Tattoo ink

[Paigecw]

For weeks I was wondering why my new Fitbit wasn’t tracking my sleep or heart rate. I contacted support and did a troubleshoot and nothing was working. It finally clicked and I put my band on my right arm where I don’t have any tattoos and it worked. Pretty pathetic that newer fitbits don’t have a strong enough light to penetrate tattoo ink. Before I bought this charge 6 I had the charge 2. Bought it 6-7 years ago and it still works great. Tracks my sleep and heart rate. But I wanted a newer version so I upgraded a couple weeks ago to the charge 6. Guess it wasn’t much of an upgrade. Highly disappointed.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @Paigecw  tattoos do seem to create a new issue for users. One person posted that using nando tape on the skin under the sensors made a difference and they were able to get the readings. Also mentioned was the Inspire series was able to read through the ink. Why not try the tape suggestion and see if that makes a difference for you.

[Edword]

I may be talking rubbish but may be try a different strap loads on amazon for little. I dont have tattoos but found the original strap did not fit well and was uncomfortable folding under. The inspire has a more standard strap design. I find with the elastic strap I got and the leather strap my charge 6 fits comfortably and securely so the sensors may work better

[Paigecw]

Hi! Thank you, but the strap fits fine on my wrist. It’s 100% the tattoo ink that’s blocking the sensor 😭 you’d think with a newer version of the charge they’d keep the same strong sensor and not downgrade it lol 

[Paigecw]

I had some medical tape I tried and it didn’t work. I don’t know what nando tape is specifically, I looked it up and couldn’t find that anywhere? Maybe I’ll look into a different Fitbit but I don’t want to trade this in to end up with the same issue lol I’m just disappointed that the “upgrade” charge version isn’t an upgrade with the sensor. Oh well. I’ll just have to wear it on my right arm while sleeping and working out I guess 

[Odyssey13]

@Paigecw  I had to look it up too. It seems to be plain white medical tape, but it can't hurt for you to try again. I'm not sure what different tapes there are.

[SunsetRunner]

I have tattoos on both wrists quite a lot and got the charge 2 which seems to work buttttt , I upgraded to the Sense 2 and it won't work at all with my tattoos, its doesn't pick up heart rate or sleep or stress etc. I did some trouble shooting with a Fitbit tech on chat and they also couldn't get it to work, I had a refund, I asked Fitbit about the sensors in the both charge 2 and sense 2 and he said they both have the same sensors in both watches. All I can think of is that since google bought Fitbit they may of changed the software and now they don't read through tattoos. I have also tried the, galaxy watch, Apple Watch, Garmin Venu 3 watch, Huawei fit 3 watch, and a no branded watch and they also don't work with tattoos. Thanks again

[SunsetRunner]

I was told charge 2 and sense 2 both have the same sensors, So I would think charge 6 would also have the same sensors. thanks

[Odyssey13]

@SunsetRunner  one member said the Inspire 2 sensors read through the tats, so it might be worth checking out the Inspire 3.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello , thanks for info, do you think the charge 6 might work? As I know the Fitbit sense 2, don’t work. My charge 2 seems to work through my tattoos. Thanks again

[LZeeW]

@SunsetRunner   The Charge 2, Sense 2 and Charge 6 have different completely heart rate monitors.  They all have different ability to get reflected back through tattoo ink.

This article from The Verge helps explain.  They only list one hack and there is a link to one user's epoxy sticker recommendation.  

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, thanks for letting me know, but when I asked the Fitbit advisor about the sensors, he said they haven’t changed. I just think maybe they have changed the way the software runs in them.