Can you read your Charge 3 in direct sunlight?

[Jaseph]

One of my big questions is how easy can you read your Charge 3 in direct sunlight. I don’t need a watch/tracker that I need to cup my hands over to read.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Gail-E]

I think the fit bit has been getting dimmer. I remember having some problems last summer. Would have to shade it to see figures. As I am starting to do more outside, it seems to be even worse
If i change my setting to auto, it is so dim that I have to go in a dark closet to reset it. I can only change settings from the Fitbit itself. The app shows me the setting but can’t be changed?????

Sent from my iPhone

[Wearher]

You should call customer support. They will assist you.

[judyeo]

Even normal, which is the brightest, can't be seen outside on sunny days. It is a stuggle on cloudy ones. No way to see your heart rate. I love my Charge 3 except I can'ad it! I've changed several clock faces to no avail.

[Wearher]

No, not even with the new replacement, not even in the shade, not changing the various faces on the watch, nor getting customer service assistance.

[Rik181]

Hi @Scott355, 

(and @Jaseph, @SteveH, @TGilbert, @CavapooMom, @Sautter, @kohoutek, @Taryn74, @kiddle, @JnJP, @Gail-E, @LizzyFitbit, @AlejandraFitbit )

Thank you for sharing your story! This made me contact Fitbit support which provided me a replacement unit, that is brighter than my original October 2018 Fitbit Charge 3 device. Great!

Using the new Fibit Charge 3 during outdoors activity in daylight remains a challenge. I keep using it as a regular watch for time reading, and for heart rate logging plus sleep tracking. Next to that, for outdoor runs, I recently bought a more bulky Polar Vantage M, which suits fine for that purpose.

Cheers,

Rik

--- 

[raleighfit]

Fitbit Versa 2 Lite works great in direct sunlight and has all the features of the charge 3 plus a lot more apps and watch faces.

[SarahLD]

Finally I was offered a replacement.  Tested it out in the sun today and it was so much easier to read!  Not perfect, but so much better.  Now I just need to see if it will auto track my swim, although I don't know when I'll next get to the pool/gym...

[Wearher]

No, not even on my replacement. Not even in the shade. Not even after customer support.


Ted

[MLK4647]

A friend has an Apple -- very bright in direct sunlight. Mine Charge 3 looks like a blank screen.

[raleighfit]

The Versa works great in direct sunlight.

[Wearher]

Please read latest post short answer. No



Ted

[runningOnFun]

Does the replacement work?

Or is it the same result, different watch

[Scott355]

Replacement still readable in sunlight after 4 months. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[JudyMCB]

Where is the settings ap

[Gail-E]

Can not read outside.  Useless

[Gail-E]

How did you reach fit bit? 

[Scott355]

Online chat via their website. 

[Wearher]

Scott,
No unfortunately not. Not even the replacement. I only wonder if the newest Charge 4 will in fact be able to be read in daylight at all.
It’s rather strange that some of these watches “seem” to have enough brightness in the sunlight. Some don’t. I guess bought a lemon and it was replaced with another lemon.
My bad luck.

[Wearher]

Hi Gail,
Custom Service.. you can Google them.

[JudyMCB]

I can’t even read mine inside the house I have to go into a dark place to be able to read it