Garmin 66i --- distance overstated in Trip computer

i have a new Garmin 66i and notice that the distance hiked shown in the Trip Computer is hugely overstated. i see some similar comments in another thread, but no solutions yet. is there a software update to fix, or maybe i can change some setting? any update much appreciated.. thx

0 twolpert over 3 years ago

I am not aware of any updates that covered this kind of thing. Certainly not within the most recent several releases. History here:

www8.garmin.com/.../download_details.jsp

Setting a shorter "logging" interval (on the activity side) is likely to get you closer to reality. You also have to be careful to actually SAVE the activity at the appropriate point. This is particularly confusing when you start/stop activity logging from the iR (tracking) side. When you stop from that side, the activity recording is PAUSED, not saved. As a result, you run the risk of accidentally resuming the same activity later. You do get a warning, but...

The other anecdotal thing is that traveling in challenging conditions can cause multi-path issues. In this situation, you may find large, frequent excursions in the track, especially when stopped or travelling slowly - the typical spiderweb track. These add to the distance and also screw up other statistics such as max speed.

0 6068460 over 3 years ago

thx for your comments and suggestions. many of my hiking routes do go through heavy forest, and i do see the "spiderweb" track as you describe. but i had a Garmin 62s previously and used extensively in same terrain and never had this issue, so i'm thinking its something specific to the 66i. any further thoughts?

0 twolpert over 3 years ago in reply to 6068460

Not really. The spiderweb track is pretty conclusive evidence of multi path. Lots of things contribute to this. The GPS constellation overhead at the time, your speed, and even where on your body you carry the unit.

This is not to say that there is not something different about the 66i. Just pointing out that you can only compare performance with the two units side by side.