Versa mileage tracked accuracy

[AlfTupper67]

Hi,

Can anyone one tell me in general how accurate the mileage is on the Versa? I used to use an app on my phone and it seems to differ greatly from that recording. If I walked 5 miles it's is showing as 4.3 on the Versa. Even allowing for the (possible) inaccuracy of the phone free app (Edmundo) this seems a lot. I know you can calibrate the Versa but I really don't want to go down that line. All I wanted was to put on the Versa and get a more accurate reading of the miles that I walked. Any help greatly appreciated. Oh and should I be using the treadmill option when I'm walking as it doesn't have a walking option. 

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity 

[HeydyF]

Hey @AlfTupper67, welcome aboard! The Versa is very accurate as far as distance is concerned. However, I always tell the users not to compare the distance or mileage tracked with their Fitbit with the data obtained with a different app, 'cause the algorithms used aren't the same therefore, the results won't be the same either. But moving on, if you think that these information isn't pretty accurate, I suggest you to calculate and enter your stride length. 

Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length. By default, we calculate your stride length using your height and sex. If you have Fitbit Versa and track one or more runs using GPS, we evaluate that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

If your distance measurement seems inaccurate, follow the steps below to calculate your stride length and then add it to your Fitbit account.

To measure your walking stride length:

1. Go to a track or some place where you're sure of the distance.
2. Count your steps as you walk across that distance, making sure you travel at least 20 steps.
3. Divide the total distance (in feet) taken by the number of steps to get your stride length.

Your running stride can be calculated the same way if you run instead of walk.

To change your stride length through the Fitbit app, do the following: 

1. From the Fitbit app dashboard, tap or click the Account icon 
2. Tap or click Advanced Settings.
3. Tap or click Stride Length.
4. Adjust your stride length.

Hope this helps! But let me know if you have further question! 

[AlfTupper67]

Thanks for the info. One further question, as there are no options for walking (run, swim, treadmill) should I use the treadmill option or does it not matter in terms of accuracy of mileage?



Sent from my iPad

[HeydyF]

I hope you are doin' great @AlfTupper67! Let me ask you this so I can help you out better. When you say that there are no options for walking, what exactly do you mean? 'Cause if you are talking about the stride length, you can calculate, with the instructions that I gave you, the walking and running stride length. So please give me more details. 

I'll be around! 

[AlfTupper67]

Sorry I just meant when you go on to record how much I walk for in 'exercise' there are 4 options to click on run, bike treadmill, swim. This is when recording how much I've walked over a set time. There is no exercise to use for walking. I have now just used the run option as it indicates when I have done 0.5 mile which I find useful. The run option is fine but whatever option I do will it calculate the same distance. That is, a mile is the same in run, swim, treadmill, bike.


Sent from my iPad

[meresydotes · Accepted solution]

@AlfTupper67 I presume you're talking about a "manually" tracked workout? There actually is an option for walk. I guess it's maybe not one of the default ones the Versa ships with - which would be weird, because it's the most common workout people do, as far as I know. Anyhow, if you go into your Versa settings on your phone app or the Fitbit webpage, there's an area for Exercise Shortcuts. You can pick the ones you want, up to 7, and even reorder them.

Tip - it's a little buggy on the android app at least. If you remove one, back out of the screen to save your changes after each one or they won't stay gone. It also might take a few syncs for your Versa to update.

[AlfTupper67]

Thanks for your time on this but it all seems like too much effort (I'm fine with the physical stuff but this tech is not my bag). Yes it's the manual exercise and if it records the same distance whether I walk or run then that's all I need to know. Again, great feedback and much appreciated.

Sent from my iPad

[AlfTupper67]

One final thing, as tech is not my strong point, I'm reminded of what people back in the 70's would say to all this: 'It's like something out of Doctor Who.' Considering the flimsy film sets and extremely limited use of technology in the programme this was somewhat ironic. Cheers anyways. 

