Inspire 3 - returning mine

[Pherstun]

I have had a Fitbit Flex 2 for many years. All I wanted it to do was to track my step count, and it did this admirably. I have health issues, and recently started moving more again. I tried to charge it but it refused, giving me the blue dot of death. 

After looking around, I ordered an Inspire 3 from a popular online shopping website. I've had it for a week. It looks nice enough, but I knew I was not doing anywhere near the number of steps it said. I downloaded an app on my phone as a comparator. For Saturday, when I was out all day and had the phone with me at all times, the app says I did 5,619 steps. The Fitbit says I did 8,704 steps. It's clearly way off.

I have it on my non-dominant wrist, as always. It's set up properly. I'm very disappointed, and it's going back.

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Pherstun welcome, I note you are new to the Inspire 3 though very experienced with Fitbit. You do not mention the make, model & OS of your phone, from time to time older phones are phased out Fitbit setup requirements - Help describe the present position. If you are using an Android phone do you have "Health Connect" on?  Simplify your health & fitness tracking with Healt... - Fitbit Community describes how it works, this may be the source of your issue depending on the settings you have.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

[Pherstun]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have an Android phone, a Samsung S22. I deleted the Flex 2 when connecting the Inspire, so the app didn't get confused. I don't have Health Connect switched on. I have also tried the tips at https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/12/20798928/how-to-fitness-tracker-step-count-accuracy-smartwatch-nu...

I don't normally carry my phone with me all the time but downloaded the other app because I knew that the step count was way off and checked it on Saturday because I knew I would be walking more than normal. 

I don't know if there are any other thoughts or suggestions please?

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @Pherstun, thanks for your feedback. You are probably aware that the most frequent issue with "Step" counts is that the Fitbit records too many steps, often due to typing, driving or doing something else with your hands. The other side of the coin is using a treadmill while holding the handles or pushing a buggy or shopping trolley where you are actively walking, but your arm is not moving. The difference between your phone & the Inspire 3 could be attributed to which pocket you carry your phone. May I suggest you try an experiment on a level footpath? Take 100 steps and check how many are recorded on your phone & on your Inspire 3 Sync the Inspire 3 manually, repeat 3 times and evaluate the averages. Let us know the results. If your results show the Fitbit app is not reflecting the Inspire 3 steps go to the "Help" in the Fitbit app & report the issue (it is monitored).

I hope this helps.

Cheers

[Bill_209]

My daughter wears her Inspire 3 on her ankle because she doesn't like wearing things on her wrist.  The Inspire 3 still measures her heart rate with no issues when it is worn on her ankle and I'm sure that the step count is far more accurate as well, because the Inspiire 3 only relies upon leg movement for step count and all the problems associated with trying to estimate step count with the Inspire 3 worn on the wrist are eliminated.

[Pherstun]

Hi both

Gr4ndp4 - I believe you've hit the nail on the head. During the week when I've been wearing it I've been working, and I type, which will be counting false steps. On Saturday I was driving, and the indicator stalk is on the left hand side too, which would account for extra steps also. I had my phone on my right hand side when I was walking, either in my trouser pocket when in the house or in my handbag when I was out. The Flex 2 didn't seem to mis-count steps as much, likely because it simply wasn't as sensitive with being an older device. I don't want to risk buying another one though, since they are now so out of date. 

Bill_209 - your suggestion about putting it on the ankle is interesting but I tend to wear boots, so this idea wouldn't work for me.

I feel overall that the new trackers just aren't going to work for me. I don't want to mess around taking it off or putting the app to sleep when I'm not moving. I will simply make sure that I move more than I used to, and find a way to carry the phone using an app if I want to track my steps.

[thesoap]

the fitbit inspire 3 is very new so the software is very buggy bug here are a few tips to try

1. updating the app: the app could be pretty old and the play store and app store don't update apps automatically 

2. update the fitbit: the fitbit could be running an older version of fitbit's operating system and there is a new update 

3. when your at work and typing because the fitbit is newer the sensors could be stronger so maybe taking it off might work

4. your old fitbit could be fixed by taking to a phone repair shop they aren't as much money as you think. for example I replaced my phone battery in one and it was £50