Charge 2 - Inaccurately high heartrate - Hack fix that works

[MaunoBrau]

I use my Fitbit to track calories to more accurately regulate my caloric intake per day.  When it works, it works well.  I have had days in a row, though, where my HR is too high for long stretches, hours at a time.  I don't burn 6000 calories per day.  My HR is not 140 while sitting at my desk, watching TV, or sleeping at 2am.  I have spot checked it when it is obviously wrong.  It says 135 while I am sitting at my desk, so I pull up a stopwatch on my phone, grab my wrist or find the pulse in my neck, count for 15 seconds, multiply by 4.  18  * 4 = 72.

I have tried all of the recommended steps from the many posts I have seen about this problem.  None of them work, not even resetting the Fitbit.  I found something that works and works well, at least for me.

Cover up one of the lights with a small piece of tape.

I tried this thinking that it would either (a) not work at all, (b) be wildly inaccurate in a different way, (c) work.  I have found that (c) is the correct answer.  It works and works well.  All spot checks of my HR while sitting at my desk are accurate to within a few beats.

Make sure that the tape is thick enough to block the light (like electrical tape), or apply a few layers so the light doesn't shine through.  Don't cover up the sensor in the middle, just the light.  I would suggest covering the light opposite the battery contacts so you don't have to remove the tape to charge it.

I had even given up on ever getting accurate sleep tracking again.  This tape trick brings back accurate sleep tracking for me.

I am guessing that the lights are redundant.  Possibly, this addresses issues some issues for some people.  I am guessing that since there are 2 lights, the timing of their flashing can get out-of-sync or otherwise interfere with each other.  It would appear that for my physiology and how I wear it and use it, only one light is needed.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@MaunoBrau Welcome to the Fitbit Community! I hope you're doing well! Thank you for sharing your suggestion about improving the heart rate measurement on your Charge 2. The sensors shouldn't normally have any obstructions but if this works for then it is great. How long have you been using your tracker this way? Have you experienced any issues after this? Could you share a picture of your tracker's sensors?

I look forward to your reply!

[MaunoBrau]

Checking my graphs, it looks like it has been just over 2 weeks that I have been using it like this.  The first couple of days, I used smaller bits of a sticker that came off.  I tried using it normally at that time just to see if I was incorrect and my hr shot back up until I put tape back over it.  It has been mostly reliable with the tape on.  My calories burned has also been reasonable.  In the last couple of days, I have noticed a couple of inaccurate times.  I have taken it off for 15-20 minutes at those times, and it seems to get back on track after that.  The tape is wearing a bit.  If the tape does indeed work, then perhaps it is time for me to put some fresh tape on it.

I am aware that I haven't delved into exactly how the tech works and that my tape might be the equivalent of lucky socks.  It does seem to work with the tape, though, and it does seem to not work without the tape.

The tape does not seem to hamper its ability to register a heart rate, either.  My graphs seem to be solid while I am wearing it.  Sleep detection is about half and half on whether it detects my sleep rhythms or not.  Almost every time I check it, it shows a heart rate.  When I spot-check it against a manual count with a stop watch, it seems fairly accurate.  Without the tape, it was saying I was running a marathon at about 2am, and if I would spot-check it, I would count 60-80 but it would register 115-130.

Just to reiterate the magnitude of the problem.  My Fitbit was saying that I was burning anywhere between 3500-6500 calories per day.  This would seem to put me into the same class as Olympic athletes, I think, which is not accurate.  It would also show my hr as being in cardio range (130-150) while I'm sitting at my desk, driving, or watching TV, or sleeping.

With the tape on, it shows a more accurate 2800-3500 calories per day, with 2800 being a normal day without a workout and 3500 being a day with a heavy, intense workout.  These caloric burn rates line up with my daily diet vs my weight tracking progress.

[GiantRobots]

I'm going to try this. Will report back.

[GiantRobots]

Day 1: This was spot on. After my run, I usually walk for a bit to wind down. During the walking phase my heart rate will display as 190 when it is supposed to be around 110-125. Today, I checked my heart rate via a heart monitor and it registered as 118 - the fitbit: 118! Perfect match. Will report back.

[HeydyF]

Hey @MaunoBrau, I hope you are doin' great!  Sounds a little bit odd that with the tape on the Charge 2 monitor, your Fitbit is giving you more accurate results in regards of heart rate and calories burn, however as my friend @AlvaroFitbit mentioned, if it works better for you, keep using it. 

@GiantRobots, are you also using the tape cover method? Have you also checked out our wearing tips? If you'd like to improve the accuracy of your Charge 2, you can also try to restart it by following these instructions. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[MrsMadonna]

If this is working for people then I would be concerned with the construction. I have had my Charge 2 for 2 days and I'm just sitting in the car and it's reading 99. Seems odd.

[GiantRobots]

I am no longer using this method. I just put up with the seldom inconsistencies. While walking briskly, I keep my arms in a running position (not at my side) and that usually does the trick. Things have been pretty good recently.

[HeydyF]

Hey @MrsMadonna, I hope you are doin' fine! If your Charge 2 seems to be tracking a very high heart rate, then I would like you to review some of the factors that might be affecting your heart rate as you can see in this post. If none of them apply to you, you can even try to restart your Charge 2 by following these instructions. 

Hi @GiantRobots, thanks for sharing this tip with us, I'm pretty sure some other users here in the Community will find it very useful. 

Let me know if you have further questions! 

[Jnmille3]

I have had my Fitbit for approximately 6 months and out of nowhere yesterday it started reading my heart rate at 191 when I was sitting on the couch or had just woken up. Today at work it started reading between 150-180 when I again was sitting. I did a manual check and it was 90.

[HeydyF]

Hey @Jnmille3, let me give you a warm welcome to the Community! If your Charge 2 is tracking such high heart rate readings, you have to take into consideration that it may be affected by any a number of factors at any given moment. Movement, temperature, humidity, stress level, physical body position, caffeine intake, and medication use are just a few things that can affect your heart rate. Different medical conditions and medications can impact your heart rate. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

If any of those factors apply, let me know and I will continue assisting you. 

[DennisP]

Worthless

[HeydyF]

Hey @DennisP, I hope you are doin' fine! Are you still having issues with the heart rate on your Charge 2? If so let me know exactly what is happening so maybe I can help you out. 😉 

I'll be around! 

[Lanja1]

Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of Science?

[KWonka]

I'm going to try this.    My Charge 2 is registering 181 when I started walking today.     It has done that since I got it.     I'm going to tape up one of the sensors and will report back