving your post to the Android forum.  The automatic stride length is an app feature using the step count and the GPS distance from a run.  I think you will have a better chance of getting an answer.

[Rich_Laue]

The inspire HR does not have the ability to set the stride through GPS. 

This function is only available on trackers with Fitbit OS, when using the tracker and its connected GPS to record the run 

[awolfe]

Thanks for the reply, Rich. Are you certain? I was under the impression that stride length would be set because of the GPS tracking on the phone app. Theoretically, it shouldn't matter which FitBit device I have since I have a FitBit account with stride length settings and a FitBit app on my phone with GPS tracking.

[Rich_Laue]

When using the Fitbit app to record a run, the app is looking at the gps, not the steps walked. 

[awolfe]

Right, and then it should pull my steps to calculate stride length, no? 

[Rich_Laue]

That would make sense but the app does not do this, right. 

[awolfe]

I see, thanks. I'd read another article where this part was left ambiguously, but this clears it up. To the track!

[LZeeW]

@Rich_Laue   I believe your answer is incorrect.  The ability to automatically adjust running stride length precedes the release of trackers that use the Fitbit OS system.  I know this because I used it when the most advanced tracker was the Charge 2.  I answered questions about this topic in the Charge 2 forum.

[awolfe]

Interesting, do you know how to make this work?

[LZeeW]

@awolfe   I moved this to the Android forum, because I didn't have this problem with the iOS app when I used it.  Don't get jealous, we have our own set of things that don't work right.

The usual troubleshooting is to make sure you have the latest version of the app.  If you think you have discovered a bug that needs to be reported to the engineers, then I would do the following to document the problem.  Do a few shorter runs where you intentionally shorten your stride.  You can even walk in the run setting because you know the stride length is different.  See for sure that it doesn't update.  I'm not fond of intentionally lengthening my stride.  It makes my knees hurt, even to experiment. There is one thing that I don't know about this.  I don't know how much subsequent runs are mixed in with previous data.  All I know is that mine changed when I used it.  Also, doing experiments like this might mess with your cardio fitness score.  If and when this gets sorted out, then it's OK to delete the experimental runs.

Let us know how it goes.  Maybe you are a really consistent runner.

[awolfe]

Lol, thanks so much -- this is super helpful! I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with FitBit and exchanged lots more messages with them on Twitter, and this is by far the best reply I've gotten. I really appreciate it.

[LZeeW]

@awolfe   Looked at your profile and see that you did a search and posted on a thread in the Surge forum.  It looks like that thread is a bit of a dead end.  I'm not sure you will get a response there.

I want to clarify that I used this feature when it was new.  I always like to try new features.  I stopped using it because of the inherent limitations of GPS tracking.  Your position is approximate.  I concluded that this feature has limitations -- especially when a GPS map says you levitating above a ravine, running through a wall or walking off a cliff -- to be of use to me.

That said, I will turn mine back on and see what kind of results I get.

[awolfe]

Cool, thanks. Yeah, I looked at the GPS tracking from the Fitbit app, and
it was all over the map. I plan to just do this at a track sometime soon.

[Rich_Laue]

@LZeeWcan you confirm that when recording a run using the Fitbit App's Mobile Rum feature that the stride will be adjusted? I do know that while using the Run feature found on the Inspire the stride will be adjusted. 

@awolfe's question was about using the app to record the run, not the inspire. 

[awolfe]

Oh, does it work when you start a run from the Inspire device? Do you then
also start a run from the app on your phone so it has GPS?

[Rich_Laue]

You start the run from one or the other, not both. 

Let's go to the help docs, link to help will be found below. You will also find your downloadable user manual. 

The doc we want is How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

[awolfe]

Ah I bet that'll work. Will try it also.

[LZeeW]

@Rich_Laue   Thank you so much for the correction!  I missed the part where @awolfe said where he was using Run on the Fitbit app.  I am red faced and apologetic.  The fine print on the automatic stride length adjustment page on the Fitbit app does say, "...GPS enabled on your tracker."  Since @awolfe mentioned the feature, I concluded that he is using the Exercise app.  I glossed over the other part.

@awolfe   Are you using the Exercise app on your Inspire HR?  Or are you starting/stopping your run on your phone (MobileRun).  Makes a difference.

[awolfe]

Yeah, I'd been trying it with my phone app. I hadn't learned until yesterday how to start exercises on the device. I will try that and report back.