Charge 5 GPS recording time/distance maxing out?

[fac73]

Hi,

I've just tried my new Charge 5 ("upgraded" from a Charge 3 with impossible-to-read display) on a longish hike (18 miles). I was using the built-in GPS and not connecting to my phone.

Started a "Hike" exercise programme and the GPS connected after a minute or so. Looked at the Hike stats occasionally on the route and everything seemed OK. Stopped "checking-in" after around 7 miles or so.  

Got to what I guessed to be around 15 miles and looked at my Charge 5 again and noticed it had gone back to its normal clock face. The exercise routine had obviously stopped somewhere on route.

When I reconnected it it to my phone I noticed it had stopped at around 10.49 miles (4h49m). There were some big climbs so don't judge me  😁

I couldn't see why it would have stopped recording at this point so I'm now questioning the capacity of GPS info it can actually record. Is there a limit? 

I've done a few "less than 10-miles" walks with the Charge 5 and they've all recorded as expected.

And, before anyone recommends keeping my phone connected and using that devices' GPS:

1. The Charge 5 is advertised as "Go phone-free on outdoor runs, hikes and rides with real-time pace & distance powered by built-in GPS".
2. My Fitbit Android phone app frequently crashes when notifying me I'm nearly at my targets or when awarding me those stupid and extremely childish badges. Great - so I've walked to the moon and back. Thanks for letting me know but now you've ruined my routine!!!

Any ideas?

[nihahi]

I have not purchased a Charge 5 for several reasons, prime reason being I wanted to see user feedback on the GPS function. My experience with Charge 4 is that the "built-in" GPS drains the battery on your device at an insanely fast rate. It seems once the battery gets drained to a certain level, it turns off GPS tracking. Like you, my walks, hikes, bike rides, etc are typically much, much longer than that, so the built-in GPS is useless for me. I guess if you want to track a short walk, (and can actually get the Fitbit to connect to GPS) it works, but in reality, I see no value in GPS on a minimal distance? I was sooooo hoping the GPS in the Charge 5 would have been improved...sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case.

[fac73]

Battery wasn't an issue. It's been going for days since without a recharge.

On a previous hike, it was and needed charging the next day, but I put that down to the fact I had heart zone notifications enabled so it was almost constantly vibrating.

[fac73]

More info...

Did a long hike last night - Yorkshire Three Peaks at Night.

Noticed that my Charge 5 was almost always displaying the Pause option. A couple of taps from this option would 'finish' the activity. Turns out my clothing was activating the screen. 

How can the screen be this sensitive, and why isn't it capacitive so only reacts to human touch?!

Can the screen be locked if the touch screen can be activated by any object or material?

[fionac]

I guess you could use the water lock function while you're walking? 

[fac73]

Maybe, if I could get water lock to work. Haven't managed it yet!

And, not sure whether water lock can be used when tracking another activity.