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sclawis300

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 22, 2010
1,472
196
i pulled up my workout route from my run with my Apple Watch 3 LTE. For the first time I had grey dots filled in for part of my route. I assume this is where the watch lost contact wth the gps. My question is this: the grey dots seem to be exactly where I received a text message and I held up my watch while I tried to read it. Is the problem that I tried to read a text at the same time? Can the watch not do both?
 
It's possible that the AW3 could be dropping GPS while handling other processes. I think I've seen maps on my iPhone not updating while traveling and being on a call. Tradeoffs? As long as it picks back up...
 
The only problem is that if it drops for too long it reconnects with a straight line and can short you on a run.
 
I’ve texted on runs and never had this happen. Hopefully just a fluke?
 
I’ve texted on runs and never had this happen. Hopefully just a fluke?
Good to know. This is the first time I have had it happen and also the first time I have gotten a text while running. Wasn’t sure if there was a correlation there.
 
Run with my S3SBSS regularly. I have my personal iPhone 8+ commissioned for use with my employer also, so I regularly get emails, Google Hangouts chats, other notifications and about one in 3 runs--a phone call. I generally ignore all these while running, but I did take one call. Workout paused itself I believe and GPS track had no gaps. No gaps with other distractions either.

Wish I could say same for my Garmin Fenix 3 and Fenix 5, each of which has had the occasional hiccup in my GPS track. I live in DFW area flat land and run in residential areas without tall buildings or very tall trees, so no reason GPS track should not be accurate.

Very happy with my AW as a casual runner for its accuracy and consistency.

Edited to add: Except for cadence. I don't know why AW captures cadence for first mile or so as about half my actual steps-per-minute. So it doesn't transfer to Garmin/Runkeeper/Strava right. The Garmin (using a footpod) of course nails cadence. If Apple could get this straightened out it would be better.
 
So I have gotten several more runs under my belt and the grey dots have only appeared one other time. I have taken calls and texted while running and the second time the grey dots appeared I wasn’t doing anything. Must have just been a fluke.
 
Or it could be reception? I have a Garmin computer for my bike, and it was set to monitor the GPS signal nearly constantly, and the signal would drop a lot, and the unit would freak out and lose its speed and distance accuracy to the point of posting outrageous speeds and GPS positioning. Garmin had to fix that with a software update, and I also was able to adjust the sample times. Apple doesn't allow that kind of adjustment, but I was wondering if some of what you might be experiencing is that effect, when the watch loses the signal. Not much can be done if that's what is happening except live with it until they decide to fix it. I wonder if there is anything in the AW logs, if you can find them, and sift through them, but since you are saying it's not happening anymore, it's a moot point.

Ahh the joys of high technology...
 
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