Connected GPS Pace and Distance is Inaccurate

[DanielMena9]

Went on a run today with my Charge 2 on one wrist and Charge HR on my other wrist. Also had RunKeeper to measure my distance. I started my run with about the same number of steps on both FIT devices. 

After the run, my Charge HR had almost 2K more steps than my Charge 2. In addition, my GPS map on FitBit matched my Runkeeper map which is about a 3.5 mile run BUT FitBit pegged the same route as 1.73 miles >.> 

Why doesn't this device work as advertised? I really like the design and feel of Charge 2 but if it can't do its job accurately, all is for not and I will be shorting FIT as it appears to be a widespread issue (I have maps and photos if someone from FIT wants the data).

Moderator Edit: Edited thread title.

[HNYBDGR]

Kenny, try this link: http://tcxtools.com/tcx/distance/

I just checked, and it's up.

"Choose File," then "Submit" with "Recalculate all" and "Distance scaling factor = 1"

This will take you to the next screen after a few seconds to a minute, where you can "Exprt," whihc should download the file to your computer.

I am doing this from a MacBook, although I don't think that should make a difference.

Good luck!

[Kenny54]

Hi HNYBDGR,

No still failing, see attached screenshot.

Kenny

[Annabel_b]

Hi Kenny

I just used tcxtools twice without any problem. It took one retry to get the out file to download but did so successfully.

[Kenny54]

Hi Annabel_b and HNYBDGR, tried it later last night from my samsung tablet, had to email the tcx file, 30 minutes later the new file transfer was still showing 'pending'...ill just have to accept its not going to work for me/my location.

Kenny

[Rollerskier]

I made a test today to discover what happens when you loose the GPS connection during a run.

I started the run from Charge 2.  After 11 min I turned off my iPhone to cut the GPS connection.  After 19 min I turned on the phone again and synced the Fitbit app and checked that the GPS was connected again.  The map for this run is attached.  When Charge 2 lost the GPS signals just prior to 1 km distance and recovered it around 1,6 km Fitbit has drawn a strait line between the last known GPS point prior loosing the connection and the first GPS point after recovering the connection.

My true run was following Vollsveien(yellow).  However, the deviation between where I walked and the strait line is not that significant in this case since I did not change my direction much.  At the end of the walk the distance was 3,19 km versus true distance 3.18-3,20 so its ok.  When I opened the TCX-file I find that there is written GPS positions also for the time between 11 and 19 min where I lost the signals.  So Fitbit is recalculating the distance and fills in the GPS positions afterwards when the signals are recovered. No distance was reported on Charge 2 display when signals were lost..only steps.  Kobalto , I have sent you the TCX-file.  Great if you could do your analysis for this file to find out how the pace has working out during this run. Main focus between 11 and 19 min with no signals.

I have read that for some of you the path has been very strange sometimes(like walking trough the neighbour garden or through the buildings in a block).  An explanation could then be that you have lost the GPS signals for a while.  You have turned a corner and changed you direction 90 degrees or at least significant.  Then you have recovered the GPS connection and Fitbit assumes a straight line where signals are lost and recalculates the values afterwards to be seen in the TCX-file and map.

[HNYBDGR]

Kenny,

I used it from a laptop computer; there may be some issues with the way a tablet OS handles file transfer? If the TCX utility does not work from a computer with a manual upload of the raw file and download of the processed file, I'm stumped. I just used it again, and it worked fine turning my supposedly 20 mile bike ride into the actual 108 mile bike ride. Fitbit is particularly bad for bike rides because they are smoother than running, and so the accelerometer catches occasional pedal strokes, but more like 20% of them. At least with running it's 90-110% for the most part. Cheers.

[Mrvanx]

Hi all, I've been reading the last few pages and was wondering if the same analysis could be done on a bike ride I recorded yesterday? The distance when I planned the route was ~18 miles but the fitbit tracking showed ~12 when we finished. The route plotted on the map was correct which led me to believe the distance calculated was off due an error rather than poor GPS etc..... I assume the issues pointed out in this thread relate to any activity using the connected GPS? 

[Colinm39]

@Mrvanx When you use the Exercise, Track (MobileRun) which uses the phone GPS and not the Connected GPS via the Blaze it is accurate provided you don't use the pause. Here is an example using my car. Including the splits.. Again don't pause, just finish.

 

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@Mrvanx wrote:

Hi all, I've been reading the last few pages and was wondering if the same analysis could be done on a bike ride I recorded yesterday? The distance when I planned the route was ~18 miles but the fitbit tracking showed ~12 when we finished. The route plotted on the map was correct which led me to believe the distance calculated was off due an error rather than poor GPS etc..... I assume the issues pointed out in this thread relate to any activity using the connected GPS? 

