Running Tunnel Marathon this Sunday outside of Seattle. 2+ miles early are through old rail tunnel where GPS is naturally spotty. Have read where some folks have used foot pod to help track pace/distance. I know it uses accelerometer to record data which Fenix 5X has built in. Question is...what would be my best bet for tracking data if/when GPS is lost in tunnel? Would internal accelerometer kick in and do that or do I need to use foot pod? Would ideally like to use GPS as main source of data collection. Hoping one or the other kick in in the background as needed. Make sense? Is that a pipe dream?
In most cases you can expect better accuracy with a footpod, especially when you take into account, that you could perform some non-standard action with your hands, like holding a bottle up for a drink, and this could confuse the built-in accelerometer pace algorithm. However when you run at a steady pace and move your arms naturally, then the results should be pretty close, I guess.
If and when the watch looses GPS signal it will switch to the internal accelerometer or foot pad if connected. It does this automatically and will revert to GPS once it regains signal. I have a foot pod and leave on my shoe all the time for this very purpose. In reality, I feel either one will be good enough so maybe don't spend the money on the foot pod yet and see how the accelerometer work for you first. I have the foot pod and the tempe but I am a dork and I like gadgets so take that for what it is worth.
If and when the watch looses GPS signal it will switch to the internal accelerometer or foot pad if connected. It does this automatically and will revert to GPS once it regains signal. I have a foot pod and leave on my shoe all the time for this very purpose. In reality, I feel either one will be good enough so maybe don't spend the money on the foot pod yet and see how the accelerometer work for you first. I have the foot pod and the tempe but I am a dork and I like gadgets so take that for what it is worth.
Rob - thank you. That was the feedback I was looking for. Let me ask you this...internally on the watch, what settings do you have set for the footpod for this to occur? I currently have it set to Always for both pace and distance. Do you know if that overrides the GPS or do they somehow work in conjunction with each other?
Now that you mention it, mine is set to Speed and Distance "Indoor" so it may not be doing anything on the regular "Run" activity. Perhaps I have been carrying it along with me for the fun of it haha. That would mean that, when I have lost signal I have used the internal accelerometer all the time and not actually realized it. I am going to give Garmin a call to ask them when I get home. They are always really helpful.
But to specifically answer your question, I know there is a hierarchy to sensors but I cant find it right now. I think GPS is king but I need to verify.
I currently have it set to Always for both pace and distance. Do you know if that overrides the GPS or do they somehow work in conjunction with each other?
This particular setting means that pace and distance are calculated based on footpod, and GPS is ignored, even if available. GPS is used, however, to automatically calibrate the footpod and to give you a track on the map.
This particular setting means that pace and distance are calculated based on footpod, and GPS is ignored, even if available. GPS is used, however, to automatically calibrate the footpod and to give you a track on the map.
TMK2 - thank you. That’s what I suspected but was unable to get clear answer from Support Line. May have been in how I was asking.
Given that scenario, would you agree that foot pod would be best bet for tracking pace/distance assuming GPS will be lost from time to time throughout the course?
I cannot advise you anything conclusive, because I never made any thorough tests. I use a footpod as an "always" pace source, because I have noticed that it gives better instant accuracy especially around corners or when GPS is signal condition changes (like running into a forest or getting close to tall buildings) but I leave the distance to GPS. On the rare occasions when GPS signal is not available, the footpod kicks in anyway as a distance source.
"Q: If GPS signal drops (like in a tunnel), will the foot pod pace be used instead? A: Yes, foot pod pace takes over if GPS speed drops to 0, and foot pod speed shows a higher number. The inverse is also true, if foot pod speed shows 0, and yet GPS speed shows a number, than GPS speed will be used."
