Related
Options
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

GPS accuracy - Fenix 7X vs Enduro 3

silentvoyager
4 months ago

 

The two screenshots above are from two trail runs on exactly the same trail a few days apart - the first one with Fenix 7X, the second one - Enduro 3. 

What you see is the offset to left side relative to the direction of run. My estimate is that the offset is about 5 meters (15 feet) each way, so 10 meters between the out and back tracks. The same effect can be observed throughout the entire run, but here it is the most pronounced. 

I remember Fenix 6X having the same issue. Fenix 6 has an older Sony GNSS chipset. Enduro 3 has a newer Sony chipset, so that is common. Fenix 7 has a Mediatek Arioha GNSS chipset.

Has anyone observed a similar issue? Consistent 5 meter offset is pretty bad for a watch released in 2024 if you ask me. It is supposed to be within 2-3 meters 95% of the time as you see on the track produced by Fenix 7X. 

  • 0 4 months ago

    Hi, where did you get the info that Enduro 3 has Sony's GNSS chipset? I haven't found online confirmation.

    "Fenix 3 has a Mediatek Arioha GNSS chipset." You meant Fenix 7 probably.

    I just came to E3 from FR955. I was satisfied with GPS accuracy on that (Airoha), but no so much with claimed battery life, but it depended of the watchface. I thought they continued to use the previous GNSS chipset.

    So now it should be a viceversa:) There is one post with E3 tracking that is perfect...with the commute ride.

    Have you set 1 second data recording?

    I just saw: https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/enduro-3/383891/gps-accuracy-issues-on-enduro-3#pifragment-1292=1

    I still have to check the watch/track during the run, had only couple of short walks.

  • 0 4 months ago

    Enduro 3 don't offer a precise GPS location. It's always off some meters. Did a 16 km run yesterday and I had to test it with another watch. My Enduro shows 16.13 km and my other watch 16.05 km

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Iggge
    Iggge said:
    My Enduro shows 16.13 km and my other watch 16.05 km

    That's a deviation of 0.5%, it means actually very accurate. You'd struggle to get such accuracy even from many professional devices. You'd need a Jones Counter device (wheel odometer) to get it more accurate than that. Now, the question is which of the two devices is more accurate, and what was the real distance.

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to trux

    I am happy with the results so no worries. But the main thing is that it's quite uneven compared to other devices I have used, and often think I am running in the sea and/or over buildings and so on.

    I think Garmin can improve this results with just software update

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Iggge
    Iggge said:
    I think Garmin can improve this results with just software update

    Maybe, but maybe only by increasing the power consumption, which would defy the main feature of Enduro - long battery life. And in fact you can improve the accuracy yourself too, if having more accurate or smoother track on the map is more important to you than the consumption - unless you already exhausted that possibility, you can tweak the GPS parameters and set it to All Systems + Multiband, and also enable the 1s recording. Personally I use the map in Garmin Connect for nothing else than to see where I have been, so whether I've run 1m more on the left or on the right, has absolutely no importance to me. 

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to trux

    If i remember correctly even the Fenix 8 have the same issue with the GPS.

    For me it's not a deal breaker, but i have seen alot of threads about this issue so it should be a priority to Garmin also.

    I have highest GPS settings activated, and still the same problem. This is my first Garmin coming from Suunto,  and the Suunto with almost the same battery life as my Enduro 3 works absolutely perfect.

    Edit: When doing STRAVA segments the GPS accuracy is really important. I have had some segments not even recorded because I have according to the watch been in the water and doing shortcuts (talking about more than 10m several times)

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Cuba1hr
    Cuba1hr said:
    Fenix 3 has a Mediatek Arioha GNSS chipset." You meant Fenix 7 probably.

    Yes, that's what I meant. Fixed my original post.

    Cuba1hr said:
    Have you set 1 second data recording?

    I don't think recording rate should matter at all. GPS chipset operates with the same frequency (once per second) regardless of whether it is smart recording or once per second recording. Smart recording affects only recording of the data to the storage as the name implies.

  • 0 4 months ago

    Hi. i have E3 also fenix 7x pro. every time i go to mountaineering they are on the right track and there is no differences between their tracks. 

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to pooya
    pooya said:
    Hi. i have E3 also fenix 7x pro. every time i go to mountaineering they are on the right track and there is no differences between their tracks. 

    It probably depends on speed. When I had Fenix 6X, the offset described above happened only when I ran. As soon as I stopped the position would quickly correct. Then as I resumed running, the position would offset again. Perhaps when you move slowly on a mountain terrain, the issue isn't noticeable. Also, problem seem to be more prevalent when there are reflections of GPS signal from trees or buildings.