Charge 6 heart rate zones too high

[Tarquin69]

The Charge 6 exercise heart rate zones are too high and is affecting zone minutes. The Charge 5 (by Fitbit) showed the correct zones for my age group - Fat Burn 90 beats, Cardio 144 beats, etc.

Charge 6 Fat burn is 98 beats, Cardio 121 beats. Theses values are way too high for my age, weight, and height. One only needs to do a quick online search for heart rate zones to confirm the Charge 6 values are incorrect. 

I miss my Charge 5. Looks like I will have to get a different product from someone else as I don't have an option to set the heart rate zones and I am not going to risk another heart attack trying to achieve the Charge 6 targets. 

[Tarquin69]

Correction. I couldn't find a way to edit my post.

The Charge 5 (by Fitbit) showed the correct zones for my age group - Fat Burn 90 beats, Cardio 114 beats, etc.

[LZeeW]

Hello @Tarquin69 and welcome to the Community.  You mention "correct zones" for your age group, but both the Charge 5 and 6 use the same equation that uses your resting heart rate in the calculation.  It isn't based only on age.  I don't have personal side by side experience with both devices.  Did your resting heart rate change dramatically when you upgraded to the Charge 6?

You also mention "another" heart attack.  Did you set a custom max heart rate on your Charge 5?  A custom max heart rate adjusts your zones.  A custom max heart rate is an app setting and isn't specific to a device.  But your should check this setting if you use it.

[Tarquin69]

Initially I did not change anything after upgrading to the Charge 6 from the Charge 5, and the fat burn heart rate requirement went from 90 beats to 97. I then entered my current weight, a 5 pound increase, and more accurate birth date.

The heart attack comment was me being facetious and is not relevant. 

There is no way a 67 years old male, 5' 4", and 155 pounds would need to get his rate up to 98 beats to begin fat burning.

[LZeeW]

@Tarquin69   The heart rate zones use age and resting heart rate.  Height and weight aren't used.  This is why I asked if your resting heart rate changed dramatically when you switched devices.

Calculating your zones takes several steps.  I ran a few scenarios:

• A 67 year old with a RHR of 60 -- fat burn starts at 97
• A 67 year old with a RHR of 70 -- fat burn starts at 103
• A 68 year old with a RHR of 48 (me) -- fat burn starts at 89

[Tarquin69]

It appears that the Charge 6 is not detecting the correct heart rate when I am exercising. Was out doing yardwork for over an hour today and zero zone minutes with the Charge 6. Same happens when I walk. My Charge 5 always detected zone minutes with the same yardwork; also the Charge 5 is not holding the charge. Looks like the Charge 6 is a $200 waste of money. Not impressed. Will have to go back to my Charge 5 and keep an eye on the battery level. Did the 3 button press last night and left it to charge, hopefully it works. 

[Tarquin69]

Returned the Charge 6 today because the heart rate sensor appeared to not detecting an accurate heart rate when I exercise.

It gets better. Went back to my Charge 5 which now freezes with a blank screen whenever I start an exercises requiring GPS. I have had problems with the Charge 3, Charge 5, and Charge 6.

Still have my Charge 4, guess I will have to use that until I get something different. Can't remember if I had issues with the Charge 4; will find out soon enough. 

I totally understand this is Google's first year with the Charge series but I expected better. 

[SillySmudge1]

Agreed!  I got the Charge 6 cause my 5 broke and i had to tape the band in order to wear it. Seems it went downhill with having to use Google.  I hate it now.  I'm usually at 200 minutes to 240 minutes on Saturday and Sunday playing golf all day.  It says 16 minutes.  
suring the week I'm lucky if I get 2 a day which to me means I'm not doing anything.  Mine is same when doing yard work as well. I get nothing!  
this 6 is horrible and I can't go back once the Google switch. I have been trying out another watch (not Fitbit) and I really miss the buzz with the carrion, peal and fat burn notifications.  
customer service is of no help.  
my zones shown are way to high to register even cardio.  And if the one persons it's to your profile then what in the world was the charge 5 using?   
frustrated and irritated. Can't go back to my 5 and tape on my wrist cause the Google switch.