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Dynamic GPS fail

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What is the point of it just shuts off the GPS completely? Since installing the update, my GPS has shut off more times than not, typically around 2.3-2.5 miles, even in GPS only mode. I understood that the point of dynamic was that it would be able to keep tracking from the phones GPS if it was unable to maintain a GPS signal. This update, in my opinion, has made the Charge 4 almost pointless.

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Hi @ARnative, welcome to the community.

 

The following Fitbit help article about GPS (here) says the following regarding dynamic GPS on the Charge 4.

 

Dynamic: Charge 4 sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, Charge 4 uses built-in GPS.

 

With the following note -

 

Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, Charge 4 doesn't switch to a different GPS type.

 

Have you tried going into the settings app on your Charge 4 - GPS settings - and then setting GLONASS to on? This will then use GPS+GLONASS and hopefully improve the reliability. Previously I was having a lot of signal loss, but for me turning this on has greatly improved the reliability of the signal.

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Nathan | UK

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I had GLONASS on each time. Interestingly, today I had it off and no problem.

 

The first time the GPS shut off it was in GPS only, since the point of having a GPS device is to use GPS, and I use a different app on my phone at the same time in case one stops.

 

Also, everytime I has used it in dynamic mode, my phone says "Connected GPS running" when I begin my walks, including today.

 

Honestly, if it can't switch between signals to keep tracking, then there is no point in the dynamic mode.

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So, I have tried every combination of GPS settings and until a week and a half ago it seemed that turning off GLONASS fixed the issue. However, now the GPS drops every time after about 1/2 mile unless using the phones GPS, which has 2 problems. First, it defeats the purpose of having a device with built-in GPS, and second it lags behind the tracker on my phone. Additionally, although it is supposed to have been calculating my stride length when in GPS mode, when I am using it without GPS, over the course of a 6 mile walk it only tracks 5 miles.

 

Again, it is no longer worth the cost. I am better off using my Surge to track my walks even though it is hard to keep charged and won't sync to my phone.

 

Fitbit, your "upgrade" has broken this device.

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I wanna BUMP this, I'm having this issue on Charge 5! It worked a treat out the box the first time I went for a run.. and yet every run since, the GPS tracking as been a mess.. Not that I know anything about the issue until I'm looking at my run on the app after the fact. 

 

Today I will try changing the GPS setting. See if thats the same. 

 

J.

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