Ionic not tracking distance correctly

[Twistedhoney]

So my stride length is set to 26.7”

Based on that my distance for today should be 4.25 miles, but Fitbit is saying 3.83 miles.

I know that’s not a huge difference, but it’s been bugging me. I am not even sure when the problem started exactly (I want to say it’s been since I upgraded to the Ionic).

 **edit: It did start about the time I upgraded from Blaze to the Ionic. I also checked GPS tracked walks and the distance on those aligns with my stride length setting. So as weird as it sounds the GPS tracked walks match my stride length, but the total distance for the day is still off a bit. ** Any ideas?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[MarreFitbit]

Hey there @Twistedhoney, thanks for stopping by! Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length. We estimate your stride lengths using your height and sex. Track one or more runs using on-board or connected GPS, we evaluate that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

If you prefer to measure your walking and running stride lengths yourself and enter them manually, see How do I measure and adjust my stride length?

Note that when you're tracking an activity with GPS, Fitbit calculates your distance using GPS data rather than steps. If you begin moving before you get a GPS signal, the tracker will calculate distance using steps and stride length as described above until a GPS signal is found.

Also, I'd recommend to see: Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device?

Hope this helps, let me know if you need further assistance! 

[Twistedhoney]

I am aware of that.

my stride length is set to:

26.7” walking 

38.1” running

Now let’s look at yesterday:

10,177 steps

based on my stride length of 26.7” that equals 4.288 miles.

Fitbit says 3.85 miles (approx. 23.9” stride length).

something isn’t right and my distance was always right up until I upgraded to the Ionic.

[Twistedhoney]

To make things even more interesting:

I did a GPS tracker walk on June 7th.

Distance: 1.5 miles

Steps: 3,400

Based on that I had a stride length of approximately 27.9”

I had an additional 3,296 steps outside of that walk that Fitbit calculated to be 1.26 miles (approx. 24.2” stride length). Based on my stride length setting though it should have been 1.38 miles.

[Twistedhoney]

And if I go back to January a month before I upgraded from the Blaze to the Ionic.

Jan 30th

12,804 steps

fitbit calculated distance to be 5.34 miles

I’ve been using Fitbit trackers since 2013 and occasionally check my stride length/update if needed. I have never had this big of a discrepancy until I upgraded to the Ionic and I’m not sure what’s causing it.

[mkronborg]

I am having a similar problem. Did you or fitbit ever sort this out?

Because if your problem never got fixed, then I might as well just return my Ionic now and get a Garmin instead.

[RunDemiRun]

I've had the same issue. I'm on my SECOND Ionic replacement. The original device was replaced because the battery just stopped charging. I started training for a marathon approximately 1 month ago and began training on a 7 mile loop. My ionic tracks the loop at 6.45 - 6.55 miles. ( Much like TwistedHoney - my stride is set manually) So, keep in mind that since the Ionic is not accurately calculating my distance, it is not accurately calculating my pace. Then, my replacement Ionic has also just stopped charging. I've called fitbit about this issue and requested a refund since I've had so many issues with the Ionic. Fitbit is unwilling to refund because I am outside of the 45 day warranty window (mind you that my original fitbit purchased on 11/22 directly from their website- and was given to me as a Christmas gift on 12/25)  Fitbit is only willing to consider a replacement of the Ionic or a 50% discount of a different Fitbit device. Dealing with their customer service was a literal nightmare. If anyone is reading this - PLEASE RETURN YOUR IONIC ASAP AND GET A GARMIN.