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.

[nay_dunn]

I've been searching for a resolution to the inaccuracies of the connected GPS since I noticed the problem but have yet to find anything! I was happy to finally see a response from a moderator (@AlejandraFitbit) above to this problem until I realised the response contained NO USEFUL INFORMATION WHATSOEVER..... How can this watch be promoted the way it is when the GPS distance is so inaccurate?! I ran 8 miles this morning and my connected GPS told me I ran 9 miles, which also means my pace and mile times were way off. This makes the Fitbit essentially useless for one of it's main intended functions. My friend I was running with was wearing a Garmin and her stats were spot on.... Why can't Fitbit do the same? Please address the issue rather than just giving instructions on how to update the app or use the feature. @AlejandraFitbit, obviously countless users are experiencing and reporting this issue so please provide us with useful information..... Very disappointed with the Fitbit and their response to the problem!

[Danianya81]

So true I now use my fitbit as an awesome gym watch and bought a garmin fr60 for £35 on ebay. Does the job no bother. I've said it before and ill repeat myself stop advertising them as gps watches. Both the surge and blaze are wildly out on distance it's pointless

[MuzDownUnder]

@nay_dunn I think this problem is beyond Fitbits ability to fix. Everyone just get a run around from Fitbit whenever it is mentioned. I have been trying since March and have pretty much given up. Not good PR from fitbit and I doubt I will buy another. I use other apps for measuring walks now.

You cannot really compare this problem with a Garmin as the technology is not the same. The Surge is also spot on as they both use true GPS signals. The problem is in the way the Blaze tries to measure distance using the cellnet towers rather than true GPS. You can test this yourself by setting the phone location to GPS only and then it will not work at all. The cell towers location info is not very accurate and one of my local ones reports itself about 100m out into the sea so it's no wonder the Blaze is off.

Good luck getting it solved and if you do you will make a lot of new friends.

[Danianya81]

2 of my friends have the surge and accordingly to map my run which I've always used and measures true to my car and garmin they are also off. I just think fitbit tried to do too much too soon and hoped the tech they needed would come soon. It hasn't and we're all left frustrated.

[Hutzi]

My blaze will sync but won't contact for the connected GPS. Anyone else with this problem?

[Hutzi]

My blaze isn't connecting to my phone no matter where I am and what I do (Wi-Fi or not) I also have a garmin vivoactive hr but either it doesn't get a signal or the watch will crash in the middle of the run while switching scenes. So disappointed with the current fitness devices.....

[manfer72]

Please add auto pause in bike ride when gps connected a the speed goes to 0 km/h. All fitness tracker in bike mode have this function!!!!

[FlavioCardoso]

I'm with the same issue... Don't know what's going on... Have configured Bluetooth classic, control my music and so on... I tryied a lot of times, the app showing the connection but still having the error..

[FlavioCardoso]

Mine is not connecting too... =(

brand new toy... frustrated....

[FlavioCardoso]

Hey, why Windows Phones are not suported?

[Aclobos]

I have a blaze with version 17.8.200.3 and I am using iPhone 6 plus. I can set to centimeters/kilometers or miles. If you are in your Fitbit app you can go to your admin account and change your mode for km or miles. Under admin go to advance setting and the under units you can make your choice of km or miles.

[Aclobos]

You might want to check your stride length. Login to your Fitbit and under your admin go to advance setting then go to your stride length. You can turn auto stride off. You can set your stride length manually for walking and running.

[Scarlettann]

I had this problem the other day. Was advised in the forum to use my Fitbit app to track map...it worked, but I want my Fitbit wrist band to track the route. So, the next day, I realized I was starting my walk BEFORE my phone had connected and given me the message, "Let's go!" Was patient (it took seconds), it connected with my phone and that was the issue ... Wait 'til it reads "Let's Go," press the arrow and start walking ( or running, etc.), problem solved -- hope it works for others who say they're having trouble syncing phone with GPS and getting GPS to reflect route.😳😘 😜

[gretchenmoll]

3-4 days according to my own experience

[herget]

Are you still having trouble connecting to your Blaze? There was a moment last week I had a similar error. My fix was...

I closed the app, placed my iPhone 6 into airplane mode (this disables Bluetooth by default), and finally turned off my Blaze. I waited five minutes and then turned back on my Blaze tracker first (waiting for it to fully turn on) then turned off airplane mode on my smartphone. Opened the Fitbit app and synchronization went through smoothly.

[docwatkins]

No, Fitbit deemed my unit defective and replaced it. The only thing they've done right thus far .
I still have two trackers that are useless due to poor workmanship.
One defective battery and one broke band. Customer service has YET to reply to ANY emails and it's been weeks.


Sent from my iPhone

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

[herget]

Dear @docwatkins, 

Good morning! I am unsure why you had such an experience. I joined the Fitbit ecosystem and became a loyal customer back in January, 2013. As the fourth year of working with the Fitbit trackers I must say write their customer service and support of all products and services has been... stellar! I have contacted their support team via chat, phone, email, and social media. The response times have always been timely and knowledgeable. Among the trackers purchased for my family, friends, coworkers, and myself, they have replaced all them without any trouble within the one-year warranty time frame and beyond. I recommend you pick-up the phone and contact them directly. As for the poor workmanship it difficult for any organization to design a product to withstand any lifestyle. Best of luck and I hope you are able to see the wonderful quality of the Blaze, Charge 2, and Flex 2 for what they are. If not, you can easily try Jawbone or Garmin and I strongly feel you return to the blissful realm of Fitbit.

[docwatkins]

First, let me state that I have been a loyal customer from day one and have spent LOTS of money buying the upgrades through the years.
I never said that any product was fool-proof. All products of any kind will eventually break. I DO have common sense, but when a product becomes defective like mine which was a battery and a broken band and all you asked for was to be able to purchase a new battery and band or pay to have it replaced and be turned down and told that I have to purchase another, THAT is poor customer service on many levels.
I am happy that you are happy with your overall experience. I don't want everyone to rely solely on my experience alone, but the people that buy the product that keeps the company going needs to know the WHOLE story, not just the good. That's what's wrong with the country today.
Fitbit has had MANY weeks to resolve this issue . They have all of my contact info. They have made zero attempts at even contacting me to say "sorry, but nothing is going to change".
Communication is EVERYTHING !!
I still use the products that are still working, all $1000+ of them that still function. When they work, that are phenomenal, when they break or start to fade, don't expect much except to spend more money........which I was willing to do.
Just like most companies these days, once the initial sale is finalized, that's it.
Have a great day and enjoy while you can.

Sent from my iPhone

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

[andruboine]

My concern is, can I listen to bluetooth headphones streaming spotify while I use the phones GPS for the blaze? Anybody do this?

[SunriseGirl]

I have and it has worked fine.