How can it take 17 seconds to run 0.01 miles , another problem with vivoactive

Frankly told, I asked myself already many times how it is possible that GPS watches with metallic cases like the Vivoactive 4 do not have more problems with GPS quality than watches with plastic cases. I'd tell the metal must act as (partial) shielding and harm the signal quality. OK it is not a completely closed Faraday's cage, so the signal can certainly enter the device and attain the antenna, but I wonder whether it does not have some influence on the quality of the GPS signal reception, anyway.

But then I told myself that the engineers of all those companies producing watches and using metal cases at many models, certainly know better, and tested it sufficiently, so I stopped wondering about it. However, before I buy my next GPS watch, and a watch with metallic case will be an option, I will surely carefully study the reviews, to avoid a bad surprise.

trux said:

GPS watches with metallic cases like the Vivoactive 4 do not have more problems with GPS quality

Quite a bit of talk a few years ago regarding exactly that. Typically discussing the fenix series (stainless steel bezel) vs. a comparable forerunner (polymer bezel). GPS issues and solution

trux , seilogramp

off-topic

funny 

happy & safe sporting

Thank you , at least there is recognition that the GPS  quality is not as good as my husbands.  

I've ordered the 645M , does that have same bezel as vivo active ? ? 

Funnily enough some of the reviews on line are poor but at least 5 of my running friends (some that are sub 3 marathoners) have the 645 and have had no issues so kind of went with that as opposed to on line reviews.  

I still dont understand how if I cycle the route it's always 5k but when I run it , its 4.80k  !

RachelHyland said:

I still dont understand how if I cycle the route it's always 5k but when I run it , its 4.80k  !

Perhaps there is indeed a relation to the steel bezel issue. Not sure whether it can really have such impact, but when you ride a bike, the watch faces the sky, while when you run, the watch is more or less in a vertical position facing much less the sky, and shielded from it by the metal. So taking in account the rather directional radiation and very short lengthwave of the GPS signal, if my uneducated guess is right, then the watch perhaps receives the signal better when riding the bike due to its orientation allowing the signal to attain the antenna in a more direct way.

You could try testing it so, that you run with the watch positioned differently - for example turning it on the upper side of the wrist, so that it faces better the sky. Or attaching it to the top of your head somewhow, if you do not mind looking like a fool when testing it in this way 

Tks but at this point I'm giving up and seeking either a replacement or refund from garmin .

Do u envisage same problem with foreunner 645m ? They seem to have the same stainless steel bezel ?? 

RachelHyland said:

Tks but at this point I'm giving up and seeking either a replacement or refund from garmin .

It would be still very interesting to know, whether it is the culprit or not. So if you could test it in this way, and found out it then works better, you'd do a great service to all other owners (or potential buyers) of similar models.

RachelHyland said:

Do u envisage same problem with foreunner 645m

You never really know without testing it. The design may be improved. And also my theory about the shielding could be wrong. Testing it with the better position of your current watch would be helpfull for this purpose too - you would know whether the bezel is really the culprit. In the worst case, take a hammer and a chisel, and remove the bezel 

... but anyway, although I do not really know whether the steel bezel harms the GPS reception or not, if I had the choice between a model not using any metallic bezel or case, I would always chose a model with case purely made of polymer, even if it looks cheaper. This is also one of the reasons I own the Instinct, and am happy with.

Happy to test it and report back , but u suggest strapping it to my head which might be a tad difficult lol. On my run with hubby the other day I wouldn't let him near the inside of me where watch was!! Should I try on left wrist ? 

Hammer and chisel is becoming a very real possibility!!! 

I absolutely love the garmins,  this is my 4th one , first with this type of bezel though ..... 

Terrified the 645m will present same issues ,and that wasn't cheap