GPS Accuracy Test - Ionic vs. Garmin Fenix 5

[SunsetRunner]

Hi All,

For you runners out there I decided I would let you know my experience with the Ionic in terms of GPS accuracy.

I generally run the same route in my local area and each time the Ionic is off by .01km or .02km. I think this is quite good as I cross the road at different times etc so 10-20metres off is very accurate.

Today I went for a run with a friend who has the Garmin Fenix 5. We ran 12km and there was a difference of .01km or 10 metres in the tracked distance.

I am chuffed with that accuracy, especially as it was a trail run, through forests and avoiding obstacles etc so 10m is a very small difference and is probably correct.

That is all!

[mariossp]

So you are saying that there is no need to return my Ionic and splash out that extra cash for the fenix 5, let alone that i won't be able to listen to my music on that one.

[SunsetRunner]

Pretty much. 

Garmin are renowned for their GPS accuracy so it was nice to see the Ionic hold up against it so well with such a vast price difference

[mariossp]

This is good to know thanks a lot.

My humble opinion is that with a few targetted firmware upgrades taking into consideration all the suggestions we submitted and with the upcoming arrival of App gallery this thing is gonna fly!

[MagicMigs]

I have both the Garmin 5x and ionic, got them at the same time, but I need to return one, I got farming cause the hr more accurate, but I heard the hr on ionic it’s pretty good , which one to return ?

[Kurto2021]

I ran with my wife and her fenix 5s registered 7.01 miles while mine registered 6.6

[racertempo]

What does "chuffed" mean? I assume it is a good thing. 

[SunsetRunner]

I have been using both the ionic as well as the Fenix 5x since basically both of them came out. My general impressions are that the ionic is more accurate. 

The Fenix estimates more calories burned, but the ionic seems more accurate

The Fenix usually records 500-800 meters more than the ionic on a 13km run. Also, the Fenix GPS sometimes freak out and is all over the place, though this is probably because of some kind of disturbance (always happen when I run past the local fire station), but the ionic never reacts that way.

I also feel the ionic heart rate monitor is more accurate and more consistent than the Fenix 5.

All in all the Fenix tracks a whole lot more than the ionic(cadence, training effect, 3d distance, etc etc) , but it feels like to ionic is better at doing the things it can do. 

[Hovnanian]

I have had the Ionic for a little over 2 years, and now I have the Fenix 6X for a little under 2 years... My impressions?

Battery life on the Fenix 6X (F6) is AMAZING. And the GPS usage/application on the F6 is incredible.

Ionic had a nicer app UI, somewhat better sleep tracking.

My Ionic died randomly after a snowboarding trip. Not being used... I took it off to wash dishes (I usually take off my watches when washing to keep them dry) and then after I was done with the dishes the device did not boot. The Garmin uses more premium materials and is a lot more robust.

If you're serious about your fitness and plan on taking a lot of adventures where the stronger GPS and extra battery life is useful, I would shell out the extra dough for the F6. If you are more into light fitness, and using your device more like a smartwatch - the Ionic would do. But seems to me that FitBit products need to be replaced every 1-2 years. (I have owned almost every level and model of FitBit devices, and for the most part had great support after a unit would die on me... Until my last Ionic died on me. That's why I switched.)

I'd rather pay for a device that will last over 3x the useful life of another device. But that is just me. I have moved on from FitBit and making use of Garmin's strengths - the F6 pushes my confidence levels when backcountry camping and hiking. It is also an amazing companion for my mountain and road biking trips. I was happy with FitBit, but I am way happier with the Garmin Fenix 6X and my usage has definitely changed with it.