Connected gps isn't even close to accurate, and support doesn't help

[tuxgirl]

So, a couple days after I got my versa, I contacted customer support because I noticed that my watch was losing the GPS connection constantly during my first run. They kept going off about how it was my phone not having g gps signal due to trees and such. But, I'm running in an area with very few trees, and most of the ones that do exist are shorter than a 2-story house, and a ways back from the trail. Today, I decided to jog on a trail that goes through some pastures (literally, 0 trees anywhere near the trail), and still, the watch had no gps signal for close to half the jog. 

I have tried running with strava going on my watch, and Strava shows a significantly longer distance than the watch does, and doesn't seem to have any problems with staying connected to the GPS. 

I've looked at the Fitbit help article on gps. WiFi is off on my phone. Everything is syncing correctly, and when I first started the run, it establishes a GPS connection within about 5-10 seconds. I don't start the run until the GPS is connected. 

Honestly, the GPS and being able to see on my watch how far I've gone is one of the main things that convinced me to upgrade from my Samsung gear, and I'm rather disappointed that the feature doesn't work as advertised.... I had considered the ionic, but since I run with my phone, and I've never had problems getting a good gps signal on my phone, it seemed silly. And anyways, it looks like the ionic doesn't have the best good either?

So, what's going on? My guess is that the watch is losing the GPS connection to the phone, which is silly because they really should be able to do this. I usually carry my phone in my watch hand, although I have tried the other hand as well. 

Has anyone found a good solution for this? Soes getting a replacement watch help, or is it a software issue?

[Lynnbgirl]

I feel your pain! I am a runner also and this is so frustrating. The steps and miles are not accurate at all! I bought this watch because its supposed to be for walking and running and its not doing what is advertised. I have even gotten a replacement one and its no better than the first one! i wish they would just admit that its faulty or fix the problem!!!! 

[shaboom11]

@tuxgirl - I have had this same problem in the past (almost always after the app has been updated).  The last Fitbit support person with whom I spoke had me do the following and it fixed the issue:
1. Force quit the Fitbit app on your phone.

2. Turn Bluetooth off on your phone.
3. Restart your Versa.
4. Turn your phone off, then back on.
5. Turn Bluetooth back on.

Hope this works for you!

[Mclandry]

J'ai exactement le même problème que toi. Le GPS perd constamment la connexion, la montre n'enregistre donc pas les bonne distance ni le bon rythme, alors que c'est pour cette raison que je l'ai acheté. 

Comme toi, non téléphone calculé des distances plus longues et réalistes : il ne perd pas la connexion au GPS lui. 

Le service à la clientèle n'est d'aucun secours, ils nient le problème, me parle également d'arbres qui nuirait a la réception?!? 

Au final, il semblerait que ce soit mon téléphone qui ne soit pas compatible avec l'appli. J'ai un Google pixel 2. Toutefois, la montre et le.GPS ont bien fonctionné pendant plus de 30 jours.

Peut être devrais tu vérifier la compatibilité de ton appareil téléphonique.

Bonne chance ! Si tu trouves une solution, je suis preneuse! 

[tuxgirl]

I tried these steps when my Fitbit completely stopped connecting to my phone. Went through them 3 times or so, and it started syncing again, but now the GPS *never* connects. 

Interestingly, the gps never connecting seems to make it slightly closer at estimating the distance run than it was with the GPS? Still very off from Strava, but slightly closer... 

Definitely didn't fix things for this device, though.

[shaboom11]

@tuxgirl  You might double-check that in Location Services (on your phone) that you have the Fitbit set to "Always" allow location access.  Also, not sure if you have contacted Fitbit help, but you might consider that as they may have other things for you try.

[tuxgirl]

I'm on Android, so I don't have a specific spot that I've found to set an app to "always", but location is turned on for my phone and the Fitbit app has location permissions turned on. 

I did talk to Fitbit a couple weeks ago, and they just kept going on about how the problem was probably due to trees blocking the GPS signal from getting to my phone... Which is silly because other apps don't have the problem, and in many cases the problem occurs when there are literally *no* trees around. 

Plus, even when it does keep a signal most of the time, the total distance run is significantly off from multiple other tools, and apparently I average a 19 minute mile when jogging ...

[shaboom11]

@tuxgirl  When I had the issue with the GPS not staying connected, my distance was way off too.  You might try Fitbit support one more time.  I have contacted support 2 times regarding this issue.  The first support person had me do something entirely different than the second person with whom I spoke.  The first solution I got worked once, but then didn't work when the issue happened again.  The second solution has been the winner for me.  I use an iPhone though, so there may be some other solution for Android users.  Hope you find a solution!