Inaccurate Heart Rate monitor on Charge 5?

[SteveB99]

Just changed from Charge 3 to 5. Heartbeat calculation now on 5 displays all workouts as below zone or fat burn (< 100). My old Charge 3 displayed all zones Peak, Cardio, Fat Burn and Below Zone (< 140). I'm using a standard band. Any idea why there is such a big difference?

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @SteveB99.  

Thank you for sharing this information about the inconvenience you've been experiencing with your Charge 5. 

Before considering other options, I recommend that you try restarting the device again using the three pulse restart method mentioned here below, instead of the restart option found on the Charge 5 itself: 

1. Connect your device to the charging cable. For instructions, see How do I charge my Fitbit device?
2. Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears.

In addition, please follow the instructions in this article to improve the accuracy of heart rate information and check the information mentioned here about other factors that could affect your heart rate reading, this has been useful to other users who have experienced something similar. 

Hope this helps, I'll be around. 

[SteveB99]

As advised, I reset the Charge 5. Actually, I reset it a number of times over the last few weeks with the same suspect results. However, I did notice that as I swung my arms, if I brushed my arm with the fitbit against the side of my leg it seemed to get what I would have thought was more normal  readings. Not sure what that means?

I only walk now, but I ran for almost 40 years before I had to stop due to back issues, so I feel like I know my heart rate. To be walking at a really fast pace and the reading stay "below zone" doesn't seem correct when my old Fitbit 3 would indicated one or two levels higher. Any suggestions? 

[DavideFitbit]

@SteveB99 Thank you for your response and for confirming that you already tried the steps suggested.   

In this case, if you continue to experience the same problem with the heart rate information, I recommend that you get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. They will let you know how to proceed. 

The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

Have a great day. 

[SteveB99]

Just one more comment, the inaccuracies have all been experienced under
run/GPS mode. When I don’t turn these on, heart beat measurements seem to
be much more inline with what they should be. Plus GPS function seems to be
way off on measurements. (Same route has different number)
I have read similar comments on other sites.

[chowbiz]

Two possibilities to suggest, both of which probably overly simplistic:

1)  Given the way the new band works, one difference might be the location on your wrist/tightness on your wrist.

2)  I am pretty sure that all devices like FitBit use estimates for pretty much everything.  Consequently, even from one watch to the next, you may see differences. If the new FitBit is consistently "wrong" compared to your old FitBit, you may simply have to adjust your expectations given "algorithms."  One might hope you have a technical issue or that there's a software fix, but I bet if you wear both devices on opposing wrists and switch them, you're still likely to get differences that make you..displeased.

Good luck in all cases.  (I am myself struggling with the Charge 5 as an upgrade from the 2.)

[Wibby]

Hello @SteveB99 

Just an extra idea.  You said you don’t run nowadays but walk, why don’t you try Walk as your Exercise Shortcut rather than Run?  I think you might still be able to use GPS with it if you want to.

 I know it sounds strange but I’m wondering if the expectations the Fitbit has for different exercise types has a connection with how it sees zones and the difference between a brisk walk and a run is quite big.

It might be worth trying as an experiment just in case.

If that wasn’t helpful, sorry.

[SteveB99]

Hi
Thanks for your suggestions. Concerning band placement on arm, I feel we
shouldn’t be concerned on that to get accurate readings. If there’s that
much play in readings then maybe a Fitbit is the wrong devise for us? None
of the prior Fitbits had this problem that I’m aware of?

On your second suggestion, I tried wearing my old Fitbit 3 with the 5, but
didn’t Inter exchange them to compare results. I’ll try that and give you
feed back. When I tried the one time with the 5 on my left arm and the 3 on
my right, the 3 seemed to register normal heart rate numbers 80’s to 120’s
while the 5 stayed around 88 to 90. Which it has always done. I was in
run/GPS mode on 5.
Anyway, I appreciate you interest.

[WhiteBearTommy]

I’ve had same device and am so far a bit disappointed by heart rate tracking. Just finished 20 minute Pelo ride and heart rate average was…80? Device on right wrist, above wrist bone, snug. 
Not first time - too often it shows below zones for entire ride - it’s simply frustrating as one of the reasons I bought it was for fitness and heart rate tracking. Never had this issue with - ahem - Apple Watch.

