Pace readout keeps changing

[Nedworm]

The big reason I purchased the Ionic was to be able to keep track of my pace.  But for several runs now since I began using it, the pace changes markedly from one minute to the next.  I look at it after a mile or so and it might indicate 9:20.  Then a minute later, my pace is 12:00, then 30 seconds later it's10:30.  I run at a pretty constant pace, and this is of no help to me.  I have turned off the auto-pause function as has been suggested, no change.  What am I missing?

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Nedworm, welcome to the Forums. Thanks for reaching out and for the details you've share about the accuracy of your Ionic when tracking pace.

I'll do my best to help you out with this. I'd like to mention that 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. If your Fitbit device uses GPS and you track 1 or more we evaluate that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

You can also try to adjust your stride length with these instructions: How do I measure and adjust stride length for my Fitbit device? This might help the accuracy of your Fitbit Ionic. If notice that this is not helping, please restart your device and test it again. 

For more information about Fitbit accuracy take a look of this help article: How accurate are Fitbit devices?

Let me know if you have questions about it.

[bmw54]

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@Nedworm asked:

  What am I missing?

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Sorry, but you missed about ten months of discussions, in many different threads, about how and why the ionic is not designed for competitive athletes. And you also missed the sad conclusion that Fitbit has no interest in making it accurate, reliable and easy to use.

Many of us have cut our losses and moved on to Fitbit competitors.

[Ezab]

Bummer as I thought that was the point of Fitbit. 

[SunsetRunner]

For non-GPS walks and runs cadence would be lot more useful ( and lot more accurate ) than pace. Pace without GPS makes no sense. However, I don't expect Fitbit to introduce this metric and this I find to be another reason why Ionic isn't for athletes.

[Ezab]

Yes, actually what you say makes sense. I find my pace varies so much, and probably not helped by lifting my arm up to read pace..
I then think I’m running faster than I am.
Thanks for clarifying, I appreciate it.

Sent from my iPhone

[bmw54]

Pace is, of course, variable and that's why I want my tracker to display it accurately. Not every moment, but periodically and, especially, on the mile so that I can execute my training or race strategy. 

Fitbit's ionic didn't use GPS to measure pace and distance, a fact I couldn't understand unti it became evident that their hardware was so unreliable (GPS disconnects are frequent on longer runs). I really don't know how my garmin works, and am happy not to care... It's been 100% reliable, readable at a glance, and I charge it less than once per week. 

This is what I want after every workout, every race, I didn't show heart rate or cadence overlays, but you can see that they toggle in or out of the chart: