Versa 4 GPS has NEVER successfully connected... Has anyone had success?

[Macon]

I upgraded from a Versa 1 to a 4 and was excited about finally having on-board GPS.  I read the manuals and have turned it on properly for the Walking activity.  

I walk at least twice a day and have attempted to record multiple walks with the watch in GPS tracking mode totaling more than 2 hours of walking over the last couple of days (though my phone is also with me the whole time).  My phone shows a solid GPS lock every time, but the watch's on-board GPS ALWAYS fails to connect.  I haven't had a single successful GPS connection with the watch since I got it.  The weather has been clear, I'm not in any kind of area that has trouble connecting to GPS (I have multiple devices including phone, drone, and a Garmin cycling computer that all easily connect here).  

I've read through the manuals, rebooted the watch, and done other troubleshooting steps to no avail.  Do I just have a dud or are others experiencing similar problems?

[sancho90]

My experience with all Fitbit devices I had so far with built-in GPS: First connection takes a while. You have to be very patient and for the best result - do not move until the GPS signal shows connected.

Have you tried to wait several minutes just standing and not walking to get the GPS connected?

[Macon]

Sancho, thank you for replying.  I have had that type of experience with other GPS devices as well, so one of the things I tried was that I literally sat the watch outside on the deck for over 30 minutes with no movement and it still failed to connect.  I'm going to keep trying for a few more days but with more than 2 hours of time out in the open and 30 minutes sitting idle in the open I would think it would've sorted out its location by now.

Macon

[sancho90]

Agree, @Macon. 30 Minutes sitting idle should be enough. Could be also a dead on arrival of the built-in GPS feature.

By the way: Can you switch to connected GPS (by using the GPS of your phone)? I don't expect that Versa 4 / Sense 2 have this capability, right?

Does Sense 2 have Connected GPS? - Fitbit Community

[Macon]

Sancho, It doesn't seem like connected GPS is supported with Versa 4. I did a 6 mile walk earlier in the week before I figured out how to turn on GPS on the watch and it didn't map that walk either. 

For the record, I tried another experiment and laid the watch in the yard with wide open sky for more than an hour and it still didn't get GPS lock.

Macon

[sancho90]

Thanks, @Macon.

You might check the options within the exercise app if you select e.g. run and scroll down to GPS. For my Sense (1) I just have the option to select on or off. Not connected or similar.

These features are limited to Charge devices like Charge 5.

[Macon]

I've done that and it is turned on. I see it trying to find a GPS connection but it always fails.

Has anyone else had any success connecting their Versa 4 to GPS?

[FietjeV]

I see I have the same issue. 

I have this watch now exactly 24 hours, and I am really considering to return it. I expected more from it, my Versa 2 can do much more and better. 

[GarthD]

Exactly same experience that I'm having...very frustrating. Hopefully an issue that can be quickly fixed in a firmware update as I do like the build, feel and look of the device and can live without many of the smart bells and whistles, assuming that Google wallet and maps are added soon. Such a shame that the new Sense/Versa devices have been released in such a seemingly unfinished/handicapped manner. If they want more people to buy the Pixel watch then give it a multi-day battery.  That's all that is stopping me from getting it... 

[Macon]

Seems like I'm not alone here.  Looks like similar reported issues over on the new Sense 2 forum: 
https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Sense-2/GPS/m-p/5246207#M702

[GarthD · Accepted solution]

I can finally confirm multiple GPS connections. I factory reset the device and set it up again this morning. At first it still didn't connect (red arrow after waiting for 10 minutes or so in the same place) but  I found that after setting out on my walk the GPS did finally connect after about 200m and then mapped the rest of my 10K walk.  Since then I've tried to randomly connect a few times and I did get a successful connection within about 30 seconds each time...prior to the reset I was unable to get a connection in these locations even after 30 minutes.  Not sure if a reset will work for you, but it can't hurt.

[Macon]

Garth.. Thank you for reaching out.  I have tried a factory reset but so far no real luck.... (I did get 2 maps with "blips" on them which is more than I've had before, but didn't really connect in any meaningful way and they were literally single points on the map). 

Your feedback is helpful in me trying to figure out "is this a firmware issue or a hardware issue".  It is sounding more like a hardware issue for me.  I'll give it a few more tries but its sounding like, based on your experience, I may just have bad unit.

[Rae86]

Hi Macon, I just upgraded my Fitbit from Versa 1 to Versa 4 this week and I've been experiencing the same problems as yours. As a Fitbit lover from 2016, I have to say Versa 4 is a huge disappointment. I just emailed them to ask for a refund.

Versa 4 is my 4th Fitbit tracker, and my favourite one was Versa 1 (special edition). I exercise frequently on my usual routes (walking, cycling), and Versa 1 (connected GPS) gives fairly good tracking. I don't need to wait to get connected to GPS (my phone is always beside).

However, when I did the same with Versa 4, the results are:

Walking: 8km+ route became 6km+ on Versa 4 with no map!

Cycling: I tracked twice  - on the way to the destination, 12km route became 7km!!!!  On the way back, 12km route tracked 11.55km which is very good.

Only 'Running' on Versa 4 can show if the GPS is connected or not. For other exercises, you won't know if it's connected.

Other issues I experienced: my Versa 4 clock is 1hr+ than my phone.

The sequence of the Tiles is sorted in the Mobile App. but won't sync to Versa 4.

As a 6 years Fitbit user, I always try the following methods if anything is not working, but all of these could not fix Versa 4:

1. Have an up-to-date Fitbit Mobile App.

2. Update the Firmware of the tracker.

3. Update your phone operating system.

4. Give all permission to Fitbit, especially 'Location' is always on.

5. Restart your phone.

6. Restart your Fitbit tracker.

7. Factory reset your Fitbit tracker.

8. Reinstall your Fitbit Mobile App.

9. Re-connect between your phone and tracker.

10. Always have Bluetooth, wifi, and mobile data on.

11. Sync frequently.

Overall, this built-in GPS is giving trouble. If this cannot be solved in 2 weeks' time, I will have to return it.

[Rae86]

I cycled 5km before my Versa 4 really started tracking (connected to GPS)...My Versa 1 would always get connected to GPS in 10 to 20 seconds...This is unacceptable.

[Macon]

I stand corrected.  I did the factory reset yesterday... I went on about 4 miles of walks today but it never picked up my location in any meaningful way (though it did at least mark A point on the map finally).  I left the watch outside today for about 30 minutes stationary and it got a lock.  Since then I've been able to confirm it is quickly locking now. 

So I think the combination of a Factory Reset and giving it a little more time to find its bearings in a stationary place ultimately worked.  I'm pleased to finally have a working GPS unit on the watch!  Thank you again for sharing your experience @GarthD 

[Rae86]

I'm feeling the same. Both Versa 1 and 2 have connected GPS, which works way much better than Versa 4 for my daily exercises. I've requested a refund.

[GarthD]

Glad that the GPS is working for you now Macon. So far so good for me too. Can't really explain why it started working properly after finally making that initial connection but hope it lasts.

[Macon]

@Rae86for what it is worth, now that I've gotten mine to connect it seems to reliably connect within a few seconds.  I don't know why it took literally miles to sort itself out.  I do think the factory reset and the re-download of the firmware may have contributed to the fix. 

I have had a Versa 1 since it came out and I actually DIDN'T like the connected GPS.  I noticed my watch would frequently loose connection with the phone and overall felt it impacted the accuracy of my measurements (2 connections needed... Watch -> Phone, Phone -> GPS).

Time will tell, but I'm hoping that having GPS on the watch directly will help with accuracy since there's only 1 connection required to take a measurement.

Hopefully you will find what works best for you.

[Rae86]

Hi Macon,

Thanks for your message. I do agree with you, and I finally found out that GPS connectivity is something to do with your living region. Versa 4 only has GPS/GLONASS which is not good/accurate enough for Europe here. I've tried Factory Reset etc. but still hasn't worked for me. It's a bit sad that I really liked Fitbit for so many years...

Also, a recommendation for anyone who couldn't fix their Versa 4, here is a very accurate GPS & Heart Rate tracking watch, similar price to Versa 4, longer battery life of 8 to 11 days. It has GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO which is much better for Europe. I took his advice and going to give it a try. See the link below:

https://youtu.be/UGQ3_SNcX64

I hope your watch can work perfectly for you from now on.

Best regards,

Rui

[SunsetRunner]

So I was having the same issue with my newly purchased Versa 4 which arrived today with GPS not connecting at all (constantly getting the No GPS error when loading a run or walk.) I recall having the same issue when I originally got my Versa 3 so I believed it would be possible to correct. Tonight I decided to take a few walks around my block and each time I would continuously load up the walk or run exercise option and wait for the GPS to go from "Connecting" to "Connected." This did take some time for the first connection to appear, after about 15 minutes of walking or so, but as Macon has stated in further comments, once the initial connection was made and after a few further attempts, the GPS connection is now almost instantanious. So it's almost as if you have to "train" the GPS to be able to pick up your location but if you are thinking of giving up on it and sending back your watch please spend some time walking around and re-loading the run/walk exercises which should hopefully eventually give you the required results! I spent a bit of time looking up answers and potential solutions so I hope this is helpful!