I have been tracking my runs with the Workout App, and the distance/pace/calorie calculations seem to be much different from those calculated by MapMyRun (and other distance tracking devices as well). The Workout app Will consistently underestimate the distance of my run (3.5 miles versus 4 miles respectively). I was curious to see if anyone else had the same problem. I have carried my iPhone with me on all my runs.
Apple Watch
Same here. Just took my watch (with phone) for first time for run this morning. Had previously used a Garmin watch. Ran the same course/path that consistently was always 7.0 miles on the Garmin (and verified mapping on my computer the path in Google maps). This morning, I set watch for 7.0 mile goal to run same path. Had to actually run 7.75 (according to Garmin watch my daughter was wearing while with me) to get to 7 miles. Wish I could see a visual map of where the phone/watch THOUGHT I was. So far, not happy. I know it's not the watch. It's the phone since that's where the GPS is coming from. Wonder if I need to return my phone. (6+)?
Yes, but the article on Calibration says the purpose of said calibration is so that the Watch can be more accurate WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR IPHONE ALONG. No where does it either state or imply that when you have your iPhone along, the Watch will not make use of the iPhone's GPS information.
dhy8386 wrote:
... And thus you are getting steps based distance and pace, not GPS-based. Submit feedback on it and in the interim choose Outdoor Cycle when you run. I assume it will just report the GPS data which is what you want. But I assume there is no pace associated with cycling so that will be the compromise.
NO, that's incorrect.
Agree, but I have never seen it described that it specifically uses the GPS to measure distance, only calibrate. So then maybe its my bad if it says that somewhere else.
dhy8386 wrote:
Agree, but I have never seen it described that it specifically uses the GPS to measure distance, only calibrate. So then maybe its my bad if it says that somewhere else.
Think about what you are suggesting for a moment. 😕
I have submitted feedback, but thanks for the reminder. I hope everyone else is doing the same.
This is exactly how they market it: "GPS. Along with its accelerometer, Apple Watch uses GPS on your iPhone to more accurately measure distance and speed during workouts you do outside — like walking, running, and cycling."
So, yeah, I expect it to do that.
Well, Watch OS 1.0.1 has been released, which claims to have improved run/walk distance and pace calculations. Let's hope this takes care of our issue!
For me personally, walking was spot on, although 1) I don't walk as far as I run, and 2) I carry my iPhone in my pocket (vertically) when I walk vs. in a belt pouch (horizontally) when I run, which is something people have theorized caused issues.
Workout app and MapMyRun Distances Are Inconsistent
