Distance Anomaly

[SunsetRunner]

Love my new Inspire HR, but have a question about distance indications.

I don't track my walk distances using my phone's GPS. I do, though, have entered and saved my (previously measured) stride length. And I've chosen imperial units as my length/distance preference. Distances are always indicated (on both tracker and app) in miles.

However, the miles shown on my tracker screen are much higher than the distance I know I've walked. For instance, my morning walk is just over 4 miles, both is shown as 8 miles or so on both tracker and app. This happens all the time.

What's not working here? A preference setting I've missed? Something about the stride length setting? Is correct distance only shown when the GPS is activated?

I've looked at settings/preferences instructions, the Inspire HR User Manual, and a few online sites. But I can't figure out what's amiss. Any help/advice/direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[SteveH]

If you are not using GPS then distance is calculated from Steps x Stride.

So, if your distance is too high then either your fitbit is tracking too many steps or the stride length in your settings is too long. Note that there are 2 stride length settings, one for when it thinks you are walking and one for when it thinks you are running. Another cause of distance being too high can be where it is mistakingly using the longer running stride when you are walking fast.

Are you comfortable that it is tracking a reasonable step count?

If it is then it's worth revisiting your stride length(s) and this guide may help: Help article: How do I measure and adjust my stride length?

[SunsetRunner]

That's helpful. Thanks!

I've tried letting the stride length settings be set automatically, and I've tried setting them myself, using my own real-world measurements. I've tried setting walking and running stride lengths to be the same.Same error occurs.

I hadn't thought of actually counting my steps. I've assumed, I guess, that the tracker is counting them accurately. Have to think about that some more.

Hoping that, sometime relatively soon, a penny will drop, and I'll get it sorted.

Cheers!

[SunsetRunner]

I may have found the answer.

In your reply, you referenced a Fitbit Help article re measuring/adjusting stride length. In it, I found this:

"For your device to count steps during a walk or run, your arm must swing back and forth as you move. If you need both hands (to push a stroller, for example), or if you hold a dog leash with the same arm that you wear your device on, consider using GPS to better calculate your distance traveled and calories burned."

It's been cold lately (down to between -10C and -18C) on my daily morning walks, so I've had my hands in my coat pockets. Therefore, no arm swinging.

Going forward, I'll suck it up, take my hands out of my pockets, and swing my arms. And see what happens.

Thanks again!

[SteveH]

The problem with that theory is that it could explain a lower than expected step count (and therefore lower distance tracked) but couldn't explain the distance being too high. I fear another theory may be needed.

[SunsetRunner]

Makes sense. I should have thought of that.

I'll have a go with GPS tracking, and see what happens.

[SunsetRunner]

I tracked this morning's walk with GPS enabled on my phone. It was good to able to see and save  distance and pace - and they seem to have been calculated accurately.

Haven't looked yet to see where the map of the walk might be.

-23C and bright sunshine. It was a lovely morning for a walk!

Cheers!

[SunsetRunner]

And I swung my arms. That may or may not have helped.