So let's get something out of the way. I love Garmin products. I've had every Fenix on day one, and I've been a Garmin user since the 310xt with a LOT of devices in between that and the Fenix series. I've got an InReach Mini, an Edge 1000, Varia display and radar, etc, etc, etc.
For the past 7 years or so, I've been a 3 day a week runner and a 3 day a week mountain biker for the most part. On my bikes I use power meters, wheelspeed sensors, etc. I love data. I use a lot of data.
One thing i know is that I can trust MTB's and wheelspeed sensors to know distance data when calibrated well (and I take the time to do that...first time I pair a wheelspeed sensor or move one I always let my watch get good GPS signal and then do a nice easy ride on a straight stretch of road). And I ride and run the same trails a LOT. And my running speed on those trails just doesn't change much.
So I can tell when the GPS recorded distance on a run sucks and when it's decent. For most of the Garmin product life, it's been mediocre. Usually 7-8% short on average, sometimes 10-12%. But I could swear that there were a couple Fenix5x firmware versions that were REALLY good. Like never less than 5% short, and seemingly closer than that. And then right before the Plus line came out, it seemed like the last 5x firmware sent it back to the 10% range again.
And now with the 5x+ I'm still seeing EVERYTHING I run on trail to be about 12% short, sometimes 15%. What gives? Yes, I'm on one-second recording. I've tried it with just GPS and with GPS+Galilleo. No difference. I always go into the activity at least a minute, often 2-3 minutes before I push start so it SHOULD be getting good GPS signal before the activity starts. But trail distance is simply always WOEFULLY short. And like I said, I know it is short because I'm running the same trails I bike and I know the distances. I also know I'm not NEARLY as slow in the woods as the device makes me out to be. On the road I can be VERY consistent at 9:30-10min/mile pace (yes, I'm slow as heck). I know on trail you can often be at least a minute slower than that, sometimes a full two minutes slower than that. But most runs the device has me at high 13's. No way, Garmin. No way.
Come on, get this stuff better. Trail runners deserve better in the flagship device. I know you can because I've seen it. There have been firmware versions that have been better, I swear.
--Donnie
