Outdoor Recreation Archive

fēnix 5 Series Pace accuracy

Pace accuracy

Former Member over 8 years ago

I just spent some time reading through (some) of the 55 page "GPS Accuracy" thread. Some of what I'm experiencing is touched on there, but I'm much more concerned about the pace problems I'm having with my F5 than laser-perfect distance accuracy. Specifically, I've noticed that my pace is all over the place during a run, even when I know I'm holding a very steady one. For example, here is the pace data from today's run:

I can understand some minor deviations, but when I'm running for several miles at what I know to be a sub-7 pace and look down at my watch and see "8:40", that's pretty darn frustrating.

Here's what the exact same run looked like two weeks ago with my old FR220:

Totally difference experience. What gives? Do I need to change the GPS settings on the F5 to something other than what comes default?

0 R_Tellis over 8 years ago

Configurable Pace is F5 compatible?

I've been using it on the F3 and 235 since I haven't upgraded yet so I hadn't checked.

A quick look though shows that it hasn't been updated for the new watches and the developer hasn't responded to users who had a problem with it on the 630 about a year ago so it probably won't.

Guess I'll have to find another alternative when I update. :/

0 meste7 over 8 years ago

I've been using it on the F3 and 235 since I haven't upgraded yet so I hadn't checked.

A quick look though shows that it hasn't been updated for the new watches and the developer hasn't responded to users who had a problem with it on the 630 about a year ago so it probably won't.

Guess I'll have to find another alternative when I update. :/

try DozenRun

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Mine had me jumping from 6 min to 13min pace on last nights run. I was running with my wife at a constant 8:30 of perfectly flat route along a canal. This thing is useless for keeping pace. So wish I had not paid all that money out now, thinking I would have one of the best watches out there. Wrong! Should have stuck with my FR630, which never let me down.

I assume you were using instant pace? If so, why not use lap pace? I use lap pace exclusively and it works quite well.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

try DozenRun

I've just downloaded to give it a try as I'm considering returning my F5 due to the pace (current and the graph on GC) being all over the place.

Does Dozen Run definitely help and smooth things out and provide a more accurate current pace (while running as well as the data shown on GC)?

How many seconds do you have the Rolling Pace set to?

Thanks.

0 SIMURGH87 over 8 years ago

I've just downloaded to give it a try as I'm considering returning my F5 due to the pace (current and the graph on GC) being all over the place.

Does Dozen Run definitely help and smooth things out and provide a more accurate current pace (while running as well as the data shown on GC)?

How many seconds do you have the Rolling Pace set to?

Thanks.

It doesn't do much graph-wise (GC graph at the end of the run will look the same, of course). During the run, it will average the pace over 10-30sec, so you get somehow more accuarate indication of your current pace. It is less erratic than when you have pace update every few seconds. I run with it this morning and it was fine. Not as good as with FR630, but can help you pace yourself.

I really hope Garmin will sort this one, as I don't understand why instant pace is so much worse than FR630 and yet maps and distances look very similar.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

It doesn't do much graph-wise (GC graph at the end of the run will look the same, of course). During the run, it will average the pace over 10-30sec, so you get somehow more accuarate indication of your current pace. It is less erratic than when you have pace update every few seconds. I run with it this morning and it was fine. Not as good as with FR630, but can help you pace yourself.

I really hope Garmin will sort this one, as I don't understand why instant pace is so much worse than FR630 and yet maps and distances look very similar.

It sounds like the issue is with the metal bezel on the Fenix series causing GPS inaccuracies which then affects pace data?
Maybe I have that wrong, but sounds like it should make sense.

I looked on the FR935 forum and it seems that that provides much better GPS and pace data. It sounds like quite a few people are returning their Fenix watches and using the FR935 instead.

I've ordered a FR935 so that I can compare both myself.

0 SIMURGH87 over 8 years ago

It sounds like the issue is with the metal bezel on the Fenix series causing GPS inaccuracies which then affects pace data?
Maybe I have that wrong, but sounds like it should make sense.

I looked on the FR935 forum and it seems that that provides much better GPS and pace data. It sounds like quite a few people are returning their Fenix watches and using the FR935 instead.

I've ordered a FR935 so that I can compare both myself.

Yes, there is a big trend of F5 to FR935 conversions. Would appreciate if you post the comparison once you receive your FR935. I will still probably keep my f5s sapphire. Love the look and am using it as 24/7 watch.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

It sounds like the issue is with the metal bezel on the Fenix series causing GPS inaccuracies which then affects pace data?
Maybe I have that wrong, but sounds like it should make sense.

I looked on the FR935 forum and it seems that that provides much better GPS and pace data. It sounds like quite a few people are returning their Fenix watches and using the FR935 instead.

I've ordered a FR935 so that I can compare both myself.

Is it really true that the 935 provide so much better GPS data? The tracks and distance looks similar to me, it's the pace thats way of. Could it be software related?

0 --Fred-- over 8 years ago

I assume you were using instant pace? If so, why not use lap pace? I use lap pace exclusively and it works quite well.

+1

Lap pace with 1km autosplit has always worked best for me.
I also have a foot pod, which the F5 autoconfigured, but if you have a lot of variation in paces (and subsequently stride length) like me it doesn't work well.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Is it really true that the 935 provide so much better GPS data? The tracks and distance looks similar to me, it's the pace thats way of. Could it be software related?

I agree that the GPS data seems similar.

I don't know much about these devices as this is my first one but it seems odd that the only real difference between the two devices is the bezel, which a lot of people suggest causes GPS issues. Surely, if it was software related then the 935 would be have similar pace issues?

I really want to keep my F5!