Charge 3 didnt auto track swim session?

[CarolineBUk]

Just purchased the Charge 3. It does say it has auto exercise recognition, however, I swam 50 25m lengths last night and it didn't acknowledge this as a swim, counted it as steps.

Previous had the flex 2 and this worked okay. Ideas anyone?

[Jonnyhalfhead]

Well I did my swim today and guess what....surprise, it recorded automatically.

Now I dont know if this is why, but as I got into the swimming pool, I thought about the metal pin contacts on the underneath of the Charger 3. I suspect that the Fitbit knows when these contacts get wet that a swim may then be needed to record if a rhythmic pattern also starts up.

So I loosened my Fitbit slightly on my wrist to make sure that my arm wasn't sealing the back of the Charger 3 and therefore not allowing water to get to those metal pin contacts.

The directions for the Charger 3 do tell you not to wear it too tight around your wrist. Other heart rate monitor fitness trackers say the opposite and to wear them tight. 

So this time wearing it a little looser on the wrist, *seems* to have worked. I'm swimming again tomorrow, so I'll see what happens again. Fingers crossed

[CarolineBUk]

Great, thanks @Jonnyhalfhead. I’m not swimming while Monday now but will try this then!

Sent from my iPhone

[DavideFitbit]

Hello, thank you for all the information provided so far @CarolineBUk, @Jonnyhalfhead, @Kangarupe. @SueMatts. 

A new firmware update has been released for all Charge 3 users, this includes bug fixes and improvements, as you can see here. 

Please make sure to follow these steps to complete this update as soon as possible, and then confirm if you continue to experience any trouble to have the swim activity tracker automatically. 

Keep me posted. 

[CarolineBUk]

@DavideFitbit
Decided to go for a swim to check if now working. I’ve done the update and loosened the strap as advised but nothing, no swim auto recognition, so going to have to put this in manually again.
Will tel Fitbit again tomorrow 😩

Sent from my iPhone

[CarolineBUk]

Been in touch with Fitbit customer services. They advised me that the device maybe faulty and to exchange it, which I have done.
Fingers crossed it will work on my next swim.

[SueMatts]

I decided to return mine and have gone for a Galaxy watch!

[JenD10]

I returned mine as well & bought a Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro, it tracks my swim perfectly & also the Speedo On App installed which is really good. The screen is also in colour & lots of customisation options. 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[Kangarupe]

Wow, these reports are atrocious. Thanks for keeping us updated! Sounds like the charge 3 is not the way to go for swimmers... 😕

I hope you are all posting these reviews and letting others know on the store websites. 

[Jonnyhalfhead]

I swam again yesterday (Saturday) and today and both times it tracked fine. Before getting the Charger 3, I got an Huawei Pro 2 which says it tracks swimming, it did, but you had to manually start and stop it. It also didnt record number of lengths either.

Now this is working, its far superior. Just knows when I was swimming and how many lengths. Great stuff!

[CarolineBUk]

I’m hoping the replacement will work, it’s a great little gadget, not too fussy. Was put off the Versa due to the size of the watch face.
If the problem continues... may have to return full stop but I’m confident FItbit will try to resolve.
Not giving up as yet!


Sent from my iPhone

[JenD10]

I tried two different Charge 3s & they both had the same issues which is why I decided to get a different brand. It's a shame as I've had both Charge & Charge 2 & really liked them & was really looking forward to 3.  Hopefully in the next few months Fitbit will resolve all the annoying issues & it'll work as advertised. 
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[CarolineBUk]

Thanks @JenD10 I will consider a full refund and return to the flex 2 if I don’t have any luck the the replacement.


Sent from my iPhone

[hilsen]

tried it all... nothing.

I need to start it manually, and yet had a 20% difference in recording the lengths / meters.

also my fitbit had a total of 78 cal burnt in over 40 mins swimming, only it recorded 10 mins activity.

I know my heart rate is low beyong average due to an athletic past, but he... really?

I Was loving my fitbit and feel quit let down as I needed a good swimming tracker to pick swimming up after a long break!

[CarolineBUk]

I’m off swimming shortly with the replacement. Going to try it for for s few more sessions, if nothing works I’m returning it.
Such a shame.

Sent from my iPhone

[CarolineBUk]

Hallelujah!!! the replacement Charge 3 has worked. Left the strap loose as advised, going to try it in normal tightness next time. Only 1 lap out but did leave it on while showering. 

 Now love it again ❤️

[GeauxRo]

Same thing happened to me. I swam for 30 mins and it says I only burned 57 calories. When I would enter my swim in manually when I have the charge 2 is would say over 250 calories burned and I’m very annoyed it doesn’t give me any active minutes!

[DavideFitbit]

Awesome @CarolineBUk, it's great to know the replacement device has worked for you, thanks for the update. 

I understand @SueMatts and @JenD10, I'm sorry to see that you had to return your devices due to this inconvenience. 

That's great news @Jonnyhalfhead, thank you for sharing your experience with this. 

Thank you for the details @hilsen and @GeauxRo, welcome to the Community forums. Could you please confirm if you already tried all the steps mentioned here, and these steps as well?  

I hope this helps, keep me posted. 

[CarolineBUk]

I have tried it tonight on I tighter notch and it didn’t auto track again?? Will try it loose again next session and keep you updated.

Sent from my iPhone

[Stacey_A]

My swim didn't auto track either. Not too much of a pain to start and stop on the tracker, but will be nice when they fix it to work like it should.

[Poppylove]

Don't buy the charge 3 for swimming. I swim 5 days a week and it has a problem in counting lengths. Today I swam 54 lengths and it said I'd swam 5. I would recommend the fitbit versa. Which it great. Wished I'd still got mine. The charge 3 I have now is a waste of money for swimmers