GPS Accuracy

Smart recording only differs from every-second in how it records the data to the FIT file. Either way, a GPS location is calculated once a second and the watch calculates distance and pace from GPS data plus, probably, accelerometer/gyro data, and the total distance is the same whether you use smart recording or not. It is not smart locating. The only time a Garmin GPS computes location less than once a second is in Ultratrac mode.

Smart recording is a total red herring for overall distance as displayed on the watch and in Garmin Connect (which is directly reported from the watch, not recalculated).

That is a pretty good track, though, and if they all looked like that, this thread would probably be a lot shorter :)

If I'm not mistaken, SMART recording has nothing to do with the distance reported on the watch. When SMART recording is used, the watch still processes all data points, but doesn't store them all to data file (FIT).

Edit: Too late.

I would go so far to say that I can ignore his assessments for the following reasons:


From Fellnr's methodology,

"I ran the same route repeatedly"

I don't run the same route repeatedly and neither do most people. I don't run HIS route and I don't run at HIS location. My watch certainly doesn't use the same satellites that he uses.

"The course is challenging for GPS, with lots of twists, tree cover, power lines, turn arounds and goes under a bridge"

Challenges in one location will be different based a number of factors: latitude, time of day, how you wear the watch, GLONASS, surrounding structures...etc.

"I believe that it's reasonably representative of real-world conditions"

I don't

"probably less challenging than running in the city with skyscrapers."

How can he make this assumption if he hasn't tested GPS in other locations?


Basically, this test is ironclad for anyone running this route over and over again and represents n=1. To try and apply universally is poor science at best.

Satellites have fly patterns. You'll be using some of the satellites he uses to test at different times; welcome to 2017 and science!


You could apply those questions to any form of GPS watch test, to be honest! Show me a better 'one man band' using some form of consistent process - no jazzy website with fancy referral links everywhere, that simply acts as another marketing tool, and we can reference your website instead. How about that?

Comments like yours are uneducated. Would be nice to have an 'educated' filter on this forum, tbh.

Smart recording only differs from every-second in how it records the data to the FIT file. Either way, a GPS location is calculated once a second and the watch calculates distance and pace from GPS data plus, probably, accelerometer/gyro data, and the total distance is the same whether you use smart recording or not. It is not smart locating. The only time a Garmin GPS computes location less than once a second is in Ultratrac mode.

Smart recording is a total red herring for overall distance as displayed on the watch and in Garmin Connect (which is directly reported from the watch, not recalculated).

That is a pretty good track, though, and if they all looked like that, this thread would probably be a lot shorter :)

I agree on the watch, but are you saying you do not think Garmin Connect does any post run processing (pace chart for example)? If it does and only has a smaller data set then how can it be as accurate?

Comments like yours are uneducated. Would be nice to have an 'educated' filter on this forum, tbh.

Totally agree!!!! Would have saved me having to read your post :rolleyes:

Smart recording only differs from every-second in how it records the data to the FIT file. Either way, a GPS location is calculated once a second and the watch calculates distance and pace from GPS data plus, probably, accelerometer/gyro data, and the total distance is the same whether you use smart recording or not. It is not smart locating. The only time a Garmin GPS computes location less than once a second is in Ultratrac mode.

Smart recording is a total red herring for overall distance as displayed on the watch and in Garmin Connect (which is directly reported from the watch, not recalculated).

That is a pretty good track, though, and if they all looked like that, this thread would probably be a lot shorter :)

I believe you are right re SMART recording. I also think SMART gives a smoother pace, or am I wrong?

Here is another track which was quite good https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1678176029 (also SMART, no GLONASS)

Yes, pace chart in GC will be smoother, but instant pace on the watch will be bad the same.

Satellites have fly patterns. You'll be using some of the satellites he uses to test at different times; welcome to 2017 and science!


You could apply those questions to any form of GPS watch test, to be honest! Show me a better 'one man band' using some form of consistent process - no jazzy website with fancy referral links everywhere, that simply acts as another marketing tool, and we can reference your website instead. How about that?

Comments like yours are uneducated. Would be nice to have an 'educated' filter on this forum, tbh.

Thanks for reminding me I can't stand these GPS accuracy threads.

Unsubscribed.

I believe you are right re SMART recording. I also think SMART gives a smoother pace, or am I wrong?

Here is another track which was quite good https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1678176029 (also SMART, no GLONASS)

Your pace chart looks quite good. Were you using a footpod or anything else?

I seem to be getting swings of 2/min per mile every 20-30s while running at a constant pace.

Chat with Garmin UK support

I called Garmin UK tech support today to see if they are aware of any GPS issues. I explained that I had a F5X that I really liked but decided not to keep due to it performing much worse than my FR935.

As expected, the tech rep said that they are not aware of any GPS problems with the Fenix 5 series and that they have not seen any evidence to the contrary.
On being asked whether they ever look at their own forums for evidence, I got told that they had not been made aware of any problems by the community managers as of yet.

I understand that Garmin wouldn't admit to an issue existing with their flagship line of watches at this stage but it seems that the company is, yet again, blissfully unaware of any issues surrounding the Fenix 5 series...