The stand-alone GPS in my new Versa 4 is unreliable and inaccurate. It often fails to maintain GPS lock, and constantly buzzes as it disconnects and reconnects. Even when it seems to maintain lock, it almost always shows deviations from the roads and tracks I run on, producing errors of around 10% in distance and pace. I have an 8 year old Garmin Forerunner 235, and it returns accurate tracks and distances over the same terrain. I have sometimes obtained accurate tracks and distances from the Versa 4 when I take my mobile phone with me, and I understand that the Versa 4 takes GPS from the phone by default if its available. However, this has also proven unreliable. On several occasions, I've obtained bizarre tracks and distances while carrying the phone. I note also that Fitbit says it links to the phone by default to save the watch battery. But using the phone GPS depletes the phone battery instead. Personally, I'd rather have phone battery left at the end of a long hike. Is there a way to prevent the Versa 4 from using the phone GPS?
I am very disappointed with the Versa 4, given these GPS issues, and problems with its cardio load estimates for indoor cycling that I've detailed in another post.
