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GPS Accuracy Issues on Enduro 3

Seatanus
9 months ago

Hi,

I've encountered an issue with the GPS accuracy on my Enduro 3 compared to the Garmin 7X Sapphire Solar. I have it set to record every second and use multi-band and all available satellites, but the recorded track is still less accurate than expected. I compared the track with another device (Garmin 7X Sapphire Solar), and the difference is noticeable. I'm not aware of any other settings that could improve GPS accuracy. The settings on both watches are the same.

Another question: Before the update, I liked the bold font in active mode. Now, it seems less prominent. Changing the font size in the system doesn’t help. Does anyone know how to revert the font back to the original bold style during activities?

One more thing, why doesn't the Enduro 3 have the option to back up and restore settings? Ideally, I would like to transfer the data field configuration from another watch, specifically from the Fenix 7X to the Enduro 3. Does anyone know if it’s possible to transfer data field settings between different Garmin watches?

The GPS inaccuracy occurs across the entire route, not just in a specific section. I can send GPX files for comparison and check the extent of the discrepancies. Is there anything you can do to resolve this?

Thank you for your help.

Fenix 7x Saphire solar

Fenix 7x Saphire solar

Enduro 3

Enduro 3

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to Seatanus

    I gave you a possible reason. It is hard to guess from one example. Another possible reason is that the accuracy of Enduro  3 is slightly worse, because the watch is designed to endure (run as long as possible), hence reducing the power consumption may be prioritized over the best accuracy. Still, the accuracy of both your screenshots seem to be fair, and well within the claimed accuracy of Garmin watches +/- 15m. And that's specified under good conditions, which is not the case when you run under trees and near buildings like in your case. Personally I'd tell the track is pretty good.

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to trux

    You are right that the accuracy seems to be within the declared range of the watches, but I must refer to the real-world data from my Garmin Fenix 7X, where the accuracy is demonstrably much higher. It is a bit frustrating when you buy a new watches expecting the same GPS accuracy, and it falls short. I also use the watch for mountaineering, where meter-level accuracy is crucial, especially when navigating crevasses on a glacier and needing a safe return using trackback.

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to Seatanus
    Seatanus said:
    It is a bit frustrating when you buy a new watches expecting the same GPS accuracy, and it falls short

    Well, it would be true if you got the Fenix 8, but you have entirely different model, cheaper than Fenix 8, with a completely different focus of the design (low power consumption is the main goal).

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to trux
    trux said:
    Well, it would be true if you got the Fenix 8, but you have entirely different model, cheaper than Fenix 8, with a completely different focus of the design

    I don't believe this has anything to do with it. The Enduro 3 has the same GPS chip and settings available as the F8 series.

    OP, if you have concerns open a case with Garmin Support.

    Seatanus said:
    I also use the watch for mountaineering, where meter-level accuracy is crucial, especially when navigating crevasses on a glacier and needing a safe return using trackback.

    In which case you are expecting too much from any wrist-worn GPS device. If you get that level of accuracy, great but in reality you want something like a handheld device like the GPSmap on Montana range,

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to Dr Phil
    Dr Phil said:
    The Enduro 3 has the same GPS chip and settings available as the F8 series.

    The chip is not all. There is also the antenna design (battery might have been prioritized over the antenna), the operating mode, and also the powering and clocking of all the components, including the CPU.

  • 0 9 months ago

    I observed a similar pattern with Fenix 6 - the path being offset to one side (to the side of the arm that you wear the watch on) relative to the direction of travel. In Fenix 6 that was happening due to reflection of GPS signal and inability of the watch to to reject the reflected signal. Seeing this would make me suspicious that dual-band GPS isn't actually working and/or that perhaps the GNSS chipset is different. Or perhaps that Garmin has activated some other energy savings measures to reduce the battery usage. Or perhaps that the GPS antenna design has changed and it isn't as optimal as it was with Fenix 7.

    I wonder if you see this offset in all of your activities?

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to trux
    trux said:
    The chip is not all. There is also the antenna design

    I don’t disagree but then I also don’t believe the GPS accuracy of the E3 would have been sacrificed on the altarpiece of battery saving. Of course I could be as wrong as anyone speculating about this, which is why I suggest the best thing the OP can do is contact Garmin Support and work with them. I don’t have an E3, I do have an F8 though and that is working fine bit it is a different watch albeit of the same generation. It would be interesting to hear from others with an E3 and not just those of us without speculating. 

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to Dr Phil
    Dr Phil said:
    the best thing the OP can do is contact Garmin Support and work with them

    Yes, that's what I advised the user too, but frankly told I do not quite believe the Support will investigate deeply (especially if it is a national support out of the USA, which is the case of the Czech user in the OP), since the track generally looks fine, and well within the accuracy specifications.

  • 0 8 months ago

    Sa here it is horrible , on top of that on all+multi is still horrible and the battery for 2:15m cycling 4% man I have same photos I will upload later. I am so disapointed my Iphone 12 is way better, and on the screen of the watch it is worse. The thing is when I plotted on 3 different apps, some look good accuracy but on some places is bad. It is updated. If I am in the mountains idk, I will test it there soon. but come on I should not be writing this

  • 0 8 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    How my Iphone 12 is accurate above 2000meters in a forest ? "especially when navigating crevasses"