Charge 3 over counting steps

[Overcounting]

Can a moderator please assist? Will there be a fix for the over counting any time soon? I just bought my mum a Charge 3 and I decided to try it out, and it counts steps even when I am in bed watching TV. I would hate to return this as I think this would be great with the fix of this bug, as with this huge over counting doesn't serve its main purpose. I know there were some suggestions to set it to the dominant hand and wear it on the non dominant ... but that would still not mean accuracy just cheating the bug a bit so it counts less, but still not accurate. Please advise. Thank you

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[SunsetRunner]

Hi

Any update about this? I am about to return my and my girlfriend's device.

So disappointed!

/Anders

[PittsburghDonna]

No news so far.

Frustrating, trying to decide whether to return, or to wait for a fix, that
may or may not come.

[Chada23a]

They have to admit that there is a problem before even thinking about a solution. So far the only thing FitBit is willing to do is explain that wrist trackers may not be completely accurate. And treat us all llike we are idiots and tell that the Charge 3  is over counting by a ridiculous amount.


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Seagu77]

Looks like Fitbit team does not want to work on solution yet, especially taking into account that it does not admit this problem. I would rather return if it is still possible. Otherwise, you may miss this window while waiting for solution. Fitbit claims that Charge 3 has the same algorithm as Alta, but it does not count similar to Alta, so I am afraid that it means that there is no easy fix. 

[stukdev]

Me too.

Day 1:


Day 2:


Day 3:
Before shower

After...


Why this difference with Alta HR????

[Seagu77]

OK,  @AlejandraFitbit and the rest of Fitbit team. Now you can see a  photo comparison with Alta HR. Please stop saying everything is fine and tell us if Fitbit plans to solve the problem and make Charge 3 count steps close to how many Alta does? Could you? When? Or it is a complete garbage?

[Shoes96]

Hi I have the same overcounting problem. It seems to have started in the last few days. Agree if this can’t be fixed then the Fitbit is useless. 

[SunsetRunner]

It's totally about overestimating wrist movements because I get steps in by... washing my face and applying moisturiser. Honestly, this amuses me more than it frustrates me but I'd still like to see this problem being fixed!

[Svensin]

I get over steps too but not as many as some list. Ive watched the count (whist actually walking) where it counts pretty good but keeps registering minor arm movements like typing/driving. (40 whilst sleeping, 100 watching a movie, alot more whist typing)

If it was UNDER counting, I think people would be losing their minds ALOT more than over counting, hence is probably not listed as a major concern by fitbit and not as many complaints. It feels good to think you have walked so much, more so if you dont read forums and believe its working ok.

Lawsuit? good luck with that. I just hope it just gets fixed.

[Diana38]

Telling people to check 100 steps is pointless in this discussion. The problem is not counting steps it’s counting every hand movement and driving in the car. I shouldn’t have to take my watch off when I’m at my desk or put it on charge in the car or tuck it in my bra when I’m cooking etc. It’s a watch, it should be on the wrist! The step count is wildly inaccurate with the charge 3. Probably 20% extra steps recorded. My flex counted much more accurately so your technology is getting worse. This is a poorly designed product and I’m extremely disappointed. And yes, it’s on my non-dominant and set as dominant. You guys need to fix this!!!!!!

[PittsburghDonna]

My thoughts exactly.

[cvaus]

My Charge 3 is over-counting as well.  If I wave my hand while standing it counts the motion as a step.  Restarting sometimes works but often doesn't.  It just started doing this after wearing if for about 3 weeks.   I had never encountered this problem with my Charge 2 which I wore for years.

Also, my BP was 5 points higher than the Dr.'s measurement. (my earlier version Fitbit was spot on)..

I'll return it to Amazon (unfortunately I no longer have the box).

[bcrozierw]

Yeah ... same here ... my Charge 3 is absolutely worthless when trying to track steps/exercise ...

and when I'm driving up a hill, it also tells me how many dozens of stairs I've climbed LOL

[AntKillingTime]

Just picked up a Charge 3 last week and experiencing the same issues. I've tried all the recommended solutions but the step count is ludicrous when compared to my partner's Charge 2 step count for a similar day's activity. The 100 step count test doesn't come off too badly its just that it picks up steps throughout the day from all types of other actions which totally undermines any accuracy it may have demonstrated in this test. Yesterday, according to my Charge 3 I did 19k steps and I simply had a normal day where I may have walked 3.5-4 miles,-including a light 2 mile walk in the afternoon-and apparently burned 3.9k calories. That's ridiculous!

Will there be a firmware update? Otherwise, I'm taking this back, as it doesn't help me to accurately assess my daily activity with this gross over counting

[James_Vierkant]

Take it back while you can and give them a year to correct all the problems with this tracker.  

[danw10]

I just drove down the motorway for an hour and apparently climbed 131 floors and did some cycling as well as walking 2000 steps.... I can cope with the 25 steps I get from stiring my tea (lol),  but this is just silly... I'll return to Amazon unless fitbit care to comment on a way forward??

Oh and this is my 2nd charge 3 in two weeks...

[Alaina]

I'm having this same issue! I really like everything else about it, but will be returning it since Fitbit doesn't seem keen on addressing the issue in any meaningful way...

What I'm wondering is, is there anyone NOT experiencing this issue? I'm tempted to try purchasing another one to see if it's just some QC issue that lets a lot of bad eggs get out... (The chat person told me that "no, not all Charge 3's have this issue," so...)

[James_Vierkant]

As far as I can tell, all of them are generous with their step count.

[Alaina]

I had the Charge HR and the Alta HR, and the difference between these and
the Charge 3 is HUGE.

I think that for just walking, they're all very similar (over-count by
maybe 3-5%).

But the Charge 3 seems to have a problem that makes it count many more
non-step movements as steps.

On a normal day at the office, I'd routinely get < 2,500 steps counted by
both the Charge HR and Alta HR. The Charge 3 is counting over 4,000 steps
per day, and nothing at all about my routines have changed.

[Butterfly1956]

Hi there. I have returned mine and bought a Withings instead. No further
issues!