Fenix 5 GPS distance to short

I was reading in the Fenix 6 forum about distances beeing to short. Someone pointed out that the actual distance in the GPX file might be correct, but Garmin Connect and the watch shows asgorter distance.

I thought that I might check the same thing with my Fenix 5. I found a 10 km trail run that I participated in last august and the watch and Garmin Connect both showed 9,73 km.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3958970995

I exported the activity to a GPX file and opened it a GPX viewer which showed the distance to be 10,20 km. I then reexported this file and imported it into Garmin Connect which is now showing 10,23 km.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4541095614

Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it an algorithm in the watch that attempts to compensate for GPS errors but fails. The track was officially measured to 10 km, and I beleive that the 10,23 is the correct distance.

Regards,

Top Replies

IanGamon over 3 years ago +1

Garmin: Was this ever resolved?

My Fenix 5 Plus has been consistently recording my runs about 5% shorter since earlier this year. Eg the same morning run I have been doing for 2 years was always 6.2km…

All Replies

0 Ocean5 over 4 years ago

If you haven't, try using "Every second" data recording instead of smart and see how it goes.

0 MichaelLundMilo over 4 years ago in reply to Ocean5

I am actually using "Every second". It is not because the watch does not track the whole distance. It just shows a shorter distance than it saus in the GPX file.

Regards,

0 JM_Zogg over 4 years ago

You asked: "Is it an algorithm in the watch that attempts to compensate for GPS errors?"

Answer: No! But what can happen: The GPX- or FIT-File can be stored with less or more points. If I analyse the two files I see more or less details. To be sure, the both GPX-Files should be available. In this case, the two files could be analysed with Base-Camp.

0 marcossaad_ over 4 years ago

you don´t even need to reexport it.

Download the file and open it with the own Garmin´s Basecamp.

0 MichaelLundMilo over 4 years ago in reply to marcossaad_

The reason I reexported it was to see if Garmin Connect would show the distance from the file og interpret it into another false value.

0 IanGamon over 3 years ago

Garmin: Was this ever resolved?

My Fenix 5 Plus has been consistently recording my runs about 5% shorter since earlier this year. Eg the same morning run I have been doing for 2 years was always 6.2km and now it records as 5.8km for the same GPS track. I cross-checked with my Apple phone recording on Strava and it is 6.2km whereas Fenix records 5.8km. Similar on other runs where I used to finish 10km outside my house now need to run another 0.5km to get the Fenix to record 10km.

This seems to be a software bug in Garmin’s calculation from the GPS?! Please report back / fix.

+1 Garmin - Chris over 3 years ago in reply to IanGamon

What you are describing is an issue with your watch since your GPS accuracy was fine and it degraded over time. You can try resetting your watch but if the GPS distance issue continues, please reach out to your regional Outdoor Product Support. We will be happy to help you further.

0 5030172 over 3 years ago in reply to IanGamon

Hello, Ian, I have the same problem with my fenix 5 plus. Have you found a solution?

0 IanGamon over 3 years ago in reply to 5030172

Hello, I tried the factory reset but this didn’t correct the problem. I’ve reached out to Garmin Support for help as my Fenix 5 is still in 2 year warranty. If I get any quick fixes I’ll let you know.

0 5030172 over 3 years ago in reply to IanGamon

Thank you very much Ian!

The factory reset made some difference for me, but not to my satisfaction.