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 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

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.

I thought about the 935 but I didn't like it enough to want to wear it as a daily watch. I also thought it was really overpriced for what it is as the build quality feels cheap. I'm almost tempted just to keep the F5 as a daily wear watch and use it for cycling and the occasional hiking trip, then use my 630 exclusively for running.

0 timgrose over 8 years ago

Can I just check you were running in lane 1 throughout and had the F5 on your left wrist?

0 Crispin_Ellisdon over 8 years ago

but maybe the F5 keeps the track if you set the footpod to pace+distance ?

Just to clear this one up; yes, the GPS track is still recorded even if both pace and distance come from the foot pod ('twas the same on the Fenix 3)

0 webvan over 8 years ago

Thanks for clarifying

I thought about the 935 but I didn't like it enough to want to wear it as a daily watch. I also thought it was really overpriced for what it is as the build quality feels cheap. I'm almost tempted just to keep the F5 as a daily wear watch and use it for cycling and the occasional hiking trip, then use my 630 exclusively for running.

Hadn't thought of that, I suppose it's an option as it feels like a pretty nice watch and it's packed with (expandable) features but it's still hard to slide under a shirt so not really great as a daily wearer. The F5s might be better for that but I haven't tried one on to see if the thickness makes a big difference.

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

Can I just check you were running in lane 1 throughout and had the F5 on your left wrist?

I wear my F5 on my right wrist and keep on the inside lane - although on that particular run I was actually on the line separating the inside and 2nd lane as I was drafting someone.

On another note, I went out for a bike ride last night and I was pleasantly surprised by how accurate the track was - it even shows which side of the road I was on for most of the route.

https://www.strava.com/activities/950743273

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

Thanks for clarifying

Hadn't thought of that, I suppose it's an option as it feels like a pretty nice watch and it's packed with (expandable) features but it's still hard to slide under a shirt so not really great as a daily wearer. The F5s might be better for that but I haven't tried one on to see if the thickness makes a big difference.

I had a F5S sapphire but exchanged it for a F5 sapphire. I wasn't keen on how tall the F5S was including the lugs. Also I didn't like the band - it's too short and narrow and lacks support when running, which made it flop around on my wrist. I figured I may as well have a larger screen, better battery life and proper strap of the F5. The overall height difference from lug to lug isn't much different.

0 webvan over 8 years ago

Yes the lugs looks a bit odd on the F5s, I was thinking more the actual thickness to make it slide under a shirt, I found it was hard to do with the F5, but then the difference is only 15.5mm vs 14.5mm so I'm not sure it would make an actual difference, it's still a thick watch.