Apple watch for tracking runs without iphone - GPS-only vs. cellular

[Mikegs]

I'm considering an Apple Watch for tracking my runs.

when NOT connected to iPhone, is there a difference in using the GPS-only vs. cellular with respect to

1. Time to acquiring GPS satellites?
2. Accuracy in tracking running distance, current speed, position etc?
3. Other factors that may weigh in?

Thanks alot!

 

[mk313]

In practice, I’ve never noticed a difference. I do believe that the watch can use cellular signals o help determine your location so there might be a slight edge there, but in practice I’ve never noticed a difference between the two models in my usage (wifi series 2, cellular series 3 & 5)The wifi version of the watch has the same gps sensor as the cellular one.

I do like the cellular version personally but if you don’t think you’ll use it, the only thing you’d be giving up on runs is the ability to call for help should something happen (also the ability to stream music and get calls/texts, etc but I’m limping those under the category of ‘if you don’t think you’ll use it’

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My Apple Watch Series 5 is GPS only and its always tracked my runs to Strava with no issues whatsoever. I think cellular is only really needed if you want to receive calls without your iPhone on you. Personally when I am out for a run I don't want to be disturbed by people ringing me so never opted for cellular even though it was only £20 more to buy. Happy with GPS.

 

[mat_s]

AW5 LDE GPS accuracy problems - read this. There are many reports, that cellular somehow disturb GPS, I don't know how but it must becuase why the readings are different. Even when I am running with my phone connected to AW4 GPS only, distance and route tracked during workout are different from when I am using my watch without phone (or with disconnected BT).

 

[oeagleo]

I do like the cellular version personally but if you don’t think you’ll use it, the only thing you’d be giving up on runs is the ability to call for help should something happen (also the ability to stream music and get calls/texts, etc but I’m limping those under the category of ‘if you don’t think you’ll use it’

If you're in the US, and have the cellular, even if it's not connected with a service, you can still call 911 in an emergency, it's the law. That's why I have the cellular version, even if my carrier (TracFone) doesn't support it, if I fall, or have a health problem, I can still contact emergency services.

 

[iamasmith]

If you're in the US, and have the cellular, even if it's not connected with a service, you can still call 911 in an emergency, it's the law. That's why I have the cellular version, even if my carrier (TracFone) doesn't support it, if I fall, or have a health problem, I can still contact emergency services.

I think it was a selling point that they expanded this to quite a number of other territories with the S5 too.

I have the S5 SS in the UK but I have a contract too... for streaming mostly

 

[MJ22]

I have the LTE version and I think my watch’s GPS is slightly more accurate when LTE is turned off - I’ve read that the GPS may use the LTE signals to map and that messes it up a little. But don’t take that as gospel. I keep it though, because a lot of times I am on call for work and have to answer. The difference is pretty negligible to me too.

The only time I have ever had a serious accuracy issue was during a 9 miler when my watch measured 9.27. Which was totally unacceptable to me. I missed an award by :03 and this is a large race and it’s hard to medal in it. Oddly, the same town also hosts a 10K, and that also measured long. Its course runs in the same area as the 9 miler. But my watch has been more accurate for half marathons and other 10K’s, so I honestly think it’s something about that area that throws off the signal. Next year I just plan on wearing my old Garmin for those two particular races.

 

[mat_s]

Well, in my experience only GPS watch is doing fine with distance and route BUT I need to mention that during run on track (400m track) Apple Watch is very inaccurate (maybe it's just mine), on 5K run, from starting point, 12,5 laps to the finish line my AW shows almost 5,3km and for me it is unacceptable (~6% of error).
I don't know if you guys have the same experience that I have.

 

[MJ22]

Well, in my experience only GPS watch is doing fine with distance and route BUT I need to mention that during run on track (400m track) Apple Watch is very inaccurate (maybe it's just mine), on 5K run, from starting point, 12,5 laps to the finish line my AW shows almost 5,3km and for me it is unacceptable (~6% of error).
I don't know if you guys have the same experience that I have.

No GPS is accurate on a track. It’s the nature of how the device communicates with a satellite. Anything circular will not be very accurate, no matter the watch brand.

 

[iFone88]

No GPS is 100% accurate, full stop.

A watch, a phone, sat nav etc etc all will have a slight +/- to the true distance.

 

[oeagleo]

No GPS is 100% accurate, full stop.

A watch, a phone, sat nav etc etc all will have a slight +/- to the true distance.

And, it's gonna get worse...
Quote from below article: "Even when the sun is quiet during the solar minimum, it can be active in other ways, like coronal holes that open in the sun's atmosphere and send out blazing streams of energized particles flying through the solar system on rapid solar wind.
Much like solar flares, these streams of particles during a solar minimum can disrupt the communication and GPS we rely on from satellites.

The sun is experiencing a less active phase called 'solar minimum,' but it won't cause an ice age | CNN

In a solar minimum, the sun is much quieter, meaning less sunspots and energy.

www.cnn.com