GPS bugs on Suunto9

[bastpp]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a Suunto9 (not Baro) and activities were well recorded during the first month (except the altitude that was really underestimated (still now)). But during one week, the watch wasn’t able to find a GPS signal at all. Since it came back, my GPS tracks are wrong for each of my running sessions (pictures attached).
I ran mostly in my city but houses aren’t high enough to perturbe the GPS signal I think.
I tried each GPS modes (GPS only, GPS+ GLONASS, GPS + Galileo), I tried to resest the settings, my watch was update each time, so I don’t really know from where this bugs could come from… Maybe a problem with the GPS sensor ?

Someone else has this GPS bugs too ? What did you do?

Thank you !

[isazi]

@bastpp do you regularly connect with the Suunto App or Suuntolink? Is your AGPS up to date?

[Shrek3k]

@bastpp I just tried to find where exactly you run in Caen and how long your runs are (Google Maps helped).
And I have to say, that in my opinion on such short rounds (mostly not much more than 100m per leg) the results do not seem (too) bad - with the exception of the first.
I am usually running during the week in the inner city of Berlin (a 3km round with approx 1km legs) and since the latest update for the watch I a mostly fine with the results. Sometimes the tracks seem to have a ‘nervous’ phase and fluctuate quite a bit in some areas. Sometimes I have some areas where I have bigger fluctuations.
Even on a sports field the GPS tracks are not perfect at all in my experiences, and this is the same with other brands, too, as long as there is no algorithm that ‘snaps’ the GOS-track to ‘real tracks’, which means it mostly ‘ignores’ the GPS.
But: I (have to) accept that GPS (+ other services) is not perfect, especially on short distances), that it is good to “saturate” GPS by waiting for quite some time after the signal of reception is given, and that I can only hope that the satellites are positioned in a good way.

[bastpp]

@isazi Yes I always connect my watch to SuuntoApp before my runs and sometimes with the Suuntolink. And I check regularly if I have the assisted GPS (on the general setting).

[isazi]

@bastpp then did anything change in you runs in the last month? Maybe as @Shrek3k suggested you started running in an environment with more buildings and less space?

[bastpp]

@isazi Because of the actual French policy, we are not allow to run more than 1 hour and 1km far from our home so I started shorter and closer runs. But before, I ran 10-15km in the city without this GPS bugs…

[zhang965]

it’s not a bug, we call it as a feature for S9.

[isazi]

@bastpp then it’s not a bug, it’s just how GPS works, and it does not work well in small spaces. When the lockdown will be over, you’ll see that everything works well again.

[sartoric]

@bastpp
Did you try to use glonass too ?
Maybe it can helps a little

[bastpp]

@sartoric Yes I tried all the GPS options…

[Saketo Nemo]

among the options I have not seen gps + beidou. Have you tried that?

[Shrek3k]

as @Saketo-Nemo mentioned - Beidou is definitely a chance for improvement.
Additionally I found an article about GPS on a french website, even if your issue might not be solved by it, it might nevertheless give a explanation. In case you don’t like direct links, the website is www.montre-cardio-gps.fr

[Cuba1hr]

@Saketo-Nemo said in GPS bugs on Suunto9:

gps + beidou

Yes, the GPS (with all other systems) is not good, it is a hit or miss. Sometimes it is OK, sometimes way off even with GPS + Beidou. Totally unreliable.
I use my old trusty SirfStar powered GPS watch and waiting to sell S9B.
Waiting for more GPS reviews of Polar Grit X to get that one or to stay with V800 until the manufacturers start to put in something better than the latest Sony’s GPS solution…which is crappy, but it saves the battery…which on the other hand Firstbeats features drain insanely:)

[Brad_Olwin]

@Cuba1hr I agree with you. But I am not sure it is just the Sony chip, Suunto dropped the external antenna on the Ambit as well, except in the S5, which does get the best tracks of the S series watches for me. I would love an S5 with a barometer. Suunto does work to improve the GPS and I think it is reasonable, but not as good as the Ambit.

[isazi]

@Brad_Olwin when I bought my S9 last August my tracks were okay, but nothing better than that. Since the last update I had almost only amazing tracks, and I mean in normal suburban to urban environment. When I am out in the open, it’s even better. Nowadays I really can’t ask much more in terms of tracks.

[nseslija]

@isazi I totally agree…

[Cuba1hr]

@isazi
I did not have such experience, I hope to get out more during the next weeks. Like I wrote, hit or miss since last update, but only for short walks.

Which setting do you use @isazi & @nseslija - GPS or GPS+Beidou?

[isazi]

@Cuba1hr I’m now on GPS+Beidou all the time. I got pretty nice tracks with GPS only too, but simply I don’t want to play change settings often so I haven’t gone back.

[nseslija]

@Cuba1hr since the last update Beidou only, walks are most challenging, arm movement and slow speed… when your amr is in the pocket the results are better. Tracks when cycling are great. Haven’t hike yet, COVID lockdown…

[Cuba1hr]

Thank you both, I have to test GPS+Beidou for a run session. Soon…

I know, but to miss that much, even with waiting after acquiring the signal.
GPS+Beidou

BTW, I was moving on that road most to the right, not the road nearest to the buildings.