can i use the fitbit force as a way to map my run?

[scotty]

There are apps out there that map out my run if you carry your phone.  But can I use the fitbit force to actually map it?

[Mary]

No, it doesn't have GPS.  

[Doug · Accepted solution]

No; the Force -- nor any Fitbit model -- does not have GPS.  For that matter, its distance estimation is based on your step count multiplied by your stride length.  And you can configure both your walking and a running stride length, and it attempts to determine which to use.  Power walkers may find it uses the running stride length when they are walking.  (For me, it appears the threshold is just under 4 mph, but perhaps that depends on your stride.)

Running stride length is notoriously hard to calibrate because, unlike walking, it tends to vary a great deal with your pace.  So if you are running, it not only can't map the run but unless you run at a predictable pace, you may find the distance hard to calibrate as well.

[Jim_M]

There is an app called "MapMyRun" (along with MapMyRide, MapMyWalk), that uses GPS to track you, and you can link that data to fitbit!

[SunsetRunner]

Runkeeper (free GPS app) also links with fitbit

[Doug]

And so does my personal favorite, Digifit iCardio.  I particularly like its HRM feedback, live heart rate graphs, audio cues, and custom workouts.  I also use their saddle wrist mount for my iPhone during my runs but the OP seems to want to avoid carrying the phone.

[Mary]

So for the apps that link to Fitbit, do they create activities here?  I mean, if I use Endomondo to track my bike ride, will it create a cycling activity here and overwrite the period recorded by the Fitbit?  

[Doug]

While I can't speak for Endomondo, that is how Digifit iCardio works.  When I end a workout session, it automatically creates an activity record in Fitbit.  It passes the start and end times and corrected calorie count.  Fitbit then ignores its calories for that time period and uses the Digifit values instead, while retaining the steps and distance my One had recorded. 

It is completely seamless.  I just use Digifit as normal and it automagically takes care of the activity records for me.  I presume Endomondo would do the same.

[Mary]

Good to know!  I have Endomondo linked here but haven't used it with the Fitbit in years.  But that's a nice workaround for not manually logging activities for cyclists.  

[bettysette]

how do you get fitbit to link with runkeeper???

[Doug]

For most apps, you'd start with the App Gallery and Partners page then find the app desired and use its Learn More link.  However, I don't see Runkeeper listed there so it could be that Runkeeper never implemented the APIs to exchange data with Fitbit. 

Ahh, looks like Fitbit added integration to Runkeeper but they did not on their end, so it is only a one-way pass of data to Runkeeper.  See this page for more info and instructions.

Personally, I care more about having my workout app pass sessions to Fitbit for me than vice versa.  But based on the above I'd say it was Runkeeper who is lacking the integration.  You may want to consider one of the alternatives.  I'm very happy with Digifit iCardio myself.

[ShelleyN921]

I just got my fitbit and saw this post about digifit to track my walks/cycling with fitbit.  Fitb.it isn't tracking my walks' distance/miles accurately so I want to use a gps ap.  I was using RunKeeper but it doesn't share activities with fitbit so I downloaded digifit based on this post.  However my walk from today is not posting/syncing with fitbit.  Is there something I need to do beside link the two accounts??  I have a fitbit force and use the iPhone ap.  I hope someone can answer this puzzling issue.