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Alta HR Display

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Please comment on your personal experience with display visibility outdoors.
I haven't seen this topic discussed on the Board as of yet, and I consider this a very important element of any fitness tracker.
I purchased the Alta in April of 2016. I had owned the Charge but wanted a more slim profile; something I could wear on a daily basis which wouldn't be so bulky. I was thrilled to be using my new tracker until... I, along with several other Alta users, realized that the display was very difficult to read in sunlight.
There was a Board dedicated to this issue and, although there were no promises, there were indications that Fitbit would be looking at the issue.
Fast forward to the announcement of the new Alta HR release. I so badly wanted to hear that this old issue had been resolved on the new Alta HR. With so many complaints about the difficulty in reading the display outside on the original Alta, I actually anticipated that, no doubt, it had been addressed. Wrong.
I spoke to 2 different reps by phone as well as writing a lengthy email inquiring about this "hoped for" improvement only to be sorely disappointed to learn that the issue had not been addressed.
How can such an essential element of a fitness tracker be, seemingly, ignored? I'm still puzzled by Fitbit's lack of interest in correcting this important feature flaw.
I understand that many people exercise indoors, which would negate the problem of visibility in sunlight, but outdoor activity also enjoys a large number of participants.
What has been your experience with the new Alta HR?

 

 

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139 REPLIES 139
Does anyone know if Garmin is better. I would totally switch

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What good does it do those who have purchased and cannot use the product to post on suggestions board?  I understand that it may help others in the future but come on.  If you can't do anything to solve the problem for those with the device and you know that it's worthless it should be recalled.  That would be the honest thing to do.

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I can't agree more!  I am so frustrated with this issue of not being able to read the display. The Surge had a great backlight!  Arrrrggg!!

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The display on the Alta HR is totally useless outdoors.  I bought it as a heart rate monitor and watch and I am not impressed by either, not sure that the monitor is accurate and as a watch it is useless.  Did ask about downloading the Heart rate info but Fitbit support were totally useless. 

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Outdoors it's totally useless.
As for the heart rate monitor I couldn't fault it. I compared it to the
hospital ecg machine I was connected to and it was very accurate.
For less money the Charge hr is a far better choice and I've gone back to
mine.
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I've just bought the Alta HR .... disappointed that I can't read the time or steps when I am outside.  I'm wearing it instead of a watch and it is no good ...... I have to try and stick my hand inside a bag or jacket to see the display.  

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I love almost everything about my Fitbit except the inability to see the screen outdoors. This is a major problem and NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!  

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I totally agree

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I have had the Alta HR since April, and on the whole I am very pleased with it except when it comes to using it outside and the light display often is not readable.  Very disappointed about this fact and it appears there are no solutions except look out for a newer fitbit where this issue has been addressed.

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I am not paying out for another one - they should issue an update to address the issue
Pauline

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Agree returning my Alta 

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Fitbit has suggested I restart it to refresh its softwear 

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That doesn't work.  They keep suggesting fixes that they know don't work or if they don't should.  I even had trouble convincing the person I called that I wanted to return it. He wanted me to try things that I already tried. I had raise my voice to get him to stop and just give me an RMA.  

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I have tried that with no improved results. Thanks for the suggestion.

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I had to do that to make my fitbit re sync again - that worked but it doesn't change the light in it.

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Very disappointed with the outdoor display ... can't read a thing

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You won't be able to read anything when outside 🙁

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You cannot read a thing when outside

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Hello everyone, 

I am on my 3rd Alta (2 replacements) hoping that the OLED was faulty;  they are still dim. Unusable outdoors. 

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I am sure this is a flaw in the Alta ... Fitbit should find a fix. It cannot be read in daylight

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