Distance over estimated by the built-in GPS of the Charge 5

[Cmad71]

When built-in GPS is activted, the total distance of a run is more than 20% over estimated. My last experience of today is 8.15 km with my Charge 5 for an itinary of around 6.65 km. 

Moderator edit: format

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, thank you for all the information provided about the inconvenience you're experiencing with the Charge 5, @Cmad71.  

Before considering other options, make sure to follow the steps suggested in this article. 

All devices with GPS sensors require a direct path to GPS satellites to calculate location. A weak GPS signal might affect the accuracy of your route and other activity data. Your device uses your step count to calculate distance until it finds a signal, so the total distance calculated for a workout may be slightly less accurate when GPS isn't available for the entire time. In particular, please make sure of the following: 

• That you are  in open sky and moderate trees
• Adjust how you wear the tracker when you want to use GPS 
• Make sure the Location in your phone settings is set to Always or All the time for the Fitbit app (if you're using connected GPS)

However, in this case, since you've been having trouble with the device overestimating your distance, make sure to try following the steps to complete a three pulse restart, as this has been useful for other users experiencing something similar: 

1. Connect your device to the charging cable. For instructions, see How do I charge my Fitbit device?
2. Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears.

Hope this helps, I'll be around. 

[SunsetRunner]

This is how I do with my Charge 4 and works excellent.

I deactivated the automatic stride and select a manual one, say 1 m. I go for a run and I get for example 4 km. I then use a web tool to check the actual GPS distance and say it is 4.5 km.

Then I calculate the actual average stride as 4.5/4*1 = 1.125

I then set the new manual stride to 1.125

For the next run I do the same exercise.  If I run at the same speed and with no pace variation the result becomes almost correct otherwise I do the same exercise.

Granted, it is always needed to do some correction and unfortunately Fitbit doesn't allow to edit the distance but after many runs I was able to understand how to run and now Fitbit mistakes of only 5-10% for every run.

[DavideFitbit]

Thank you for sharing those steps, @SunsetRunner!  

[Cmad71]

Thank you for your advice. It is what I did with my Charge 2 and I kept the same parameters when I moved to the Charge 5. I think I will use my phone GPS connected to my charge 5, meaning that the built-in GPS is useless... Fortunately, there is a lot of new interesting features in the charge 5 ;).

Moderator edit: format

[DavideFitbit]

@Cmad71 Thank you for sharing that you already tried all the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier. 

In this case, since you already tried the steps mentioned earlier and you continue to experience the same inconvenience with the display, I recommend that you continue the communication with the Customer Support team so they can let you know how to proceed or what options are available for you. They will let you know how to proceed. 

The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

Have a good day.