02-22-2016 09:42 - edited 02-22-2016 10:26
02-22-2016 09:42 - edited 02-22-2016 10:26
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!
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.
The necessary components for initiating a Connected GPS exercise are:
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.
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.
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 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.
03-05-2016 12:44
03-05-2016 12:44
03-05-2016 14:10
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03-05-2016 16:37
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03-05-2016 17:10
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03-05-2016 19:33
03-05-2016 19:33
@DaDuck wrote:
I had assume that when Blaze is connected to GPS on the Iphone that the exercise session recorded by Blaze would automatically be recorded on the Fitbit app under Exercise Tracker. This did not happen. Only when I started Exercise Tracker on the App did it record map and date for the exercise. Did I do something wrong or did I not do something I should have?
@DaDuck - when you use connected GPS with your Blaze (starting run from your blaze and waiting for your phone to connect) you won't see the exercise and map on your phone until you finish and save the exercise.
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-05-2016 19:42
03-05-2016 19:42
@vdangit wrote:
I just received my Blaze and used it on a run for the first time this morning. It was great except I noticed that afterwards, my GPS map stopped about halfway through my run. It still showed my total miles, pace, and everything when I ended the run. Would this be more of a phone/GPS issue? I have a Samsung Galaxy S4. I only ask because I've had issues with the GPS signal going out before but it usually comes back at some point.
@vdangit - I had similar issue on my hike today. Only got map detail for part of it. I got miles and pace for the whole two hours, but I suspect that it got disconnected temporarily from the phone or I lost GPS when the mapping stopped and then calculated the rest of the distance and pace based on step count x stride length. I've got an iPhone 6 and connected GPS has been working reliably with it until the hike today.
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-05-2016 19:58
03-05-2016 19:58
Here's what I get when trying to view my running map afterwards. The map should have stopped after I looped around the fort and went back to the farthest point to the left. Notice that the mile markers for mile 2 and 3 are missing too!
03-06-2016 09:39 - edited 03-06-2016 09:40
03-06-2016 09:39 - edited 03-06-2016 09:40
@vdangit -- Ah, Ft. McHenry. Nice run.
Yes, very similar to what happened when I apparently lost connection yesterday on my hike. GPS record didn't even make a mile (no 1 mile marker), so the rest of the exercise distance must have been calculated by steps and stride length.
But my walk this morning recorded correctly.
Hope yours is working better today.
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-06-2016 09:43
03-06-2016 09:43
03-06-2016 12:07
03-06-2016 12:07
No maps show on android. The only way is if you start either a run/walk/hike on the phone. Biking is not an option.
03-06-2016 13:02
03-06-2016 13:02
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03-06-2016 14:03
03-06-2016 14:03
Glad you got it to work @DaDuck
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-08-2016 07:29
03-08-2016 07:29
I did another run today where the app stopped tracking about halfway through my run. Not very cloudy this morning so now I really don't know if it's my Blaze or my phone ... Any suggestions on what settings I might be able to change? I have Android 5.0.1.
03-08-2016 15:49
03-08-2016 15:49
I set up my Fitbit Blaze on my Mac laptop so now when I try to set up on my iPhone, it tells me that I am already set up on another device. How can I set up the GPS on my iPhone under these circumstances?
03-08-2016 16:05
03-08-2016 16:05
I'd recommend temporarily disabling BT on your computer, @bugman21! This should help ensure a smooth transition for Connected GPS exercises.
03-08-2016 19:48
03-08-2016 19:48
03-09-2016 03:23
03-09-2016 03:23