GPS distance totally wrong on Charge 3

[BertilDator]

Was doing cross country skiing, and set activity to "run" (as there is very limited activity list). Had phone connected, and got perfect GPS route on Fitbit activity. However, all the splits are way off. Total distance in Fitbit shows 4.8km while real distance was 7.5 km (I know the route, and even double checked via ontegomap.com).

How can Fitbit calculate distance so wrongly even though the GPS route is perfect on the activity? I repeat, the tracked route is 100% correct on the Fitbit activity in question, so there is no disconnections, or trees, or anything between the phone and GPS satellite, nor between phone and Charge 3.

Is Fitbit using GPS route for distance calculation when assisted GPS is enabled during "Run" activity, or does it STILL use stride length?

Should I use "Biking" activity for XC skiing to get accurate distance based on the GPS route?

[MarreFitbit]

It's nice to see you around here @BertilDator! Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length. We estimate your stride lengths using your height and sex. Track one or more runs using on-board or connected GPS, we evaluate that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

If you prefer to measure your walking and running stride lengths yourself and enter them manually, see How do I measure and adjust my stride length?

Note that when you're tracking an activity with GPS, Fitbit calculates your distance using GPS data rather than steps. If you begin moving before you get a GPS signal, the tracker will calculate distance using steps and stride length as described above until a GPS signal is found.

Note that your device uses your step count to calculate distance until it finds a GPS signal. In this scenario, your total distance calculated for the workout may be slightly less accurate than if GPS data were available for the entire duration. For more information, see How accurate is GPS?

After reviewing this factors, please go for another walk and see if the distance improves. 

Keep me posted! 

[BertilDator]

I'm fully aware how it works when not using GPS.

As I wrote, I was tracking it via assisted GPS on the phone. Track is 100% accurate as I look at the route Fitbit has drawn, still distance is nearly 50% of what it really is. It started drawing the route from my starting position all the way to final position so there is no reason whatsoever why distance is so much off. As if it was NOT calculating the distance using GPS despite tracking it and drawing perfect route on the MAP. Are you sure it uses GPS for distance on "Run" activity? 

If there would be connection issues between phone+satellite or between charge 3+phone, I would clearly see it as anomalies on the tracked route, but it is perfect, except for the distance/markers/pace. 

Doesn't anyone at Fitbit know how the device calculated distance in different activities? 

[MarreFitbit]

Thanks for getting back and for the screenshot provided @BertilDator! The connected GPS feature onCharge 3 works with the GPS sensors in your nearby phone. To get GPS data, including pace and route for your workout, you must select a GPS exercise from the Exercise app on your device and bring a GPS-enabled phone with you. We recommend turning off Wi-Fi on your phone when using connected GPS to improve the experience.
 
When you choose a GPS exercise, your device vibrates when your phone finds a GPS signal. If your phone doesn't find a signal immediately, keep in mind that environmental factors including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and even thick cloud cover can interfere with your phone’s ability to connect to GPS satellites. 
 
For best results, wait for your phone to find the signal before you start your workout. However, if you don't want to wait you can start your workout and GPS tracking begins when your phone finds a signal. 

Requirements:

• Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and your tracker is connected (paired) to the phone. To confirm, go into your phone's Bluetooth settings and make sure you see Charge 3 on the list of devices.
• (Android only) The Fitbit app is allowed to run in the background on your phone. For more information, see Why is the Fitbit app sending a notification to my Android phone?
• You selected an exercise type from the Exercise app that uses connected GPS. To check on Charge 3, swipe up on any exercise and check that Use Phone GPS is listed and set to On.
• Your phone is within about 30 feet of your device.
• Your phone can identify your location and can track your location when you're not using Wi-Fi. For more information on which phone settings you may need to adjust, see How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
• (Android only) If your mobile device is running Android 6.0 or later, see Why do I receive access requests from the Fitbit app on my Android mobile device?

Troubleshooting:

After verifying all the requirements, try using GPS again by following the instructions in How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?

If you're still having difficulty, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Open the Fitbit app to reestablish a connection with your tracker.
2. Reboot your phone.

Give this a go and let me know the outcome! 

[BertilDator]

I've now replied here two times, and you've removed my post both times.

