Runkeeper accuracy problems.
 

Anyone keeping track with the Runkeeper app?

I just tried it this morning on my brand new Ipod touch but the thing added 4 kms to my usual distance!
I checked on the Runkeeper map when I got to work and according to RunKeeper I kept jumping from one side of the Yamaska river to the other all the way to work:twitchy:

Not impressed so far.

As anybody experienced the same kind of problem with runkeeper?

Thanks.

I haven't checked the mileage to see if it was accurate, but when I use runkeeper it keeps track of my speed in minutes per mile. That's not very useful to me.

Can't say I noticed any appreciable accuracy problems when I was using it a while back. On dozens of rides, logged distance was within +/- 0.1 mile on a 15 mile trip, and in agreement with Google Maps to the same accuracy.
I always used GPS only and not WiFi additionally for location, in spite of encouragement from RunKeeper to do otherwise.

I personally have not had very good luck with app-based tracking....Runkeeper, MyTracks, Strava, etc. I finally just bought a dedicated Garmin.

+1... Garmin FR610 accompanies me on runs and rides.

I've had good luck with the Sports Tracker app on my Windows Phone.

I think I found the problem. I bought a brand new 4th generation Ipod touch, I didn't need the newer 5th generation. But I just found out that the 4t generation Ipod touch don't have a biult-in GPS chip, it rely only on Wi-Fi signal. In metro area you don't see the difference but on my rural commute Wi-Fi signals are rare so that's probably why I ''jumped'' from one side of the river to the other.

Nothing to blame on the Runkeeper app.

You are right runkeeper is making that issue I think we can just avoid this problem because no solution can be seen here.

outdoor marquees | Visit us about outdoor canopies

+1 except I haven't got a Garmin (yet).

It sounds more like an issue with getting an accurate GPS signal then a software issue. If you are in an area with a lot of tree or tall buildings the GPS signal can be poor an lead to inaccurate placement. It also depends on where you have your Ipod when your commuting for example, in a bag/pocket or even a case.

^ +1

Had this problem yesterday, rode 16.25km, phone took a shortcut and went only 7.75km. However, the sky was solid clouds. I'm curious as to how accurate the Garmin devices are in similar circumstances.

I have 3 dedicated GPS devices and not once have I had an issue with accuracy regardless of tree cover or clouds. (I use these for driving, geocaching & biking.)

It's only my experience, but phones, on the other hand have been a bit of a letdown. I use the gps on my phone in a pinch but prefer to rely on dedicated gps.

an iPod is unlikely to have access to aGPS, so I would take any results from those devices with a big grain of salt.
Phones generally use aGPS to speed up the GPS lock (911 requirement), and if they lost track of enough satellite and the towers don't provide the right information, they might spend a couple of minutes to actually re-lock on to the GPS the old fashioned way.

Downloaded the app last night, but forgot to start it this morning. Can't they make it so it knows when I'm riding, and starts automatically?