Charge 5 and Charge 6 are tracking different amount of steps

[AudMcF]

Hi, I have a charge 5, my friend has a charge 6.  We did a 5 hour strenuous hike, both of us using hiking poles.  I set my charge 5 to measure a run (meant a hike, but oh well).  She just let the charge 6 record her steps.  My charge 5 on the ‘run’ measured a duration of 4h 56m, 15.21km, 20,349 steps.  Hers measured approx 10,000 steps and 10.2 km.  Why would there be this much difference?  Aud

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @AudMcF. Welcome to the Fitbit Community Forums.Thanks for bringing this to my attention and for all the details provided. I understand your concern, I will do my best to help you with this!

As a first approach, I would like to clarify that it's normal that you see a difference when you are comparing your data with another person, this is because Fitbit devices record your data based on your personal information (age, gender, weight and height).

If you feel that your step count and distance are inaccurate, confirm the following are correct in the Fitbit app:

• Your wrist settings (For more information, see Does the wrist I wear my device on affect accuracy? )
• Your height (For more information, see How do I manage my Fitbit profile?)

On a side note, please bear in mind that Fitbit devices use the formula below to calculate distance. Your stride length is determined by your height and sex. Steps x Stride Length = Distance Traveled

Please note when you track an activity with GPS, your device calculates your distance using GPS data rather than steps. If you begin moving before you get a GPS signal, your device calculates distance using your steps until GPS connects.

To update your stride length, track a run with GPS or measure your stride length manually. For more information, see Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account?

For more information about GPS, see How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

[AudMcF]

Hi,

I appreciate you answer, and am just curious about the significant difference - and wondering which was right.

The hike was up and down a forested mountain. We were both using walking poles. I set my exercise to a ‘run’ and my friend just let her Fitbit track the steps.

My walk stride is 68.2 cm and my run stride is 87.8 cm. Since I set my Fitbit for a run, I would expect my step count to be less than my friends. It was 60% higher (obviously a significant difference).

My goal is to understand which would be more accurate.

Audrey

Sent from my iPad