5S+/5+ - To calibrate?

Former Member over 6 years ago

Hello:

I'm a new owner of 5S Plus and wanted to know if I need to do couple of outdoor runs as my first activity to make the smartwatch learn my pace and other stuff, and help the GPS to be more reliable and then go with TreadMill runs? I have watched DesFit videos on youtube and not sure for which smartwatch and brand he recommended to go for a couple of outdoor runs. Is this process also needed for doing indoor activities?

Also, do I need to calibrate the altimeter and barometer on the device?

Thanks.

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

GFIT it is not needed for indoor activities as such - GPS won't be used indoors as you are not moving and probably won't have a signal. For indoor distance it will have to get distance from the motion sensor inb the watch or on a chest strap or footpod - which may need calibration to be accurate. Footpod tends to be most accurate as the watch motion sensor is impacted by arm movements such as looking at the watch face or holding the bars on the treadmill. You can manually calibrate barometer and altimeter or set them to auto - depends what you want to use them for

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

In the absence of a footpod, distance indoors is taken from the onboard accelerometers. These receive a 'calibration' as a result of outdoor running. So yes, if you want to get some idea of distance/pace indoors without a footpod you should run outdoors with the GPS. The more distance you do, the better the 'calibration'. However, as noted, for indoor running a footpod would be better.

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

GFIT apologies for misleading you hadn't realised that the wrist based accelerometer was auto calibrated by outdoor running - I'll know next time :)

0 SAHO over 6 years ago

It is correct as philipshambrook says; Indoor running will benefit in terms of auto-calibration from outdoor running.

However, you will also have the option to manually enter treadmill calibration without running outside at all. After ending your first treadmill activity you will be prompted to enter the actual distance (from the treadmill display). I believe this will happen regardless if you have done any outdoor running or not.
Later, you will not be prompted, but you can choose to enter treadmill distance after ending each treadmill run.