Incorrect GPS with connected GPS

[Jon-A]

When i record a run with the fitbit, syncing to phone for gps, the fitbit/app doesnot correctly record distance.

The map shows the route correctly, so gps data is being read and used, but the distances are wildly out and inconsistant.

This very frustrating. It appears the app is using estimates from step count...which it is not supposed to do if linked to the phone and gps.

This change in behaviour happened in august last year.

Is there a fix for this?

This not the only problem with distance display in the app, but more on that another time..

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Jon-A Thanks for joining us! 

Let me help you with your distance calculation using the Connected GPS feature. I suggest you refresh the link between your phone and your tracker by doing the following:

1. Go to your phone's bluetooth settings and remove all devices listed there.
2. Restart your phone and restart your device. 
3. Check that no battery saving app/feature on your phone is affecting your Fitbit app.
4. Also, on an Android device, check that your app has the necessary permissions (settings > apps > Fitbit > permissions) and make sure bluetooth and location services (GPS) are on. 
5. You can find troubleshooting instructions here.

Let me know how it goes.

[Jon-A]

Hi Alvarofitbit

thankyou for taking the time to advise.

i have tried this a couple of times since you posted but it has had no effect.

The problem does not appear to be with the connection of the fitbit to my mobile, but rather what the app does with the data.

What happens is; I start my run log from the fitbit (having turned on GPS and bluetooth on my phone) and the fitbit starts to record the run with the phone link icon running, so i know it connected.

on completion of the run i review the log in the app and the distance recorded is different from the actual distance measured on the ground but the app displays the map of the route line correctly.  The distance markers are in correctly placed and total distance is wrong.

If the same run is logged directly with the app, the route and distance are displayed correctly (within a reasonable tolerance), though there is another issue with the total distance and time being incorrect in the map view.

The fitbit/app should be using the GPS data for distance when connected to the phone and app, it clearly does not. 

The app should be automatically calculating the stride length from the GPS data, i am pretty sure tis is not happening.

Strava, which i have recently started using due to the frustration of the fitbit app, logs distance and time correctly when running along side the fitbit app - so i am pretty certain this is a fitbit problem.