Running with Versa

[Bethjl]

I was wondering if when Running with this model using an app like Strava, will one be able to see distance and or pace in the screen during the run?

[Giampi71]

Of course at this moment we can only speculate but I feel that it will work like the Blaze meaning a dedicated Fitbit running app using the Connected GPS from smartphone.

[SunsetRunner]

As @Giampi71 says, my understanding is that it works with connected gps, meaning a dedicated app using the gps of your phone, like the Blaze. 

[Leahjh]

Can you also run without carrying your mobile like with garmin watches and it will track the map route, distance, pace, elevation etc? I don’t want to have to carry my phone if there is music available on the watch. 

[Giampi71]

 No because it has no GPS module. If you need to run without your phone you should consider the ionic

[Leahjh]

It does say connected gps as one of its features which is confusing. Disappointing. Will be converting to the garmin 

[Leahjh]

Like, what’s the point of having music on a watch if you still have to carry your phone? Might as well just carry your phone as it does the same thing. 

[Boost01]

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@Leahjhwrote:

Like, what’s the point of having music on a watch if you still have to carry your phone? Might as well just carry your phone as it does the same thing. 

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my thoughts exactly.

[SteveH]

You could still run without your phone. You'd lose the map but it will still track your steps and estimate distance based on your running stride length. I know this would not be accurate enough for some runners but it would be ok for some.

[Boost01]

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@SteveHwrote:

You could still run without your phone. You'd lose the map but it will still track your steps and estimate distance based on your running stride length. I know this would not be accurate enough for some runners but it would be ok for some.

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This is true, but in my experience (with a Charge 2), Fitbit was pretty bad at automatically setting my stride length. I calculate mine manually by averaging my distance and steps over many runs, and it turned out Fitbit was 20cm/stride too long. That ends up being quite a lot when you are running 10,000 to 20,000 steps.

[SteveH]

Yes, the default walking and stride lengths are just based on gender and height and will not be great for everyone. I'm not a runner these days but I am a keen hiker and faced similar concerns. A couple of 10 mile hikes though enabled me to measure my average hiking stride and then to test the adjusted stride length. Since then I haven't felt the need to use GPS.

It's a good point though. When accuracy is required then either GPS or a carefully calculated (not default) stride length are key.

[Boost01]

Another point regarding GPS, if you use something like Strava, without GPS tagging on your activity, it doesn't count.

I have been chased inside most of the winter due to the cold and none of my runs are sent to Strava, so I have to manually add them. This is then not counted towards challenges etc.. It is only a small thing, but important to some.

[Bethjl]

What do you mean “it doesn’t count”?  Don’t you still get steps?  

[Boost01]

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@Bethjlwrote:

What do you mean “it doesn’t count”?  Don’t you still get steps?  

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For some of the Strava features, it only includes runs done with GPS. So if you are in the Challenges, then any run done on a treadmill, or manually entered into Strava is ignored for that.

For example, on Monday I ran a half marathon, but did it inside so no GPS, and so I had to manually add it to Strava. Now I am in a half Marathon challenge, and even a 10k challenge, but my run and time is not included because it wasn't run with a GPS.

As I said, small things, but they add up to become big issues over time.

[Bethjl]

Oh I get it!  Thank you for clarifying that

[Anitabt5005]

Now that the Versa has been out, does anyone know the answer to this?  If you have your phone with you, can you see your pace and distance on the watch screen while you are running?  

[Bethjl]

Yes you can!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[l0velylau]

Happy to see you answering the question to your original post, so I am feeling hopeful. Really want the Versa but was so disappointed to learn it has no GPS! I would be happy to run with my phone as I normally do anyway, but just wondering, I currently use a Garmin and heavily rely on it for my pacing, do you think the pacing/distance etc. via the GPS connect is accurate/reliable?

Thanks

[Giampi71]

It strongly depends on the precision of the GPS of you smartphone.

On my last 3 smartphones the GPS were:

Nexus 5X: good

Pixel: bad

Pixel 2 XL: very good (but not a par with my Ionic)

[spsngh]

Yes but the pace is inaccurate