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.

[USAF-Larry]

What you saw today is what I typically see, @hawkeye1952.  I don't understand the other post about the Charge 2 being 2 miles off. Very confusing....

[hawkeye1952]

Yesterday it was way off on the mapping and distance. Today it seems to be to me within reason


George Howell Jr

[rafsanchez]

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@USAF-Larry wrote:

I don't understand the other post about the Charge 2 being 2 miles off. Very confusing....

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This device is confusing...I again give you 2 identical bike rides which appear to have recorded identical GPS tracks and one is literally 2 miles out (for reference Strava calculates the route pretty much identically at 5.4 miles)!

21 NOVEMBER

22 NOVEMBER

In terms of the settings on my iPhone:

1) Cellular data is on and always has been.

2) GPS Background App Refresh is on for both the phone and FitBit.

3) Location Services are “always on” for both the phone and FitBit.

[Rollerskier]

Heim I have reported the same problem.  The GPS track looks apparently to be the same on the map.

However, try to zoom in cose to see the details on a street level.  I discovered that there are small inaccurancies in GPS positions ( +/- 10 m ) and Fitbit is simply drawing a straight line between the individual positions.  There is no well defined direction.  When adding up all the incremental distances it gets very wrong.  This is what Fitbit replied to me complaint:  However, I have the same problem regardless of starting the excersice on the Charge 2 itself in Run or Walk mode or on the Fitbit App on my iphone.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "https://contact.fitbit.com"
Subject: Re: Charge 2 - Data Accuracy - iOS [ ref:_00D40N2lj._5003312bJvR:ref ]
Date: 25. November, 2016 01:43:33 CET
To: "ellingo@online.no" <ellingo@online.no>

Hi Elling,

We're sorry for the distance accuracy issue you're having with your Charge 2. Thank you for bringing this to our attention; we've passed it along to our engineering team.

While we work on resolving this issue, we suggest you to perform your exercise on Run mode using the exercise menu on your Charge 2 even when walking, and also enabling the GPS from your mobile device.

We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue. Let us know if we can assist you further.

Sincerely,
Stephanie C. and the Fitbit Team

--
Reply directly to this email to update your case. #15287951

Join the growing Fitbit Community! Get answers. Stay motivated. Find Fitbit friends.

ref:_00D40N2lj._5003312bJvR:ref

[hawkeye1952]

Here is what I am seeing. The further the walk the further it is off. I walk my normal route today. 1.91 miles. On the fitbit it was 1.85 miles. Both were start at the same poin and ended at the same point.


George Howell Jr

[Peter_O]

Any news about this problem? Despite several updates, the issues with distance using gps does not seem fixed with any of the recent firmware updates. I went for two identical bike rides, both were mapped perfectly, but the second trip was said to be 30 pct longer. If no solutions are expected soon, I will return my new charge 2, as distance is a main functionality when used for fitness activities. Thank you

[Rollerskier]

Have you tried to zoom in on the plotted maps? I assume you will see a wobbling pattern. I have done the same track several times and get different distances every time. At high speed ( I tried it in my car at different km/hour) the variations are not that much but at walking pace the track is more wobbling and the distance gets significant longer. Maps at first glance looks the same until you zoom in. My impression is that it was worse before the latest update of charge 2 firmware 22.48.14, app and iOS 10.2 . I use the online feedback on time spent on the latest km during roller ski workout. If I can't rely on the distance it has no value. I have brought it up with Fitbit earlier before the firmware update. Then they said they were working on the software. I brought it up again recently after the firmware update then they proposed to replace the tracker. I did not have the same problems with the Charge HR I used earlier.

Sent from my iPhone

[hawkeye1952]

I did the update and it did not solve the problem. The last time I use the gps it was.16 of or over 800 ft off.


George Howell Jr

[hawkeye1952]

After the last update. I used it with my other profram. The gps on the fitbit charge 2 was .16 of a mile of or 800 ft. I looked at the map and the route is the same but the distance is way off.

[Rollerskier]

I got a feedback from Fitbit today that they are aware that this is an issue when walking and GPS distance and are working on solving it.

[hawkeye1952]

First I will say I heard that all ready. So nothing new. The real problem is the longer the walk the more it is has problem. My guess it may have something to do where the phone is locate or in. My phone is on my right side and I wear the charge 2 on the left hand. I going to wendesday try a long walk/jog with the phone on the left side and see what the distance difference is.

George Howell Jr

[Rollerskier]

To have a good GPS signal on the phone is important.  Location of the Fitbit tracker and phone affects the bluetooth connection signals too.  I get more accurate results when positioning the phone in my car window driving than putting the phone in my pocket walking.  When I work out I usually have the phone on my upper arm or on my upper back in the pocket of my Camel bag with water.  I have investigating the signals with the App GPS Status showing GPS signals horisontal and vertical accuracy.  I think variating GPS signals quality for the phone and Fitbits inadequite software for washing the GPS data prior to plotting might be an explenation for the inaccurancy in distance.

[Eric951]

My wife and I both got Charge 2's for Christmas. They are both updated to the latest firmware.

Yesterday we went on a run together.

Her Charge 2 recorded a distance of 3.72 miles and mine recorded a distance of 3.18 miles for the same run. We were together the entire time and went the exact same distance.

[Glennbest]

Fitbit have agreed to replace my charge 2 but I'm not holding out much hope that that will fix the problem as the problem is so widespread.

Glenn Mansell

[Rollerskier]

Try to zoom in close on the plot in the map and I believe you will find a wobbling path especially on the longest run..

Sent from my iPhone

[Rollerskier]

If its a hardware problem it might help if some trackers are faulty and others are not…on the other hand if it is software bugs/needed improvements of logic…or a general hardware inaccuracy so you need a new updated model to resolve it….
Hard to say for us…Fitbit are fairly silent.

Keep us updated after you get your replacement.

[Bibster]

Hi, I have the same issue when using Charge 2's bike mode with connected GPS. Distance is woefully inaccurate and inconsistent. Strava measures accurately so I am reduced to using a 3rd party app to record data which is ridiculous.

Agree with previous poster, this thread should not be shown as solved.

Sort it out FitBit!!

[RogueThetan]

I agree... this problem is not solved. If I have to carry my phone to use an app to accurately record distance, I don't need the Charge 2. Fitbit has not been able to provide a solution. This is such a disappointment. It is also advertised as being useful to tell distance while on an elliptical, there is even a mode for that, but I was told it can't accurately do that. Therefore, I have given up and returned mine.

[szulik]

Same problem here - track on the map is correct but counted by Fitbit distance is much shorter than the real distance. I've downloaded tcx file from Fitbit and opened it in application for editing gpx/tcx files - what made surprised is the fact that the distance in the tcx file recorded by Fitbit is correct! I have no idea why Fitbit shows 30% shorter distance based on it's own recorded GPS track!?

For now I don't see any reason to use Charge 2's GPS Connected function - I can turn on Endomondo on my phone and I'll get much more precise data.  

[Rollerskier]

Fitbit has released an update of its App today 9. Jan with bug fixes. Let's test out if the GPS accuracy has improved.

Sent from my iPhone