Will Sense 2 display actual map for Google Maps or only directions?

[t.parker]

After watching promotional video of Versa 4 I noticed that despite GM feature has been mentioned, only turn-by-turn directions are displayed on screen:

I know it just a rendered promo video but it would be probably better to show actual map with route. I would like Fitbit to clarify how GM is going to be supported. From my experience of using in-watch navigation, directions like that are mostly useless, distracting and (for example, during cycling) no one would be staring at screen to read what to do next. I would rather have a map showing me a route, and giving me directions with buzz/alert and simple symboles (left, right, u-turn). Now, that makes me curious. Customer support confirmed (kind of, assuming the guy understood what I was asking about) that user will be able to use GM during activities. That doesn't look like the case.

Displaying maps would probably require storing tiles in the watch (too slow to pull it over BT, some thirdparty apps for Sense/Versa already do that).

It's nice to have feature for many (and navigation has been "must have" for me for very long time) but please, don't be yet another half-baked feature just to close feature suggestion 🙄

[N8teGee]

@t.parker I noticed this too and was quite disappointed at the thought. Whilst it's a step in the right direction, it still seems like a half baked feature. 

[Dopovo]

I really don't think that, among all the feature requests by the community, this is a top pick especially in the form they are developing it.

If really they wanted to fulfill the sport users they should have implemented support to something similar to Komoot. However this appears very like a gimmick with almost non practical use just go say 'hey we have something new" and hoping potential clients fall for it and don't notice the deficiencies of the watch.

Looking at the mess of documentation and lack of official presence by Fitbit answering to our questions I really thank my colleagues in this forum to try to brainstorm what is presented and help potential buyers to hold a bit their impulse purchase.

[t.parker]

@Dopovo they'd rather implement map rendering engine and way of uploading new maps (for new areas). Google Maps certainly will require mobile phone around (the directions must come from somewhere). Users usually don't know they need the feature until they try it and then it's like "how could I live without it?" 😄 Today, I raced another trail HM and tracked my race both with Sense and GF6Pro. No issues with Sense, got distance and elevation right, even HR wasn't too bad (although in less than 2 hours it ate almost 40% of battery, noticed that happening after last FW update but that's different story) but I needed to use navigation, otherwise I'd get lost in the forests and those overgrown hills 😄

This is kind of navigation I am after (pictures taken from today's a timelapse shot by GoPro hence low quality):

This is what I want on Sense 2 (navigation is part of activity, one of screens). I use Komoot (it's a brilliant app) to either design my routes or verify whether they are accessible (it happened that I used Strava-generated routes and it sent me into areas with no way through). All is needed is a GPX file. If Sense 2 will allow using GM during activity that's better than nothing but GM isn't made for off-roads. GM won't be much of use for hikers or mountaineers. For that there are dedicated maps (usually in OSM format). However, as for road cycling or city road running it would probably work quite well.

I ask all those questions in the context of sports tracking because currently Sense can serve me only as a backup tracker, I have no other use for it when running or cycling because it lacks features that are helpful during activities. Maybe not everyone needs maps and navigation (and lot more) but I do and hoped Sense 2 may be that step forward 🙂