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Charge 6 does not show elevation

‎10-23-2023 04:01 - last edited on ‎11-22-2024 09:20 by Fitbit Moderator

‎10-23-2023 04:01 - last edited on ‎11-22-2024 09:20 by Fitbit Moderator

My charge 6 is not showing elevation change on hike. Maybe this data is missing on all exercises.

I checked both iOS app and online on web dashboard and details of the activity. GPS data was logged and it shows route on map. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

Best Answer
8 REPLIES 8

‎10-23-2023 04:28

‎10-23-2023 04:28

@TomTom555 Charge 6 has no altimeter and doesn't support elevation profile and gain. With GPS on, you will get elevation in the TCX file however that is very inaccurate and Fitbit doesn't display it. Accuracy of elevation from GPS is quite low.

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0 Votes

‎10-23-2023 04:30

In response to Triletics

‎10-23-2023 04:30

Hi,

thank you for your answer. All the devices I had showed elevation based on GPS and it wasnt very far off reality (Garmin and similar).

Very strange that fitbit decided not to show it, even if GPS is set to dynamic, meaning it should combine on-wrist and phone GPS.

Best Answer

‎10-23-2023 04:36 - edited ‎10-23-2023 04:37

In response to TomTom555

‎10-23-2023 04:36 - edited ‎10-23-2023 04:37

@TomTom555 Garmin uses altimeter not GPS. The GPS is used to correct altimeter data if needed and to calibrate initial elevation (which Fitbit never did). The GPS elevation error may be -25m to 25m so it's quite a lot to consider it accurate. Garmin has the option to correct the elevation but that can be done offline with the use of high-resolution DEM maps.

See this post:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-6/Little-review-and-tests-running-swimming-rowing/m-p/5480814...

I extracted the elevation data stored in the TCX file and compared the elevation profile with the reference elevation. Elevation gain on Charge 6 was over 200m (yet the route was flat). The level of inaccuracy is too much to be useful.

 

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0 Votes

‎10-23-2023 04:50

In response to Triletics

‎10-23-2023 04:50

Thanks for sharing.

I went now through your review - very disappointed by the inaccuracy of Charge 6. Hope Fitbit fixes this, but otherwise this is not a very good device.

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0 Votes

‎10-23-2023 06:09

In response to TomTom555

‎10-23-2023 06:09

My xiaomi mi band 4 doesn't have an altimeter, yet it display quite accurately altitude thanks to the GPS tracks. I am sure Fitbit would be capable of much more if they want

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‎10-23-2023 06:50 - edited ‎10-23-2023 06:53

In response to Bebopkorsakoff

‎10-23-2023 06:50 - edited ‎10-23-2023 06:53

@TomTom555 @Bebopkorsakoff Today, I used "phone" GPS mode on Charge 6 and got better results for elevation:

Orange - Fitbit Charge 6, Blue - Garmin Fenix 7Orange - Fitbit Charge 6, Blue - Garmin Fenix 7

This visualises potential issues:

1. When the GPS is gone, the elevation profile won't be updated. This will affect elevation gain later unless the Fitbit algorithm would a) fill the gaps using DEM maps later or restart updating the elevation gain after recovering the GPS connection.

2. The zigzagged pattern is one of the errors. The altitude measuring is done by measuring the distance from SVs orbits and that may change as we go. Switching between SVs will result in such inaccuracy. The altimeter is useful here to correct such data as then the device can tell that such a sudden jump in altitude shouldn't happen if the altimeter hasn't noticed it. Such a zig-zag line will affect elevation gain (137m while it should be 109m).

3. Wrong reference altitude. This may not be so important for many users.

This result isn't as bad as the previous one (and used phone GPS which may explain why my previous run was a lot worse, the built-in GPS of Charge 6 seems to be really bad) and with a bit of offline processing, Fitbit could apply some corrections and provide s better elevation profile. I don't think it's going to happen though.

Edit: thinking of it, Fitbit doesn't track totals for elevation gain so displaying elevation profile for GPS activities would be a picking of low-hanging fruit for them. Even if not accurate it doesn't affect any metrics so why not just display it?

Best Answer

‎11-10-2023 03:43

‎11-10-2023 03:43

I was so disappointed when altimeter was removed from Charge 5 and hoped that it'd come back with Charge 6. Will consider other options for my next device.

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‎01-27-2024 07:30

In response to kattiq

‎01-27-2024 07:30

Pretty disappointed elevation not being on my Charge 6. I used a Charge 4 and thought I upgraded with added exercises, color screen, continuous display. The Charge 4 elevation matched up very well with my Suunto & Garmin devices. Those are bulky on my little wrists so the Charge has been my go to devices. Good thing I didn't sell my Charge 4. I will probably go back to it.

C'mon Google, you're a technology company! Figure it out!

😞  

Best Answer