Map of hike incomplete in Fitbit app

[Hendrik55]

I took a few walks and visited a shop. I notice that the map in the Fitbit app is then not complete.

That must be because I went into a store and there was no longer a GPS connection. But I expect that as soon as I get out of the store the GPS signal will be picked up again. However, on the map in the Fitbit app, I only see my walk to the store, but not the way back.

Why?

GPS does work on the way back, I can tell by the distance covered.

[rafeit]

You've even GOT a map? I don't see it. Where do I look? I successfully tapped the device to start tracking my walk, and my phone said its GPS was connected, but I don't find a map anywhere. (Charge 5).

[Hendrik55]

In the FitBit-app on my Android-phone. Under training. After synchronising I get a Google-map of mij hike/walk.

[rafeit]

"Training"? I have "Track your exercise" that takes me to my walks stats, but no map. ?! Thnx tho.

[Hendrik55]

Could be Track your exercise...! My Charge and FitBit-app are Dutch
But there should be a map.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @Hendrik55 ,

Very likely your GPS signal dropped and the Charge 5 never picked it up again (I don't have a Charge 5 but what I experienced the same with my Charge 4 before moving to a more dedicated running watch).

The reason the distance includes also the way back can sound crazy but this is the sad truth: Fitbit (all Fitbits, not only Charge 5) doesn't use GPS to measure distance that is instead estimated via a simple calculation steps multiplied by stride. Apparently stride is somehow evaluated via GPS but indications are not clear and Fitbit moderators still insist to say that distance is estimated via GPS where you have a proof this is not right.

So, let's recap, you walked on the store and distance was measured via stride multiplied by steps with stride "maybe" evaluated via GPS, GPS traced the path in the map, you enter the shop, lost GPS signal, on the way back your Fitbit still measured distance via stride multiplied by steps (with stride "maybe"estimated earlier). 

In the end the distance overall might be more or less accurate (depending if you change your stride because stride changes depending on many factors) but the map is only half covered.

I hope this clarifies.

[Hendrik55]

Okay, that would explain it I guess. That may also explain why I can specify my step size somewhere. Although I can't seem to find where it was.

[Wibby]

Hello @Hendrik55 

You can specify your stride length in the Dashboard on your computer.  Tap the cog icon on the right, then Settings.  If you scroll down you can see the option to edit your stride length if you’d like to.

 I hope that helps a bit.

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

@Hendrik55 

You can also do it from your app. Go into your account settings (press your profile icon on top left), press Activity & Wellness, then Exercise and finally Stride Length.

Here we can choose Automatic or Manually. Please consider that rarely the stride length is constant so there will be always an error.

[Hendrik55]

Thanks @Wibby @SunsetRunner 

I set it to automatic. We will see. I do a test with GPS rest default setting next time a take a walk and visit a shop... See if that helps. If so Fitbit should build in something like auto-reconnect....