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[Mrvanx]

Hi Colin, for my bike ride I set the exercise running on my charge 2 (I used the menu in the actual wristband and not the phone... The phone was in my bag with lo action set to high accuracy.... Android FYI). We did pause part of the way round, which I did with the wristband again and set it going again with the wristband.......and I finished the journey in the same way. 

The distance was way out a good time before we did the pub stop. Generally before getting the charge wristband I would use endomondo on the phone and it was correct for distance etc.... I might do another test ride out using endomondo and see how it links up with the fitbit app..... Not sure what data is shared across the apps, as long as my hr data is recorded for the ride I know how hard I'm working. 

[Colinm39]

@Mrvanx When you use the Exercise, Track method you still get your HR because MobileRun combines both, the tracker data combined with the GPS from the phone. In some cases others have reported drop-outs using the Bluetooth Connected method because they have their tracker on one side of their body and the phone on the other. With some, the Bluetooth breaks up because their torso is in the way.

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@Mrvanx wrote:

Hi Colin, for my bike ride I set the exercise running on my charge 2 (I used the menu in the actual wristband and not the phone... The phone was in my bag with lo action set to high accuracy.... Android FYI). We did pause part of the way round, which I did with the wristband again and set it going again with the wristband.......and I finished the journey in the same way. 

The distance was way out a good time before we did the pub stop. Generally before getting the charge wristband I would use endomondo on the phone and it was correct for distance etc.... I might do another test ride out using endomondo and see how it links up with the fitbit app..... Not sure what data is shared across the apps, as long as my hr data is recorded for the ride I know how hard I'm working. 

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[Mrvanx]

Hello again Colin,

   The Fitbit Android app doesnt seem to have the option to track a bike ride? I go into exercises and the only options to track are run, walk and hike.

Fingers crossed for an update which sorts this out. 🙂

[Colinm39]

@Mrvanx I would use run and that will still pick up your HR effort. Give it go for a short burst..

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@Mrvanx wrote:

Hello again Colin,

   The Fitbit Android app doesnt seem to have the option to track a bike ride? I go into exercises and the only options to track are run, walk and hike.

Fingers crossed for an update which sorts this out. 🙂

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[Rollerskier]

Koalto has started a new thread "Connected GPS is Inaccurate in Southern Hemisphere".

It has some interesting findings...

There is a new Firmware roll out for Charge 2.  Version  22.53.4

Would be investing to know if this Southern Hemisphere problem has been resolved...

Have you tested it yet?

[Kobalto]

Hi @Rollerskier. No, the problem was not corrected by the new firmware. This is the same run using the app and the fit (Connected GPS) at the same time:

 The correct one is the upper image. Distance with Connected GPS is 10% off. This is after I tried my fitbit in Japan last week and it was working properly, with only 1 or 2% error (as posted in "Connected GPS is Inaccurate in Southern Hemisphere"), although in Japan I had the previous firmware.

[Pitalim]

I went for a run yesterday to try out my new Charge 2. The first time i powered it up the app updated the firmware.

I usually use Strava on my iPhone to track my runs. So i connected both accounts at https://strava.fitbit.com

Starting my run i had bluetooth turned on my iphone. I initiated tracking by choosing Run in the Charge 2, pressed and hold to start and the same to finish.

Time, Distance and pace do not match! I'm very disappointed 😞

[hawkeye1952]

The first update didI went on a nice walk the other day. This one did not solve the problem either
It only map 1/3 of the route and it was way off.
George Howell Jr

[Glennbest]

Hi Pitalm,

My strava account was full inaccurate runs recorded with my former charge 2. I had to delete them as it messed with my personal records. I got a refund on the charge 2 and bought a garmin forerunner, it was hard to change over but I'll never look back.

[Glennbest]

Hi Pitalm,

My strava account was full inaccurate runs recorded with my former charge 2. I had to delete them as it messed with my personal records. I got a refund on the charge 2 and bought a garmin forerunner, it was hard to change over but I'll never look back.

[hawkeye1952]

I have already decided. That when this dies I will not buy another fitbit again. I even sent a email to the CEO about this on going problem. I never got a response back.


George Howell Jr

[Fygaren]

My Carge 2 has Firmware Version 22.22.53.4 with no option to update.

It is paired with a Samsung Galaxy S6

Google say my bike ride is 3,3 km

Fitbit: measures are between 0,2 and 0,5 km..

https://1drv.ms/i/s!Au2zKhfbhkdtqlrOROHfAJ1XimsP

I am in Stavanger Norway btw.