GPS not working properly on Charge 2

[pjf53]

GPS is not working properly on my Charge 2.  I start my bike ride by turning on bike on the Charge2.  My iPhone is in my pocket.  The Charge 2 map on my PC shows me jumping to various spots on my route.  It even showed the route crossing nearby water.  Todays ride was 15 miles (known from prior rides).  The PC app showed it as 1.7 miles.  All of the other metrics seem ok...heart rate, time, etc.

Is anyone else having this problem?

[HeydyF]

Hello @pjf53, it is cool to see you around more often!  If your route is not being completely tracked, maybe there are some issues with the GPS connectivity, so in order to prove this, I will ask you to review in this post, the most common errors that appear and could be affecting the GPS signal and therefore, your map and distance. In addition, you can restart your Charge 2 by following these instructions: 

1. Plug the charging cable into the USB port on your computer or any UL-certified USB wall charger.
2. Clip the other end of the charging cable to the port on the back of the tracker. The pins on the charging cable must lock securely with the port.
3. Make sure the button on your tracker is aligned with the button opening on the charging cable. You'll know the connection is secure when the tracker vibrates and you see a battery icon on your tracker's display. Your Charge 2 will begin charging.
4. Press and hold the button on your tracker for four seconds. When you see the Fitbit logo and the tracker vibrates, this means the tracker has restarted.
5. Unplug your tracker from the charging cable. 

In addition, I would like you to review that you have the most updated version of the Fitbit app installed on your phone. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[pjf53]

My phone app is up to date.  I reset my Charge2 as suggested.  The problem remains.  Is this a known problem?

[HeydyF]

Hello @pjf53, it is great to see you around more often! What is exactly the issue that you are having with the GPS of your Charge 2? Is it not recording your map? Is it recording it but inaccurately? By any chance, are you getting some of these errors? 

Keep me posted! 

[pjf53]

The map generated jumps back to the start point and then to a point on my route.  In doing this it gets the distance wrong.  If you have access to my data you can see what it is doing.

[HeydyF]

Thanks for getting back to me @pjf53! Since I don't have access to that information and in order for me to further investigate this, could you please post an screenshot of your activity so I can take a look? with which activity is this happening, with bike, run, walk? Let me know. 😉 

Have a nice day! 

[pjf53]

I am unable to post the screen shot.  I get errors saying it violate community policies.

The problem happens when I bike.

[HeydyF]

Hey @pjf53! Thanks for your reply. 🙂 Make sure to follow the instructions in this article to attach an image to your post. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[pjf53]

I have tried multiple times and am ready to give up.  Please contact technical support.  While I do not want to switch to a different brand I may feel compelled if the GPS issue can not be resolved.  With that said I do not rule out it may be an Apple issue but need Fitbit to advise me of that if Fitbit believes that is the case.

For what it is worth this is a new Fitbit replacing one that had the Check Fitbit issue.

[pjf53]

I have walked twice since my last post and the GPS worked fine.  It seems the issue is limited to Biking

[pjf53]

I walked rode bike today and had the problem.  My hypothesis is the problem is my iPhone5s with the original battery.  I'm going to have the battery replaced to see if that fixes it.

[pjf53]

I got a Charge 3 for Christmas.  The GPS has worked each and every time.  

[pjf53]

I had problems with my charge 2 doing what you describe.  Fitbit replaced it with another Charge 2 and it soon had the same problem.  I replaced the Charge 2 with a Charge 3 and the problem has not shown.