Ionic not counting steps

[asantone]

My Ionic does not seem to be count steps accurately during exercise.  I walk about 4.5 miles and Ionic logs around 5300 steps which works out to a 50+ inch stride.  My inseam is 30 inches so a 50 inch walking stride seem absurd.  I have also tried setting the option to use a fixed step length but that does not work either.  My trusty Flex would log around 9200 steps for the same route which works out to around a 30 inch stride.  That seems logically.  Any ideas on why Ionic won't count steps accurately?

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @asantone thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'd like to begin giving you a warm welcome to our Community Forums! I'm happy to be here looking into your concern.

First, I'd like to appreciate your time and effort troubleshooting this matter prior posting, I'm happy to know that you have a Fitbit Flex too! I'd like to recommend you our help article: How accurate are Fitbit devices? for tips about improving accuracy. Please note that factors such as device placement, dominant or non-dominant hand, and stride length affect the number of steps recorded. That said, please take in consideration this information and let me know how it goes.

I'll be here if you need anything else 

[asantone]

I don't think it has to do with arm placement.  I think the Ionic has problems counting steps at a high cadence.  Here's some data from my device collected on May 15.

Using RUN exercise mode:  4.41 miles at 13'07" pace.  5821 steps

4.41. mi * 5280 ft/mi * 12 in/ft = 279,417.6 inches / 5821 steps = 48 in/step (4 foot / step)

Using WALK exercise mode:  1.25 miles at 18'39" pace.  2507 steps

1.25 mi * 5280 f/mi * 12 in/ft =79,200 inches / 2507 steps = 31.59 in/step  (2.5 foot /step)

How could the stride length be so different with no change in settings on the device?  I believe the Ionic is under counting steps at high cadence.  As I said in my original post, my Flex would log over 9000 steps for a 4.5 mile run/walk.

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello again @asantone thanks for your reply and the details that were provided in your post, I'm happy to continue assisting you. My apologies for the delayed reply.

This is certainly not a common situation and after taking in consideration the information that was shared on your post I'd like to let you know that I've contacted our Customer Support team to further assist you with this situation. That said, please keep an eye to your email inbox for their reply, they'll be in touch with you soon.

In the meantime, let me know if I can do anything else for you.

[asantone]

I haven't heard from this board or Customer Support for quite a while.  I do not feel I have been given a satisfactory answer to my original question about step counts and stride length.  The Ionic continues to report erratic step and stride length results based on my cadence.

These latest measurements, like the prior set, were taken using Walk exercise mode with GPS enabled and 'default' stride length:

9/18/19 5:40a 4.11 mi, 5968 steps

4.11 mi x 5280 ft/mi x 12 in/mi = 260,409.6 in / 5968 step = 43.6 in/step

9/19/19 12:03p 1.25 mi, 2483 steps

1.25 mi x 5280 ft/mi x 12 in/mi = 79200 in /2483 step = 21.9 in/step

I am very close to giving up on Ionic and going back to the Flex... 😞