GPS Accuracy Issues on Enduro 3

I noticed this too, compared to an Epix 51mm.

I do a lot of trail running in clear open skies and the Enduro 3 really can struggle to follow the track and can be offset by a fair amount (clearly off the trail)

If I did not have a very accurate Epix 51mm its possible I would have not noticed because its not terrible and mostly good but it seems that is can lose track quite easily for several seconds for no apparent reason.

I compared some tracks in DCRainmakers tool and could see several instances when the gps track was wrong in conditions that did not cause issues with the Epix. 

Epix purple / Enduro 3 in blue

DC Rainmakers tool can show battery discharge rate. I wonder if it is possible to compare the Enduro 3 discharge rate in different GPS modes. What I wonder if whether it does actually switch GPS modes or uses a less accurate mode all the time. 

If Fenix 7 I can see a clear difference when using dual band GPS vs. All Systems vs. GPS only.

My feeling is that it could be using a lower power GPS mode but its incredibly hard and probably a thankless task anyway to get data to really nail it down. I generally use Auto Select so its possible the Enduro 3 is dropping into GPS only, but even so I don’t think GPS only would struggle in this scenario. 

The Enduro 3 reminds me of the Coros Vertix 2 which also ran in a lower power mode as part of its battery saving trick - that also would lose the track for a few seconds compared to a Fenix 7

Another knock on is that due to the track wobbles, the Enduro 3 is over-reporting distance (this was a measured 15km trail run) vs. the Epix 51mm too.

Its not terrible but I agree with the poster who started this threads observations because I was seeing it too and was surprised vs. the last gen as the wobbles and leaps off the course do stand out when tracks are overlaid.

Can you try using specific GPS modes instead of Auto Select? I agree that it may prioritize dropping to the lower GPS mode to conserve the power. 

I could do.

The problem though is that it would be quite hard to improve my Epix 51mm tracks so if I need to run the Enduro 3 in multi-band 24/7 to improve the tracks to Epix 51mm level then any battery advantage is completely lost.

The next run I do, I will do this though because I am quite  curious as to what is going on.

@silentvoyager @Seatanus

So this morning I took out the Enduro 3, Epix 51mm and a Coros Pace 3 out (as a control watch, in all systems but NOT multi-band)

This is a multi-band test for the Epix 51mm and Enduro 3 - I do not use multi-band normally as previously I have seen very little difference, and its not the worth battery trade off. Your mileage may vary

So I am definitely seeing some drift on the Enduro 3 (diving into building or into rivers) that is just not there on the Epix 51mm - as the original poster observed, the Enduro 3 is just not as accurate. You do need to be using another watch to see this, wearing it at the same time IMHO.

I used DCRainmaker's tool so but you want to be paying attention to the Enduro (in purple this time, the tool constantly changes colour keys annoyingly) - these runs between buildings are the most tricky for GPS on this route.

Just checked my run yesterday using auto select and the accuracy is bad, apparently I have been running through buildings and hedges and in the middle of the street (I was on the sidewalk 100g of the time). Previous Instinct 2x was much better. 10ft+ error is quite significant...

Yep its looks similar.

Shame all the reviewers under NDA with a symbiotic relationship with Garmin missed it. I noticed it day one….

Its easy to miss if you don’t have experience with the last gen. but it is without question jumping into buildings etc more than the Fenix / Epix line.

It’s bad rally bad on auto select this watch it useless. I will be for 6 days in the mountains on the ridges and I’ll try every options. But I my local park in two different countries it’s the same - bad in my local park in auto should be ok man come on. I tried a custom map as well. Bad. 

the photo is bad but if you zoom you will see its miles away, cannot be bothered to do photos and prove it all you guys do. We will see in the mountains. The photo here is on a hill with open skies … idk it’s disappointing. I cannot believe that nobody from Garmin went out and used the watch in front of their hq haha 

I tested the recorded courses on many different maps. It’s not the maps. And idk Garmin maps how good are they ( the free ones) But even on the other modes there are noticeable inaccuracies, not only on the auto. I’m away from my pc but I’ll post more. Idk what to do. Wait for the update ahah