Versa 4 is not tracking my GPS data accurately

[vbaratham]

For 4 of my last 6 runs, my Versa 4 has not recorded the map, or splits, or elevation. I do not carry my phone when I run. I always wait until GPS connects before starting the exercise. Is there anything I can do to ensure that the data is recorded and syncs properly?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hello there, @vbaratham. Thanks for stopping by in the Fitbit Community Forums and sharing the details about the issue with your Versa 4.

Please bear in mind that if the GPS signal disconnects, your phone or Fitbit device continues to search for a signal. Note: If you previously turned off GPS for an exercise, turn it back on before you start the activity.

Nevertheless, if your device can’t connect to GPS satellites, or if gaps appear in the map of your route, try these tips:

• Restart your Fitbit device.
• Follow the recommendations for wearing your device for exercise. For more information, see How do I wear my Fitbit device?
• Try loosening the band 1 notch.
• Make sure your device doesn't touch your wrist bone.
• Wait until GPS is connected to start the exercise.
• Note that if you’re using GPS for the first time in an area, connecting to GPS satellites might take several minutes. Heavily wooded areas and tall buildings can increase the time it takes to connect to GPS satellites.
• If GPS didn’t connect the first time, wait 5 minutes before you start the exercise again.
• To reduce the time it takes for your device to connect to GPS satellites, hold your arm parallel to your body near your head and at least 2 inches away from you when you connect to GPS and start an exercise.

[jon.kimmel]

I have been having a lot of problems too.  I have found that there is a correlation between solar activity and gos signal accuracy.  If you google noaa space weather there is a dashboard that shows the error on a map in meters.  The Fitbit simply gets lost if the error is too much.

[Triletics]

@jon.kimmel apparently solar activity affects only Fitbit 🙂

[jon.kimmel]

I think Fitbit’s antennas are marginal enough to be affected more than GPS devices with bigger antennas like phones.  Here is a great article on it.

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/impacts/space-weather-and-gps-systems#:~:text=There%20are%20several%20ways....

[Triletics]

@jon.kimmel that would also affect other similar devices of similar size yet it doesn't. I can rub side by side with my Garmin watch (or any other) and Fitbit and only Fitbit can't keep GPS connected. Either fails to connect or fails to reconnect.

[jon.kimmel]

I’ll agree…the Garmins I have had in the past were a lot better at holding GPS signals.  I used to be a pacesetter in marathons and I swore by my Garmins…but they cost twice as much and had to be charged every night…I’m sure Garmin has made progress since then.

[Triletics]

@jon.kimmel now there are also more affordable Garmins (and similar in size to Fitbits) and battery holds usually longer than any Fitbit (that's why battery life stopped being a major selling point for me). Battery long ago stopped being a problem for many wearables (not only G.) except high-end smartwatches (Apple, Samsung, Pixel Watch) but those use more powerhungry hardware (for example, capable of 3D graphics) and they are made to meet different requirements. Usually, I don't experience problems with built-in GPS except when using Fitbit (Sense, Sense 2) and those watches have lots of stability problems.

[jon.kimmel]

This is my 6.6 mile bike ride this morning…yesterday they were reporting a huge coronal mass ejection. 

[Triletics]

@jon.kimmel this just shows losing GPS and taking ages to reconnect. I've been observing this behaviour many times regardless solar activity. My today two runs came up just fine on Fitbit and other devices I use simultaneously. Same yesterday night run. There was one solar activity affecting devices globally last year and that affected my Fitbit, phone, Garmin, bike computer (Edge). It wasn't only disconnecting but horrible drifting which resulted with bogus PBs in Strava (had to do lots of cleaning in Strava editing maps manually). Problems with GPS were then reported by all the communities of various brands. This is an impact of solar activity. What you are observing is regular Fitbit GPS quality.

[jon.kimmel]

I’ve had days of perfect reporting…before all of the aurora borealis news.  I don’t give Fitbit a pass here.  My ionic was a whole lot better at holding GPS.  They have squeezed these things so small they cut down on stuff.  Compromising things to make them smaller.  I would never be pacesetter with a Fitbit…it’s just the wrong tool for the job.

[vbaratham]

---

• Make sure your device doesn't touch your wrist bone.

---

@MarreFitbit thanks for the info, but... am I understanding this? My $150 smartwatch doesn't work if it's touching my wrist bone? This has to be a joke, right?

Thanks @Triletics and @jon.kimmel for the info about Fitbit's garbage GPS sensors. Looks like I got scammed into buying a piece of junk instead of a fitness tracker. Let's hope it's still eligible for return, and that I have better luck with Garmin.

[jon.kimmel]

I think it’s overall a very good fitness tracker…just not very good at GPS.