Blaze Firmware Update - 17.8.200.3 [Closed]

[AndrewFitbit]

Update 5/6/16:

Hey all,

I've been keeping a close eye on this thread, and I wanted to give a quick update.

For reports of Blaze steps and/or distance being inaccurate, I think this is definitely something worth looking into. I've passed on all the feedback to our team so they can investigate. As a friendly reminder, remember that accuracy depends on many factors.

Here's a couple things being worked on:

• Excess Calendar Notifications
• 'Auto' brightness setting is too dim or adjusts slowly

For 'Auto' setting being too dim, you can switch to 'Normal' as a workaround in the meantime. Please note switching to 'Normal' will have a slight impact on battery life.

I'll provide updates when I can. Thanks everyone. 🙂

Update 4/27/16:

The firmware update should now be available to everyone. Update your Blaze and let me know how it goes! You can read the release notes for version 17.8.200.3 in the lead post or check them out on our help site. 🙂

Update 4/23/16:

Sorry for the wait, here's the release notes!

"The Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages are now available on Blaze. Note that Blaze is only available for pre-order from fitbit.com in China, Japan, and Korea.

This release also resolves a couple issues:

• Some customers were unable to resume a paused FitStar workout.
• Some customers reported problems with the Blaze screen (display)."

You can find these release notes for this update (17.8.200.3) on our help site.

4/21/16:

Hey everybody,

Some of you may have noticed there's a new firmware update for Blaze! We just started pushing this update out yesterday, and just like any other update, we'll be rolling it out in waves. This update focuses on a few bug fixes. Release notes will be posted here soon.

Thanks!

[mbre2004]

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@RunninLateAgain wrote:
I went from 10,000 or 12,000 step a day with my reg Fitbit to 3,000 a day with the Blaze. I'm ready to take it back and get an Apple Watch

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Good luck.

[tmeakins]

When will the Blaze Firmware Update end, as I am still waiting on this. 

Also the Text/Calendar notifications have stopped working, even though I have not changed the settings or done anything different.

[Rich_Laue]

Hello @tmeakins for you first question see @AndrewFitbit posts above.

For your second quesrion, recheck your settings and swipe down on the status bar, make sure that fitbit notifacations Ew running.. Many, including me, have found the settings mysteriously changed. 

[tmeakins]

I always check to make sure that the notification bar is switched on, and nothing happened. After restarting my phone and resetting my Blaze, the notifications are now working - but this should not be happening

[Rich_Laue]

• I agree it should not be happening, but i find that many computers need to be restarted once in a while to get their locked hardware working.
  It's been almost a month since i needed to restart the phone to get notifacations working.
  As with every android device i find a need to reboot the phone once a week to keep it running smoothly

[Aclobos]

Hello all, I have been playing with setting the stride length. My profile was set to 29.7 for walking. I readjusted it to 25 and so far it is closer to tracking my miles. My steps are more accurate. When I used the auto configuration the blaze was way off track. I hope no one is using a 7 foot stride for walking that's a pretty big stride. I also noticed if I walk on the treadmill and hold on to the grab bar my blaze will not track my steps. Also the miles walked on the treadmill are really off. For every half mile walked the blaze will register only 1/3 mile. I guess I will have to contact customer service to see why the blaze is not counting steps when I use the treadmill grab bar. I'm new to fitness trackers, I've only had the blaze 4 weeks.

[meresydotes]

@Aclobos You really can't expect a wrist worn tracker to be able to count steps if you're holding onto something immoble like the treadmill handles. If you want to hold onto the handles of your treadmill and have all your steps counted, you should use a body worn tracker like the One. Or put the Blaze in your pocket, if you have one.

[Rich_Laue]

I agree with @meresydotes, @Aclobos holding on to the treadmill handles will keep your arm from moving like it should. Remember the tracker is mounted to the arm and is only able to look at arm motions. 

As for the distance, this is calculated by the stride and step count. Your stride will change with your walking speed and most likely be different then a free walk outside. 

Set the treadmill to your free run pace, it will be closer in distsnce, but since your not physically moving it might still be off. 

[Aclobos]

So is the blaze the only Fitbit that does not count steps when using the treadmill and holding on to the grab bar? My wife has the Alta and it counts her steps when she uses the grab bar.

[Aclobos]

I did a test walking on the treadmill holding my wrist at chest level when walking and it counted my steps. I did not swing my arm and moving was minimal. When I hold on to the grab bar my wrist has movement with my shoulder, I had more movement holding on to the grab bar over holding my wrist at chest level. I guess I'll keep testing.

[meresydotes]

@Aclobos I've had several wrist worn trackers, including other fitbits and a garmin and they would all have trouble counting if I was holding something, including a shopping cart. I'd be surprised if your wife's alta actually counted ALL her steps.

I do find that it counts more steps if you swing your arm less, which is just a bug in the Blaze algorithm.

[Aclobos]

Thanks for all your information, I guess I will have to get use to not grabbing the grab bar when using the treadmill. I'm new to using the treadmill, I loose my balance when walking at a medium speed.. I guess Fitbit Technology is not quite there.

[picasso66]

@Aclobos I have a bad knee and ankle and every now and then need to hang on while walking the treadmill. What works for me is holding on to the bar with one hand while the other swings naturally. My steps are pretty close and the distance is spot on with what the treadmill shows. I do the same with the elliptical but the mileage and steps are definitely off in comparison to the treadmill.l but I'm getting a good workout and that is what matters most. I hope this helps you.

Patricia
Sent from my iPhone

[meresydotes]

I guess I'm "lucky" because I'm too tiny to be able to reach the handrails comfortably, so I feel more off balance when I try to hold them! If you have small problems with balance, try focusing on a point just in front of you. If you have big problems, that's probably not good, and you should talk to your doctor...

[Rich_Laue]

You are pretty lucky @meresydotes the worst thing a person can do while on a treadmill is holding onto those rails, it is better and safer to slow the speed down and let go. 

Some problems are: 

• The body burns less calories
• Doesn't teach muscle memory with ballancing. 
• It can in fact un teach it, making it easier to fall when doing a free run outside. 
• Throws the back out of alignment
• May cause repetitive knee injury, your walk/run is to uniform
• Do a search for the other five 

I know there are some with problems that require them to hold on, they usually go slower and are unstable enough that holding on is not as much if any a problem. 

[picasso66]

I agree with rich_laure I walk 2.5-8 mph due to physical limitations so I'm able to hold on when I need to. For the most part I walk slow enough where I don't have to hold on but there are some times my ankle just can't sustain the exercise and requires me to hold on some times.

Patricia
Sent from my iPhone

[AndrewFitbit]

Hey guys, closing out this thread for the new Blaze firmware update. Be sure to check it out! 🙂

Reminder: please create a new topic for any accuracy discussions, try not to discuss it in the new firmware thread.