Garmin Question -- insanely frustrated!!!

[cpgirl]

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me.  My hubby got me a Forerunner 410 for Xmas.  It's been great and I finally thought I was getting the hang of using it.  I've used it several times for outdoor runs and for a few treadmill runs (with a footpod) and it seems to be accurate. 

For some reason....the last two treadmill runs I've done...it shows my pace as accurate but the distance is NOT accurate at all.  For instance, I ran a 5:35/km pace tonight (the watch showed this and given my treadmill settings, I would say it's accurate) however, the total distance it showed was way off...it showed that I hadn't even hit 3km by 20 minutes.

Any idea of what could be going on?  I'm ready to lose it!  I actually find the Garmin website insanely confusing and not all that helpful...and for some reason, I can't view the manual for this watch. 

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

[QATS3]

I am not 100% sure but just throwing this out there. The Garmin uses satellite GPS for tracking distance. If you are running on a treadmill you aren't actually moving so the distance it is giving you will be messed up. I do agree with you that the Garmin site is no help at all. I have one and couldn't figure out how to sync my cadence unit on my bike...went to google, and found a couple different posts on how to do it.
Hope you get it figured out.
Cheers.

[Newt]

G'day,

I'm not familiar with the 410 but have used a variety of gadgets with footpods. If you feel the treadmill displayed distance is reasonably accurate then I'd go through the footpod manual calibration process to match up with the treadmill. I find that the calibration of the footpod changes from shoe to shoe and it's also different from running outside to running on the treadmill. (I think the stride changes because running over ground is a little different then the ground running under you.)
My two cent. Hope this helps

Peace
Peter

[Sandy]

The footpod is basically a pedometer and must be calibrated.  Because it relies on a set footstep length if you are changing your stride from time to time based on speed etc, like Peter says it will have your distance off.

I find that if you go to the Garmin You Tube videos they are more helpful.

[cpgirl]

Thanks for all the tips!  I can't believe I'm such a tool...the first couple of times I had used the watch was on the treadmill...but since then, I've used it almost exclusively for outdoor runs with the GPS obviously on.  So, the last couple of treadmill runs, I forgot to turn off the GPS and that seemed to be the issue because when I did turn it off--it worked! LOL  It tell ya,

 

Anyway, I did find the YouTube Garmin videos really helpful so that is great to know for the next time (and I'm sure there will be a next time!) I have issues!  I can't believe how annoyingly confusing the Garmin website is!!!

 Thanks for all the suggestions again!

It's good to know when I run my ass off, I'm not getting half-assed results on the garmin! 

[Newt]

Good to hear it was user error and not device error, user error usually just comes with a red face, where as device error is a whole lot more FRUSTRATING.
Peace
Peter