Versa not calculating correct distance

[Whitch1]

My Versa is very inconsistent with tracking miles, currently shows 9700 steps & 5.6 miles. This is much less accurate than my previous Alta & Alta HR, disappointing to buy a more expensive & up to date version of the Fitbit with less accuracy! I know it’s not a science but it is inconsistent from day to day!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Whitch1 It's great to see that you've visited the Fitbit Community! Sorry to hear that your Versa isn't calculating your distance accurately. The distance is usually calcluated by multiplying your steps with your stride length so you can improve this by entering your measured stride length on your personal settings. 

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.

You can also use your Versa and track one or more runs using GPS, the data gets evaluated to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

Let me know how it goes!

[CattonR]

Purchased a Versa which was giving very inconsistent and random mileages based on the number of steps ie the stride length used to calculate distance seemed to vary from walk to walk. Took it back and obtained a replacement which is doing exactly the same thing. Based on the mileage and number of steps the stride length used to do the calculation is varying from 19 inches to 40 inches. Also have just done a walk which is exactly 2 miles. The Versa gave a distance of 1.5 miles but having sat down and done absolutely nothing, ten minutes later it gave a reading of 4.4 miles! This is a £200 watch. My previous Charge was consistently very accurate. This is extremely disappointing.

I would grateful for some sort of explanation/solution.

[Dennis_NL]

Tried connecting with the gps on your phone?

That works fine. For a year now I walk the same route 5 times a week, en it always is between 9.45 and 9.53 kilometers with gps on.

when you walked with the gps, divide the distance by the number off steps and there is your new stride length.

And: you have to move your arm, otherwise the Fitbit doesn’t record a step. If you are playing with your phone for instance, your arm isn’t moving...

[CattonR]

Thanks for the reply. The problem isn't really the stride length which I can correct. It is the fact that the distance covered suddenly increases by several miles whilst sitting still after the exercise! Yesterday jumping from 1.5 miles to over 3 miles in an instant!

[KrisDC]

I've been concerned about that as well. I had a basic Fitbit pedometer that I basically wore everywhere. I got a Versa because my IPod Shuffle broke and I refuse to take my phone with me to the gym or working out so the music option was perfect. Since switching over, my logged miles have dropped considerably and my "steps" at the gym -- while hitting the bike and the elliptical -- have been almost nothing. This has been aggravating to me  because I'm also in a year-long fitness challenge so my 12K steps I normally do mean almost nothing at this point with my watch reporting that I'm doing less than 5 miles total -- even after an hour and some change at the gym doing cardio (yes, I switch my watch to the appropriate "exercise" options.

[OhSheeshV]

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@CattonR wrote:

Thanks for the reply. The problem isn't really the stride length which I can correct. It is the fact that the distance covered suddenly increases by several miles whilst sitting still after the exercise! Yesterday jumping from 1.5 miles to over 3 miles in an instant!

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Did you ever get this fixed? Mine still does this.  it increases in distance once I sync to the app.  

[Joywheee]

I’m having this problem too, it only does it when it syncs after walking (not in exercise mode) and it jumps by 0.25-0.5 mile each time. By the end of the day I’m a mile or more out.

I’ve reset my Fitbit and  been told to monitor it which I am doing and in the last few days it’s done it half a dozen times. Very disappointing. 

[Joywheee]

Did anyone manage to solve this? 

My Versa is randomly adding around 0.5-0.8 of a mile every time I manually sync after exercise. I have screenshots before and after the sync taken in the same minute showing steps, calories etc all the same but the distance has gone up drastically. Only happens with a manual sync after exercise. Big as this can be several times a day it’s frustrating. Customer Services have been great but deny there’s anyone else with the same problem, so they’re going to exchange - I just hope the next one isn’t the same. .