Using Charge 5 with Fitbit 1

[Dweber3]

I have been wearing my new Charge 5 and my Fitbit 1 at the same time.  Both are tracking my steps but the Fitbit 1 tracks more steps.  I know the Fitbit 1 is accurate since I have calibrated using my treadmill.  How does the Apple Fitbit app handle the difference in steps?  It seems like the display will show 3210 and them after a sync it will go to 2987.  So I assume it is first reading the Fitbit 1 and then reading the Charge 5.  Eventually it seems like both devices will synchronize and report the same steps.

i have learned some things that can mess up the charge 5.  When walking on my treadmill I used to hold the rails with both hands but then the Charge 5 stopped registering steps.  So now I try to hold on with the arm that does not have my charge 5.  Unfortunately I do need to hold on since my balance is not great.

on my Schwann exercise bike I would put my Fitbit 1 on the handlebars since they go back and forth.  I would thing the Charge 1 would also register the steps since my arms are going back and forth.  I still need to test this.

[JohnnyRow]

From Can I wear more than one Fitbit device at the same time? 

If you are wearing them both at same time, It is not guaranteed which data it will use, but probably will use all data from the newer Charge 5, and eventually that data gets synced back to the One.

If there are times you want data to be taken from a particular tracker, best to wear only that one.  Then switch to the other when you want that.  Or realize that if you wear both, data from the One will probably be disregarded.

If you do switch between then, it is best to manually force a sync right before the switch.

[Dweber3 · Accepted solution]

I finished testing and the correct answer is that the Apple Fitbit app uses the highest step count.  When the Fitbit 1 syncs the Charge 5 steps change to match the Fitbit 1 steps.  This is perfect since my Fitbit 1 registers more steps than the Charge 5.  I know from past testing with my treadmill that my Fitbit 1 registers my steps and distance accurately.  Plus I can hold on to the treadmill with both hands since my Fitbit 1 will accurately count my steps.  Another advantage is that at I still get the floors climbed from my Fitbit 1.  The Charge 5 does not do floors.

[Dweber3]

I have now been wearing both my Charge 5 and my Fitbit 1 for three months.

1) When I am walking outside I use the Charge 5 with the GPS on my IPhone 12 Pro Max to get a very accurate step and distance plotted on a map.

2) When using the Treadmill I rely on my Fitbit 1 to monitor my steps.  The Charge 1 does not register my steps correctly since I hold on to my treadmill to keep my balance.  To do this I make sure that I sync my Fitbit 1 before I sync the Charge 5.  The Charge 5 then echoes the Fitbit 1 result.

3) For normal everyday activity I notice that the Charge 5 steps are always greater than the Fitbit 1 steps.  I believe this is because my arm often moves while doing everyday tasks while seated.  Since I believe my Fitbit 1 is more accurately counting my steps I sync the Fitbit 1 before the Charge 5.  The steps on my Fitbit app them get reduced to match the steps on my Fitbit 1.

4) When using my Schwinn Bike I fasten my Fitbit 1 to the Handle bars.  I find that the Charge 5 and the Fitbit 1 track steps pretty closely with my arms going back and forth on the handlebars.

5) The Fitbit 1 still allows me to track my flights of stairs.

I hope that my comparisons help others.

David Weber

[JohnnyRow]

I'm confused about the "Apple Fitbit".

[Dweber3]

Fitbit has an app for my Apple IPhone 12 Pro Max.  I keep the Fitbit app on my Iphone open all the time.  The Fitbit app connects to both my Fitbit Charge 5 and my Fitbit 1 by Bluetooth.  When using the treadmill I watch my heart rate on the fitbit app on my Iphone. 

I take my Iphone with me when doing walks outside.  Although the Charge 5 has GPS capability I use the GPS on my IPhone when doing walks outside.  To do this I select exercise on my apple Fitbit app.  The reason I use the Iphone GPS instead of the Charge 5 GPS is to preserve the Charge 5 battery life. Several users have found that the Charge 5 GPS is problematic.

You can control which device is used to sync to the Fitbit app.  Select the profile in the upper left of the Fitbit app Home Screen.  You then get a screen that shows both Fitbit  devices along with their battery life.  You then have the ability to sync each device independently.  The device that is synced first controls the result that the Fitbit app displays.  So I can control which device is used for the data.

I should have said that my Schwinn Bike is an exercise bike with the giant fan in front and the handlebars that move back and forth.  By attaching the Fitbit 1 to the handlebars it registers a step each time the handlebars move.

I hope that this clarifies things.

David Weber

[Dweber3]

Fitbit has an app for my Apple IPhone 12. The Fitbit app is connects to both my Fitbit Charge 5 and my Fitbit 1 by Bluetooth. Although the Charge 5 has GPS capability I use the GPS on my IPhone when doing walks outside. To do this I select exercise on my apple Fitbit app. The reason I use the phone GPS instead of the Vharge 5 GPS is to preserve the Charge 5 battery life. Plus users have found that the Charge 5 GPS is problematic. If you select the profile in the upper left of the Fitbit app you get a screen that shows both Fitb devices. You have the ability to sync each device independently.
The Schwinn is an exercise bike with the giant fan in front and the handlebars that move back and forth. By attaching the Fitbit 1 to the handlebars it registers a step each time the handlebars move.
David Weber

Sent from my iPhone