Inspire HR: Step accuracy

[franskemper]

Hello,

I am using my Inspire HR only a few days, but find that the step count is way off. Only today I put the Inspire to charge and already the count show 1.662 steps. (1.32KM) We do not have a small house, but to walk that many steps will not happen. This was my confirmation of suspecting the same during the past few days. Since I used the Inspire, it gives me consistent way more steps, and distance, than I actually did. Is there any way to fix this?

Thanks.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity 

[Tedzone]

I suspected the same thing so I put it to the test.... wore my Inspire HR on one hand, and my Ionic on the other for about 4 hours. The Ionic was not connected to my phone since Fitbit doesn't allow two "smart devices" at a time ( thanks for that one Fitbit 😞    ), but registered steps nonetheless.  Result-- 3400 steps on Inspire /  2800 on Ionic.   not a massive difference but it's still about 2000 steps a day. 

That being said-- so what?  At the end of the day, if it's off, it's off consistently.  The device, in my opinion, is meant to serve as a reference point so you, and you alone, can know how relatively more or less active you are today compared to your average. 

[Treetop10]

I totally agree we should give Fitbit the chance to correct these annoying and disappointing mishaps

Sent from my iPhone

[Mahermmc13]

Hi,

I'm adding to this thread to emphasize the discussed issue. It is the first time a use a step counter,other than my phone, and assumed Fit-bit is a brand leader, which is why i got the Inspire HR, expecting excellent and accurate results. To say the least, i was disappointed.

After a 40min drive the tracker has logged 2000 steps, road was smooth and no curves, any minor hand movements logs steps, waking up from 6 hours of sleep logged 150 steps (managed to solve that by increasing my stride length by 15cm), sometimes steps are logged while the device is on the table being charged.

The responses from the Fit-bit team have been generic and do not address the issue at hand. Inputting negative calories to negate the ones induced by the drive defies the purpose of having a tracker in the first place, had i wanted to input data manually i would have counted my own steps. Stating that some movements can be interpreted as walking and adds to the total step count is an extremely weak argument, since the types of movement are not simultaneous with walking and should be eliminated if a proper algorithm has been used. Moreover, from what i have read in the forums, this did not seem to be an issue with older devices of the same brand or other devices from different brands. I assumed that this issue would be resolved with a software update but it seems that it has been going on for quite a while now without any real resolution from the fit-bit team.

Unfortunately i am unable to return my device, and i don't usually write such long posts, but this is just a resemblance of my frustration.

Managed to log 45 steps typing this!!

[KarinaU]

I think what I am most disappointed with is that the issue seems worse with the newer model, compared to the old ones. I expect some over counting, but not this much!
I have contacted support and was told that they are working on a solution and are aware that the Inspire HR over counts compared to the older models. I told support that I am returning my device, to which the response was " we understand your decision". That's was all.

[Channel11]

I too am disappointed and have been waiting for Fitbit to step up with a firmware update. The step counting is way off and having to manipulate with deducting calories etc is a waste of time. I've tried all the recommendations from resetting, stride, dominant/non-dominant arm etc and there has been no improvement. Unfortunately it looks like I will have to return my Inspire HR. I will definitely go to another brand as a result of Fitbit's poor/no commitment response to the Inspire HR.

[Everuby]

If sorting the swim data accuracy is anything to go by then we'll be waiting well over 2 years for a fix. Simply not good enough.  Good job Fitbit don't computerise the world. Imagine the shambles we'd all be in!!

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello to everybody! Welcome aboard @SunsetRunner @ronaldtv @suzannewei @dottymc @Mahermmc13. I'm happy to see you again participating in our forums @SunsetRunner @SloCyclist @Monale @Ladyjessop @KarinaU @SunsetRunner @Channel11 @CindiLi @Tedzone. Also, thanks for your replies and updates @Treetop10 @SergioUSA and @leesa I'm happy to assist with the Inspire HR accuracy difficulties.

First, I'd like to appreciate the time and effort troubleshooting this situation prior posting and taking in consideration our Help Articles and Community Forums information. I'd like to share that Fitbit is always striving to improve our customer's Fitbit experience with our products and services. We appreciate all of the input we receive from our customers as such information help us to evaluate our procedures for future reference. Thanks to all for the feedback and your patience with this situation, we’re currently working to resolve this behavior. Be sure to keep your Fitbit device and app up-to-date to ensure you receive the quickest resolution.