[Scurls7]

I had a garmin before this that I lost and I regret everyday that I bought this instead of another garmin. It is just not accurate. The paces and distances are always off and not for the better. Sell it and get a garmin

[N0wiseman]

Two days ago my Versa was telling me that I was walking 18 minute miles. Today it registered 26 minute miles. I have manually entered my stride length and that hasn’t changed. I love my Versa but am learning not to  trust its accuracy 

[VersaX]

Hello HeydyF,

My Versa was accurate and now it is not. 1 lap around my neighborhood is 1.3 miles. The Versa used to measure it correctly and all was well with the universe. When I would go on long runs like 7 miles, I would know the distance and be very happy with the mileage displayed on the Versa. Now the trek around the lake is displaying 1.5 miles- My 4 mile jaunts are now measuring 5! Has the earth shifted? Please let me know what I can do.. I thought the gps would just measure the distance...am I wrong? Any advice would be appreciated.

[jessicalb34]

Omg this is me!!!! I've had mine since last Christmas. I have walked 4 miles at a 14.45 min pace for YEARS. It was accurate until a few months ago. Now its showing my pace anywhere from 18 to 20 min miles and obviously my distance walked is WAY off. I did every fix they recommended and nothing. My friend who walks with me has the apple watch and of course hers is dead on..fitbit already replaced my versa thinking that it was an issue now my new one does the SAME THING. What is the point of an exercise tracking watch that doesnt track exercise correctly?? I am beyond frustrated and wish I could return it and get something else. What a huge let down . I will never recommend this watch to anyone. 

[SunsetRunner]

I absolutely agree. I have tried many fitness trackers over the last twelve months including the Fitbit Ionic, charge and versa and found that none of these track distance accurately. My wife currently uses a Versa which recorded a 5k park run at 3.6k which is an unacceptable level of inaccuracy. This run was completed using connected GPS and therefore I would expect the distance to be accurate within 1 metre and the stride length should have no bearing on this. I have used several Garmin devices and am currently using a forerunner 645 which gives very accurate distances, very consistently over any distance.

Fitbit devices are very stylish and desirable but if you are serious about your running, walking etc you should go buy a Garmin instead.

[MP95]

I have the same issue.  The interesting thing is that my Fitbit was more accurate that my Fitbit Versa.  

I am so sorry that it is that way.  Because I moved up to the Versa because I wanted to see the time and heart rate better.  But the accuracy thing drives me batty!

[SunsetRunner]

FITBIT is not for anyone who takes their activity seriously and I would
recommend that people who do, go buy a Garmin. I can't believe that Fitbit
have not resolved this on going issue that everyone seems to be reporting,
they obviously do not value their customers.

[Carl_L]

For anyone having problems with distance accuracy (talking about when you have your phone with you, for connected GPS), I would suggest delving into your phone's battery optimisation settings.

Don't know how it is within the Apple world but, for Android, Google have become obsessed with battery life and, consequently, your Fitbit may not be getting the GPS updates in the background. Setting Fitbit to not use battery optimisation solves this.

If I track a walk (via the + next to 'Excersise' on the Today screen) my distance covered is deadly accurate (I always give it a few seconds to grab an accurate fix before pressing the 'play[record]' button).

Edit: For clarity, I have never tried recording from the excersise option on the watch itself so don't know how this compares. The recording via the app works so well for me (and gives me voice cues) I've not needed to try other methods.

[SunsetRunner]

That interesting, I will have a look at the power saving permissions to see
if it makes a difference. Thanks for the update

[Carl_L]

Think it's pretty essential for a good Fitbit experience - if it can't stay alive in the background you're pretty much screwed (only devices with inbuilt GPS escape but.....then you you have a battery-life issue).

Accessing the settings can be a challenge in itself- my previous Huawei made it easy; my current Samsung tries to hide them. Settings>Apps>Battery works for some; a generic solution is to go to Settings, select the search option, and type 'battery optimisation'.

This article may help: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/2322/?q=android+phone&l=en_US&fs=Search&pn=1

[MP95]

I agree completely!  I am so angry that I spent the money on this watch. Could have gotten an Apple watch and had better luck!  I have spent quite a bit of time trying to get it right.  And Frankly support is a waste of time. 

[cathrync123]

My boyfriend has a Samsung active 2 and I have the fitbit versa 2. We went on a walk the same distance together. He had 1.63 miles tracked and I had 1.29 miles tracked. So we went onto Google earth to see which one was more accurate and it was the Samsung for the mileage. However, our steps were pretty much the same. So the mileage on the versa 2 is not great, but the steps and calories burned are pretty acurate.