Problem with Fenix 5 GPS accuracy

Maybe I have been luck with my F5.... But I always run with RunKeeper on my iPhone at the same time, and they seems to report the same distance +-100 meter over a half marathon.
so either both units are wrong... or right...

In addition I have been using the Garmin foot pod, but just for distance. As Instant GPS speed is useless no matter what device you are using.

Problem with Garmin foot pod is that it relies on your calibration data at that certan pace. So if you run intervals combined with slow pace it is useless.
So I have ordered a stryd, am is planning to use it for pace and distance thin the F5

Hi all,

my Fenix 5 always measures too short distances by approx -5 % to -7 %. However, at the same time, the recorded track is more or less pretty accurate since I made the software updates to GPS 4.4 and 9.2. So how is it possible that the measured distance is actually shorter than the line on the map??? I found the same issues running at clear or cloudy skies along a river, in a forest or on beaches.
I was wondering if someone experienced the same?
Change of settings to GPS with or without GLONASS, or even with smart data recording or every second does not seem to make a difference.
I compare the watch to measurements taken with Google maps, Garmin Connect, my Garmin Edge W810 and Forerunner 735XT —> all the same, except my Fenix 5 which gives me the 1 km signal too late with every km. Luckily, Strava has the possibility to correct the distance afterwards automatically.
Garmin thankfully replaced my Fenix 5 once already, unfortunately the results are still remaining the same.

Does anyone have some good advises to fix this? Otherwise I guess I tried it all.

The fellrnr article was eye opening to me, thanks for that!

Hi all,

my Fenix 5 always measures too short distances by approx -5 % to -7 %. However, at the same time, the recorded track is more or less pretty accurate since I made the software updates to GPS 4.4 and 9.2. So how is it possible that the measured distance is actually shorter than the line on the map??? I found the same issues running at clear or cloudy skies along a river, in a forest or on beaches.
I was wondering if someone experienced the same?
Change of settings to GPS with or without GLONASS, or even with smart data recording or every second does not seem to make a difference.
I compare the watch to measurements taken with Google maps, Garmin Connect, my Garmin Edge W810 and Forerunner 735XT —> all the same, except my Fenix 5 which gives me the 1 km signal too late with every km. Luckily, Strava has the possibility to correct the distance afterwards automatically.
Garmin thankfully replaced my Fenix 5 once already, unfortunately the results are still remaining the same.

Does anyone have some good advises to fix this? Otherwise I guess I tried it all.

The fellrnr article was eye opening to me, thanks for that!

5-7% off is way to much! Contact garmin support and claim replacement! My experience is that 0.5-1% is normal.

My 5x is also short on distance (especially in the forest).
in a forest run its like 10% off with my TomTom watch. People who claim you need a foodpod are wrong because the old TomTom was accurate every run. Now the same runs can differ in distance.
this watch is claimed to be a runners watch and more so it has to be accurate.
there is some major design mistake somewhere.
mine goes back to Garmin and I wil test the new one, if that one also is bad I sell it and buy an different one ( suunto perhaps?)

Hello, my name is Ivan,new to this forum and recently proud owner of 5s,I was very upset reading gps accuracy issue but I am very pleased I couldn't confirm most of them.Here are my running course today gps+glonass,3d speed on 3d distance on,green area on the map is very dense wood.Instant pace in wooded areas were off but lines are strait.On 4.km I made a stop and set on the near bench and on 5.km a made wrong turn.Both places are shown corectly on the.map.
Check out my running activity on Garmin Connect. #beatyesterday
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2954169858?share_unique_id=6

Hi, I've the same problem with my garmin fenix 5. I've configured the watch to use GPS+GLONASS and when I run sometimes the rhythm that marks me is incorrect, increasing that 1 or 2 minutes, when I verify the route that creates the gps in strava I've seen that have a deviation of a few meters in some places, crossing buildings, making curves on the straights,... you can see it in the pictures. How I can I improve the precision? Is there another better configuration?


ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1453720.jpg

I don't find the accuracy of the 5+ bad enough to make it unusable but there's no doubt that a design flaw somewhere is degrading the accuracy. It uses very similar hardware and software to the 935 and yet is definitely less accurate. On my runs I get more zig-zaggy tracking than with the 935 but overall distance is usually within reasonable bounds. I've currently turned Galileo off and the tracks look pretty much the same - next step is to turn Glonass on after a few more days on GPS only to see if that improves things. Some people seem to report improvements with Glonass whereas others report that they have worse tracks. OriolCorominas try turning Glonass off - for some users it does make the tracks worse - if that makes no difference try Galileo for a while

You guys complaining, take a look at this :-D

https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-the-trail/wrist-worn/fenix-5-5s/1451743-current-pace-all-wrong-possible-cause?p=1452085#post1452085

I too believe that this watch should be much more precise than it is. I know there are the footpods. There are also radars, infrared search and track systems, thermal detection systems and so long. For most of the people, a GPS watch that reasonably works is enough. Too bad this doesn't (but you pay for it).

Hi, I've the same problem with my garmin fenix 5. I've configured the watch to use GPS+GLONASS and when I run sometimes the rhythm that marks me is incorrect, increasing that 1 or 2 minutes, when I verify the route that creates the gps in strava I've seen that have a deviation of a few meters in some places, crossing buildings, making curves on the straights,... you can see it in the pictures. How I can I improve the precision? Is there another better configuration?

You are running in the city surrounded by trees and buildings. Run on the esplanade and you will have a good signal.