Connected GPS on Fitbit Versa vs Ionic GPS way off

[B4kken]

Hi all! I'm a newly registered Fitbit user having just purchased the Fitbit Ionic. My Fiancée Sandy also purchased the Fitbit Versa and mostly we have been happy with these devices. I'm a techie, and the Fitbit purchase was made after trying the Mi Band 3. before this we came from the Samsung Gear s2(me) and the Sony Smartband 2 (Sandy). We wanted to use the same ecosystem for better measurement. 

So, I realize that Connected GPS is a highly discussed subject but I cannot find anything that actually gives me an answer.

We firstly started questioning it when she was using both the watch and Runkeeper on the same phone, but thought it might be because the phone could not give GPS access to 2 apps at the same time. Fair enough. Yesterday we ran with just the Fitbit tracking.

My Fitbit Ionic gives us what I believe to be accurate stats in both distance and pace. The Versa is connected to her Sony Xperia xz (I know, it's not on the list) and she is usually several hundred meters behind me according to the watch with a lower pace. This results in us having way different stats across the board. We sync to Strava as well and you can imagine the hilarious results when it identifies that we have been running together but also that I probably left her behind to increase my speed and then... what, waited for her 300 meters ahead of where she ended. No, we stopped as the watches reported such a big difference.

 

I have tried changing her phones settings, making location being set only by the GPS, turning off app battery saving etc.

Is this due to the phone not being "compatible" or is it just an issue with Connected GPS overall? 

Also, side question: How come Strava and Runkeeper modify the stats of a run when it is synced from Fitbit? Even the total time is changed...

Thanks in advance,

A newby Fitbit user.

Edit: 

Added photos from the Fitbit app after receiving her screenshots.

 My MapMy SplitsHer MapHer Splits

[AlejandraFitbit]

It's great to see you around @B4kken.

Thanks for the information and the images attached. If you are having issues with your GPS information, I recommend taking a look at the Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device? help article and follow the instructions provide there.

Also keep in mind that the information registered between these products might vary since they have different system, the Ionic have built-in GPS and the Versa doesn't.

Let me know the outcome. 

[B4kken]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I have checked and tried those steps before.

Tried a run without Connected GPS (Just based on step/stride data, phone at home) and distance seemed more accurate than with it... I also read that the Ionic also uses steps/stride for distance and GPS for accuracy correction. Is this correct? Does the Ionic not use GPS for runs all the time?

Comparing it to the Garmin Vivoactive 3 it was 160 m behind with different pace-data. GPS tracked the same route. 

[B4kken]

Thank you for your response!

I have lookad at these trouble shooting options. 

Can you confirm whether the connected GPS is used for pace and distance or only for drawing a map?

Regards, 

Andreas