Charge 3 doesn't track GPS information automatically

[aesir321]

I have a charge 3 that normally tracks workouts automatically very well, however it doesn't ever track the GPS information as well.  Despite my phone being with me during the workout and connected to my charge 3 device via blue tooth.  When I track a workout intentionally with GPS it works but then I don't get the associated heart rate information that I would get from an autotracked workout without GPS.  

Why is this?

[Smevchenko]

Is it the same issue I am experiencing?

When I try to start an exercise (run or walk), the device will not connect to my phone unless the app is open on my phone. I did not realise this was an issue until a couple of exercises were not showing a map or syncing to Strava. I can get it to work, but only by keeping the app open on my phone, and not allowing the phone to ‘sleep’ or go to the lock screen. Very annoying, as doing anything else on my phone will result in the GPS connection being lost, and exercise information being incorrect/incomplete. 

I have contacted support but they have just told me to try multiple steps which I have already done. 

[Britt2007]

Try going into the settings for your Fitbit app and change the "location" to "always". I was having the same issue, before I had it on "while using the app".

I usually change it to this right before I go walking and then change it back when I'm done. 

[aesir321]

Thanks for the suggestion, I checked and my location is set to "always" already 😕

[aesir321]

I don't think the issue is quite the same.  For me the problem is specifically with the "autotrack" feature.  I can manually start a GPS tracked exercise but when I do this the heart rate zone information does not get recorded.

When I don't manually start a GPS tracked workout and just let the fitbit automatically detect the walk/run/cycle, the GPS information is always missing.

[Britt2007]

Well try going into “exercise” on your Fitbit and click on the activity your doing. That’s how I do mine. As long as it’s set to “always” it should work.

Sent from my iPhone

[aesir321]

Sure as I said, this will track an exercise with GPS but none of the heart rate information is then present in the exercise activity that normally would be if I track an exercise without GPS activity.  Further more one of the features of the charge 3 is the auto exercise tracking.  I expect that the product should function as advertised and not be an either or situation where I have to choose between auto tracking and heart rate information or the GPS route tracking information.

[Britt2007]

I agree with you. My Charge 3 has gone haywire in the last few days. It’s so disappointing.

Sent from my iPhone