Wildly Innacurate distance on Versa 4

[VanMac1253]

How can I calibrate my Versa 4 to correctly track my distance?  Let me explain-- I recently upgraded from a Versa 3 to a Versa 4.  4-mile runs that I previously recorded are now showing at 3.2 miles.  It is consistently 20% off.  That is a huge difference!  And let me explain further that I live in Tempe, Arizona; a community that developed in the 1960's on a one-mile grid system.  A mile is a mile, verified by the County Assessor's website.  Yet on the new tracker is shows as 8/10 of a mile.  And yes, I have the most recent firmware and my location is set to "always" when using the fitbit app.  What can be done to make it accurate?  

[Wanch]

@VanMac1253 

It seems like you probably need to set your stride length on your watch.  I'm not sure where that is  exactly on your Versa 4 so you probably need to hunt around in the settings. 

As far as computing stride length...  the idea is to run a know distance (longer distance is better) and then divide that distance by the number of steps your FitBit measured.  Then take that value and enter it into the settings on your Versa 4.  Stride length can change over time.

I'm also not sure if the Versa 4 has built in GPS.  That could be a contributing factor too.

Good luck!

[Wanch]

@VanMac1253 ...

So it does look like your Versa 4 has built in GPS.  It could be that your you are losing the GPS signal during your run and that could be contributing to the large error in your distances.   You might want to try disabling your GPS and just go by  using your stride length.   It might at least prove that it is the GPS that is causing the issue. 

[Wanch]

@VanMac1253 ...

something else to be aware of.

Fitbit has implemented a Dynamic GPS feature on the Versa 4 and Sense 2 models, which is designed to optimize battery life while still providing GPS functionality. However, this feature seems to be less reliable than expected, with many users experiencing issues similar to those described above.

You might want to try disabling "Dynamic GPS".  Realize this might shorten battery life as mentioned above.

Good luck.

[ToddKMan]

I too switched from Versa 3 to 4 after 3 went belly up after a swim.  Have not had consitant, accurate, GPS tracking with the Versa 4.  Been working with fitbit support since November.  They've suggested factory resetting the Versa 4, wearing it looser, moving it away from my wrist bone, waiting for the fitbit 4.35 app (which wasn't available for my android at the time, but is now), all with no improvement.  I did load the 4.35 app on my IPhone, but it shows the same GPS problems as my Android with 4.34.xxx.

Did you look at the GPS track on the mobile app and does it look correct, i.e. starts and ends where you expect and doesn't jitter all over the place?

[VanMac1253]

I have found that the gps is enabled when I select “run”, and is accurate. GPS doesn’t engage on a “walk”, so it just multiples steps and stride length. But a mile, is a mile whether I’m running or walking. Why doesn’t it engage during both activities? At that point, it’s no different than a pedometer.
Sent from my iPhone

[Wanch]

@VanMac1253 

That is a good question.   A bit of FitBit Finickiness???

Sounds like you would need to figure out how to make a walk look like a run.  Maybe you could try starting your walk as a light jog and transition back to a walk after a couple of minutes? 

[Wanch]

@VanMac1253 ... or maybe some of these suggestions might help???

Check GPS Settings: Ensure that GPS is enabled for the Walk activity. On your Versa 4, swipe sideways from your clock face until you see the Training tile. Tap on All to get a list of available training and exercises. Then, find the Walk activity and ensure GPS is enabled.

Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Perform a factory reset if necessary, but be aware that this will erase all data on your device.

Verify Location Permissions: Make sure that the Fitbit app has the necessary permissions to access your location. On iPhones, confirm that Allow Location Access is set to Always for the Fitbit app. On Android devices, ensure it is set to All the time.

Check Battery Level: Ensure your device is charged to at least 80%. Low battery levels can affect GPS performance.

Update Software: Ensure both your Fitbit device and the Fitbit app are up-to-date. This can help resolve any bugs or issues that might be causing the problem.

[VanMac1253]

Thank you! I will try that. I take my Fitbit off when I shower every day, so I battery life isn’t an issue for me.

Sent from my iPhone

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My routine is to alternate running and walking my 1/4 mile segments. I do it for four miles. When I do it on “run” mode, it shows 4.0 miles, which is accurate. I live in a city planned on a one-mile grid system, so it is precise. When I do it on “walk” mode, for the exact same distance, it shows 3.2 miles. I can’t for the life of me figure out how to make GPS engage and reflect an accurate distance, on the one day a week I feel like only walking. I’ve worked it around in my head, but it is still annoying.

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