help menu

Join us on the Community Forums!

  • Community Guidelines

    The Fitbit Community is a gathering place for real people who wish to exchange ideas, solutions, tips, techniques, and insight about the Fitbit products and services they love. By joining our Community, you agree to uphold these guidelines, so please take a moment to look them over.

  • Learn the Basics

    Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for information on Community features, and tips to make the most of your time here.

  • Join the Community!

    Join an existing conversation, or start a new thread to ask your question. Creating your account is completely free, and takes about a minute.

Not finding your answer on the Community Forums?

Cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Versa 2 running activity uses steps to calculate distance -> running distance way off

Replies are disabled for this topic. Start a new one or visit our Help Center.

‎06-09-2020 02:27

‎06-09-2020 02:27

Hi everyone,

 

As I researched why the running distance with GPS connected running on my Versa 2 is way off, I figured out that the Versa uses the steps to calculate the distance.

 

In previous posts, Fitbit often referred to the inaccuracy of GPS. For the following reasons, it is definitely not the accuracy of the GPS:

  • Apps like Strava are accurate on my phone
  • The GPS symbol on the Versa always says connected
  • The GPS line in the Fitbit App is perfectly drawn for the running activity
  • And now the best of all: Using the biking activity with GPS for running, the distance seems accurate and the line on the map looks accurate too(no straight lines, etc.)

"Tip" for everyone with the same issue, as a (pathetic) workaround: I use the biking activity on my Fitbit, import the activity to Strava and change the type to running. But as a running watch, you can't be serious that this is necessary.

 

Please leave me the choice to use my stride length or not. And no, I don't want to recalculate my stride length or walk consistently for 10 minutes to make an adjustment. I just want to use the GPS as I would expect.

 

I hope anyone can help with my issue or finally fix it as it seems to be known for longer.

 

Thanks!

 

PS:

I'm using a Pixel 2XL with up-to-date software for my phone, the Fitbit App, and the versa. I tried resetting the Versa, the app, restarting, etc.

 

Here is a post wit form 2 years ago with the same issue, it seems like no one cares about this situation:

Fitbit Versa distance inaccurate 

"Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length." 

-> Why would I want to do that when I have accurate GPS data? At least give me the choice of the method I want to use.

The issue seems to be known and many other users reported the same issues but it seems like there is no response yet.

Versa's distance tracking way off? 

 

Best Answer
Labels:
0 Votes
1 REPLY 1

‎06-17-2020 07:20

‎06-17-2020 07:20

 I am so close to just returning the watch and switching to something else. This is absolutely ridiculous that nothing has been changed yet, even though I’m sure Fitbit has to know this is an issue. I walk with a stroller. I know it won’t get my steps accurately, but it should at least be tracking my distance. Why would I buy a watch that doesn’t do that, especially if my phone will? It’s not like I can go for a walk without my phone anyway because the watch needs it to function, so it’s a total waste of time and money. Get your act together, Fitbit. 

Best Answer