Miles are off with Blaze

[pcobb8]

Ever since I switched from my charge hr to the blaze, my miles have decreased. I am 6" 6' and I average about 1900-2000 steps per mile. I went into settings to update my stride length, bit it is still putting my average to 2250 steps per mile. Help

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Rich_Laue · Accepted solution]

A couple questions i have. 

Are you using the GPS when taking walks/runs?

Where you using the GPS with the Fitbit app and the Charge HR?

Without GPS the tracker will use the stride setting to determine distance. While using GPS, Fitbit uses this to calculate distance and changing the stride will have no affect on the miles reported. 

[cbstanford]

MIne is doing the same thing.  It is like it is ignorning whatever I put into the stride settings ever since I got the blaze.  I had it spot on with my surge.  The place where the mileage is off is for total miles for the day on the dashboard. (the gps miles when I walk are fine).

[pcobb8]

I haven't been using the GPS function at all

[pcobb8]

Nor did use it on my charge hr

[pcobb8]

Now it fixed itself. Lol

[Timeflies1980]

Apparently distance doesn't come from gps... https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Blaze/Blaze-does-not-take-distance-from-GPS-when-running-walking-hik...

[Rich_Laue]

Actually distance comes from the GPS while using the GPS, just like it does on the Surge and when using the tracking function of the app.
http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/How-do-I-use-exercise-mode-on-my-tracker/

[Aleksalynn]

I'm having the same issue.  I've adjusted my stride length manually (to 2 feet 4 inches), but it still seems to be using the default stride length (22 to 23 inches), so it's shorting me.  I love the Blaze, other than this one thing.

[Aleksalynn]

Just as an example, my Zombies Run app gave me 3.05 miles for my last run, but Fitbit says 2.68.  It's always agreed (within reason) before I got the Blaze.

[Rich_Laue]

Where you using the connected GPS with the Blaze during your run?

If no GPS was used it will be using the stride setting,  with GPS connected, the stride has no affect, in that it uses the GPS gor distance.

[Aleksalynn]

The run could be off because I didn't see the GPS on/off on the watch until after the run. However, it seemed to be about the same amount off that it had been for even my walking mileage.

[Rich_Laue]

Where you using the connected GPS with the Blaze during your run?

If no GPS was used it will be using the stride setting,  with GPS connected, the stride has no affect, in that it uses the GPS gor distance.

Zombie run can also be used with and withiut the GPS.

Are you sure that having multuple apps accessing the GPS isnt throwing the measurements off?

[Aleksalynn]

The mileage is off with just my regular walking. So, either the other four Fitbits I had were giving me more miles than I was doing, or this is shorting me miles. Considering the other Fitbits all gave me similar readings, I'm inclined to think the new one is shorting me.

[Timeflies1980]

Sorry but According to Fitbit support the blaze doesn't take distance from GPS. See below the conversation I had...

- Manny A. (3/2/2016, 12:54:38 PM): That's because the steps and mileage are tracker by the Blaze itself, as opposed to the app that depends on the phone's GPS.
- Me (3/2/2016, 12:55:25 PM): So the blaze doesn't take distance from the GPS?
- Manny A. (3/2/2016, 12:55:25 PM): Honestly, so far we have not received any issues about map routes being stopped due to taking a picture during exercise routines.
- Manny A. (3/2/2016, 12:55:40 PM): That's correct, GPS only goes towards the map route.
- Me (3/2/2016, 12:55:59 PM): So how does the biking mode give you distance when no steps are taken?
- Manny A. (3/2/2016, 12:58:09 PM): In case of a biking, as it's a non-step based activity, Connected GPS gives distance. That would be about the only exception.
- Me (3/2/2016, 1:00:52 PM): To be honest I am very surprised at this answer as it will mean when I use the Blaze for running/walking/hiking the distance will only be as good as the step count * stride length which is very inaccurate at best? Definitely not good enough for pacing etc.
- Manny A. (3/2/2016, 1:02:13 PM): I understand, however it's due to the type of activity.
- Me (3/2/2016, 1:02:58 PM): OK if that is the final answer however this is very dissapointing news

Dave

[LeeBr]

I've found this to be a problem as well. I had a Fitbit One prior to the Blaze. I never measured or input stride length but was usually around 10900 steps for 5 miles. With the Blaze I'm having to do around 12000 to hit 5 miles.

It seems better when measuring deliberate activity, such as a walk or run, which I do most days. However on Friday I didn't have the opportunity and it took over 13000 steps to reach 5 miles. Which was basically a lot of walking around at work and then at home. Anyone else having similar issues?

[Rich_Laue]

Please see @EmersonFitbits response

[Aleksalynn]

That doesn't answer why the distance is off during normal activity. The issue is with NORMAL ACTIVITY, not just exercise. So, yes, I am having issues similar to LeeBr with regular walking.

[cbstanford]

My issue is the total mileage for the day from just walking around too, not when using the gps. Changing the stride has no affect on the total miles for the day either.  I contacted support about it and they are sending me out a new Blaze to try.  We will see if that helps.

[Rich_Laue]

By normal activity, what do yo mean @Aleksalynn.

I think of normal activity as when I'm working, or around the house and yard. Dieing these times my stride various so much that there would be no way of me knowing what distance i did, or of the Fotbit is even close. I can guarantee it will be off since at these times my stride, that could be as low as 6 inches is no where close to my power walk at 2'5.5"

Now if your miles are off during a non GPS tracked run/walk then you will need to set up the stride.

My  comment was in response to the post that Fitbit does not use GPS to measure the stride. They do.