Connected GPS Information Post

[EmersonFitbit]

Hey all!

I've been seeing a ton of great conversation about Connected GPS- the technology that will allow you to see your maps, as well as pace/distance using your phone's GPS. Ahead of launch of the device, I'd like to provide a bit more information about Connected GPS in comparison to our built-in GPS technology (found in Surge) or our existing GPS functionality in relation to other devices! The following is an in-depth look at Connected GPS, and and opening of the floor for questions!  Are you ready? Let's do it!

• What is Connected GPS? 

Connected GPS is a new part of the Fitbit ecosystem! Using Connected GPS, Blaze connects with your phone's native GPS capabilities to plot routes and activity stats screen as the pace and duration.

• How do I use Connected GPS?

The necessary components for initiating a Connected GPS exercise are: 

1. Your charged tracker
2. Your compatible Mobile device with GPS capabilities
3. The Fitbit App

To initiate a Connected GPS exercise, open the appropriate exercise (exercises that offer GPS connectivity on the Blaze will have a gear icon on the tile). Once you select the exercise type, you'll see that your Blaze will begin to look for your phone's GPS services. Once the device establishes a connection, you'll be notified that you're ready to go. You can always bypass the connection if you'd like, much like on Surge. 

• How is this different than Surge? MobileRun?

GPS is built-in on the Fitbit Surge, meaning that you could initiate a GPS activity without your phone in proximity. The MobileRun process works a bit differently; you'll have to open the Fitbit app and select Track Exercise > Stopwatch Icon > Start. 

• What errors might I run into? 

Phone Not Found: Users may see the following error state if their tracker is unable to connect to their phone. If this happens, please ensure the following: phone is within range, your app is open, phone is charged up, Bluetooth enabled and bonded, and Internet connection is present.

Check Fitbit App: If you come across this error, there may be a bit of action required. Please ensure that your app is open, you are logged into your account, and that location services are enabled.

• Location Services and Permissions: 

Location services are required for Connected GPS to function properly. Please ensure that location services are enables, and set to "Always" if applicable. 

Permissions are requested upon setup of the tracker. Users who intend to use the Connected GPS feature should accept the permission requests. If you switch phones during the life of your Blaze, you'll be prompted to run through all of these permission requests again before being able to successfully use Connected GPS.

[Rich_Laue]

My GPS problems occur when in heavily exposed areas, walking by the three line(sometomes), and on heavily clouded days. 

My recently replaced phone seems to be not as accurate as the previous, but it is this way also in MMF, google, and waze. 

[MuzDownUnder]

@Danianya81 @HollyF @OleMarius

Check this post and other topics. This is an on going problem that fitbit seems to be unable or unwilling to fix. Pretty disappointing.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Blaze/Miles-are-off-with-blaze/m-p/1436070#M22240

[HollyF]

Danianya, unfortunately I haven't linked Strava...I'm just starting it at the same time that I'm starting my Fitbit. It's a little cumbersome, but I feel like Strava is giving me a lot more accurate data. I'm pretty sure that the Blaze will be my last Fitbit. I'm so disappointed that they aren't doing anything to fix this problem.

[OleMarius]

Since the Blaze is useless with pair GPS on the mather of distance i was thinking of doing a test this time. I compared the actuel GPS distance data from google map log and took my previus runs and made an average stride lenght to see if the distance would give me more acurate lenght.

As seen on the photo under i undid the automatic stride lengt option.

I then had a run as seen under. But tho, still same problem. it has 5,95 km over the actuel lenght.
WTF fitbit do suck.

[Jrosenblum]

My Blaze and MapMyRun report different distances even though the Blaze is slaved to my iOS 6plus phone's GPS. Why? Both applications are using the same GPS. The Blaze always indicates I have run less than MMR. I am positive the the Blaze is connected to my Phones GPS. Any thoughts?

[Danianya81]

Trust map my run in my experience. Once you start reading the forum you'll see a lot of posts about inaccuracies .......and fitbit doing nothing. Good luck

[Rich_Laue]

If i take the same walk with MMR, Fitbit, Surge, Blaze with connected GPS, and Charity Miles.. How come i get 5 different distances reported? 

