Just got a new garmin 235. My first garmin and I really love it so far. EXCEPT if I go under any tree cover (even just a little) it loses signal and my pace registers as super slow and I don't think it's getting my distance properly. I tried it today with GPS and GLONAS turned on... no love. Anyone else experience this?? Is this normal?
The GPS on my 230 is not as good as that of my 520, even with both GPS and GLONASS enabled.
Just like with a speed sensor on a bike, the best way to ensure consistent pace readings in areas of less than optimal satellite reception is with a foot pod that is properly calibrated. You need some runs outdoors with a good GPS signal to calibrate it. I found that the foot pod also avoids the cadence spikes when you hold your wrist steady to look at the display.
GPS + GLONASS is generally better for accuracy but at the expense of battery life.
In outter suburbia in MN i have never had any issues with the 235 under tree cover.
Read up on DCRainmaker regarding 'gps issues' - generally make sure firmware is updated via cable - and then do a restart or even better a Reset (hold pwr button for 20sec). Don't worry, You don't loose settings in either a restart or reset.
I'd say NOT normal. I run under pretty thick tree cover (south-west coast Canada) regularly. Even on a very cloudy, overcast day I find a strong GPS signal almost immediately and retain it throughout my runs. I've never lost GPS data yet in the 9 months I've owned the 235. I use GPS only ... never found a need for GLONASS. I do plug into my PC for a charge/sync once per week, which as I understand, updates the GPS data table.
FWIW, I regularly run on a paved trail at my park with sections of partially covered trail, and sections with open sky. My FR235 almost always has issues in the covered sections, mostly around the current pace field. The distance works out fine (the trail has mile markers), but the instant/current pace will go haywire during the covered sections. I kind of expect it with GPS watches.
No problems with mine with GPS and GLONASS enabled.
Due to foot issues I walk for exercise but I walk on sidewalks with a lot of tree cover and have never had an issue with my 235 losing position lock, in fact I can get a strong lock while sitting indoors. IMO you should contact Garmin about this problem because my experience is that you should not be having problems with both GPS and GLONASS active.
Always useful to post the GC links when this happens as not entirely clear what "loses signal" really means? It is rare to lose GPS completely although does happen from time to time and can partly be mitigated by ensuring you have a good GPS fix before you start. Of course, under very thick tree cover, any GPS device like this may struggle so some "wobbleness" of your GPS track is not to be unexpected. If GPS is lost, the internal accelerometer should kick in for distance and pace although this does take a few runs for the automatic calibration of it from "OK" outdoor runs to fully kick in and even then it is not perfect but usually in the ballpark.
I thought maybe it stopped... but today I tried with Strava at the same time... my pace in strava stays more consistent and today the Garmin measured 9.5km and Strava measure 10km... that seems like a big difference! I have used Strava in races and its never off by that much... not sure what to do now... I emailed Garmin today, don't know how long it will take to hear back. I really want to love my 235!
