Sense lost GPS signal

[Meribelman]

Hi. I’ve just upgraded from a Charge 3 to a Sense. Used it today for a run. GPS very slow to connect first time (I’ve seen the thread that explains this so hopefully better tomorrow). However it lost GPS during the exercise. Where it lost the signal was totally open. At that point on the map it accurately records the TOTAL distance covered and the time, but does not show the route. I have two questions for the forum if I may please:

1.  Why did it lose GPS? 
2. How do I stop it happening again? 

Thanks all

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Meribelman It's good to see you in the Community Forums! 

Note that GPS can take several minutes to connect if you haven't connected to GPS before. There are some factors that could cause your Sense to lose GPS signal, for example battery short life, your Sense must have enough battery, at least 80%, 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.

For troubleshooting to connect to GPS, I would suggest you to perform the following: 

1. Force quit, and reopen the Fitbit app to refresh the connection with your device.
2. On your phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and back on.
3. Restart your phone.

You may also restart your Sense by doing the steps here: How do I restart my Fitbit device?

Keep me posted. 

[Meribelman]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I went for a run having set up my new Sense and left overnight to charge. I stood in the garden for 10 mins randomly waving my arm around attempting to acquire GPS.

Since noticing on my return that the GPS had been lost I went through the “forget device”, disconnect, restart rigmarole etc. No change.

I’ve also now just seen this, despite the Sense Controls app being connected.

To add insult to injury I’ve competed two workouts today from the app (going through the guided workout) yet I’m told on the Today page that I haven’t started the program.

All in all it’s just a bit pants.

[Image.jpeg]

[WilsonFitbit]

@Meribelman Thanks for following our troubleshooting steps. Since this sounds a bit more serious. I’ve created a support case on your behalf. You should receive an email from Customer support. Note that they may take a bit long to get back to you due to recent events affecting our operations. 

Have a great day! 

[JaysonJ]

I have a similar issue. I upgraded to a Sense last week, after many years using an Ionic. Yesterday's run was fine. First time I used the GPS. It took a few minutes to connect, but recorded the run correctly.

But today's run was completely ruined with the GPS dropping out all the time. So much so, that the route shown in the app does not resemble the actual route at all. This is a 10k route I use all the time. In fact the route information was so far out, that I deleted it from Strava, and imported the Runkeeper one. I will try the troubleshooting above. But if the GPS continues to drop out and disconnect all the time, then I'll return it to Amazon for a swap. I've not owned this watch for a week yet.

I do remember this issue on my Ionic once. But that was when I moved house. And the GPS got lost due to the new starting point. The Sense however, has only been used twice in GPS mode.

Everything else on the watch is fine. And I'm happy with the upgrade. But GPS working correctly is a must.

[Meribelman]

Alas I hate to tell you it doesn’t get any better. I use a 7k lap that doesn’t go into any shaded areas. It’s a total gamble if it tracks or not. It also may connect to GPS in a second or maybe take minutes. Who knows!

Lots of very courteous platitudes from FitBit support, alas a vacuum of any solution. Bottom line it’s an Beta version of a product that needs a lot more work.

[RikardoKiss]

I migrated from an Ionic to Sense. I made the same routes, the GPS is around 90% of the time looking for a signal, the resulting map is a child's doodle. Unfortunately I lost my money since in my country there are no representatives who sell the product so I bought it used on Ebay. I still have my Ionic, the GPS is much more stable. Another thing, when I had a Garmin it only had GPS and, after an update, added the Glonass improving the accuracy. They could do the same.

[RikardoKiss]

I expected an evolution with Sense and not a regression.

[Tpkell]

FITBIT is just a terrible product all around.  Each and every model has issues. Stay away from FITBIT and save yourself alot of money and extreme frustration.  I am sure FITBIT will erase this response as soon as I post. But hopefully it will reach some folks first.