GPS MAPPING

[Dorene1]

This is an example of how my GPS is mapping my walks.  I walked straight out and back.  Anyone else?

 

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Dorene1 welcome to the community, you do not mention how you have the GPS settings. You may find this a helpful article How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device? Dynamic defaults to the device GPS if the phone GPS/Bluetooth is absent, built-in uses the chip and antenna in your Charge 5 and of course phone uses the GPS in the phone. The advantage of using the phone is reduced battery drain on your device. More importantly, from your point of view, the phone's GPS uses a larger antenna and is less likely to be affected by your local environment. May I suggest you give this setting a try? Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

[Dorene1]

I have tried all the settings and still get Inaccurate mapping. It can be as much as half a mile off and spit time as much as 1.5 minutes off.

[Stellaman]

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Stellaman It's impossible to draw any conclusion as to the cause of your problem without more information. If we can we should try and isolate the elements that work. When you are walking do you wear long sleeves? Is there any possibility the fabric covering your device or phone is metalised? 

Firstly, try tracking your walk using your phone and a different app. Something like MapMyWalk would do the job (This is an android app but if you have an iPhone it's likely something similar is available) If you get a different result then the Fitbit app or your Charge 5 may be the culprit. If you get the same result it could be a phone issue.

Secondly, Compare the results from different settings on your Charge 5. Before you do this Clear the Cache in your phone and ensure any battery-saving function is disabled for the Fitbit app. Try Built-in, Dynamic and phone settings, if they are the same discrepancy then something is adrift with the app or the device. At this stage, I would suggest you uninstall the app (after syncing) forget the Charge 5 in the Bluetooth settings and factory reset the Charge 5. Reinstall the app and pair the device again, try the above again. You may feel more comfortable talking to "Customer Support", be prepared for a long call, the more information you can give them the better. 

I hope this provides a way forward for you. GPS inaccuracy is reported from time to time but it is rare and not likely to be a signal or environment issue. 

Cheers

[Dorene1]

[cid:storage_emulated_0_DCIM_Screenshots_Screenshot_20220805-193124_MapMyWalk_jpg_1659742333856][cid:storage_emulated_0_DCIM_Screenshots_Screenshot_20220805-193040_jpg_1659742339152]

Same walk. Look and the different distances. Fitbit, we have a problem.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Dorene1]

 

 This Is the same walk. Fitbit was set on dynamic.   I get the same results when gps is set on phone.  7tenths of a mile is just too far off.  Has to be something with the fitbit.  Ant other suggestions?  I've tried all the ones you mentioned. 

[Loveoldtrux]

I think my spit time is 0, as I rarely spit.  What app are you using to measure your spit?…

[Dorene1]

The map with the 3.06 straight walk is called map my walk. The very inaccurate 3.7 map is fitbit charge 5. I have tried everything to get it to map accurately. I used both on this walk and as you can see they are quite different.



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[HoneyBadger1028]

I've noticed this issue as well - the Fitbit apps map is all OVER the place. I have the Charge 5, and had one walk register as 2.04 miles, but when I used Footpath to draw out the route it was 1.75. A quarter mile is way too far out for my liking. It makes me feel like nothing is going to be accurate, which is very frustrating.I don't know how how to put a picture here, or I would.

I wear a light jacket, since it's normally 45-50 degrees when I go out, but my sleeves are usually rolled to my elbows - so no interference from my clothing. I live in a wide, mostly flat area, so no mountains to affect the signal. I will say that I usually leave the GPS in dynamic mode because if I switch it won't provide a distance at all half of the time. It's all quite disheartening.

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @HoneyBadger1028 welcome to the community, did you try the alternative settings on your Charge 5 for GPS including the phone? Let us know your conclusion.

Cheers

[HoneyBadger1028]

Yes - as I said, half the time the other two options do not even provide a distance at all (or provides partial distance) because it will drop and not reconnect. The watch gives a message that says something to the effect of "Can't connect; turning off GPS."

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @HoneyBadger1028, yes, that's been an issue for some time (in Charge 4 as well) When I use the "Charge 5" for walking which is not very often I use the phone GPS. I realise this is not a satisfactory solution but it seems to produce the most reliable results.

Cheers

[GBESSEX]

Did you find a solution to this problem as my charge5 is doing the same and like you have tried all the alternative settings??