Has anyone seen issues with Garmin 920xt run pacing lately? I and another colleague have started to see some real discrepancies recently. 8 minute miles for 4 miles, but the pace on the watch is showing 12:40. He had a similar problem with with the pace showing faster than he was running, in both cases the pace display didn’t change even when the running pace did.
Is this a new thing? Or a known problem (I tried searching the forum, but couldn’t narrow down enough to find a good result)? Thanks in advance.
Do you have a footpod, or are you using the watch internal acceleration sensors? If you don’t have a footpod then the pace is VERY sensitive to how you swing your arms. More for/aft swing = faster. More side/side = slower. GPS is also pretty variable and suspect. Moving in/out of tree cover, etc can dramatically affect instantaneous pace.
Get a footpod if you don’t have one. Configure the watch to always use footpod for pace (ignore GPS).
Do you have a footpod, or are you using the watch internal acceleration sensors? If you don’t have a footpod then the pace is VERY sensitive to how you swing your arms. More for/aft swing = faster. More side/side = slower. GPS is also pretty variable and suspect. Moving in/out of tree cover, etc can dramatically affect instantaneous pace.
Get a footpod if you don’t have one. Configure the watch to always use footpod for pace (ignore GPS).
Interesting, I thought the GPS was the only determining factor for the pace. Shows what I know. I’m not sure this is arm-swing based though, since it held 12:40 per mile steadily over a 4 mile run where my pace was ranging from 7:30 to 9:00 based on the post-run data. I’ll look into the footpod.
Both the GPS and the internal sensors kinda suck at pacing. The watch will prefer GPS, but if the signal gets poor it will switch to the internal sensors.
I’ve not experienced that issue. I’d definitely contact Garmin customer support. They’ve been very helpful for a variety of issues that I’ve had over the years.
The only time I notice that my real-time pace and displayed pace don’t match up is for several seconds after beginning from a dead stop. It’s a little unusual, because the “average pace” reflects my real-time pace (if at the beginning of a run) but the “pace” is always much slower. Definitely call Garmin.
The foot pods are great, particularly for treadmill days, but if you configure pace via foot pod for your outdoor sessions, does the watch still collect the GPS data?
Do you have a footpod, or are you using the watch internal acceleration sensors? If you don’t have a footpod then the pace is VERY sensitive to how you swing your arms. More for/aft swing = faster. More side/side = slower. GPS is also pretty variable and suspect. Moving in/out of tree cover, etc can dramatically affect instantaneous pace.
Get a footpod if you don’t have one. Configure the watch to always use footpod for pace (ignore GPS).
The foot pods are great, particularly for treadmill days, but if you configure pace via foot pod for your outdoor sessions, does the watch still collect the GPS data?
Yes, as long as you don’t actually turn off the GPS. My 920xt is configured to prefer footpod for pace. Everything else still comes from GPS: distance, GPS track, etc. I get all the GPS data and better instantaneous pace from the footpod.
Cool. Thanks. The only time I have problems is when I’m boxed in by buildings downtown or with a lot of tree cover.
The foot pods are great, particularly for treadmill days, but if you configure pace via foot pod for your outdoor sessions, does the watch still collect the GPS data?
Yes, as long as you don’t actually turn off the GPS. My 920xt is configured to prefer footpod for pace. Everything else still comes from GPS: distance, GPS track, etc. I get all the GPS data and better instantaneous pace from the footpod.
I always have issue with my 920xt but I am surrounded by tall buildings, overpasses and bridges for a good portion of all of my runs near where I live. I just ignore it and then take my end pace with a grain of salt. When I travel and get to run in more open spaces I feel like it is more accurate.
I should start using my Garmin footpod as well - I only use it for Zwift but I bet it would help with running pace outdoors.
I always have issue with my 920xt but I am surrounded by tall buildings, overpasses and bridges for a good portion of all of my runs near where I live. I just ignore it and then take my end pace with a grain of salt. When I travel and get to run in more open spaces I feel like it is more accurate.
I should start using my Garmin footpod as well - I only use it for Zwift but I bet it would help with running pace outdoors.
Mine is ALWAYS strapped to my shoes, because its too much trouble to take it off and remember to put it on. I frequently where my running shoes to work (they are solid black…not those goofy neon colors), and I typically change the battery every 9 months or so. My 920 tells me when it starts to get low—I’ve run on it for a week after getting the notification…so, there’s no “rush” to change it immediately.
I can’t come up with a reason to ever take it off my shoes. I’ve seriously considered getting a second one, for my other active pair of shoes…just so I don’t have to bother switching the pod over.
I can’t come up with a reason to ever take it off my shoes. I’ve seriously considered getting a second one, for my other active pair of shoes…just so I don’t have to bother switching the pod over.
Yea, that’s my issue - I rotate through 2 pairs of shoes (also a recent discussion topic), so I am always turned off by having to move the pod. But it may be worth another $50 to not have to do that ever again. Life is hard.
Yea, that’s my issue - I rotate through 2 pairs of shoes (also a recent discussion topic), so I am always turned off by having to move the pod. But it may be worth another $50 to not have to do that ever again. **Life is hard.
Don’t I know it…might be considered a first world problem, though.
OMG, I’m so tired of having to switch my $50 footpod between my two $150 pairs of running shoes, so that I can get accurate running pace information on my $250 GPS watch.
How have you configured it for pace only on an outside run? Do you use it without GPS i.e. indoor run setting for an outside run. I understood it was set to record via GPS for outside runs unless it loses signal then it would switch to foot pod.
How have you configured it for pace only on an outside run? Do you use it without GPS i.e. indoor run setting for an outside run. I understood it was set to record via GPS for outside runs unless it loses signal then it would switch to foot pod.
Settings → Sensors and Accessories → FP - xxxxx → Use as Speed source → ALWAYS
Yes, that is how it works by default. However, GPS speed can be a little goofy in some situations. It can also be slow to respond to changes in pace. So, I changed the setting above about a year ago.
Any tips for replacement of the Garmin footpod battery?? seems to be quite difficult to get the battery out of its compartment.
I agree its a pain. I’d probably care more if I had to do it every month.
Not really. I just bang it at an angle onto a table until it jars loose—3 or 4 tries. I think I’m on battery number 3 or 4…maybe its getting easier over time?
There are three cases where my 920xt has inaccurate pacing: (1) on a track. Sometime’s it’s accurate, but it can be 3 or 4 percent high on the distance; (2) shortly after I make a left, right, or u turn in the road; and (3) in tall trees, especially if they’re wet. It seems like (2) and (3) are temporary pacing issues only, with overall accurate distance. (On the track I do take into account correct lap length. I usually run in the second lane.)
