Over-counting steps

[klaude80]

I have had my Fitbit Charge 3 for about 2 weeks now and although I was so pleased with it at first, my eyes are now opened to how unreliable it is in terms of counting steps. The first time I became suspicious was when I went to bed at 12.30am two days ago. After brushing my teeth I got into bed and suddenly I had done 57 steps (it’s about 12 from bathroom to bed). I then checked at 12.50 and it had jumped to 63 steps, I had been in bed the whole time! 

If you can’t rely on accuracy of steps how an earth can you trust the other aspects such as heart rate, resting heart rate and calories burnt which also seems wildly inaccurate?!

i really regret buying this one now but thought I had done my research well after reading various reviews.

So disappointed and would not buy again given the chance.

[Rich_Laue]

This is the problem if trying to count steps, without being able to directly count steps @klaude80 

It doesn't matter what company, if the tracker is mounted on the arm. It is counting arm motions that it feels happen when the feet are moving. 

That might be why it is called an activity tracker. 

Yes their will be periods when false steps are recorded. And periods of walking when no steps are recorded. Try pushing a cart, or pusher as they would say across the pond. 

It eventually averages out. I've tested this with a waist mounted inspire and a Fitbit one. Some months the total difference was within 100 steps 

[klaude80]

Thank you for the answer -so all fit bits have this problem then? ☹️

[Rich_Laue]

And Garmin and Apple. 

Have you set your arm setting, I would set it for dominate. 

The problem is that people don't want a tracker that clips to a waist, and having to switch when changing pants. 

People also like having a heart rate. unfortunately the arm can move while the feet are not moving..