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GPS Chipset 2.50 - no improvements compared to 2.42 beta?

Jaran
over 5 years ago

Just did my first ride after updating to 2.50 (and doing a full reset, just to be sure).

The GPS accuracy data field still only shows 3m all the time. I biked today using the Edge 830 and my old Suunto Ambit 2 at the same time. The Edges GPS track still deviates more  from the actual track than the Ambit 2 does. Some longer segments on Strava don't appear in the Edges recording while they do on the Ambits because of the deviations. Corners are still cut short or averaged out in the woods. At some places the Edges track is a couple of meters in parallel to the actual track and runs through buildings etc. There are only rare occasions where the Edge beats the Ambit in terms of accuracy.

So is the 2.50 version just the official release of the 2.42 beta with no further enhancements? And can this be fixed by software updates at all?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Tim_B_

    From Garmin:

    When a watch initially displays that it is GPS ready, it means that the watch has picked up the minimum amount of satellites needed to get your location. Soaking GPS is practice of allowing your watch additional time to communicate with satellites before you start moving for your activity. This practice allows for your watch to communicate to additional satellites, creating a stronger bond and helping to reduce degradation of GPS signal.  

    Soaking GPS

    1. Select an activity 
    2. Wait for the GPS Ready message or GPS Indicator to turn green
    3. Wait 2-5 minutes before you start the timer for your activity
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Tim_B_

    according to Garmin...

    Garmin_ODQA said:
    Everyone,

    Just a quick note regarding GPS updates and how to get the best results out of your device:

    After applying GPS software updates, for best results please allow the device to track GPS signals continuously for 15 minutes. This one-time process will allow the device to re-accumulate satellite information lost in the update process.

    Outdoor SW Quality Team

    Applying GPS Firmware Updates - What You Need To Know

    Improving GPS Accuracy, Distance and Speed Readings on a Instinct Watch

    GPS Drift and Environmental Factor Impact on GPS Accuracy

    gps-soak

    happy & safe sporting

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    ok, well there you go, first time I've heard of that - thanks!

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to hulster 
    Today also made a ride with the versions 4.10 and 2.50. GPS + Galileo set. 
    Ride made of approximately 41 km. The satellite images are loaded on the map of Strava and I am just 
    about right for the entire ride. Occasionally next to the bike path. but for the most part it is good.
I first turned the Garmin on for just under 10 minutes because I had to go back before I pressed the record key. 
    Did a ride last week in Austria and this ride in the Netherlands.
  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Pastries

    This should be known for years, maybe not by this term. In fact it matters only at the begining of the ride. The issue bespoken affects the whole ride.

    GPS soaking may aftect following conditions at the beginning of the ride:

    -     alltidude

    -     auto wheelszise calcution if sensor being used

    -    speed, distance

    -    accuracy of track

    To me it doesn't matter. Wheelsize manually entered. Track at the beginning accurate enough. Climb is barometric, absolute alltidude not that important to me. Maybe similar for other users.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to hulster

    to be on the same knowledge base...

    yes, gps soaping is for the beginning of the ride procedure

    the other gps soaking is after a GPS firmware update, which is the case now

    happy & safe sporting

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    I think it is a totally unnecessary step if you sync your unit via GC and the latest EPO.BIN (empherisis datas ) is downloaded. The "soaking" is doing the same, downloading emp. datas from GPS signals but just in very tiny blocks so it needs lots of time to put these tiny piece of blocks together. 

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Luko79

    thank you for the sound advice Smile

    happy & safe sporting

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    GPS units like the Edge do not communicate with satellites.  They only receive signals.  The GPS unit needs complicated ephemeris data which it receives from the satellites to subsequently calculate positions. It takes time for all the initial ephemeris data to be received, up to 15 minutes or so with clear signals.  Once all the data is initially received and saved, it is then only updated, which occurs much faster as the unit is in use.  So with new GPS firmware or upon the first use of the unit, it is best to give it the necessary time (soaking) to receive all the most recent ephemeris data.