Ionic loses gps while running

[Nickygrant]

Since last update, Ionic loses satellite on multiple occasions, and ends up searching for most of the run. I have reset Ionic after 1st run. A few Days later it did the same when running. Is this a case of a poor update, and waiting for a new update. A couple of years ago something similar happened, and a update fixed it.

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @Nickygrant welcome aboard, thank you for bringing this to my attention. My apologies for the delay in responding.

Let me share with you that Fitbit Ionic has built-in GPS. When you select a GPS exercise, Ionic vibrates when it finds a GPS signal. Environmental factors including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and even thick cloud cover can interfere with your watch's ability to connect to GPS satellites. 

For best results, wait for Ionic to find the signal before you start your workout. However, if you don't want to wait you can start your workout and GPS tracking begins when Ionic finds a signal. 

Note that Ionic uses your step count to calculate distance until it finds a GPS signal. The total distance calculated for a workout may be slightly less accurate when GPS data isn't available for the entire time. For more information and details, see How accurate is GPS?

Let me know if you have any additional questions. 

[SunsetRunner]

 Hello, I have the same problem. No hills, no trees and no buildings in the near. Your Answer describe Not the real environment. i have the problem also since the last four runs. My ionic is round about one year old. No such a good publicity

[Sanibel]

The GPS on my 1+ year old Ionic has not worked for at least a month.  If I listen to music using my Air Pods and then turn on the GPS, it never connects when I select the Run app.  Even without the music, it doesn't consistency connect to the GPS. The response from Fitbit is not correct.  If not connected to GPS, the Ionic does a poor job tracking steps, distance and pace. I have struggled with this ever since buying the Ionic and was hoping a software update would take care of the problem.  Since that doesn't appear to be in the cards, I guess I will need to switch to a non-Fitbit device.  

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello guys! I'm here to continue providing assistance, my apologies for the delayed reply. I'd like to begin giving a warm welcome to our Community Forums for both of you @SunsetRunner @Sanibel, I'm happy to help.

@SunsetRunner Thanks for taking in consideration the information that was shared on my previous post, the details provided in your post are appreciated. For me to better assist, can you please let me know when was the first time you experienced this situation and how many times since then? Which mobile device you're currently using to sync your Ionic? Also, if you haven't already done so, I recommend you to try our restart process to refresh your Fitbit performance in the meantime I receive your answers. Please let me know how it goes. 

@Sanibel Thank you for bringing this to my attention, can you please let me know how many times you experienced this GPS-connection issue since the first time about a month ago? Same as per previously suggested, please restart your device to refresh its performance and let me know how it goes. Also, are you experiencing accuracy concerns with the steps that are recorded? I recommend you to check our help article: How accurate are Fitbit devices? for more information and details regarding accuracy. 

I'll be here, let me know if both of you have any additional questions. 

[indyjames79]

this is happening to me too.  Saturday morning as shown in the picture below.  it never did reconnect after those first few moments on a 5+ mile run.  

5.25 mile run, the GPS tracked about 3-4 houses

and then it did it again this morning, but it reconnected 2 of the three big times it dropped.  

dropped three times during this run. I started and stopped at the same place, so it never reconnected the last time.

and of course, i got my ionic a year ago for fathers day, so i'm 13 months into it and the warranty only lasts 12 months.  

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @indyjames79 thanks for bringing this to my attention and for the screenshots that were shared in your post, it's nice to see you again participating here in the Community Forums.

To better assist you with this situation, can you please let me know which mobile device you're currently using to sync the information that is tracked with your Ionic device? When was the first time you experienced such discrepancies and how many times since then? This occurs only with Run exercise or with Bike, Walk, etc too? I recommend you to take in consideration the information that was shared on my previous post and restart your Ionic in the meantime I receive your answers.

For any inquiry related to our warranty policies you can check them out here. 

See you around. 

[Sanibel]

Ricardo

Nothing you recommend fixes the problem.  It is best to admit that the Ionic does not work as advertised.  I thought that my device didn't work because it was an early model.  However, based on all the comments, the Ionic is simply not a robust device.  If you want to use GPS and listen to music, this device will not work. On my most recent run yesterday, the GPS would not connect and I was not listening to music.  Fitbit should discontinue the Ionic and admit that it made a mistake and move forward with the Versa that doesn't use GPS to track workouts.  

[RicardoFitbit]

Hey @Sanibel thanks for your post, my apologies for the delay in responding.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience with your Ionic device, I totally understand how frustrating this matter can be for you, the feedback that was shared is really appreciated. Just as per my previous post, can you please let me know how many times you experienced this GPS-connection issue since the first time about a month ago? Same as per previously suggested, please restart your device to refresh its performance and let me know how it goes. Also, are you experiencing accuracy concerns with the steps that are recorded? I recommend you to check our help article: How accurate are Fitbit devices? for more information and details regarding accuracy. 

Keep me posted. 

[winsail]

I am having the same problem with my fitbit ionic. It is losing the gps connection while on my mountain bike ride or run with yesterday being the worst case. It has been crashing and I have reset it at least 3 times now. I have taken to wearing my TomTom Adventurer on my other wrist even though it's my old GPS watch. It is much more reliable in finding and holding the gps signal. This was the case yesterday and it provided me a reliable back-up. I have multiple devices I sync the Ionic with. I have an iphone 6 (the main sync). Windows 10 desktop PC and a Kindle Fire HD10. The sync seems to be working fine but sometimes requires I try more than once to complete a sync. This problem started MTB November 3rd, then MTB Nov 6th, MTB Nov 10th, Run Nov. 17th, MTB Nov.21, Run Nov. 23, Run Nov. 27, Then yesterday 12/2/2019

[Leandroni]

Same happening with my fitbit on three occasions this week. Did a 10K which lost GPS after 8km, did a 7K which had this issue intermittently during the run and finally today, 18K that disconnected the GPS after about 1km and didn’t reconnect until i was at 17km.

frustrating to say the least, I went running with Garmin and TomTom runners and none experienced this issue. So environmental factors sounds like an excuse.

This is my 2nd Fitbit Ionic, after the first one just died at 13months. This one is 6months old.

Would just like to add that this issue only has happened in the last week or so (did an update recently).