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How has everyone's experience with the FR 245 GPS been so far?

245user
over 5 years ago

Just wondering if people are happy with the GPS accuracy of their 245/245M compared to previous Garmin devices (especially since the new watches apparently have the new, less accurate Sony GPS chipset). I've changed the settings on my 245M to GPS+GLONASS and every-second recording (and I of course wait for GPS lock and then a little bit more), which seems to have improved my activity tracks, but I still feel like they aren't *as* good as other people's tracks who are running with a 235, 935, or other previous-generation Garmin device. Also, the 245 is definitely not as accurate as using my phone for tracking had been, which is disappointing.

For instance, do your 245 tracks stray to the other side of the road even though you're running on the sidewalk on the opposite side (even for wider roads)? Especially when I zoom in a bit, I notice a lot of this happening. I see less of this from people with older generations – don't have anyone with a new watch to compare it with. Not sure if it's just me with a 245/245M, or if this is typical.

Have you noticed a shift in your activity tracks from previous generations?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Very interesting observations -- thanks! I wonder why GPS+GLONASS gives you worse results than GPS alone. I would think that more satellites would translate to better accuracy. I switched to GPS+GLONASS and every-second recording based on DC Rainmaker's reviews.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    As per DC Rainamker's review I am using GPS+Glonass and am totally happy with the GPS tracks this device has is creating. I've had everything from a 310XT, 920XT, Fenix 3, 235, 735XT,  Fenix 5, Fenix 5S+, Fenix 5+, 935, 645M, Suunto Spartan Baro Wrist HR, Polar Vantage V and even a Coros Apex. These are the best tracks I've seen to date - even on a trail run with switchbacks. Battery life is excellent, the connection to my phone robust (which I find unusual for a Garmin watch) no dropouts with my Aftershokz Trekz Air (unlike my 645M). Apart from the slightly mushy feel to the buttons the watch is perfect. Best garmin I've owned! 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to CraigDennen

    Are you also using every-second recording? When I zoom in just a bit, my tracks sometimes are zig-zagged instead of smooth – do you see that at all? I've not seen that sort of jaggedness from others' tracks using older generations (haven't been able to compare to anyone else with a 245), and I'm wondering if that's normal, or if that's an issue with my device.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    It seems like for a lot of these devices, they get better after a couple of firmware updates. GPS seems to often be a focal point for these updates.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 245user

    GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO are each set up so that there's a relatively uniform coverage of satellites.  That is, the satellites in view are spread all over the sky.  That's ideal for trilateration.  With GLONASS and GALILEO added to GPS, if you have something blocking a GPS satellite to the North (for instance) that object will possibly block the GLONASS satellites as well (depending on how tall it is).  Tree cover will probably block everything the same.   So you can end up with a cluster of GPS and GLONASS satellites closer to each other, from your point of view.  If they are TOO close, you could get worse positioning.

    Ideally, adding GLONASS or GALILEO satellites will improve accuracy (like, if you had a fixed site with reasonably clear view of the sky).  I suspect that the watch locks on the first 6 or 7 satellites it can, and if they aren't optimally positioned, then the accuracy can suffer.  But I also suspect that the watch continuously scans the sky and should eventually settle on a constellation of satellites that give good positioning.  But I don't know how the initial error propagates on.

    I think Garmin would be better off with single systems rather than the combo, but they are the GPS experts and know way more than I do.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I found a fantastic video on youtube testing the GPS accuracy of Forerunner 245 across various terrains/scenarios. Check it out! 

    https://youtu.be/5wzWO-I_G1k

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to saumil25

    This was a really nice video -- thanks for sharing!

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

    I totally understand following DC Rainmakers recommendations as his reviews have led me to any of my watch purchases. I will be going on a 14 mile trail run tomorrow and will do so with GPS+GLONASS enabled. I’ll report back my findings. I just can’t imagine it being any better then with GPS alone so far with my experience. 

    How did you like the Coros Apex? I was so close to buying a 46mm before I read the 245 was coming out. I had it in a shopping cart to check out but to many users have reported large errors in their overall distances. Being that I primarily run long distance that’s a huge no go for me. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    I upgraded from a FR235 to the FR245M. So far very happy with it...I havent used the music yet but I am going to hook that up this weekend.

    I to found the GPS+GLONASS was a bit more accurate.