Connected GPS Run Inaccurate Distance (Screenshots)

[mynameisnick4]

I have done two runs with the Versa so far using the connected GPS to my phone and both runs have been extremely inaccurate. The first run was a 4 mile run, fitbit had it as a 3. The second run was another 4 mile run and at the half way point it had it at 1.4 miles instead of two.

I am coming from a Blaze and while it didn't match Google Fit 100% (normally off by .1 of a mile or so) it was never off by this much. Here are screenshots below showing it:

Completed run in Google Fit:

Complete run with Versa connected GPS:

The same run but with the Blaze and connected GPS:

And here today different location at the two mile mark in Google fit:

Versa connected GPS:

This is completely unacceptable. If this can't be permanently resolved (and I DO NOT considered constantly rebooting the device/my phone, pairing re-paring, etc a fix) then it will be going back. Add this to it deciding to give me an extra 3k steps while I was sitting on my computer doing nothing last night I am not that happy so far.

EDIT: Just noticed on today's run that the GPS line doesn't start until half way down the run but it was tracking from the start. Where it has the first mile marked isn't even a mile from the point the line starts. Just add it to the list I guess.

[Diesel23]

Same problem here. map my ride and fit bit can be upto 20km different for same course.

Not happy

[jackeen]

I ran approx 5 miles. Watch registered 4.15 miles. The "map" is showing approx 1/4 mile of my run.

[Echojeff]

And it's been very disappointing reading all this from many months ago, and it's still a problem! At least for me it is.  The nice thing about the pebble is it is acts as an extension of my RunKeeper app.  

My Pebble 2 button broke, and my wife got me a Versa for Christmas. I'm thinking of finding a pebble time steel,  going with a Ionic, or Garmin, since the Versa is not doing what I wanted to do.  I am also disappointed to read here that best buy won't take back an item if it's been longer than 15 days 😡, so I'm going to have to try and fix this or sell it.  I have yet to explore the two websites mentioned in this thread so we'll see.

[BertilDator]

Moved to correct forum, sorry...

[JLop]

I believe this GPS with verse is fraud. Deceptive trade act is the wording. It does not work and they are selling a product that they claim can GPS of your phone. It is the software that is corrupt in the versa and versa 2. So many people are complaining of the same issue with no resolution. A 200.00 watch that is not good if you are running and trying to improve. All other apps are really for show. Its cheaper than an Apple watch.

[sisco1196]

The reason I bought the Versa is so I didn't have to run with my bulky phone attached to me, but it sounds like you're saying in order for an accurate GPS reading on the fitbit, you need to have your phone also.  What's the point of having the fitbit then?  Very disappointed!

[sisco1196]

The reason I bought the Versa is so I didn't have to run with my bulky phone attached to me, but it sounds like you're saying in order for an accurate GPS reading on the versa, you need to have your phone also.  What's the point of having the versa then?  Very disappointed!

[Samchimp]

It has always been clearly advertised and detailed that it only connects to GPS through a phone. Surprised you didn’t see that when reading about Versa before buying.

[JLop]

Of course. I ran connected with the phone same route. Each day it gave me
different distance outcomes. I have 5 yrs of the same 3mile runs. One day
its 4miles. Next 1.3miles. Next 2.5miles. Never the same. I have a fitbit
ionic now. There is enough negative comments to seek legal action for a
product that does not show true transparency. The people who really love
the versa like the other features..and do not really care for tracking
their runs. As I said earlier, I have years of data to compare. People are
posting the same as me. It is a software issue.

[sisco1196]

Thanks for the curt response! I didn't buy it, it was a gift.

[chrispellicer]

Shorter distance, longer pace! This is my exact problem with my Versa 2!

[TenSean]

So I spent 45 minutes on webchat with support today. I explained my phone has worked fine with the Versa for 12 months prior to the last firmware update, now a 4 mile run is tracking at 3.38 miles. 

The agent said that the watch doesn't use connected GPS to calculate distance, it uses stride length. I pointed out stride length is set automatically by GPS so it must be faulty.

They then said that it must be because my phone is not on the compatible phone list despite having worked fine before. Ran a route with my old S8+ connected to the fitbit and over 3 miles it's still 0.2 miles out. Not a small distance! So it's not linked to just my current Huawei! 

[JLop]

I agree with you 100%. I have so much data worth of running routes and best
runs times that I do not want to lose it all (since July 2013). Instead, I
went retro and bought the Fitbit surge and Ionic watches (for under 100
dollars). Both have internal GPS. Buy a fitbit with a built in GPS. Garmin
and Apple have different software but you will not have the fitbit app to
track past runs. It was save you a ton of headaches.

[richmix]

I’ve been monitoring this for a while now and it infuriates me

I run with my wife, I use Runkeeper and Fitbit and Google Maps and OS maps and my Versa 2 and Fitbit app can be 2km over all the others

when I zoom into my route, it seems to randomly place paths I never travelled

 this is a simple fix and negates the use of a fitness gps tracker as it is so inaccurate