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Settings That Improve the Distance and Speed Accuracy of the Approach S70

There are many factors that contribute to incorrect speed and distance on the Garmin™ Approach® S70 - 42mm or Approach® S70 - 47mm golf watches. Some are outside of your control, such as GPS Drift and environmental factors. However, there are several changes you can make to the settings of your watch that can improve the data captured during an activity. 

Recording Methods

Many of Garmin watches offer the ability to change the recording method, with a choice between Smart Recording and Every Second. This setting refers to the interval at which GPS data is recorded during an activity. Smart Recording is the default setting due to the balance it achieves in detail and battery consumption, but enabling Every Second recording can improve speed and distance accuracy.

Smart Recording vs. Every Second

Smart Recording

Smart Recording saves GPS points when changes in direction, speed, heart rate or elevation are detected. Smart Recording is the default setting of Garmin's watches for the balance it achieves in detail and battery consumption.

Every Second Recording

Every Second recording will record a GPS point once per a second, regardless of direction, speed, heart rate or elevation. Every Second recording will produce highly detailed tracks of your activities. A more detailed track will lead to more accurate speed and distance data.

Example of Smart Recording vs. Every Second Recording

The upper track represents Smart Recording while the lower track represents Every Second recording. You can see that Every Second recording creates a more smooth track line, and picks up small changes that Smart Recording does not. 

Smart Recorded Track versus Every Second Recorded Track

Changing Recording Methods

  1. From the clock screen, press Menu button.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select System.
  4. Select Advanced.
  5. Select Data Recording.
  6. Select Frequency.
  7. Select Every Second.

3D Speed and 3D Distance

The 3D Speed and 3D Distance features change the way the watch reads speed and distance by taking into account elevation changes when calculating distance and speed.

  • 3D Speed – Calculates speed using both the elevation change and horizontal movement over ground.
  • 3D Distance – Calculates the distance traveled using both elevation change and horizontal movement over ground.

Enabling 3D Speed and 3D Distance improves speed and distance accuracy when doing activities with moderate to high elevation changes. 

Enabling 3D Speed and 3D Distance

  1. Press Action button.
  2. Select 4 Color Dots.
  3. Select a specific activity type, such as Run.
  4. Select Gear Icon.
  5. Select (Activity Name) Settings.
  6. Toggle on 3D Speed and/or 3D Distance.

Once these features are enabled, the watch will calculate speed and distance using 3D Speed and 3D Distance.

Multi-Band GPS (Approach S70 - 47mm Only)

The Approach S70 - 47mm features "Multi-Band" or Dual-frequency GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) capability, which can help to improve speed and distance accuracy when environmental factors like tall buildings or trees are difficult to avoid.

Enabling Multi-Band GPS

  1. Press Action button.
  2. Select 4 Color Dots.
  3. Select a specific activity type, such as Run.
  4. Select Gear Icon.
  5. Select (Activity Name) Settings.
  6. Select Satellites.
  7. Select All Systems + Multi-Band.
For more information on Multi-Band GPS, refer to What is Dual Frequency/Multi-Band GPS?

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