Charge 3 connected GPS not working accurately

[Jad_Dragon]

  

 

 

Recently got a C3 after using a C2 for a year. It only seems to happen for walks, no other exercises have had this issue yet. 

When walking, it tracks the map/route, however it shows me moving erratically along the route. So instead of a straight distance from A to B, I appear to be moving back, forth and sideways along the route. 

Using android. 

***UPDATED WITH PHOTOS!***

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[MarreFitbit]

Hello there @Jad_Dragon, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided. I'll be glad to help you with your inquiry about your GPS data. 😉 

While reading your post I was wondering if the mobile device you're syncing with is included in our list of supported devices? You can see the list at: Which phones and tablets can I use with my Fitbit watch or tracker?

Please keep in mind that when a device is not supported we cannot guarantee its functionality with the Fitbit app. It might work at a certain time and then it can stop working out of nowhere after an update. This is because the app is not optimized to that device and any change could impact the performance. 

I recommend taking a look at the help article: Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device? and follow the instructions provided there.

Also, for a complete information about the connected GPS in your Charge 3, see: How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

Let me know if there's anything else I may do to help you, I'll be around. 

[Jad_Dragon]

Thank you for your reply.  

I'm currently using a Samsung S8 with the latest update. 

All suggestions in the article have been followed previously. The GPS is only doing this currently for walks.  

Is there a way I can attach the different maps as images to give  a better example of my problem? 

Thank you.  

[Gershon]

In my opinion, a potential buyer should be directed to the compatibility link when they put the device in the shopping cart. We can't tell if we haven't looked if we don't know we are supposed to look. 

The Charge 3 is my first device that wouldn't work with only the dongle. How was I supposed to know that?

I'm not asking for my money back, but these trackers have gotten too complicated for me. I prefer my Zip and my Surge. 

There another issue. We are supposed to be able to see the Charge 3 outside in the sunlight. I can't even come close.

[Jad_Dragon]

https://imgur.com/a/zpt2ct5

Please find images for examples. I noticed it has actually done the same for my runs and my bike rides. The first image is of my ride this morning, as you can see by the last image of a map, the distance is correct however the tracking is wrong. It makes no sense! Haha. 

[Jad_Dragon]

Anyone else have this problem?

[AdamH0]

Yes there's lots of reports of similar issues in this forum. Look for thread subjects containing GPS and distance.

[Jad_Dragon]

Yeah I had a look but none related to my specific issue

[Oisin11]

I have the exact same issue with my runs.. the route shown is not accurate and crosses over itself in random directions. The distance is not correct when compared with other trackers also. This is really annoying. I use Samsung Galaxy S6. Has anyone got a solution for this?? 

[Oisin11]

The only thing I can see from the tips section that might help "make sure Wi-Fi is turned off so your phone does not attempt to connect Wi-Fi along your route.. would this cause the GPS to track random lines back and forth along the route? Please help...

[ickleoptimist]

Yes, I had this problem last week (I understand your frustration). I restarted my phone and then followed instructions online for recalibrating my phone gps (doing a figure of 😎 and it worked fine again. I've a Samsung S10. 

[Oisin11]

Thanks i will try this. I don't think my phone GPS is actually the problem though as my Samsung health app tracks the route perfectly giving me the correct route distance and speed but the fitbit app gives me incorrect / different info. And random lines going back And forth. 

[Oisin11]

So FIRBIT response to the issue is:

"Hello Oisín,

Thank you very much for the screenshots and the information provided.

Thanks for letting us know about this issue. We’re aware of it, but may not be able to provide a fix in the immediate future. We'll continue to monitor the situation, and keep our team informed of the impact to you and other customers. We understand that this isn't the resolution you're hoping for, but rest assured we're always working to improve our products"

So basically don't buy a charge 3 if you want accurate information on route, distance, speed etc. 

[ScottB372 · Accepted solution]

Can you post a screenshot of the map that's generated from the route?

One issue I've had is that the Bluetooth LE link between my phone and Charge 3 appears to go in and out a lot.  I observe that as my Charge 3 vibrating regularly at times other than my splits (miles).  Sometimes when that happens I get the kind of map you describe.

I've recently been tracking my walk with both my Charge 3 and the MapMyWalk app, which also uses phone GPS but doesn't rely on an external device to tell the app when it should record location (which is what the Charge 3 basically does).  When I have workouts when I lose the link regularly as I describe above, the MapMyWalk map is generally much more accurate.

I have a thread here where I describe this and show sample route screenshots:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-3/Charge-3-not-working-with-the-GPS-connectivity/m-p/3962640#...

The ideas to resolve this were really of no help.  Leads me to think there's some issue with the Bluetooth LE interface that isn't quite right for certain phones or something, even phones Fitbit claims are fully supported.  I don't have issues with other Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE devices with my phone, just this device.

Some days are better than others... some days are good, and some days, like this one:

are really bad.  The points are right, but that tells you how long it sometimes loses that link for.

[Oisin11]

Thanks for your reply. 

That was much more helpful than anything from Fitbit. 

My Samsung Health app tracks the route pace and distance perfectly but I wanted to get away from using 2 different apps. I thought the charge 3 would be a good option but I was wrong. 

I am going to return the item as it's not fit for purpose. 

See images of route. 1 map is Samsung app other is fitbit.

 

 

 

 

[Jad_Dragon]

I swear that photo upload wasn't there before... I don't walk like a headless chicken haha.  

 

 

[Oisin11]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[cloudyda]

If my fitbit charge 3 is not compatible, then should I just throw away the fitbit?  That explanation doesn't help me at all.