Anonymous
05/24/2023 13:08
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Don't get a forerunner unless you are REALLY into stats. They are too expensive for the 12:40 pace, I'm assuming you are newer or a casual runner. I have a Garmin Venu but have had a Fitbit. I switched because the Fitbit maps were soooo wonky. Look at the run on the app - is it all over the place? Do you think the time or the distance is wrong? I will check the distance again on Google maps. None of them are perfect but you are really off by some metric. Also, did you start the watch when the buzzer started or when you ran by the chip marker? I usually am towards the middle of the race line and it takes 30 seconds at least before I can even start running. I start it when I pass the chip marker.
Fitbits break very easily. I've had a Garmin Fenix for six years and still runs like the first day i bought it.
I'm not sure if either are very accurate. Just don't go up to the 10k organizer and tell them that you didn't run the full length. The watches aren't as accurate.
Many people say this but I had two Fitbits and neither broke....but that's not true evidence.
Anonymous
05/24/2023 12:39
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Don't get a forerunner unless you are REALLY into stats. They are too expensive for the 12:40 pace, I'm assuming you are newer or a casual runner. I have a Garmin Venu but have had a Fitbit. I switched because the Fitbit maps were soooo wonky. Look at the run on the app - is it all over the place? Do you think the time or the distance is wrong? I will check the distance again on Google maps. None of them are perfect but you are really off by some metric. Also, did you start the watch when the buzzer started or when you ran by the chip marker? I usually am towards the middle of the race line and it takes 30 seconds at least before I can even start running. I start it when I pass the chip marker.
Fitbits break very easily. I've had a Garmin Fenix for six years and still runs like the first day i bought it.
I'm not sure if either are very accurate. Just don't go up to the 10k organizer and tell them that you didn't run the full length. The watches aren't as accurate.
Newer garmins are very accurate if you turn on every second recording and gps plus either glosnass or galileo
Anonymous
05/24/2023 12:35
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Anonymous wrote:People sell used garmin watches on eBay all the time. I rarely look at all the crazy data on garmin connect and I am a pretty strong runner (like sub 20 5K). I got a 945 lte two years ago and now do triathlon. You never know what you are capable of until you try!
You can also get refurbished ones through Garmin. And you can trade yours in for a newer model.
Anonymous
05/24/2023 12:34
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Anonymous wrote:Don't get a forerunner unless you are REALLY into stats. They are too expensive for the 12:40 pace, I'm assuming you are newer or a casual runner. I have a Garmin Venu but have had a Fitbit. I switched because the Fitbit maps were soooo wonky. Look at the run on the app - is it all over the place? Do you think the time or the distance is wrong? I will check the distance again on Google maps. None of them are perfect but you are really off by some metric. Also, did you start the watch when the buzzer started or when you ran by the chip marker? I usually am towards the middle of the race line and it takes 30 seconds at least before I can even start running. I start it when I pass the chip marker.
Fitbits break very easily. I've had a Garmin Fenix for six years and still runs like the first day i bought it.
I'm not sure if either are very accurate. Just don't go up to the 10k organizer and tell them that you didn't run the full length. The watches aren't as accurate.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 19:47
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Anonymous wrote:I ran a 10K yesterday. My Fitbit watch reported that my run was at a 12:40 pace. However, the chip time was 13:27, so almost like a full minute slower. It was the first time I had a "check" on my watch accuracy. My goal was to come in sub 13:00. Is this kind of difference typical for watches?
GPS watches are generally very accurate for road runs and trail runs in the open, less accurate where there is heavy tree cover. Assuming you start your watch when you cross the timing mat, your elapsed time on your watch should match the chip time. Your distance will be slightly longer on the watch, as the race distance is based on cutting every corner perfectly, so 99.9% of people will run a longer distance. You should expect your chip pace to be within a few seconds of your watch pace.
You may want to troubeshoot a couple things. Make sure you have a good GPS lock before you start your watch. Make sure you have turned off auto-pause.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:10
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
People sell used garmin watches on eBay all the time. I rarely look at all the crazy data on garmin connect and I am a pretty strong runner (like sub 20 5K). I got a 945 lte two years ago and now do triathlon. You never know what you are capable of until you try!
Anonymous
05/22/2023 14:57
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
Don't get a forerunner unless you are REALLY into stats. They are too expensive for the 12:40 pace, I'm assuming you are newer or a casual runner. I have a Garmin Venu but have had a Fitbit. I switched because the Fitbit maps were soooo wonky. Look at the run on the app - is it all over the place? Do you think the time or the distance is wrong? I will check the distance again on Google maps. None of them are perfect but you are really off by some metric. Also, did you start the watch when the buzzer started or when you ran by the chip marker? I usually am towards the middle of the race line and it takes 30 seconds at least before I can even start running. I start it when I pass the chip marker.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 11:08
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
My experience was that the Fitbit overall want very accurate. If you are taking running seriously I’d get a garmin forerunner model.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 09:48
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
It depends on the quality of the watch. It's also possible that the 5k course wan't actually 5k. With my garmin, I'd be on the latter, but I don't know anything about fitbits.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 09:44
Subject: accuracy of GPS watches
I ran a 10K yesterday. My Fitbit watch reported that my run was at a 12:40 pace. However, the chip time was 13:27, so almost like a full minute slower. It was the first time I had a "check" on my watch accuracy. My goal was to come in sub 13:00. Is this kind of difference typical for watches?