Fitbit Versa connected GPS issues

[SunsetRunner]

Hi There!

My versa loses connection with my phone (nexus 5x) during bike excercise and thus shows no route on the map. I know I have gps, because Strava app shows it right.

Is this a bug in the software from the Versa?

I tried to start an excercise from fitbit app, but only walk, run or hike does gps. (no bike. why not?!?) so i choose hike.  now i have a hike excercise with hr and ps data. this this excercise shows after sync with strava in strava as hike. in strava i change hike in bike.

now i have bike excercise in strava with hr and gps. after a while just from magic, the ecercise in strava has been changed back into hike again with no hr data anymore.

I know that fitbit versa is not a swiss watch, but at least it should be working as advertised!

connected gps is not not working. People at Fitbit, can you fix this?

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject For Clarity.

[MarkMM]

For the last few years I have always used Samsung Healh and Fitbit together when bike riding. Had the connection issues for a while. It seemed better last summer, but I turned the use GPS option off. Still use bike mode on the fitbit for calories, heart rate, and activity.  But track miles with Samsung Health. Works great for me, and less battery drain on both devices.

I'm content with that. Can fully understand someone expecting connected GPS to work properly though.

[Sumeetnus]

Same here. Connected GPS breaking off. Fitbit is a classic example of when engineering and product teams are way behind and marketing team just does their usual gimmicks, trying to launch in the market asap. Making money is the primary aim. And then hoping the engineers might be able to resolve it later with some software updates.   

Also try the bad Spotify connections and not to mention the useless Alexa connection

[Charlielyons]

When I enter walking or biking getting message saying no GPS available 

[BigBird60]

Hi:  Since you've already purchased the watch, just refresh the Fitbit app on Yr phone by swiping downwards 1 time. You should see the distance digits appear again... This may occur 2 to 3 times during Yr run or cycling.  If you truly need to gather Yr stats, thats the only way to go till Fitbit fix the problem. I guess,, as long as versa 2 is reliant on the GPS on the phone & BT transmissio, there will be a loss of transmission. 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[Monomono]

Just sent my Fitbit back again. Hmm, birthday coming up, maybe I’ll get
an Apple watch?

[MojoJojo780]

Ok... so I have read most of this thread and I’m shocked to see the connected GPS issues go back 2-years. 

it’s driving me INSANE. I love my Versa, I love how it looks, functionality, the app but THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION is wildly inaccurate. Yday eve was hill repeats - I’m training for my 3rd marathon so it’s REALLY important to be able to track pace, heart rate etc. Tracked via the app and connected GPS... exact same run, 6-seconds diff in pressing ‘start’ and there’s a 22-second per mile differential. Same run... connected GPS = 5.32 miles, app = 5.51 miles. WHY???? Why doesn’t it work? How can you sell a product on its unique selling points which are clearly false and why after 2-years of customer complaints is this STILL A THING? A small differential is fine but this is massive... add that up over a long training run and it could have a massive impact on race day performance. 

When you track via the app - you don’t get heart rate zones or elevation - you only get that via the Versa - so you get 50% decent data from tracking one way and 50% the other, it’s luck of the dip on what will synch to Strava.... this is BASIC stuff - this SHOULD WORK. 

What with COVID times are tough and I could do without having to fork out for a Garmin. One last chance Fitbit for a solution that works. In honestly, everyone moaning should get a full refund, I’ve had issues since I first got my Versa 18 months ago but put the early issues down to bugs - now I’m seriously training again it seems the tech hasn’t improved? 

HELP!!! I’m a whisker away from ordering a Garmin forerunner.... 

[zard60]

Mine sits in a box. Never could even get it to reset correct time even!!!
PIECE of junk

--

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Sumeetnus]

I will just get a refund. And buy the Fitbit with GPS watch.
They are clearly playing with consumers, as they know most of their target
audience just tracks 10,000 steps

[RonS16]

Before your next Fitbit purchase, be aware that the heart rate monitor is
grossly inaccurate. I don't know if that feature is important to you or
not.

[Frank75]

I know, but thanksSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy Tablet

[silvermetis]

Not sure fitbit with GPS will any more accurate. Route cause of problem is fit use an algorithm know only by them to calculate the distance not the gps positional changes.

Perhaps someone from fitbit could reassure us all that their devices with GPS do not use this same algorithm.

[JLop]

I was in the same boat. Buy a built in GPS watch. A Fitbit iconic or surge
for about 100.00 on Ebay.

[MarkMM]

Be mindful you don't get a warranty if you purchase off ebay.

[JLop]

Yes, you can buy a warranty for a couple of bucks. Anything you buy anywhere has additional warranties ......some you will never use. And if you do, good luck..The warranty of cars is the worse.. you will be out 2-3k.  You are better off fixing it with your own money. The best insurance for Health, house and car...is the one you never have to use....

[MarkMM]

@JLop Yes, I suppose you can buy a warranty from square trade or something. But many are not aware that you don't get the standard Fitbit warranty with ebay purchases, so they wouldn't be looking for coverage they think they already have. 

[SunsetRunner]

I uninstalled the app  and did a reset of the fitbit itself. When the app re-installed, the always allow positioning was unchecked. I will see if this works now. It didn't work right since the last update when zone minutes were added! 

Update- it worked great 👍