GPS accuracy terrible!

Only if you happy paying more than 5x money and get even worse result.

From what I know in rocket engineering, even there is no 100% accuracy. Because that's impossible. However, there is tolerable accuracy. Such as how much leakage is allowed (so that it ain't blow up). How much displacement is allowed on rocket body (so that it ain't break). The more accurate the more expensive it is.

There is no absolute 100% accuracy in this world. In that case I am realistic.

I am happy if Garmin Fenix 6 can show better results for the money I have spent nearly 6x than I spent on my old TomTom.

That's enough for me.

I am not expecting super accurate at microscopic precision.. Garmin says GPS accuracy is up to 3 meters (you might want to google "garmin fenix 6 gps accuracy"). But this one is, well, you know my complaint. And judging from googling on the accuracy issue, I am definitely not alone having this problem.

By providing visual comparison between Tomtom and Garmin of high-end version, I am hoping someone important in Garmin company would move to make software upgrade, or whatever necessary to fix product quality. 

9936654 said:

Garmin says GPS accuracy is up to 3 meters (you might want to google "garmin fenix 6 gps accuracy")

This is from Garmin's website:

Garmin® GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters (49 feet) 95% of the time. Generally, users will see accuracy within 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) under normal conditions.

What you wrote is incomplete. It says:

Improving the GPS Accuracy, Distance and Speed Readings of the fenix 6 Series

With a strong satellite signal, the GPS position reported by an outdoor watch should be accurate to 3 meters or 10 feet. A weaker satellite signal may decrease position accuracy, affecting the accuracy of the distance and speed readings.

Nowhere does it say it WILL be accurate to 3 meters throughout it's use.  

Again, back to my points above.. Garmin's error is worse than TomTom, despite 6x pricing.. You seem to defend Garmin with that worse inaccuracy??

I'm not defending Garmin at all. You compared your Fenix and TomTom as if one was good and the other terrible. Had you actually done so, I would never have commented. But you didn't. Instead you posted tracks by two different devices, both with poor results at points during their track and then complained about one, but not the other.  Have you heard of the adage "The pot calling the kettle black"?  This is what I pointed out. 

whatever metaphor you use, you totally missed my point... To me TomTom's is not terrible although not perfect.. TomTom, on the map, still shows I am running at the right side although I know there's some deviation. But Garmin data is totally in the wrong side. Remember Garmin is nearly 6x the price of Tomtom's! 

If TomTom can provide less error then why Garmin have more error? I was expecting famous (and pricey) product like Garmin can improve that..

By the way, normally, if one say "to 3 meter accuracy", that means, the worst deviation would be 3 meters from the true point, and should not be more than 3 meters.. or are you interpreting that 3 meters accuracy is the best case, and most of the time worse than that? If that's the case then what I learned in engineering school was totally wrong ;)

tess said:

Nowhere does it say it WILL be accurate to 3 meters throughout it's use

Again you seem only to look for my loophole and not listening to my points. that's a bit disappointing.. not sure if that's what make you happy .. 

I moved up from a TomTom Adventurer (Spark w/ Barometer) to a F6 Sapphire.  I've taken both on numerous runs to compare the tracking performance.  The Garmin does seem to have a wider standard deviation with respect to tracking vs. the TomTom, sometimes.  Sometimes not.  The distance measurements, however, are always within a percent difference.  

I paid $350 for the top of the line TomTom in August 2017.  I bought the F6 last December during the Christmas sales for $650.  Less than double the price for more than 10x the features (Real mapping & nav, in-depth fitness coaching & tracking, longer battery life, endless sensor choices, etc.) and overall performance.  The TomTom has been regulated to the back of some drawer.

Again, continuing my review on Garmin Fenix 6.

Thanks to Octadel and D_Estes for similar complaints.

For others, here's some background to refresh from yesterday's posting.. I bought my Garmin and received it on 23 Dec 2020. A Christmas self-gift as some would say it.

Sorry, but no sorry (the Garmin costed A$1399 back last year) if this result is damning for athletes, or people aspiring to be an athlete that seeking accuracy of their GPS tracking. The TomTom costed A$250-A$300 (forgot exactly how much it was in 2014 but no more than A$300).

My Garmin latest settings*):

1. GPS: GPS + Galileo
2. Data recording: Every second (more data than "Smart" recording)

*) I have been reading forums, googling, and applying recommended tweaks / settings trying to find best set up possible. The original setting really resulting in awful GPS reading that was so obvious. As this is premium device, I want to better the setting to beat TomTom's results.

Not sure if there's another better setting. I couldn't remember how many times I have turned off, and on, including hard reset to get new setting in.

Having said that, why would a customer paying thousands of dollars, more expensive than Apple Watch and TomTom, for an athlete-grade device, and still having to spend time to tweak the device many times? Sounds silly isn't it..

I wore both my **Garmin Fenix 6, Sapphire Titanium Edition**, and my **TomTom Multisport**.

After running, I loaded both data from Garmin and TomTom to RunKeeper to get consistent picture, so that we can compare.

Here is the comparison.

Garmin's Result (26 Jan 2021):


Here's snapshot directly screen-shot from Garmin Connect apps:


TomTom's Results (26 Jan 2021 - I wore both Garmin and TomTom):


My TomTom looks like having way more elegant picture. It is correctly picking up which side of the road I was running, and locations where I crossed the road. Some GPS drift still happen when my running was among tall buildings skewing the path. Heavy trees seems affecting a little, but not totally skewing the chart. I am happy with TomTom's results. I can trust her (Ms TomTom) for my running purpose.

And again, sorry to mention this, as many of you must have been investing in Garmin premium device would have been expecting premium and better accuracy, the TomTom at the time I bought (2014) was between AUD$250-AUD$300.

Photo of my trusty and loyal TomTom sitting side by side with this gorgeous handsome premium Garmin Fenix 6 (a bit sarcasm).

Oh Garmin, despite your inaccuracy is so obvious and I hate it, honestly I still love you because you looks so gorgeous. Oh TomTom, you are so loyal and trusty! I keep you both!

Well, people do judge the book by its cover...

I have similar experiences.
I run for three minutes at 5:15 pace. I run to the building (4 floors) or the edge of the forest and Fenix 6X PRO shows me 7:30 and even 9:00 !!!
This attempt can be repeated every time ...

Running intervals in urban terrain is impossible ...

I agree, but ... We are talking about the quality of information on a premium watch, not about how to implement the intervals.