Charge 2 GPS distance is incorrect

[Synapz]

While I have always experienced some undercounting of steps by the Fitbit watch, I let it go because I had the option of using the GPS component of the Fitbit phone app to get an accurate measure of distance during runs, walks, or hikes. However, since the August 2019 Charge 2 app update, that feature no longer functions correctly. The updated app (version 3.5) is wildly inconsistent and inaccurate. First Confirming that GPS is active, I start the tracking for my walks & runs. The audible distance cues do not match the information that is recorded in my app nor does it match my Fitbit Charge 2 device recording. Example, the audible feature indicates that I just completed 5 miles but then when I check it in the app it only shows 4 miles, and the actual Fitbit device tracks distance as less than 3 miles!

I downloaded the Endomondo app for the GPS tracking and at least it's correct.

By the way, the "Floors" climbed has been crazy messed up for months, giving me totals like 200+ floors in one day!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Synapz Welcome! It's great to see you around! 

Let me help you with your GPS distance. Try these suggestions to improve the distance recording. You can also enter your own stride length to improve the distance calculation on the Charge 2 itself.

Regarding the floors your device uses it's altimeter to detect variance in altitude. It will count 1 floor for every 10 ft it detects you climbed. There are situations that may affect the floor count like stormy weather (that has an actual impact on atmospheric pressure), gusts of wind, an AC unit in a closed room or opening a door. I suggest you start by cleaning the back of the device with cotton and rubbing alcohol then use compressed air at a distance to clear the altimeter's opening (check the image for reference). Finally restart it.

Let me know how it goes.

[Synapz]

I appreciate your response; I had already utilized the suggestions in the link you provided related to the GPS; however, the distance is still radically off.  I have also tried using the Endomondo app which uses GPS, and it also gave a different distance.  I have also manually adjusted the stride length to no avail.

Regarding the floors climbed:  I have regularly cleaned the back of the device with alcohol. I will try using compressed air and restarting it, and report back on changes.

Thanks again for your response.

[Synapz]

Hi, I wanted to give an update on the issue. 

As I mentioned, I cleaned my Charge 2 and have now also used compressed air to clean the altimeter, unfortunately with no improvement.  To test my hypothesis that these errors coincide with the last firmware update, I brought out another Charge 2 device that I used in the past (I had put it aside because about a year ago it was grossly miscounting floors).  I wore both devices this morning for 1 hour of moderately fast-paced speed-walking. Both devices registered 10,000 steps, the one with the updated firmware registered the distance as 3.42 miles, while the one without the update measured 5.07 miles. The Fitbit App on my mobile phone with GPS gave the distance of 8 miles in one place and 5.87 miles in another.

Also, Yesterday, I had over 11,000 steps and it showed distance as over 7 miles, and today, I already have 12,465 steps and the distance registers as 5 miles!  This seems crazy.

[SunsetRunner]

I think I'm having similar issues - I have a 2 year old charge 2 and GPS was spot on until the last ten days or so.

My last two runs have had the GPS either not work at all, or be way off. I've changed my phone recently but I don't think it's that given my partner has the same fitbit model and same phone as me and his is spot on, and the first run on my phone was spot on. 

[SunsetRunner]

Just did a test in the car, starting a pretend run on my fitbit and starting tracking in strava at the same time. Strava tracked perfectly, fitbit device showed not connected to phone for half of it and didn't track half of it.