Are GPS accuracy issues resolved on this series?

Hello, I have just ordered a Garmin fenix 6x Pro on Amazon following a great promotion (I got it for 350€) but looking more closely at the reviews after purchase I realized that people who had bought the watch in 2020-2021 were complaining about major GPS accuracy issues on this watch...

Can you confirm that the issues have been resolved? I am switching from a Coros Pace 2 to this watch because it is magnificent and full of additional parameters, the GPS of the Coros is perfect and I would mind going from a good gps tracking to a failed tracking...

Thanks in advance.

  • I have the 6X Pro as well. The GPS isn't GREAT, but it isn't terrible. I'm happy with it. I've seen better, but it isn't enough to make me even consider going to a different watch or brand.

  • I own a Pace 2 and as you say it has very good GPS.

    If you wear side by side, you will probably notice the Pace 2 has more realistic 'instant pace' and Fenix 6 products sometimes show a tendancy for a GPS track to be slightly offset to the left. Tree cover is more likely to produce 'wobbly' tracks in the F6.

    I find generally F6 tracks very good other than the caveats above - you need to zoom into both tracks overlaid when doing comparisons to spot the trends.

    The really bad examples of poor GPS we see reported often seem to be due to a faulty device rather than a systemic issue. The Sony chipset which both devices share seems solid.

  • I use Fenix series since Fenix 3. I am always happy with the watch except GPS accuracy. When compare with Forerunner, Fenix series accuracy really sucks. I have Fenix 6 Pro now. Nothing changed. It is still awful whatever I do.

  • In direct comparison with coros2, the gps accuracy of the F6X is terrible Rolling eyes

  • I have a Polar V800 (once, arguably, the gold standard for GPS accuracy in a watch), fenix 3HR, fenix 5X+ and fenix 6X Pro Solar.

    I have performed numerous side by side comparisons, although not in the last 12 months, and in my opinion the 6X Pro Solar creates the most consistently accurate tracks in general use with GPS + GLONASS enabled. The V800 generally performs better in woodland, but overall I'd give the win to the 6X.

    Regarding distance, they all vary a little, no certain winner, but not enough for me to reject any of them. However, when it comes to running I use Stryd for distance and pace, so it's a bit academic to me.

    Regarding pace, Stryd FTW.

    People do seem to have varying degrees of success with GPS performance - it might come down to the exact model (size and antenna design), geography involved or simply expectations. I think mine is good enough that I don't need to replace it with an Epix 2 Sapphire. I'd say you've got yourself a bargain there. But test it and return it if you're not happy. Only you can be the judge for your watch.

    p.s. When I say "most consistently accurate" the watch does exhibit a track offset to the left when worn on the left wrist, typically 1-2m, but it has the least random deviations and wobbles.

  • I have never found Stryd very useful and have often found it less accurate for distance than GPS.

    One out of 3 (watch on the left) of these watches was connected to a caliberated Stryd...the other two did fine without.

    Coros esssntially obsoletes Stryd as its native  running power is almost identical and it doesn't have the erractic pace issue to begin with - I doubt the OP wants to buy a Styrd as its costs more than the Pace 2 he is replacing..!

  • No they are not, nor can they be resolved.

    The Sony chipset is marginal. The metal frame is making reception worse.

    It is the worst GPS I have ever owned. I have GPS watches starting with MotoACTV through Suunto's and a dozen Garmins.

    Fenix/Epix 7 and Forerunner 255/955 have a new chipset. All you need to know.