Versa 3 GPS distance is not accurate

[Reganhoward]

anyone else’s Versa 3 consistently tracking under mileage when they run? I’ve finished the same park run as my partner and his Apple Watch said 3.04 miles and my watch said 2.73. Really irritating as I can’t manage my pace. How can I get this fixed? 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @Reganhoward. Welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided in your post about the inconvenience with the GPS data. We‘re taking your comments and sentiments in regards to our products into consideration.

As a first approach, I'd like to clarify that it's normal that you see a difference when you are comparing your data with another person or device, This is because Fitbit trackers record your data based on your personal information (age, gender, weight and height). 

With that said, please know Fitbit devices use the formula below to calculate distance. Your stride length is determined by your height and sex. Steps x Stride Length = Distance Traveled. 

Please note when you track an activity with GPS, your device calculates your distance using GPS data rather than steps. If you begin moving before you get a GPS signal, your device calculates distance using your steps until GPS connects.

To update your stride length, track a run with GPS or measure your stride length manually. For more information, see: Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account?

For more information about GPS, see How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

Hope this helps. 

[sal.diluccio]

SAME Persistent problem using gps during activities.

In my last run,

Strava: 10.2 km

Fitbit: 8.8 km.

Google Fit: 10.1 km

Xiaomi Fit: 9.9 km

Versa 3 loosing GPS signals so frequently. 

[MarreFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi there, @sal.diluccio. Thanks for stopping by in the Community Forums and sharing those details. I understand where your concern is coming from. 

Please note that if you're in a new location farther away from where you normally walk, it may take a few minutes to connect.

With that being said, I'd like to know if you've recently changed your normally location? How long do you wait for the GPS signal to connect? If you've noticed it's less than 5 minutes, please let your watch try to connect for at least 5 minutes before cancelling the exercise. Your Versa 3 will continue to try connecting and you can go about your walk.

Also, please make sure your Versa 3 meets the requirements for connecting to GPS. For more information, see Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device?

Moreover, please be advised that environmental factors, including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and thick cloud cover, can interfere with your device’s ability to connect to GPS satellites. If the signal is blocked—either because you're indoors, underground, or due to another reason—GPS won't work.

[MKE2SAILORS]

I know this is an older thread but . . .   Can you explain why doing your walk/hike in different geographic locations would impact the devises ability to accurately track distance with its internal GPS?  Can you explain how/why the Versa 3 can accurately plot my movement on a map but can't accurately report the distance traveled?

If my phone can "see" the GPS satellites and track my movements on an app, why can't the watch GPS connect and hold connection when I walk in the woods?  Two people walking side-by-side on a wooded trail, both with Versa 3 devices, report two different distances traveled.  The difference being over a mile on a 6-mile trail.

[Mallarkey]

It's the same mod replying to all these threads with coping replies. Reality is that fitbit is trash for accurately recording GPS distance, regardless of where you run (a 'new' area is irrelevant to GPS accuracy but try telling this mod that). 

There's clearly an tech issue with their products from the amount of threads there are on this subject but they will never admit that. Definitely going to try a different brand soon