how to fix large GPS distance inaccuracy?

[LauraVA]

I've checked some similar threads on distance inaccuracies, and most were small variations, and some were very rare and probably attributed to local signal conditions. My situation shows significant variations.

My Versa 4 is new, used since the beginning of May. I used it for a major half-marathon, obviously a measured course, and the Versa 4 recorded 11.46 miles instead of 13.1. On a 2 mile loop (distance determined by park map, previous Fitbit, and previous Garmin), the Versa 4 tracked 1.75 miles. This is consistently ~13% less than actual distance on known measured routes.

Obviously this played havoc with my pacing during the half-marathon, and it's not good for my regular workouts, either.

I haven't found a fix I can do myself to reset the GPS software or something -- is there something I should try? Or should I return this Versa 4?

[SunsetRunner]

Hi LauraVA,

Just got a new Fitbit Versa 4 and am really disappointed. For a tracker it gets all laps swimming completely wrong. Am not able to check walking distance against other sources but have my doubts, because it seems far too high as well. Do not know yet how to fix this issue, so you're not the only one with tracking issues. Hope to figure this out.

[LyriLee]

I also have found this problem with my Versa 4. For every 5 miles i do, i lose about 1 mile. And the distance is right if my phone tracks it, but I want my watch to be capable of correctly tracking the distance. 

[LauraVA]

Well, this is frustrating, and thanks to both of you for chiming in. Losing 20% is significant!! Will anyone from Fitbit pop in to help, or should I contact Fitbit about an exchange? I spent a long time choosing a Versa over a smartwatch, and I feel like distance tracking is a reasonable expectation for an expensive fitness tracker.

[cprichjr]

My Versa 4 reads more miles than my android phone.  Watch is on my left wrist, phone is in my left hand.  I feel that phone milage is correct.  1.5 miles on phone ,, watch indicates 1.8 miles.  Is there a way to adjust this?

[LyriLee]

Interesting that our two are short miles and you have extra mileage. There has to be a way to reconfigure this. 

I double checked all my firmware is updated. 

[cprichjr]

I reloaded software 

[LauraVA]

Okay, an update! I contacted Fitbit support, and while the agent was only moderately helpful ("try wearing the device higher on your wrist" -- as if my wrist and forearm will travel different mileage?), they did prompt me to reboot the device, which I had not done lately. After that I re-enabled the GPS. And since then, my accuracy has been much better! My last two test routes on a known distance were within 1/20 (0.05) of a mile. I can be happy with that.

So while I had done a software update, etc. previously, consider a bonus reboot and re-enabling of the GPS, in case it was disabled during the reboot or updates.