Inaccurate distance Versa 4

[CiaraMags]

My versa 4 is terribly inaccurate when calculating distance on my runs. I run with 2 friends. I also used my strava app in my running belt. My strava, my friends fit bit and my other friends Apple Watch all said we done 18k. My versa 4 says I done 16.79. Today, my friends Fitbit and my strava app says we done 10k. My versa says I done 8k. It’s literally miles out with its accuracy. The instructions to change the dominant wrist do not seem to be up to date for the version of the app I have. I’m so close to giving up on this if I can’t trust this, how can u trust any other data it provides. Any one have the same issue or can help? 

[Tinky2]

Hi

i have exactly the same frustration . I run & walk with my OH . He’s got a versa 3 . I know the route we do , how far & roughly how many steps & my versa 4 is recording way less . I’m being diddled !! I’ve sought advice on this forum & I think it’s to do with the GPS . My GPS records intermittently - 8 out of ten times I can’t get GPS but his always records which also means he has a map of each run . I too am very fed up & frustrated with the obvious inaccuracies with the versa 4 . AND I have to try & persuade all my friends to move to google so that I can be back in their group 🤷‍:female_sign:😖 

[Rich_Laue]

@CiaraMags 

Are you using GPS, and see an accurate map? 

Have you set your running stride? Or let fitbit decide? 

[CiaraMags]

Hi Rich 

it took me ages to find this in the app. So I see that it’s under track run instead of log. It seems none of my runs have been using GPS so this could be the issue??? I’m going to try to track (instead of logging) running tomorrow and see if it works. I just assumed there was a built in GPS. I can’t have my music on it and it has no GPS, I really don’t see the point in versa 4 at all. These are two important features of an expensive watch and I took for granted that it would have them especially when it was €200. 

[CiaraMags]

Thanks Tinky I never even thought about the GPS not being on. To be honest I’m so shocked it doesn’t have its own GPS and it’s done through the phone. Do you track or log your runs? It seems I’ve been logging instead of tracking. Tracking shows the map up logging doesn’t. It should be the same thing though!! 

don’t recommend to your friends, they will hate you for it 🤣 

[Talahthas]

Welcome to the Fitbit community, @CiaraMags!

Sad to hear that you're having issues with using GPS on your Versa 4. To find out everything you need to know about using GPS to map your exercises, I'd suggest having a closer look here:

How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device? 

As a side note there'll be an update for Versa 4 in the near future that will bring dynamic GPS to your device allowing it tu use your phone's GPS together with your Versa 4's built-in GPS.

[CiaraMags]

 

[CiaraMags]

Thank you Talathas 

see instructions above they’re not very helpful. ‘How to connect to gps’ - go outside and connect to gps 🤦‍:female_sign:

all my phone settings were correct, I was connected via Bluetooth. I have managed to figure out self that I need to track instead of log? But surely they should be the same thing. 

[Talahthas]

Thanks for your feedback, @CiaraMags.

As the in-app instructions sometimes are very basic, I'd suggest using Versa 4's manual to learn how to use GPS while exercising with your device. Please have a look at "Track and analyze exercise with the Exercise app":

Fitbit Versa 4 - Exercise and Heart Health 

[CiaraMags]

Hi Talathas, 

thanks for your response. I have read all this already and unfortunately it does not help. It says the gps should come on when you select a run on the versa 4 which does not happen/ I have everything right in my settings. I think perhaps I need to press ‘track’ run instead of ‘log’ run in the app but totally defeats the purpose of having the watch at all when I already have Strava. See picture for reference. 

[Talahthas]

You're welcome, @CiaraMags.

If I remember right, I had to go to the exercise's settings the first time to enable GPS for that specific exercise. This GPS setting is then stored for that exercise.
GPS won't be activated if you are using auto tracking, btw. You have to start your exercises manually to get GPS tracking.