Wil Ionic utilize the iPhone GPS?

[SunsetRunner]

The Ionic's GPS works well, however, it is a great drain on the battery.  Can the Ionic utilize the GPS on the iPhone 7 Plus, like all the other trackers?  If so how is it setup.  I attempted just turning off the GPS and selecting the walk function, however, it just reports the normal walk data, with no route displayed.

[SunsetRunner]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

The Ionic's GPS works well, however, it is a great drain on the battery.  Can the Ionic utilize the GPS on the iPhone 7 Plus, like all the other trackers?  If so how is it setup.  I attempted just turning off the GPS and selecting the walk function, however, it just reports the normal walk data, with no route displayed.

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No, it doesn’t use the phone’s gps, as it has its own. There is no connected gps function.

[SunsetRunner]

Can one be added, in the future.  It can be very inconvenient to have to charge the watch daily.

[SunsetRunner]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Can one be added, in the future.  It can be very inconvenient to have to charge the watch daily.

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Unlikely, given they went to great lengths to put a gps unit on the Ionic.

Not sure what distance runs you’re doing but I doubt you’d need to charge every day for tracking a daily run, given the 4-5 day battery life, albeit use of the GPS is 10hrs. 

[SunsetRunner]

During the first full day of use, with a 1 1/2 hour walk (with GPS on) the battery dropped by over 70%, on the second day of use, with a 1 1/2 hour walk (without GPS on) the battery only dropped by 25%.  With a charge time of approx. 2 hours, the use of the iPhone's GPS allows the phone to meet the 4 day published goal of maintaining a charge.  Using the internal GPS requires a daily charge to make it through the following days, walk.

[N8teGee]

Yes this is something that has been overlooked in my opinion. People on here will say it's not needed, but if you've got your phone on you why not offload some of the load to that. 

[SunsetRunner]

This mornings 1 1/2 hour walk used 25% of the available battery.  This equals the amount the watch used in a full day, without using the GPS for my walk. 

[Julia_G]

Hi, @SunsetRunner, with GPS turned off on your Ionic, I would think you could use the mobile run feature of the Fitbit app.  I do not have an Ionic to check this, but please try it out and report back so that others have this information!

[SunsetRunner]

Nope, I tried that on my second day walk.  All you get, when using the mobile walk function on the app, is the data from the watch, no route information is available, the watch appears to not utilize the iPhone GPS.  I know the GPS on the watch works, I have two other apps that are also running at the same time.  I can't use the run, due to a knee issue, but I have been walking for more than a year with various Fitbit trackers, and they all work fine, and utilize the iPhone GPS. 

[SunsetRunner]

How on Earth do you even turn GPS on or off?  I'm sure not finding anywhere to do that, either on the Ionic or in the app.

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner

Once you select an activity on the Exercise app (on the Ionic) like run, walk, biking, the GPS functionality will automatically activate, and record your activity.

[SunsetRunner]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Nope, I tried that on my second day walk.  All you get, when using the mobile walk function on the app, is the data from the watch, no route information is available, the watch appears to not utilize the iPhone GPS.  I know the GPS on the watch works, I have two other apps that are also running at the same time.  I can't use the run, due to a knee issue, but I have been walking for more than a year with various Fitbit trackers, and they all work fine, and utilize the iPhone GPS. 

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Strange. I found this on their website 

MobileRun

MobileRun uses GPS to accurately track, log and compare runs, walks and hikes efficiently and easily.

Through GPS, MobileRun allows you to track and elevate training/workouts with real-time updates and key stats from individual runs, walks and hikes, including exact route, pace per mile (splits), distance and time. Here’s a breakdown of what you can get with MobileRun:

Route history, spoken distance and mile markers while on a run, allowing you to monitor improvement or push further in the moment
Stats tracked integrate seamlessly with the main Fitbit dashboard, giving you credit for steps taken, calories burned and active minutes during routes
A new Exercise Frequency calendar keeps you on track toward workout goals – it automatically displays the days you have worked out by pulling in the frequency of MobileRun routes and logged exercises
You can conveniently play and switch songs from your iTunes playlists without leaving the Fitbit app, keeping the focus on your workout

[SunsetRunner]

Once you select an exercise, Walk, Run, Bike, select the gear in the upper left corner (on the watch) you will find the setting for GPS there.

[SunsetRunner]

Yes, however, that is using the GPS internal to the watch, which, in my case, uses 25% of the battery for my 1 1/2 hour morning walks.  If the GPS watch is turned off for the exercise, it does not use the GPS on your phone.

[Piroteck]

Long bike rides would be better if you could offload GPS to the phone. I miss this feature.