Running distance recording incorrectly

[els2403]

My new Versa has been recording every distance I run shorter than it is supposed to be. I did my first parkrun yesterday which is DEFINITELY 5km but my Versa recorded it as 4.7km! Very disappointing. 

I used to have a Charge 3, but returned it becaise of the same problem - and now I’m having this problem with the Versa too. 

My strava distances are always correct but they are always recorded as a shorter distance for the same route on Fitbit. 

Please can we have an update to fix this? I’m not getting accurate times for my runs so I can’t accurately measure my improvements - which is the whole point in having a Fitbit! 

I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the device so it must be an app problem. 

[Marrrmaduke]

@els2403 I am assuming you start your Run manually on your Versa with the connected GPS running. Can you please go to the Fitbit mobile app and check the route map? Is it complete or are any parts missing? Does it have any weird straight lines connecting points on the map? Perhaps you could attach the screenshot of the map?

[els2403]

Yes, I start my run manually on my Versa.

Usually on my normal runs it looks like the GPS starts recording late. Even though my phone is 'connected' to my Versa. When I run with someone else, the same route on strava is always longer (and more accurate) than the one recorded on fitbit. 

On my Parkrun, my Versa was very late when counting the 1km laps (it was way off the km markers in the race). This makes me think the GPS didn't start recording immediately. 

On the map it has cut corners of the route showing that I have been running in the lake, which I obviously haven't. It won't let me attach a photo I'm afraid. 

[Marrrmaduke]

@els2403

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@els2403 wrote:

On the map it has cut corners of the route showing that I have been running in the lake,

And here's the reason for your shorter distance. "Cutting corners" means that GPS got killed by the OS of your phone. What phone model and OS do you have? Perhaps you mentioned that info and I just missed it.

[els2403]

iPhone 7 Plus
iOS 12.1.4

[Marrrmaduke]

@els2403 Please take a look at this article and attempt some troubleshooting (point 3). Let me know if anything was helpful.

[Rich_Laue]

Yes when GPS is lost the distance recorded may be affected, this is why Fitbit also uses the step count and stride along with the GPS .

I would increase the stride setting by 1.06 times.