HIking in narrow canyons or rock scrambling with 5

Hi Folks,
I have a Fenix 3HR which I use mostly for hiking and rock scrambling. What I noticed with the 3HR (and many others as well) is that the GPS has terrible accuracy (milage is off by over 15%)unless you are in somewhat clear terrain. I have compared mileage with my Fenix 3HR and vivoactive, GPSMap 64s and other devices to confirm my suspicion.

Before I splurge for a 5 .. can anyone let me know how the gps/mileage accuracy on a 5x in canyons or scrambling situation?

Top Replies

Former Member over 5 years ago +1

I just hiked a 4 mile easy trail at I do often, my 5 said it was over 8 miles. not fixed

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0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I just hiked a 4 mile easy trail at I do often, my 5 said it was over 8 miles. not fixed

0 JM_Zogg over 5 years ago

To calculate the position, always the watch needs to be in contact with 4 (or more) different satellites. In very deep canyons this situation is not every time possible. In this case, the accuracy ist not garanted!

If you use GPS+GLONASS or GPS+GALILEO the chance to be in contact with four (or more) satellites ist better.

My experience (Swiss-Mountains: Hiking and Trail-Running) is: Only in very deep or narrow canyons my watch fenix 5x lose the contact to the satellites. The same happens usually also to my GPSmap 64 or 66!

0 subra over 5 years ago

And in addition to JM_Zogg statement, there is also GDOP that may worse the tracking of a course in narrow canyons. Even if there were 4 or more satellites fixed.

en.wikipedia.org/.../Dilution_of_precision_(navigation)