Pixel Watch 5 GPS Accuracy Test: Can Google Beat Apple and Garmin on the London Marathon Course?

What happened

• The author tested the Google Pixel Watch 5, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro on the London Marathon course to compare their GPS accuracy.
• Google claimed the Pixel Watch 5 has the most accurate GPS route tracking among the three competitors.
• The testing involved running parts of the marathon route, including areas with difficult GPS conditions like near tall skyscrapers.
• The Pixel Watch 5 uses dual-band GPS technology, which helps improve accuracy in challenging environments.
• Google uses AI and data from Google Maps to account for GPS signal bouncing off buildings and atmospheric conditions.

Why it matters for me

Accurate GPS tracking is crucial for runners, especially when chasing race times. Bad GPS data can lead to incorrect pace calculations. While the Pixel Watch 5 showed promise in route plotting during testing, the author noted that pacing data still needs further scrutiny.

What to remember

• Dual-band GPS helps boost tracking accuracy by communicating with multiple satellite frequencies.
• GPS performance is affected by environmental factors like tall buildings and weather.
• Route tracking accuracy does not automatically guarantee perfect pacing data; both need careful evaluation.

Source: Original article

Source: www.techradar.com