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Elevation and GPS

I bought the vivoactive 3 last week to replace another garmin that broke. I have to say I am unimpressed.

All of the runs I have been on so far have shown no elevation gain (Im in a flat location but not that flat). I have once uploaded adjusted the elevation using garmin connect and strava. Both have come up with completely different results. For todays run GC has 50ft gain and strava 130ft.

Also, the GPS tracking is poor. I have done 2 10k runs and each has come in .2 of a mile short. I have autopaused a few times at crossings etc but it shouldnt lose that much. My forerunner didnt on similar routes. I did one run with gps and glonass and that was worse.

Anyone else had the same issues? or found a fix?

0 pieras123 over 7 years ago

Both issues have been discussed many times on this forum. Here you have the thread regarding elevation:
https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/health-fitness/vivoactive-3-aa/1319992-altitude-is-very-incorrect

Making a long story short, don't expect too much from this device and don't count on reasonable feedback from Garmin support.

0 Hervandil over 7 years ago

I calibrated the elevation many times and still after an hour is totally wrong . VA3 is expensive toy only, too expensive

I'm totally agreed. Very disapointed.
As an example, check the elevation for those two activities (from home to work, and from work to home). Despite I took different paths, the start and end points are the same.
Regards

0 HungryKid over 7 years ago

I bought the vivoactive 3 last week to replace another garmin that broke. I have to say I am unimpressed.

All of the runs I have been on so far have shown no elevation gain (Im in a flat location but not that flat). I have once uploaded adjusted the elevation using garmin connect and strava. Both have come up with completely different results. For todays run GC has 50ft gain and strava 130ft.

Also, the GPS tracking is poor. I have done 2 10k runs and each has come in .2 of a mile short. I have autopaused a few times at crossings etc but it shouldnt lose that much. My forerunner didnt on similar routes. I did one run with gps and glonass and that was worse.

Anyone else had the same issues? or found a fix?

Might as well return the watch get your money back and maybe go for the Forerunner Series or something else.

0 keithtyger over 7 years ago

Might as well return the watch get your money back and maybe go for the Forerunner Series or something else.

My watch worked perfectly from release until December when the Broadcast heart rate started acting up and then March when the the elevation went haywire. I am now stuck with with the malfunctioning watch. I cannot return mine. Only hope Garmin will finally replace it, my trouble ticket is in!

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

keithtyger You're not stuck and you don't have to hope Garmin will replace it if your profile page is up to date and you still live in the US. The watch has a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. If it's truly broken, exchange it now and don't wait around to see if an update will fix it.

0 Theshrews81 over 7 years ago

Cheers all. I had the 920xt but due to water damage (I doubt it) it has stopped working. As I'm backpacking for 12 month I can't send it back to UK for repair and have it sent back. I was in Bangkok airport saw this so bought it!! Big mistake and I can't easily return to airport or wend back for a new one!

guess I'm stuck with it now!! Garmin haven't even answered my emails

0 keithtyger over 7 years ago

keithtyger You're not stuck and you don't have to hope Garmin will replace it if your profile page is up to date and you still live in the US. The watch has a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. If it's truly broken, exchange it now and don't wait around to see if an update will fix it.

Maybe I have not been stern enough with support. I started a trouble ticket and sent them all the requested files from the device. I was told it is an issue they are working on and would update with more information when available. After 3 weeks I sent another email asking for an update on the fix. I was again told they are working on the solution.

0 keithtyger over 7 years ago

I opened my ticket on 3/17

Hello Keith,

I have added you to the engineering ticket. Once they have a solution to the issue, you will be contacted.

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

0 keithtyger over 7 years ago

On the bright side, my new 645m is working flawlessly! Until the next update breaks something. Elevation has been spot on.

0 mwblacknj over 4 years ago

Same issue still in 2020. The weird thing I see is that the bike elevation is correct but the run elevation for the same section is completely different. I’ll do an out and back run that shows I only ran downhill, but do the same thing on a bike and it’s correct. Truly perplexing!