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Running GPS

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‎10-22-2023 02:38

‎10-22-2023 02:38

Having problems with my GPS when running.

The other day in the middle of my run there was a straight line cutting through houses where GPS has been lost.

Then today I did a 5k (see map) run but Fitbit thought it was 7k (screenshot) and didn't pick up till around 2k in

Any solutions or do I go back to logging with Strava on my phone?

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6 REPLIES 6

‎10-25-2023 03:31

‎10-25-2023 03:31

Hi @Mkersyshull.

I'm sorry to say, but from my own experience GPS isn't very good on the Versa 4/Sense 2. The issue seems to be with the placement of the antenna, which is located at the back of the device. This obviously isn't good for something that requires a clear line of sight.

The FW update that Fitbit is currently rolling out is supposed to include the option of connected GPS, which might be useful if you carry your phone. Although it appears the roll out has been paused for some reason. 

Community Council Member

Nathan | UK

Looking to get more sleep? Join the conversation on the Sleep better forum.

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‎10-25-2023 20:14

‎10-25-2023 20:14

I'm having the same issue. Walks, Hikes and Bike Rides - all either stop prematurely or skip out (with a straight line) mid workout.  Please fix!

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‎10-25-2023 21:12

‎10-25-2023 21:12

My experience with the GPS on my Versa 4 has been absolute crap too. 

It loses connectivity too often and takes too long to connect. Connected GPS used to work perfectly fine on my Versa 2 but apparently that isn't an option on the Versa 4. 

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‎10-26-2023 16:11 - edited ‎10-26-2023 17:44

In response to N8teGee

‎10-26-2023 16:11 - edited ‎10-26-2023 17:44

re: "The FW update that Fitbit is currently rolling out is supposed to include the option of connected GPS, which might be useful if you carry your phone. Although it appears the roll out has been paused for some reason."

I was wondering where that option I had on my prev. Charge 4 went. I signed up here because I also found the GPS on the Versa 4 to be a downgrade. It always takes minutes for the GPS to start up during an initiated session and not a consistent number of them. Today for example I started a ride using Start exercise > Bicycle, and after 11 mins. under open sky only overcast was still at all zeroes. So I powercycled the device, started another ride, after 3 mins. it suddenly started working. I didn't know it was not connecting to my phone GPS so had tried both with the Fitbit app running and the phone powered off (in case the service was still giving bad GPS info) and no change.

What with the price of the Versa 4 being about twice what the Charge 4 went for when I got it, it should be better not worse.

 

Edit: It gets more complicated... even though I just got the device and it insisted on updating the firmware before I could use it, did it update it to the latest 194.61? No, it updated to an old version 184.52.

Maybe 194.61 fixes my GPS issue... can I install it? No, even though it was released three months ago, I am not allowed to request it. I need to wait until the app. feels like it, which may depend on how many times I've synced. As I just got the device this may take weeks or months before it decides to allow me to install it, and I can't make this happen any faster.

Why can't we install the firmware update when we want to? We're told because it might overload the servers (though insisting on the update to 184.52 apparently doesn't.) This is after FitBit was acquired by Google, who may have more server capacity and bandwidth than any other company on the planet, certainly enough to update a few watches.

Need I say: I'm not impressed so far. 🙄

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‎10-26-2023 23:52

In response to MrKevvy

‎10-26-2023 23:52

@MrKevvy

As far as any of us can work out, the rollout of the 194.61FW update you refer to has been paused. There were many complaints that it was causing issues with the HR sensor, so we can only guess they are trying to fix that. Unfortunately Fitbit have chosen not to keep any of us in the loop, so again these are only guesses.

One of the features for 194.61 was connected GPS (ability to use your phone), which makes the wait even more frustrating. 

Community Council Member

Nathan | UK

Looking to get more sleep? Join the conversation on the Sleep better forum.

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‎10-27-2023 17:55

In response to N8teGee

‎10-27-2023 17:55

re: "As far as any of us can work out, the rollout of the 194.61FW update you refer to has been paused. There were many complaints that it was causing issues with the HR sensor"

Thank you as that is much more satisfying of a reason than the ones I listed (which were gathered from other posts here.) Hoping that at least the fix for GPS allowing Dynamic phone/device GPS as other models have is released soon.

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