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GPS accuracy

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‎10-15-2017 09:33

‎10-15-2017 09:33

Today I went on a walking trip.

 

I measured the distance with my Ionic and Runtastic running on my Mate 9.

 

There is a huge difference between the two devices.

 

Fitbit Ionic gives me 5.18 km whereas Runtastic on my phone claims it has only been 4.04 km.

 

Who is right and what might be the reason for this 25% difference?

 

Screenshot_20171015-165321.pngScreenshot_20171015-165409.png

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3 REPLIES 3

‎10-15-2017 10:46

‎10-15-2017 10:46

I’m not sure on your specific case, especially since I only have the charge 2 using my iPhone 6 GPS. I was wondering about the Ionics accuracy because the Fitbit app has always shorted me, leading me to think that it’s algorithm didn’t take in to account altitude as well when calculating distance.  

 

But you’re saying the Ionic gave you way more and ive never seen that.  Comparing the Fitbit iPhone app with other iPhone running apps including Runtastic, Runkeeper, and Nike Running app, they were all about the same and the fitbit one was always considerably shorter.

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‎01-26-2018 12:49

In response to SunsetRunner

‎01-26-2018 12:49

Yessss!!! I am so glad to hear it isn’t just me!! The GPS on my ionic was driving me NUTS!! My runkeeper app and my odometer both had the same mileage! Yet the GPS for Fitbit shorts me anywhere from .2-.3 of a mile depending on the run!! Therefore my times are slower! This just makes me insane as I am trying to beat my previous times!! AND it won’t let me correct the distance error they made! 🤔

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‎01-26-2018 17:54

In response to Kerryfhoch

‎01-26-2018 17:54

Yep! I noticed my new Ionic does the same thing as the Fitbit app.  I’m constantly shorted.  Short distances don’t matter as much, but the miscalculation REALLY ads up when running longer distances.  I wonder if Fitbit calculates altitude into the distance, or if it does, does it use the gps altitude reading or the altimeter?  Something is consistently off, and I believe it’s something to do with how they calculate it, and not just device inaccuracies of certain devices.  Maybe they take less readings to save battery, which would affect my very curvy path, but again, it doesn’t make sense for the iPhone app since it has a much larger battery... unless they use the same timing reguardless of device.  Idk.

 

I’ve also noted that it won’t let me change distances either. It’s only for the gps runs either, but ANY activity recorded on my Ionic doesn’t let me change the distance, like when I’m on the treadmill.  More so, if I delete the activity and re-add it with the correct distance, suddenly it changes my steps.  Like it didn’t actually measure them or something.  Several long standing issues I wish Fitbit would fix... considering ditching it all since other apps and devices are finally getting as nice.

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