Apple Watch running accuracy

1.0.1 was supposed to fix outdoor running distance/pace accuracy, but I find that only pace has been fixed. Distance is still way off (and therefore, so is final average pace). Caloric burn is still way off as well.

Yes, very frustrating indeed. Don't understand how Runkeeper is able to report the distance accurately using the same GPS. The main reason I bought the watch is to track my runs with HRM display. This falls awfully short. Seriously considering returning it.

Actualy for outdoor runs the distance acuracy is kind of close. My main issue is for indoor runs. I dont understand why since it has enought hardware to do that. The Microsoft band was much simpler in Hardware and in interface but it was very acurate on a Treadmil run regarding distance. Still disapointed that there was no update released to correct that...

Yes, I totally agree. I have the same issue. Run non-stop and have tons of resting calories and seems much fewer than should be of active calories.

My bigger issue is the fact that the Watch shows (at the end of work out) that I ran for 30 mins (as an example), but the Activity app says I only had 17 mins of activity (really!!?). Very disappointing. Seems like time should be easy to track, at least...

Yuliya

Yuliya,

That is new to me!!! The time of my workout on the watch always shows that I reached my daily goal, but I didn't actually checked if in the App is the same time as in the watch... Will check that and get back here soon.

Seems like there is still a lot to fix on the software side...

davecz,

Are you using a heart rate monitor with the other "devices" (Strava, Life Fitness, Nike+ etc)? If not, another possible reason for the discrepancy is that those other devices are estimating calorie consumption based on a formula. These formulas present average calorie consumption for your height/weight. But, someone who is in better shape than the general population would theoretically have a lower heart rate, lower oxygen consumption and would burn less calories.

That said, I have noticed some strange calorie discrepancies vs the "formula" (in my case used by the Runkeeper app) as well, but I haven't done enough tests to conclude the watch is inaccurate.

I have a disappointing experience with Apple Watch - not close on measurements

My family and I hiked for 3 hours in the mountain - challenging track.... the Apple Watch logged ~100 calories.... REALLY?!?!?

Not happy with the watch at all....

Love my phone though :-) for several generations. and my and my families Mac computers...

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I have been extremelly unhappy with both the Indoor Run and the Outdoor Run distance accuracy of Apple Watch Workout.

I have done the calibration process, described by Apple support, several times and it is still completely unreliable.

In Outdoor Run it is currently 2.5% off, so running a 10K in a measured 400m track, it show an error of 250m.

In Indoor Run in a treadmill, it is 10% !!! off. So a 10K run shows as a 11K distance!!!

I suppose it should be simple for Apple to change the calibration processes and use the way Polar Beat uses: You run, it shows the distance in the Iphone, and you type the correct distance. The calculated adjustment factors should be different for Indoor Run and Oudoor Run.

If the accelerometer, being in the wrist and not in the foot, is intrinsically bad for measuring distance, then Apple should change their Workout app to let it use a foot based bluetooth accelerometer such as the one produced by Polar.

I like running without a chest strap for heart rate measurement, but the current distance/speed errors of the Apple Watch Workout app are ridiculous.

VPN

I have a suggestion for calibrating your outdoor run (using the iPhone) that might improve your accuracy. Run a set distance on a straight line, not on an oval track. The GPS will be more accurate on a straight line. The phone doesn’t take continuous GPS measurements (otherwise your battery would be dead in no time). On an oval, the distance will be calculated as a series of straight lines which converts the oval to a polygon, and the resulting distance will be inaccurate. In contrast, periodic GPS measurements on a straight line will have less error when calculating the total distance and your calibration will be more accurate

Having said that, I am actually impressed that it is within 2.5% accuracy if this is the result without the iPhone (however, you have every right to be disappointed if you like).

For the indoor run on the treadmill, I think you have a point that the calibration could (or should) be different than the outdoor run. However, I am not sure why is is a big deal since the treadmill distance reading will (presumably) always be more accurate. Isn’t that the data you use to monitor your run? How does the watch’s inability to accurately calculate treadmill “distance” negatively impact your workout? Again, you have every right to be disappointed, if you like.

Your suggestion to use a bluetooth device on the foot is a good idea. I am unaware if Apple actually prevents a 3rd party from developing a device like this (as you imply). It doesn’t sound like something that Apple is likely to build themselves. Sounds like a business opportunity for someone (it actually sounds vaguely similar to the Nike+ device - which I clearly know nothing about!).

Dave

David,

Regarding your comment: "Having said that, I am actually impressed that it is within 2.5% accuracy if this is the result without the iPhone (however, you have every right to be disappointed if you like)." To clarify, the 2,5% accuracy in the Outdoor Run is WITH the Iphone, without the Iphone it is 10% off. I would never do an Outdoor Run without the Iphone because 10% inaccuracy is ridiculous.

Regarding your comment: "For the indoor run on the treadmill, I think you have a point that the calibration could (or should) be different than the outdoor run. However, I am not sure why is is a big deal since the treadmill distance reading will (presumably) always be more accurate. Isn’t that the data you use to monitor your run? How does the watch’s inability to accurately calculate treadmill “distance” negatively impact your workout? Again, you have every right to be disappointed, if you like." Of course I can read the distance in the treadmill and I put it as a note in the workout, but the Workout app does not allow me to correct it with the right distance, so the distance, speed, calories are all wrong. This does not make any sense, I should be able to calibrate the Workout app. I have run for many years with the Polar watch, with the foot based accelometer that I could calibrate and it worked well. I don't see why Apple can't fix the gross error of their application. I suggested two options for correcting it.

