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I run the same route along roads and can get anywhere up to 0.98km difference in the distance tracked by my Garmin forerunner - is there a way to calibrate it?

I the first image I actually ran further by around 200/300 meters to try and reach 5k but it is still showing less than the previous run distance (which for some reason isn’t showing the first 3rd of my run on the map)

0 e7andy over 4 years ago

When you look at the maps it is pretty obvious that you will get different distances. Why you don't see the first 3rd of your run is probably due to that you didn't have a GPS position when you started the run. Instead it used the step counter and step distance to calculate the distance for that part.

On February 10th there was GPS issues for several devices (same as in beginning of January) and that might also have affected the GPS reading for the 11th if your EPO/CPE file still wasn't updated.

To get the most accurate reading you must wait until you get a green GPS status and then wait for a few minutes longer (GPS soaking). After that you press Start and do your run.

For watches with maps you can look at the map and see if your position is correct. If you follow a course you can see the line on the 645 since it doesn't have maps.

0 3188187 over 4 years ago

Thanks!
this makes sense that it is possibley sometimes using steps instead of gbs as we are a little remote (terrible phone signals anyway) and would account for the differences

I will try as you advise to wait for gps - when I use strava app on phone to track it highlights no gps so forces you to wait but I haven’t noticed the same with Garmin watch - where on the watch does it show gps signal? Where am I looking for it to go green?

0 e7andy over 4 years ago in reply to 3188187

The watch should tell you when GPS position is found after you have selected the activity type.

There should also be a data field that you can add to a data page.

0 kaz911 over 4 years ago

Consumer GPS is sadly not super for precision.

If you want better precision a Stryd Footpod will help getting you more consistent milage registered. Stryd does not rely on GPS - and therefore works better in many situations. Some of the places where GPS have issues are in the vicinity of glass buildings, under some form of coverage (buildings/tunnels/trees)

On my usual run which is about 6k - if I ONLY use GPS - it will register between 5.7 to 6.2 km.

When I use Stryd the margins narrow quite a bit to between 5.95 to 6.03 km.

Some people need to calibrate their Stryd (maybe due to running style or footwear) - but mine is "factory default". If you need to calibrate - find a 400/800m run track and run multiple rounds to get a calibration factor. Then "hardcode" that into the watch and disable the Garmin "auto foot pod" calibration.

Sadly Stryd is not cheap. But I would not be without it.