What exactly is Connected GPS used for?

[gardengal4]

I am considering purchasing a Luxe and I read it does not have GPS and uses Connected GPS but I cannot find exactly what it needs it for?    Hopefully, not Steps!   That's really my primary use case.   

I don't want to have to have my phone with me and I do not generally keep Location On on my phone (unless navigating via Maps).  

-current Fitbit One longtime happy user - but maybe it's time for a watch.  Like the looks of the Luxe,... maybe its time for a new look and maybe modern features.

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

Connected GPS does not have to be used.  It connects your tracker to phone's GPS for measuring distance and getting map, but it always optional.

As a Fitbit One user, note that the Inspire 2 with optional clip is the closest thing in that it can be worn on hip in a clip similar to the One.  But it can also be worn on wrist.  Whereas the Luxe is designed only for wrist wear.  Not meaning to take anything away from Luxe, just pointing out a difference to consider.

[gardengal4]

Great info!  Thanks. I will look into Inspire2.  Good to know.

Regarding GPS for measuring distance, my current FitBit One can measure total daily distance (as well as stairs & calories).     Are you saying I need GPS for total daily distance with Luxe?     I would think total daily distance might just be a calculation... steps*stride

Does Luxe do stairs or calories?   I consider those and distance nice-to-have, but I don't really need them.  

[JohnnyRow]

Without GPS, distance is still calculated as stride length time number of steps.  With GPS, it will (I think) override the other calculation, usually just turned on for a particular walk or run.

All models still calculate calories, though an on-wrist trackers with heart rate use heart rate to judge intensity, probably more accurate than just step count for the One without heart rate.

Luxe, and all the Inspire line (including Inspire 2), have dropped stairs count, not including the altimeter required for that.

Coming from the One, be aware that step count on any wrist-worn model might seem not as accurate at counting steps.  It can only infer steps from arm movement, as opposed to the One on your hip detecting steps more precisely.  But most people find that over the course of a day, steps still come out fairly accurate.

[gardengal4]

Excellent. Thank you so much.   Too bad it was not possible to find any of that in the documentation.   And I did spend a good amount of time looking. 

[gardengal4]

What about syncing?   Does Location have to be on for syncing? 

I was just running into problems with my Fitbit One/Tablet syncing (after a Fitbit One reset due to letting the battery run down and a reset occurred), so I tried to sync on my phone and the Fitbit App required Location be ON.  I don't think that was specific to my Fitbit One.  It was just part of logon.    The screen showed a slew of reasons why it needed Location, including sync.  I should have grabbed a screenshot.  

Yes, I still haven't purchased the Luxe or Inspire. I did some interesting comparison research and got interesting pros and cons.   Now with this potential downside (Location required), may be back to square 1.