Versa 3 GPS accuracy concern

[JEP1971]

My Versa 2  recently stopped working and needed a new watch, thought I'd step up to the Versa 3 with the built in GPS and what a mistake.  I walk the same route everyday and on my Versa 2 it would be without fault, 3.98 to 4.02 miles everyday.  Since getting my Versa 3, the exact same route is now 3.56 miles to 4.24 miles.  How is this possible that I'm getting a difference of almost 3/4 of a mile on a 4 mile route?

Wish I would have just stayed with the cheaper Versa 2.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

Moderator Edit: Content

[RicardoFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi @JEP1971, welcome to the Community Forums.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and personal experience with your Versa 3, I understand how frustrating this matter can be for you. Our Customer Support team informed me that they already provided you assistance to resolve your issue. That being said, my best advice for you at this moment will be to contact them back if further assistance is needed or if you have any additional questions about the outcome of your case.

I'll be here if you need anything else.

[JEP1971]

They didn’t provide any assistance, I knew more then they did by just surfing the community boards. I’ve had Fitbits for years, but I’m done with all the shortfalls of Fitbit. Getting a new tracker tomorrow.

Thanks, Jim

[JEP1971]

Hi RicardoFitbit, I really do hate flushing money down the toilet, but here is from today, GPS went out again, nothing but blue clear skies above.  I also downloaded RunKeeper, which amazingly comes in with the exact same distance as my Versa 2 would log.  Is there anyone at Fitbit to actually talk about the possibility that the GPS in this watch is not functioning properly???  The chat is usless, they simply review articles and tell me that it isn't calculating correctly because I'm inside or around tall buildings.

[Barlow38]

I am so aggravated at this. Mine shows I am 3/4 a mile further than I actually walked. And the Fitbit support isn’t helping much with the issue 

[JEP1971]

Yep, threw mine in the garbage because no one can help either.

Thanks,
Jim

[SunsetRunner]

It's well known that the GPS tracking on Fitbit is pretty rubbish, for some reason they decided to use stride length as well as GPS when signal is a bit weak.  No idea why and they refuse to explain their reasoning for it.  Fitbits also have an annoying habit of being very aggressive with corners.  For example on my most recent run I wore my Garmin Forerunner 245 on my left wrist and Versa 3 on my right.  I started them both at the same time and the FItbit recorded 5.51km and the Garmin 5.6km, now this might seem fairly close but on the map the Fitbit didn't have any signal for the first km!!  If it did then it would have recorded the run as a whole km longer! Heart rate was only about by 2 bpm so pretty good there; however Fitbit has my stride as 113cm and Garmin as 106cm so a bit of a difference there.

I'm much more inclined to believe Garmin as I've compared the gps files and Garmin is much more accurate and auto adjusts my stride length as it detects my cadence as well.

[Fraser47]

Wooooow. I am having having the exact same issue. I got to the end of my 5km run and it told me I was at 4.8km, so I kept going... and going... and going. Then it suddenly clicked over to 5.2 kms. So I stopped my run. Then when I checked my map it told me I had 5.3km at the place where my run SHOULD end and it originally showed 4.8km. My pace was also all over the place and nonsensical. And it showed me running in the middle of the river...

Versa 3 costs $300 and can't take an accurate heart beat or use GPS. So it does... what? I can get a Casio of $15 with the same functionality. 

[Fraser47]

It's amazing that they are getting away with this.

[RealtorDink]

I have been having the same issues. Customer service has been no help at all. Did you ever get any answers? I am ready to just switch to a different brand.

[JEP1971]

Nope, customer service and FitBit do not exist together, ended up going with a different tracker.

Thanks, Jim

[RealtorDink]

Awful, I appreciate the reply. I think I am going to do the same.

[abdul2961]

I haven't had any issues with the GPS... But the customer support not good at all... Contact them for a replacement

[KentonCanary]

Been browsing a few threads as the last two times I've run my Fitbit Versa 3 has stopped recording where I am after 11 or so kilometres - both runs were around 14km. All was in the open  - no underpasses or around tall buildings - by the looks of what I've read this looks to be a problematic issue with no solution as far as I can see,

Tim