Inspire 3 False Heart Rate Spikes During Walks

[Randquest]

I am wondering if others have been having challenges with their Inspire 3 having false heart rate spikes while waking.   What I have been seeing is for the most part heart rate is accurate, but I have consistently seen around a 5 minute period in the middle towards end where it indicates around a 175 bpm.  It is a low intensity walk in which I stay in my low zone so am not even close to pushing myself to my max.

First time I thought it was due to being loose and/or wrong places.  I have confirmed and adjusted location.  Last time even snugged up a little the band.  I must admit it is a little discouraging and I am wondering if others are experiencing the same thing  or have thoughts what  could be causing this.

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Randquest, welcome, you may find this article of interest How do I track heart rate with my Fitbit device? , I apologize if you've seen it already. In addition to the points about the location of your Inspire 3 on your wrist & the need for a snug fitting which you already know about I wonder if this HR spike is the result of a physical action (you say it happens about the same time on your walk) As a daily swimmer I sometimes change my breathing pattern and this can have an impact on my HR (as noted on an alternative device)

I hope this helps.

Cheers 

[Randquest]

Interesting thought on if happens at the same point of walk, but unfortunately my route varies.  I had looked through the information before, but thank you for providing.

  I am starting to wonder if it isn't due to that the Inspire 3 doesn't sit as flat.  Looking at it from the side you see how only the middle part touches and sides are up... including gap area on sides as bad connects in higher.  Wonder if this results in less consistent contact to skin and increase in false readings due to vibrations.

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Randquest, I'm very happy with my Inspire 3, I can't say I've noticed the problem you report. I can only suggest you are alert to whatever you do as you walk about the time this discrepancy occurs, did you adjust your clothing or backpack? take a drink? have a snack?

Enjoy your walks, it's a great form of exercise.

Cheers

[lmacmil]

I've had my Inspire 3 for a little over a month.  I wear it on the same wrist and with the  band in the same notch every time.  For the most part, it's pretty consistent but I have had a couple instances where it showed an average heart rate about 20 bpm above what I know it to be during my runs (I have a year's worth of data with a different tracker so I know my heart beat range during my runs very well.)  I just chalked that up to it having moved underneath my clothes and not making good contact.  I've actually noticed more variability on average bpm during walks even though my pace and routes are pretty consistent.

[Randquest]

Update: I tried going one notch tighter than I would normally be comfortable wearing it and went for a walk.  It was the first time I had zero spikes.  It seems even the slightest movement of the Inspire 3 results in spiked readings.   I definitely would not be able to keep at this tightness for a long period due to risk of skin irritation.  I again wonder if the Inspire 3 not being flatter is coming into play as I did not have this challenge wearing my charge 3 at a comfortable snugness.

[AndreaFitbit]

Thanks for getting back to us @Randquest. Thank you for your advise and comments @Gr4ndp4, @lmacmil.

I'm sorry to hear that your Inspire 3 shows false heart rate spikes during your walks. 

Please check help article: What factors can affect my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device?

For any of our wrist-based devices, it’s important to make sure it isn’t too tight. Wear the band loosely enough that it can move back and forth on your wrist. Also, be sure to follow our Wear and Care instructions.

[lmacmil]

I'm going to try your "fix" of a tighter fit.  I'm seeing the same thing occasionally and now that the weather is warm I can't attribute it to moving under my clothing.  Attached is the plot from today's run.  I run a pretty consistent 9:50 to 10:10 minutes per mile pace and today's route was flat so there was no hill to produce that spike or subsequent drop.  It was warm and humid today so the tracker probably slipped around more than usual.  That spike was about 30 bpm.