GPS inaccuracies on the track

So I tried my new Fenix 5 on the track tonight. I did 7 laps of the track (2.8km) and the watch recorded 3.19km. Not a good start to measure an entire lap of the track over what I had actually run! Also, the tracks on Strava look like I've been running over all of the lanes, despite sticking to the inside lane.

I'm coming from a Forerunner 630 and even though that watch also overestimated distance on the track, the tracks themselves look neat by comparison and follow the shape of the track much better.

Here's a link to the Strava activity recorded with the Fenix 5:

https://www.strava.com/activities/949261215/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1492626367

Now compare that to the neat track recorded by the 630:

https://www.strava.com/activities/867636673/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1487419974

For info, 1 sec recording and GPS/Glonass was enabled on both watches.

I'm seriously considering selling the Fenix 5 as I do a lot of track running and this isn't good enough for a £590 GPS watch. Is this something that can be fixed with a firmware update, or does the metal body make the GPS inherently less accurate than a plastic body watch?

0 tx911 over 8 years ago

Just curious as to why you use GPS on a track, since you know where you ran and you know the distance and GPS is known to be terrible on such a short course with so many turns?

I would either just use a stopwatch or if anything a calibrated foot pod.

0 Dr Phil over 8 years ago

While I agree with the notion that running on the track with a GPS watch is of very little value the representation of the path taken could be better. This has been improved in some models after initial release and might well be the case with the F5 over time.

That being said if you intend to spend the majority of your time running in circles around a track then sending the watch back and buying a stopwatch would be the best solution.

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

While I agree with the notion that running on the track with a GPS watch is of very little value the representation of the path taken could be better. This has been improved in some models after initial release and might well be the case with the F5 over time.

That being said if you intend to spend the majority of your time running in circles around a track then sending the watch back and buying a stopwatch would be the best solution.

I do a variety of running and like to record every run I do on Strava. I use the lap feature to record interval times. I accept that GPS devices aren't suited for running around in circles, but the inconsistencies in the Fenix 5 tracks are concerning for what is supposed to be Garmin's flagship watch. Saying that, I guess I'm just using it as a very expensive stopwatch.

0 chimpware over 8 years ago

935 on the track:

https://www.strava.com/activities/939474181/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1492027657

Distance lapping was not bad and overall distance was only off by about 50m or so over 5.5 miles. Might be a better choice.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

more than gps

While I agree with the notion that running on the track with a GPS watch is of very little value the representation of the path taken could be better. This has been improved in some models after initial release and might well be the case with the F5 over time.

That being said if you intend to spend the majority of your time running in circles around a track then sending the watch back and buying a stopwatch would be the best solution.

The OP might also use the watch for recording workouts, HR, etc. Most of us prefer one device to do it all, apparently (hence all the bells and whistles that garmin and others are piling into these devices). And for the steep price, everything SHOULD work.

0 webvan over 8 years ago

And when you have such distance overestimation you also run into issues of messed up stats (VO2Max, PC, etc...). It sort of defeats the purpose of paying for all these fancy metrics ;-)

A calibrated footpod is only half the answer because if you use it for both pace and distance then you lose the track, well you lost it on the FR610 if you turned off GPS, but maybe the F5 keeps the track if you set the footpod to pace+distance ?

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

And when you have such distance overestimation you also run into issues of messed up stats (VO2Max, PC, etc...). It sort of defeats the purpose of paying for all these fancy metrics ;-)

A calibrated footpod is only half the answer because if you use it for both pace and distance then you lose the track, well you lost it on the FR610 if you turned off GPS, but maybe the F5 keeps the track if you set the footpod to pace+distance ?

Are you saying that I need to spend another £50 on a 6 year old foot pod to connect to my top of the range £590 Fenix 5 just to get meaningful pace and distance calculations for an interval workout? Geez, I'm seriously considering selling it and going back to my trusty 630. It's not like the optical HR works very well either for high intensity training. Great bit of kit for hiking, but perhaps not so ideal for running.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

That's just what I'm doing Scott. I currently have a Stryd for this but it's a waste of time due to the sheer number of dropouts. I've since ordered a Garmin footpod which I will use instead. Hoping that these issues get fixed in future fw updates

0 Jan502 over 8 years ago

Could you tell me the best configuration speed.
I use mode 1 second, glonass+gps, footpod always speed and distance indoors .

I have always 10s different last km and temporary speed

0 webvan over 8 years ago

Are you saying that I need to spend another £50 on a 6 year old foot pod to connect to my top of the range £590 Fenix 5 just to get meaningful pace and distance calculations for an interval workout? Geez, I'm seriously considering selling it and going back to my trusty 630. It's not like the optical HR works very well either for high intensity training. Great bit of kit for hiking, but perhaps not so ideal for running.

My thoughts exactly, that's why I returned mine and I'm happily running with my FR235 without worrying about swings in pace and lap pace/distance. I do have a footpod I picked up for 15€ during a sale though. I might get an FR935 later if I find a good deal on it.