Swim length tracking charge 3

[KathyB14]

Just done my first swim with charge 3 and it only shows time on the tracker (there is a clock on the wall for that) so my question is whether there is any way for it to show length count  in real time while swimming?

[Brighton2018]

Hi Andy’s,

my fitbit doesn’t count the lengths and it has the wrong distance - which as you say is uselesss as I have to count the lengths. 

[Brighton2018]

The Moov looks like  it is worth trying - I like the timing by length.

[Everuby]

If your pool has it use Swimtag, the best device I have used for accuracy and better still its free!!

[c0penhagen]

I tried my new Charge 3 for the first time in the pool today. Swam 1000m in a 50m pool, my Fitbit counted it to be 1800m. 

It doesn't work at the rowing machine either. Then it shows the heart beat totally wrong. I am very dissapointed with my new watch. 

[audys]

Hi cOpenhagen I pretty much only use my watch now for running, HR tracking, sleep and steps. Fortunately my HR is accurate. Unfortunately swimming is still inaccurate sometimes by a few lengths. It is never as in accurate as yours though but I have never swam in a 50m pool. Have you set the length of the pool to 50m on your watch? 

[c0penhagen]

I changed the settings on my Fitbit to 50m pool before I started to swim. I only do breast swimming though, could that affect the mesurements? 

[audys]

Yes sometimes I find that it is not as accurate with breaststroke but not by that much. I swim in a 20m pool some evenings and a 25m pool other evenings so I have to change it a lot. I try to change it at least 30 minutes before getting into pool if I remember because one night I changed the distance just as I started my swim. It was super inaccurate and I am guessing that it was because it didn't sync with my phone after I changed the distance and before starting the swim because my phone was in changing room. It has only been inaccurate by about 1 or 2 lenghts since that. 

[c0penhagen]

Thanks for the tip. I changed the lenght right before I started to swim. Maybe that is the reason then. Fingers crossed that it will be more accurate next time. 

[audys]

Good luck 

[Kafff17]

Completely agree. Just been sold the same as a swim watch. Only need to track number of lengths so how hard can it be?  Update definitely needed. Handy for steps and other info but not the purpose and an expensive error in purchasing this. 

[c0penhagen]

I have now tried it two times more in the 50m pool swimming breast strokes. It is just as inaccurate as the first time. Last time I swam without any breaks to see if that made it more accurate, but it still measured 1000m of swimming to be 1650m. So not even close. 

[Brighton2018]

I have given up with the Fitbit and moved to the Garmin 735XT, although more expensive it is accurate!

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[LynMH]

A few weeks ago, I forgot to switch to swim mode before entering the pool. I've got it set to "recognize" swimming after 5 minute swimming, so thought I'd see how it worked if I didn't bother to switch it manually and start it. It was withing 150 yds of my actual swim distance---about the same as when I do set it manually prior to getting in the pool. Alternated between setting it and not for the next 2 weeks (8 swim sessions) to see the difference and it's equally inaccurate either way. Now I don't bother to select "swimming" in the activities and start the counter. I'd be interested to see if anyone else gets similar results. If so, what's the point of having that option to select what activity you're doing? Is it just a useless option to give us more buttons to press so we feel like we're interacting with the device? 

[Everuby]

Neither the Charge 3 or the Flex are fit for purpose when it comes to swim accuracy and Fitbit constantly lie and fob us off about trying to fix it. They haven't got a clue where start. I suggest to everyone to ask their pool for swimtag its free and bang on accurate. Or move to Garmin. Fitbit don't deserve our custom.

[Lindsay.Marie]

Mine goes the other way-it drops about 500m. I returned my first device (Inspire HR) because it was so terrible and inaccurate-but the Charge 3 appears to be just as bad. It dropped 450m off of my swim when auto tracking my swim today-going to try manual setting tomorrow morning to see if that helps. Otherwise-I have no idea if I’ll even keep it.  

[Lindsay.Marie]

Even with auto tracking-my device will record the time, heart rate, etc accurately, but drops between 4-500m each swim. My guess is the device picks up the time but not the lengths in that ten minute waiting period to recognize. 

[Lindsay.Marie]

Yes!

both my devices drop 1/3 of my swim. I usually do 1500m, it records just over 1000. 

So disappointed. 

[Lindsay.Marie]

Nope same issue with freestyle 😔

[Nagoyagirl49]

How can I change the lengths in the swimming exercise

[asiayeah]

@Nagoyagirl49 Go to Exercise, Swim and then swipe up.