GPS accuracy issues in Fenix 6S

After buying Forerunner 265 and comparing it to Fenix 6S, found out that we have much worse GPS accuracy. Was this always like this?

Same track: in the forest small road, hiking Fenix 6S, go up and down the same path:

Forerunner 265:

You can see that accuracy of Fenix is much worse even on open road without buildings.

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socorsu over 1 year ago +1

Hi,

It's a good thing that a FR265 from 2023 with GNSS + Multi-Band provide a more accurate GPS track.

Fenix 6 Series from 2019 are GNSS only, (not Multi-Band capable).

So we can't compare the GPS…
socorsu over 1 year ago in reply to 0x49D1 +1

It wasn't mention in your post, thanks for the information.

Antenna position seems to be the explanation of GPS acuracy on the F6 series, during bike (and also thanks to higher speed) precision is…

All Replies

0 Farron over 1 year ago

Yes, that has always been the case with the Fenix 6.
This is due to the GPS chip used, the antenna position and a bit of the carrying method and the fact that the F6 is already a few years old.
On the other hand, you should not overestimate a few meters difference.
Sure, newer watches have a better chip and more options to capture the position even more accurately but I think that you can still see on a map with this deviation well, which path they have taken.

0 0x49D1 over 1 year ago in reply to Farron

Yes, but this types of differences seem to me like the ones that can be "corrected" with software, without the need of newer hardware. Anyway, still love the Fenix 6, just wanted to draw attention and maybe there is some bug that can be fixed in GPS firmware... But you're right +- several meters should not make situation with 10km hike drastically different.

0 socorsu over 1 year ago

Hi,

It's a good thing that a FR265 from 2023 with GNSS + Multi-Band provide a more accurate GPS track.

Fenix 6 Series from 2019 are GNSS only, (not Multi-Band capable).

So we can't compare the GPS accuracy between these different generation of watches.

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FR265 - GPS Settings

Fenix 6 - Changing the GPS Setting

0 0x49D1 over 1 year ago in reply to socorsu

Multiband is turned off. GPS + Galileo is set on both. I just though about algorithmic software problems.But I've rechecked the review from DcRainmaker: www.dcrainmaker.com/.../garmin-fenix6-pro-solar-series-review.html seems that this is not an issue, it was like this 'inaccurate' from the beginning. In newer devices they just did everything better.

0 socorsu over 1 year ago in reply to 0x49D1

It wasn't mention in your post, thanks for the information.

Antenna position seems to be the explanation of GPS acuracy on the F6 series, during bike (and also thanks to higher speed) precision is near perfect.

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See also this old Thread, i will not do that

forums.garmin.com/.../simple-but-awkward-hack-to-boost-fenix-6-gps-accuracy-and-proof-of-flawed-design---updated