Anyone here done any comparisons on the accuracy of the Apple Watch VS. "better" GPS speed watches? I tend to ignore single top speeds and look more closely at 2 sec or 100M readings. I'm getting reasonably consistent speed results but am unsure how much stock to put into the actual numbers. Cheers!
It's hit and miss. My Apple Watch SE was pretty consistent with the Waterspeed never got weird spikes and when it felt like I was fast the numbers matched but my mate has an Apple Watch 4 with the same app and it reads around 3 knots slower compared to mine. We put both watched on his wrist for the test.
I recently went Android and now use the Windsport Tracker app and speeds are consistent with my old Apple Watch SE but a mate with a decent Samsung tried the app and speed readings were all over the place.
I've heard the new Ultra watch has a really good GPS which is supposed to do a decent job
Apple Watch Ultra user here - very happy. Like Relapse said, it has a much more advanced GPS system than the previous models.
I have not compared to Garmin (I have an older Fenix) though or any other standalone devices. From my perspective, it does everything that I want from a smart watch and I am happy to forego potential accuracy with standalone devices in exchange for all the features and benefits that the Ultra brings to the table.
I also look over time and the Ultra is consistent from session to session and over periods of weeks to months. So even if the absolute reading is marginally incorrect, it is consistenly incorrect and that is also important. I hope that makes sense.
What I love is to see the crazy speed burst on big wipeouts. My best speed wing foiling (according to apple) is about 32 knots and coincided with me being separated from board and wing while dropping in on a big wave...
In all seriousness, I've wondered about the accuracy as well. The few times I've forgotten to turn off the GPS tracker in the car ride home would suggest that it's reasonably accurate.
I also wondered, so decided to turn Waterspeed on (Apple watch series 7) while driving. It matched my car speeds very accurately. I then used it on the bike, and did some very hard braking stops, and it was very good. Occasionally it would show a slower than actual speed through tight turns on a mountain bike course, but was within 3km/hr compared to the bike computer.
Thanks for the input. Good idea driving and comparing with the speedometer. Funny, one of the speed spikes I saw in one Waterspeed record showed over a 100 knots during a crash. Must have been flailing my arms at cavitation speeds 
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Ultra is a major upgrade on my Apple Watch 5 and is way better than Garmin Fenex's I have had. Less speed spikes for sure.
Any tips please?
When I use dawn patrol with the Apple Ultra, even when I have it set to "fast waves" it records waves that I just paddle for and dont even catch. Also it records really high "fastest speeds" I think if I fall and my arm moves quickly it records that as fastest speed? So wave count and fastest speed is totally wrong. Did not have the problem with the same settings on the previous gen apple watch and dont know how to fix it. Anyone have same issues and come up with a fix? Tks
Using Dawn Patrol with Ultra mainly for winging - works great, occasional spike if I crash on a wave, but otherwise consistent readings
When surfing I need it set for slow waves or it misses half my waves - same on sup Foil board
It works well but my turns now look distinctly angular because of higher speed - doesn't update quick enough to smooth them - happening since getting Armie MA1000 and 795 mast
Select to expand quotebjhjames said..
Any tips please?
When I use dawn patrol with the Apple Ultra, even when I have it set to "fast waves" it records waves that I just paddle for and dont even catch. Also it records really high "fastest speeds" I think if I fall and my arm moves quickly it records that as fastest speed? So wave count and fastest speed is totally wrong. Did not have the problem with the same settings on the previous gen apple watch and dont know how to fix it. Anyone have same issues and come up with a fix? Tks
Medium is what Piros uses. I just use Strava
