Does anybody else get Garmin GPS errors?

[orangeguy]

A strange thing happened this morning, I ran my normal 2.5k up the old railway line, turned around and headed back to the carpark. Somewhere on that return route my Garmin went a bit crazy and added an extra .84k on to my distance. Looking at the data on the computer it seems the Garmin thinks I deviated and went across a couple of fields! All the time I've had the Garmin its never done anything like this, my question is, is this just a glitch or will I be looking at buying a new Garmin in the near future? I would be interested to hear if anybody else has had similar Garmin issues.

[roseabi]

It could be that your GPS coverage was interrupted by trees or buildings, you should keep an eye out to see if it happens again.

I have been less than happy with my Garmin's GPS reliability recently. I have just tried a few things: removed all non-Garmin apps, hard reset, making sure the watch gets a good GPS "soak" before starting a run. Not sure how well it has worked yet as haven't had a chance to give it a proper test on roads, but I think it's worth a try - Google it. Next step is a full factory reset 🙁

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Thanks, yes I was thinking about a factory reset . . . its odd I've had the watch about two years and its never done anything like this. There was nothing unusual that I am aware of to effect the GPS and its a route I've done many times before, time will tell I guess 🤔

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I've had a few weird gps readings particularly in mountains on garmin and other tracking devices.

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Well my partner wore it when she went out for a walk this morning as a test and it seemed to behave itself so I'm just hoping its a one off. By the way, it also told me I had just completed the fastest mile I have ever done when I had got back to the carpark after my 5k (despite being set to km), I think my Garmin was just having a bad day! 😁

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Well done on fastest mile. That’s an ok record as although you have it set to kms it records records in imperial too. I got a 1st 500ft cycle badge today and also have Pb for 1mile run. Just accept all badges with a smile. 🤗

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you, but I have some doubts as to how valid that is after how my Garmin was acting this morning 🤔

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

That's probably a fair point, you can always discard it on Garmin stats

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

I've had that happen twice in about 15 months. I suspect it's just a glitch. Personally, given how small a target is being traced from such an incomprehensible distance, I'm more amazed that they are right, not that they occasionally get it wrong.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

When I do parkrun Mr Garmin always thinks I run down the road instead of the prom every week. Sometimes I run in water - magic!

[BarbieW Graduate10]

My Garmin always over states my distance and sometimes has me running strange places nowhere close to where I actually ran!

I know it is the Garmin, not my Strava app as when I used both on Parkrun Garmin said it was over 6k.

This morning Garmin said I ran 11,4 k, but Strava said it was 10.5

BTW this morning I went out at 7.00 and it was brilliant sunshine all the way. Looking out now I am awfully glad I went when I did!

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to BarbieW]

I have to say since I bought my Garmin about two years ago it has pretty much been spot on. Today was the first time it seemed to have a mind if it's own and for no obvious reason such high buildings, hill, trees etc it seemed to think I had climbed through a hedge and stopped my run in the middle of a field 😁

[BarbieW Graduate10]

Hahaha

When I first used mine in Cambridge it had me running down the River, not 50 metres back on the bank!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

I've had this occasionally - it always seems to result in an amazing record that I then have to discard!😢