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?

[sirOlas]

Exactly same issue here. Since the last update few days ago the GPS went crazy. It cuts the corners, make a gaps like it would be stopped for few seconds and start in different position which make the run shorter then really is and at the same time the pace is much slower. Today on the 6k run I nearly done 7k. Never had that issue until latest update.

[GiacomoP83]

The really absurd thing is that Fitbit is aware of this!! They KNOW what, when and maybe why this issue came out!!!

[Pineconn]

Just ran 5 miles... my Charge 3 reported this as 4.04 miles. I can’t believe how terrible the GPS connectivity is now, especially since it used to be dead accurate. Almost 20% discrepancy is not acceptable.

Currently banging my head through a support case. Not sure how fruitful this will be. The problem is ABSOLUTELY on Fitbit’s end. 

[Pineconn]

I’ve found a solution to my problem! I begin GPS tracking on my Charge 3 with the Fitbit app open on my iPhone. The Charge 3 is able to maintain a steady connection with my phone even when I turn the screen off. With this method, I received perfect GPS tracking on a 4mi run (for the first time in months). Never used to have to do this, but at least it’s a workaround fix!

[Rocksteady333]

Fitbit support workers can’t read very well 

[flare]

I see no posts since 2020 on this topic and problem appears not fixed.   Because of GPS dropouts I began using the Fitbit app on my Iphone as well as my Charge 4 to track my walks. I set the Charge 4 GPS to phone GPS.  Even so, the distances are consistently different with the watch being a lesser distance - around 90% of the phone app.  As well, the distance per laps on the watch recording is higher than the summary for the watch but still lower than the phone app. 🤔. Is this something we just have to live with?

[AdamH0]

I had the same problem and gave up trying to get a resolution. So a few years ago I bought a Garmin Forerunner 245 and gave been very happy since.

The only thing the Fitbit does better is sleep tracking.

[HansimGlueck]

Yes, my solution also was to buy a Samsung galaxy active watch and not bother about the fitbit tracking anymore...

[nickba]

What with this and the inability to use multiple devices my solution was to move away from Fitbit all together - went over to X-Wrist.