Regarding your comment: "Your suggestion to use a bluetooth device on the foot is a good idea. I am unaware if Apple actually prevents a 3rd party from developing a device like this (as you imply). It doesn’t sound like something that Apple is likely to build themselves. Sounds like a business opportunity for someone (it actually sounds vaguely similar to the Nike+ device - which I clearly know nothing about!)." Maybe I was not clear enought, but this device already exists, it is the Polar Stride Sensor Bluetooth Smart, and the Polar Beat app that works with the Apple Watch is able to read it. The Workout App is and Apple app, so Apple is the one that can change it. Apple is the only one that can change its app to read the info from this Polar stride sensor.

http://www.polar.com/us-en/products/accessories/Stride_Sensor_Bluetooth_Smart

Regarding your comment: "I have a suggestion for calibrating your outdoor run (using the iPhone) that might improve your accuracy. Run a set distance on a straight line, not on an oval track. The GPS will be more accurate on a straight line. The phone doesn’t take continuous GPS measurements (otherwise your battery would be dead in no time). On an oval, the distance will be calculated as a series of straight lines which converts the oval to a polygon, and the resulting distance will be inaccurate. In contrast, periodic GPS measurements on a straight line will have less error when calculating the total distance and your calibration will be more accurate" I think it would be much simpler if Apple just let me put the correct distance of the track and calibrate it with it just like most running watch programs.

Regards,

VPN

Sorry you didn't like my suggestion to improve your watches calibration.

You seem a little angry. 🙂

Hello David,

Thanks for your suggestion. It is not that I didn't like your suggestion, but that I have already done this. I run in the streets, parks, not only in the oval track.

I am angry and frustrated with Apple given the ridiculous performance of the Apple Watch as a runners watch. I have suggested two ways for them to solve this, so I hope they implement one or both of them soon.

Cheers,

VPN

WATCH keeps calibrating anytime you run with your iPhone anyway, so doing the initial calibration on a straight track is not a realistic solution if the problem truly lies with going around curves.

For my part, my early runs with the 2.0 OS were spot on. Now they vary by less than 1%, which I can live with. GPS isn’t inherently super accurate either.

Indoor accuracy is another story entirely, but I don’t run at the same pace indoors compared to outdoors.

No problem... I understand the frustration.

I always run (or hike) with my phone as well. I guess I have come to expect about a 2-3% accuracy (or variance) when using the phone (with or without the watch). I guess that's the advantage of low expectations.

I always use the Runmeter App on the iPhone simultaneously with my Workout App on my Watch. This allows me to track my run/hike on a map and gather other statistics (elevation, etc). It creates a complete report for each run/hike and emails it to me automatically. When I look at the map of the run, I see the slight location errors that occur because of the limitations of GPS (yes... GPS is capable of mm level accuracy with specialized scientific equipment, but not with phones). Each GPS point is off by a few feet, and occasionally by 50 feet (or more). Also, if I have many turns in my route, I see the “shortcuts” the GPS makes around the corners. It’s easy to see why the GPS distance is typically off 2-3%. it can also vary according to your location and how many GPS satellites are available. I live in Alaska where satellite coverage may not be as good as where you live. Even tall buildings can impact coverage. I generally see better results when I have long straight runs. However, I am quite surprised that Lohvarn is getting such good results (1%). He/she must have a very consistent pace/stride.

Obviously the watch alone will be worse than the phone, but 10% doesn’t seem real good (I don’t really have any experience using the Watch without the phone - I like to have the phone with me anyway for other reasons). Outdoor running tends to have many more variables than a treadmill and stride length can change significantly with terrain. This is where your thought about having an ankle device would be quite good.

It all depends what info is most important to you (and accurate distance is important to you). For me, I usually run/hike on the same trails repeatedly (or use a treadmill), so I know the distance of most of my usual routes. When I run a new route I realize it could be off by a little. I actually focus more on active calories than distance (not because I want to lose weight!). I use the calories to compare how different workouts compare in terms of energy expenditure, so I can maintain a certain level of activity, regardless of the type of activity.

It may be that you should look into a device that has an integrated GPS if you would rather not carry a phone (MS watch?), but I still wouldn’t expect better than the accuracy you get with your phone.

Dave

Dave,

The Apple Watch should be able to measure distance accurately in their Workout App, they just have to fix it, if they care about runners.

I certainly think that 2%-3% is too much if you are in an Outdoor Run with an iphone, but let's put aside the Outdoor Run for a moment, since we don't seem to agree.

Regarding Indoor Run (so without a GPS) a 10% error way is too much and unacceptable. I suggest two options for Apple to fix their app:

Solution 1: Apple should change the calibration processes in their Workout app, creating the option of manual calibration. It could be the way Polar Beat works: You run, it shows the distance in the Iphone, and you type the correct distance. The calculated adjustment factors should be different for Indoor Run and Oudoor Run.

Solution 2: If the accelerometer, being in the wrist and not in the foot, is intrinsically bad for measuring distance, then Apple should change their Workout app to let it use a foot based bluetooth accelerometer such as the one produced by Polar. The only reason I don't use the Polar Beat with the Apple Watch is because I does not currently read the heard rate from the Apple Watch and I don't want to use a chest band for heart rate measurement. Apple should be able to change their Workout App to read the Polar bluetooth foot accelerometer.

In my view, if Apple care about runners, they should change their Workou App to offer Solution 1. If they also offer Solution 2, even better.

Regards,

VPN