[SteveB99]

Hey, I wish I had an answer for you. I’m still experiencing same issue off
and on. One thing that did help was switching the Fitbit to the walk
option. This was suggested by another Fitbit user. In your case it would be
bicycle. About 70% of the time I get what I would call normal results. Time
in peak, heart and fat zones. All other times are in rest. Go figure? Not
sure I’m ready to jump to Apple yet.
FYI, I even went to my cardiologist to make sure my heart wasn’t the
issue.

[WhiteBearTommy]

Yeah I’m not sure changing to bicycle mode would do anything since there is no GPS benefit.

I just did the recommended reset mentioned above so we’ll see if that helps tomorrow.

My curiosity is whether being on my dominant, right wrist somehow makes a difference. In setup it did ask if dominant and I answered yes…idk.

I will let you know if reset helped.

[SteveB99]

reset did nothing for me...

[Mich22]

I’m having the exact same problem! Upgraded from the 3 and the HR tracking is completely off. I got in touch with customer support but all they said is to restart the device - I don’t think that’s going to fix it. I’ve gone back to my Charge 3 just to get accurate readings, very annoying!

Moderator edit: format

[LBeck96]

Hello SteveB99, I have been having the same problems plus others.  What response did you get from Fitbit?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

thank you,

LBeck96

[WhiteBearTommy]

No reply yet.

I did perform the factory reset, and also notched band one smaller so it’s very snug on wrist. One or both seems to have corrected issue. I guess I’m surprised I need to wear this so the band is nearly

pinching (being somewhat dramatic).

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, thanks for confirming that you're still experiencing this inconvenience with your heart rate on the Charge 5. 

It seems that you already tried all the basic steps suggested earlier. If you're new to this thread, make sure that you've exhausted all the troubleshooting options listed here earlier. 

If you continue to experience the same problem with your heart rate not being accurate or with your device not recording heart rate at all, please get in touch with our Customer Support team for further assistance with this. The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

Thank you for all your comments and feedback about this as well. If you're still having trouble, the Support team will let you know how to proceed with this. 

See you around.

[SteveB99]

As you suggested, I called the premium customer support line and explained our problem with the inaccurate heart rate monitoring. The representative took down my information and put me on hold. She came back once to check on me, then the line went dead. Any idea on next steps?

--------------

Hey LBeck96,

See my latest post. Not much help. Maybe we all need to call into customer service and report the same issue? 

[DavideFitbit]

@SteveB99 Thank you for your reply and for sharing your feedback about this. 

It's possible there was a technical problem during the call and that's why the connection was lost. If you haven't done so already, please make sure to continue the communication with them so they can provide you with the next steps. Click here to get connected.

See you around. 

[SubarcticSal]

I am having the same problem with heart rate zones.  I have a new Charge 5 (could no longer use the 4-yr old Charge 3).  It appears to me that there is an error in the calculation of heart rate zone.  Indications on my Charge 3 that I had spent 35 minutes in Peak only give me cardio on Charge 5. 

I'm 78 with a Heart Rate Reserve of 143 bpm.  Fat zone 40-59% HRR or 57-84 bpm;   Cardio zone 60-84% HRR or 86-120 bpm;   Peak zone >85% HRR or >121 bpm. However, if my Av HR for a session is 118 bpm, the Charge 5 tells me it's a fat burning zone.  If my Av HR for a session is 125 bpm, Charge 5 indicates the Cardio Zone instead of Peak.   The Charge 5 seems to give me a reasonable Average HR for an exercise session, but does not calculate the correct zone.  My HRR of 143 appears in my personal settings.  Perhaps there is a programming error, and my HRR is not picked up for the heart rate zone calculation

[DavideFitbit]

@SubarcticSal Thank you for sharing that you've been having the same issue. 

The accuracy of heart rate zones would definitely depend on the general accuracy of heart rate information. 

If you already tried all the recommendations mentioned here earlier to improve the accuracy, I do recommend that you continue the communication with the Customer Support team. They have specialized tools and will let you know how to proceed. Click here to get connected.

See you around.