No elevation change and GPS tracker quit

[Moe4flo]

I just used my new Charge 5 on a challenging six mile hike.  So disappointed to learn this device does not have an altimeter so doesn’t track elevation gain. 

Also, the GPS tracker quit a mile before I finished.  I am certain the tracker hike was still going as the duration of the hike was correct when I stopped at the return to my vehicle.

I love the new display over the Charge 4 but this is very disappointing. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, thank you for sharing all your feedback and comments about the Charge 5, @Moe4flo.  

As you all mentioned earlier, unfortunately this device does not include the option to track floors. The Charge 5 includes many of the features available with Fitbit smartwatches at a more accessible price, but the option to track floors wasn't included with this specific device. You can find all the features available with this tracker on the Charge 5 Product Manual and on the Fitbit Store. 

Thank you again for sharing all your comments and your experience with this; this is always useful to continue to improving the quality of products and services. Although the possibility to include this feature on the Charge 5 is Not Currently Planned, I do recommend that you vote for these ideas posted in the Community forums: 

• Add an altimeter to the Charge 5.
• Use iPhone altimeter to restore Charge 5 floor count.

Regarding the inconvenience with GPS, he Charge 5 may track different information for the the distance if the GPS is getting disconnected during your activity. 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)

If you continue to experience the same behavior and your GPS is getting disconnected, make sure to try following the steps listed in this article to complete a restart, as this has been useful for other users experiencing something similar. 

Thanks again for sharing all your feedback and comments about this. 

[charleskn]

I am curious if you manually started your hike or allowed the fitbit to recognize the activity. What are the Charge 5 GPS settings (Built-in, dynamic, etc and what satellites are selected)?

[Moe4flo]

I’ve never had any luck with fit bit recognizing that I am hiking vs walking. I always manually enter the hike exercise mode via my device. I don’t understand the question about which satellites are being used.  Since I was in a canyon I suppose I could have lost satellite but it did track me until I returned to the rim and then stopped before I clicked to finish nearly a mile later still on the rim. The app was still counting steps when I clicked to finish. 

GPS is set to dynamic.  Is that good?

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Thank you. If I use the FitBit app on my iPhone to track my hike and start it from my phone, will the app use my iPhone GPS and built in altimeter to track elevation change or floors during my hike?

[charleskn]

My mistake on the GPS satellite settings. Those were from my old Charge 4. 

I am confused about starting your hike from the app, since I never do that, and don't know how that works. I always start my activity from the Charge 5 itself.

IMO, Dynamic mode is preferred. The Charge 5 will use your phone GPS if available, and the built-in GPS if the phone GPS isn't available. I am not an iPhone user, but from other posts, I believe Fitbit will track elevation using your phone's GPS.

Note that where you have your phone can affect the GPS reception. If I were hiking, and had my daypack, I would have my phone in the little pocket at the top of my pack for the best overall visibility to the sky. Even your body between the phone and the satellites can affect the GPS feed.

I do know that if Fitbit loses GPS sync for long enough, it will give up and you won't have GPS for the rest of your activity, but you would always have steps, either from the tracker, or your phone, if you are using Mobile Track. I believe the general advice is to not use mobile track and a fitbit tracker together, but I someone with more experience, with Mobile Track, should chime in on that.

[DavideFitbit]

@Moe4flo Thank you for your response, 

I was reviewing the MobileRun feature you mentioned on my phone that allows you to track Walk, Run or Hike, but I can see that it only provides you with the time, distance and pace, but not elevation.

If you haven't done so already, please make sure to vote for this idea posted in the Feature Suggestion board of the Community, since this section is regularly monitored by the team of developers for possible implementations in the future. 

Have a good day.