Can you read my original question and answer that? 

[MarreFitbit]

Thanks for getting back @BertilDator! In this case, I'd recommend checking this help article. It explains why it could be that the GPS is off and offers some steps to help it resolve the situation. 

Note that certain Fitbit devices track your runs with GPS automatically. For more information, see How do I track runs automatically with my Fitbit device?

1. What version of the Fitbit App for Android are you currently running?
2. Are you running the latest firmware on your tracker?
3. Have you attempted to restart your tracker along with phone and tried the MobileRun again?

Hope that helps!

[BertilDator]

I'm running latest version of app and tracker, and have restarted everything. It hasn't changed anything. What is that MobileRun you're suddenly talking about and how is it related to my question? 

Please read my question and answer that instead of posting generic texts from your support pages. It is the first post on this thread, here are steps to access it:

1. Scroll up to the beginning of the page

2. Read the first post on this thread

3. Notice the two last sentences that end with question mark (?)

4. Press Reply button

5. Provide answer to those two questions. 

[devlbetty]

7.5 km is equal to 4.7 miles...have you checked whether you are showing miles or km?

[BryanCork]

I get this problem all the time - it's really really annoying.

I run with a garmin watch and it tracks the distance almost 100% correctly whereas my fitbit is up to >10% off. E.g. I do a measured 5k parkrun regularly and if I wear both the garmin and fitbit... the garmin will typically say my distance was between 4.97 km and 5.03km (pretty close) - however, my fitbit will have the distance as between 4.4km and 4.8km (totally incorrect). I have the fitbit connected to my phone, gps signal connected etc... but it is completely inaccurate. Very frustrating and means I can't just wear my Charge 3 and forget the garmin. 

[Weather411]

I'm discovering this same issue - very frustrating! Have you found a solution? Only thing I did was manually change my walking stride length to make up for the mileage lost (underestimated) by FitBit over actual GPS track.

[devlbetty]

I found that I needed to turn off battery saver settings on my phone and that increased the accuracy of the GPS. It really drains the battery, but it's much more accurate.

[Weather411]

Correct, need to disable Power Saving (which I learned earlier today). This is not formally documented by FitBit (pretty bad). Now there is the issue with the GPS distance not being calculated correctly despite the Google Map tracing being extremely accurate!!

[djjkfno]

I have the same issues with distance, when I first bought my Charge 3 it was somewhat accurate, losing "only" 100-300m/5km run.

Now it's more like 1 to 2km/10km run. My theory is that it's related to an app update. 

I'm running the latest version of firmware and app. 

I have restored both my phone and my Charge 3 to factory settings, I have followed every troubleshootingguide I can find and still get these really bad results. 

Wouldn't recommend it to anyone and I now regret that I purchased it in the first place. 

[Markstationview]

I run the same 8km route every second day. I manually start the run and connect GPS each time. I have read every piece of advice on GPS distance issues and tried all recommendations. However my charge 3 is reporting a shorter distance each time I run. It's now down to 5km. There is something that is wrong with the product. Can this be fixed please.

[nicholasBhu]

Same here still.  Today my run was reported as 4.08 miles when it is actually about 3.4 miles.

[Nneicho]

Same here. Ive just run 8.4km and charge 3 tracking 6.4km!!! What is going on.....it was working fine about a month ago.

[BryanCork]

Is there any insight into why the gps is so useless?

[Fit_bit3wtf]

I just bought a charge 3 and yep same issue. Run a regular 5km route and then with fitbit its showing 4km!! But the google map track is perfect. How am I meant to train or have any confidence in this product outside of a well run route? I would like to return the product, bought off amazon in Czech Republic. Can you help with that as you clearly cant help with this..

[SunsetRunner]

Same problem here! When using apps like strava and runkeeper the pace is similar. On my charge 3 the pace per km is +1 minute compared to the other apps. 

[HansimGlueck]

I have the same problem. 

GPS is working and the recorded route is quite accurate but the calculated distances are way off.

How can it be that this problem is known since approx. 4months and there is no solution or even an answer from a fitbit representative? 

This is an expensive device after all. The mi band can do this way better and costs only a fraction of the charge 3...