I'll be around. Let me know if you have any additional questions. 

[fkemper]

Hello RicardoFitbit,

Thanks for finally recognizing the issue.

I am willing to give the Inspire HR a new chance, but I will not take it out of my drawer with useless electronic devices until Fitbit has resolved this issue.

Awaiting your further news, 

[SloCyclist]

These are the same answers they gave us three months ago. They haven't done anything to improve the step accuracy, increase text size, and the only thing they've done for battery life is tell us to turn things off and restart. Same message as in February and March, just a different messenger...

[phatlad]

They are ignoring the issue. Here's my latest response from customer support:

"We'd like to share with you that the issue that you are currently experiencing with your tracker is an expected behavior. "

[RicardoFitbit]

Hey! Welcome back @franskemper, I'm happy to see you participating again in our Community @SloCyclist and @phatlad and continue assisting with your Inspire HR difficulties. 

Let me share that Fitbit is aware of this specific behavior with the step count and working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience while we work to improve our products and services. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to assist you in the meantime.

Note that it's always a pleasure to assist.

[Vega76]

I think this is because being alive requires calories so even if we sleep we burn 🙂

[Vega76]

I had flex 2 for a good few years and worked fine but suddenly last year maybe around August started over counting steps - my average day was about 7000-8000 steps but this became 13000 without any change in my "behaviour" . After researching the issue I tried resetting flex but since I lost original charger and the replacement from argos (made by fitbit) does not have the button I decided to upgrade to watch type devide. So I got huawei honor band 4 from Ebay for about £35 to play with before I commited to more considerable purchase. HOnor is cool but under counts the steps relating to being indoors like house chores and all that with actual walking outside being 100% , also didn't think the sleeping track was accurate. After two month of honor I decided to get inspire hr and after 20 hours I'm not impressed and glad I got it from qvcuk as I can return it easy.  Woke up with 40 steps and allegedly I was awake for 55 minutes last night - definitely not correct, slept like a stone.  I've been awake just over 1 hour and fitbit counted 696 steps but huawei 106!!! I disagree with feedback from fitbit about the arms movement etc as having used flex2 for years I khow it was very accurate until the day last year it suddenly went mad. Must be some software update. I'm so dissapointed, I must say Huawei isn't accurate but it's nearly 3 times cheaper and  motivates me to move around more because I know under counting relates to being active but not walking so makes more sense than adding 5000 extra steps for washing dishes and rubbing hand cream on. 

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @Vega76 thanks for bringing this to my attention, I'm happy to see you again posting in our forums..

Thanks for sharing your experience with our Flex device and the feedback provided about our Inspire HR device regarding the step count. I'd like to know if you already restarted your device as per previously suggested? A restart procedure will refresh your device performance and for some users this resolved their step count difficulties. 

Fitbit is always striving to improve our product and services, therefore, the feedback that was provided is greatly appreciated.

I'll be here if you need anything else. 

[Treetop10]

I did restart as suggested to no avail 😩

Sent from my iPhone

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello again @Treetop10 welcome back! Thanks for your reply and update.

I was informed by our Support team that they already provided you with assistance regarding this situation. That said, if you have any additional questions about their resolution, I recommend you to contact them back for more information and details. 

Let me know if you have any additional questions. 

[Treetop10]

No thx

Sent from my iPhone

[MorrisAnka]

I also have problems with too many steps. This morning without even having been out of bed my fitbit inspire hr had tracked close to 500 steps and close to 500 cal!

Yesterday it tracked over 21000 steps whilst my phone only tracked 6000 which was more correct considering my activities that day.

I have also emailed a complaint so I really hope to get a reply or I will return my Fitbut to the store where I bought it...

[LouisianaGal]

Please keep me posted!

Thanks!

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello guys! A warm welcome to our Community @MorrisAnka. @Treetop10 I'm happy to see you again @LouisianaGal, I'm here to help.

@MorrisAnka Thanks for your comments and sharing your experience with us, I'm glad to know that our Support team is already assisting you with your difficulties. Don't hesitate to contact them back if you have any additional questions. Also, I recommend you to keep an eye to your email inbox for any update from them. 

@Treetop10 You're welcome! Hope that you have a great week. Same as @LouisianaGal said, please keep us posted.

I'll be here.