Step counting not accurate

[xs_kurtosis]

I just bought a Charge 2 and have been using it for a week now. I also have an Apple Watch 3. I use them together, one on my left wrist, the other on the right. After testing for a week, i noticed that fitbit counts significantly more steps than Apple Watch. And I think AW is accurate. I have been using AW for quite a while, and i have tested its accuracy with other activity trackers. I will test Charge 2 for couple more weeks and i iwll return it if the inaccuracy continues. 

[KELLYHANDLEY]

I agree. I’ve just blow dried my hair sitting down and it’s added 300 steps!!!! 

[Rich_Laue]

Hello @KELLYHANDLEY  that is very possible, your Fitbit of mounted on the arm, in some aspects out doesn't have any ideas what the feet are doing since it can only monitor arm motions.

Just like arm movements may as extra steps, there will be plenty of steps taken throughout the day that lack of attention movements will mean lost steps.

[J_mac01]

Same thing happened to me.... But I was in my car driving!!! It has also happened at my desk, and no my arm was not moving in either case... This is crazy!  

[MiaM]

My issue is the opposite. The AW shows double the steps of my Charge 2. This is ridiculous. 

[Rich_Laue]

Please remember both trackers are on the arm, neither tracker looks at the movement of your feet. They are looking at the arm movements. Each company has their own algorithm and use arm movements to take a guess at what the feet are doing. 

Go for a walk, counting the steps you take in your head. Now compare to what the trackers show. 

You will want to use the manual walk mode on the Charge 2. 

It is ridiculous to compare 2 devices each having an unknown accuracy without having a set standard known to be accurate. This is how people use standards. 

I start with my right leg and count every left step. 

When I hit 100 in count, I stop, wait for the display to catch up. It should be about 200. 

I do the same for a count of 250 for 500 steps, and then again for a count of 500 for 1000 steps. 

I do each test count at least 2-3 times. 

[Secosteve]

I counted steps and verified the Fitbit’s inaccuracy - Apple IPhone was within only a few steps - FB was off by 100’s over 10000 steps.   Also noted that steps are counted on FB just from using phone while sitting!!

[Rich_Laue]

You took a 10,000 step walk outside, while counting all 10,000 steps in your head, @Secosteve 

This is the only way to check step accuracy. 

BTW Apple is none for their step inaccuracy. 

Have you set the arm setting yet? 

See page 12 of your user manual. 

[Hankley]

I’ve been using a Fitbit for about 6 years (or whenever they first came out).  I’ve counted and recounted and they have always been pretty accurate.  I just got an AW and the steps are 1000 steps less each day.  Does anyone know how to adjust the AW?

[Rich_Laue]

If the AW is anything like Fitbit the only adjustment would be for dominate.

A quick google doesn't bring up much help