How to use Zwift's live tracking

[Ray R]

What exactly is the point of Zwifts live tracking feature if its not actually live. Ive noticed that when Im in the middle of a ride, my position on the map is often significantly delayed, sometimes by as much as 30 seconds or more. Is this a known issue or am I just not using it correctly. Ive tried using it on different devices, including my smart TV, tablet, and smartphone, but the delay is always there.

I understand that Zwift is a virtual platform and theres going to be some lag, but 30 seconds is a pretty big gap. Ive seen other riders zoom past me on the virtual road, only to realize theyre actually a half mile behind me in real life. Its pretty frustrating when youre in the middle of a intense workout or competition and you cant even trust the tracking feature to give you an accurate representation of your position.

Ive also noticed that the live tracking feature doesnt seem to work very well in areas with poor internet connectivity. Ive tried using it in rural areas with spotty coverage and its almost impossible to get a reliable connection. I know thats not Zwifts fault, but its still pretty annoying.

Im not trying to be negative, I just want to know if theres a way to fix these issues or if Im just expecting too much from the live tracking feature. Is it really just a gimmick or is it actually a useful tool for riders. Can anyone explain to me how its supposed to work and why its not working the way I expect it to.

Ive searched through the Zwift forums and couldnt find any clear answers to these questions, so Im hoping someone here can help me out.

 

[swimbiker]

Zwift's live tracking feature may have limitations. Lag can indeed reach 30 seconds, affecting competition and workout experiences. However, it's important to remember Zwift is a virtual tool. Connectivity issues in rural areas can worsen the experience. Perhaps expectations should focus on the workout experience itself, rather than the live tracking's accuracy. It's a useful tool, but like any tech, it has its quirks.

 

[mtb_baz]

It's baffling that such a delay exists in Zwift's live tracking feature. I get the virtual aspect of it, but 30 seconds is quite a margin. It's like being in a race and not knowing who's leading until long after they've crossed the finish line! It's disappointing that it doesn't work well in areas with poor connectivity too. Perhaps Zwift could incorporate some form of manual syncing or offline mode for such situations. Or maybe they could use predictive algorithms to estimate your position in real-time, based on your speed and direction. Just throwing ideas out there. It's a shame you've not found clear answers yet, but hopefully, this sparks some discussion.

 

[Chain male]

Ah, the jo of Zwift's "live" tracking, a tantalizing illusion of real-time competition. My advice? Embrace the delay, use it to perfect your mid-ride power nap game. Or better yet, invest in a flux capacitor, then you'll truly be riding in real-time... give or take 1.21 gigawatts.