Here's a theory: during it's engineering phase, due to the design constraint of antenna placement in the Ionic, Fitbit realized the Ionic would have problems maintaining GPS connection (witness the many threads complaining about loss of connection during exercises). Go ahead and google ionic antenna.
I believe they worked around their known issue of unreliable GPS signal by implementing the software solution of Distance = (Step Count * Stride Length). By using GPS, when available, for measuring stride length they could still advertise it as a GPS device, which is very important to athletes.
The result is a device that works adequately for most needs. But not for competitive athletes who employ race strategies involving varying strides.
Part of what gives me confidence in this is how well, in comparison, my Surge performs - especially during races. It continually gives pace and distance information that I can utilize. Plus it maintains GPS connection for 3+ hours at a time - something my Ionic has never come close to doing.
And the Surge's antenna? It's built into the band, seemingly a better design solution. But this would not allow for interchangeable bands, something most people want.
If I'm anywhere close to correct we really shouldn't expect Fitbit to come up with a solution to the issues we've surfaced here for the past six months. We should accept the Ionic for what it is. Competitive athletes should beware.