[Julia_G]

Because they all have a margin of error, and different ways of calculating distance.

[Rich_Laue]

Exactly @Julia_G, there are other factors also involved, since i can take the same walk 3 days a row and MMR will give 3 different numbers..

Just pointing out that without milatary grade equipment the measurements won't be spot on everytime. 

[Danianya81]

I'm not after spot on I'm after "anywhere near the ball park" my Blaze is consistently 1/2 mile to 2 miles out for runs 4 - 10 miles which naturally also screws with my pace saying I'm faster than I am. Fitbit have admitted there's an issue.......so fix it. Or give us all our money back. Have to go I'm bidding on a garmin fore runner 10 on ebay ....... £30 and gps is spot on

[Rich_Laue]

I'm not sure at what point a fix is at, but it is not just a simple fix..

First the problem has to be identified, this so of be easy if it affected everyone, it doesnt.

 The affected hardware needs to be udentified, is it the Blaze or the phone. 

A fix has to be found and tested. 

Unaffected units must also be tested, it might fix affected units and mess up unaffected units. 

This is only what i can ascertain without knowing Fitbit's protocol. 

[Danianya81]

I get that I do but then they shouldn't sell it as a runners watch. I love the calorie burn and the workout modes and the steps are bang on......but I'm a runner. My husband saved up to buy what he thought would be a perfect gift and for what I need it's useless. Fitbit shouldnt have sold it with shoddy gps. Strava and map my run agree with each other on my phone so why isn't the blaze using the same tech as them? I'm frustrated and I gather from this forum we're a majority. IT's not like I haven't tried I've followed the rules. ..... Turn the wifi off and your location to strongest, start it on green bars, adjust your stride. Avoid buildings/ trees/ clouds. I have done the lot. It DOESN'T work. And to be honest and I'm now angry that after 2 months posting they've admitted there's an issue. If they had said it when I first ostend I could have returned it.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hello all, I hope you are doing fine!  Thanks for the screenshots and all the information provided. If you are having problems with your map information. I recommend checking if your Fitbit apps are updated by following @MarreFitbit's instructions (iOS) and my steps (Android).

Also, our connected GPS feature works with your phone to deliver real-time activity stats like distance and pace during outdoor workouts. After a workout, you can see the details in your exercise history on your dashboard. Connected GPS requires a GPS-enabled mobile device. For instructions on how to track an exercise with connected GPS, see http://fitbit.link/1Pjdqk0.

Note that connected GPS is only available with compatible iOS and Android devices. Windows mobile devices are not supported.

See you around! 

[advoWade]

Why aren't Windows devices supported? There are 3 major phone OS', of which one is Windows. Imagine how many more users you could have if you didn't neglect a major OS.

[advoWade]

Here are 4 of the top trackers:

Fitness tracker comparisons

[OleMarius]

Did a new run with the automatic gps stride option. 
THis time the blaze with my phones gps show an error of 7,39 km off. 7390m!

[docwatkins]

Blaze #2 and STILL cannot use the connected GPS for run/walks. All settings are on. Location services on. Set to ALWAYS. WTF??!!!!

[Rich_Laue]

@docwatkins what error message are you receiving? 

[docwatkins]

"See Fitbit app" is what the Blaze says.Phone has a pop up screen that says enable bluetooth sharing then gives the option to "no thanks' or "open setting".  All settings are on.

[docwatkins]

This is the post I needed ! OK......how did you get the blaze to use the iphone6+ GPS?? I have my location services on and set to always. I go to the blaze and tap the "walk" exercise and it tries to connect and then I get the "check Fitbit app" error message. I look at app and it says enable bluetoothe sharing. Message gives the option to open setting or "no thanks". Open the settings and it takes me to all the permissions to allow Fitbit to access pics, contacts, etc.. ALL are allowed. Fitbit deemed my first blaze defective. Sent another out. Still won't connect. Went and bought ANOTHER blaze. STILL won't connect. This is Beyond frustrating and FITBIT won't respond to emails or chats or messages or posts. HOW did you get yours to work???!!