Inspire HR not accurately recording swimming

[Ang1t]

I bought the HR Inspire on launch day and it is not accurately recording the number of lengths I swim each day.  I have the pool set at 25m which is correct.  I have tried the auto recognise and the exercise short cut and started the tracker when I start swimming.  I swim 2600 km everyday which is 104 lengths.  Yesterday on the exercise shortcut it registered only 83 lengths and today on auto recognise it registered only 71 lengths when I swam 84.  Any advice please?  I can manually change the number of km swam but it doesn't alter the number of lengths or any of the stats.  Very frustrating.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Ang1t, thanks for stopping by.  Thanks a million for all the information that you've shared in your post. Really helpful!

Please note that your Fitbit device records your swims regardless of your swimming ability, meaning you can swim about 6 to 12 lengths of the pool without stopping to rest. If you’re unable to swim this distance, you may notice inconsistencies in your swim data including some lengths not counted. As your swimming ability improves, you’ll likely notice fewer inconsistencies in your data. 

Also make sure to wear your Inspire HR a finger's width above your wrist bone. 

Remember always check the pool length information, to ensure it is accurate: 

• On your device, open the Exercise app > Swim.
• Swipe up and tap Pool Settings.

As you're comparing it with SmartTrack, when you're using this option your device automatically recognizes and records high-movement activities at least 15 minutes long. I'd suggest to confirm the amount of time required for the activity to be recorded.

It can be changed on your Fitbit App:

1. On the Fitbit app dashboard, tap the Exercise tile to open your exercise history.
2. Tap the gear icon 
3. Tap an exercise and adjust the duration or turn off Auto-recognize.

I'd like to mention that, if the same activity gives you a certain amount of lengths one day and fewer the next day, remember that the intensity of exercise is key. Often what seems like the exact same amount of effort over the same distance in fact differs slightly enough to change your number of total lengths.

Let me know how it goes, I'll be around!

[K4deux_]

Hi there, 

I encountered the opposite problem: the device seems to log more laps and therefore a longer distance than what I have actually swum.

I understand there may be inaccuracies. A simply but sufficient fix would be to simply allow editing the data (i.e. laps covered) afterwards. 

Would that be possible?

[Ang1t]

You can alter the number of metres swum but it doesn’t change the number of lengths and obviously the stats will be inaccurate too. What’s the point of having a lap counter if you have to count them yourself.

Sent from my iPhone

[IJasps]

Just had the same issue on my Inspire HR.  Had the pool set to 50m and counted 40 lengths (so 2km). Inspire HR recorded 3600m (62 lengths). Also very frustrating. I'm not even sure how to change the number of KM (is it on the device? the phone app? the website?). Please try to solve this!

[Ang1t]

Change on the phone app. But only the km. Doesn’t change the lengths

Sent from my iPhone

[K4deux_]

Could you tell me where I can change the meters swum? That would solve my problem because all I want to know is my average speed per minute over the course of the exercise and have it displayed on the dashboard.

I don't mind counting the laps.

[Ang1t]

If you click on the swim and then at the top right hand side of the screen there are 3 ... Click on those and it will allow you to edit the exercise.  You can then change the number of metres swum.

[K4deux_]

The only option I have when I click on the button are "Delete Exercise"...

[Ang1t]

I have edit exercise details or delete exercise.  I am using the app on an iphone.  If you do not have this option then I suggest you seek assistance from Fitbit themselves.

[curtdo]

My inspire hr seems to keep the lengths ok, +-2 or 3.  The  time per 100m is close.

The problem I have is that the calories given are not at all what I get through checking against many other published algorithms to calc calories based on time, length, weight and style of swim.  Off by hundreds of calories. 

I do notice that my weight does not show up on the device when I check the personal info.  It is on my fitbit app, but does not appear on the watch after syncing.  Maybe that is some of the issue?????

[elsahikes]

I'm still trying to process that FitBit told you "as your swimming ability improves, you’ll likely notice fewer inconsistencies in your data."  You're swimming over a mile and a half, and I can't believe they assume you can't swim 6 laps without stopping.  I just don't understand why this product is so inaccurate in so many ways, and on top of it, they sent you that completely unsatisfactory, perfunctory answer.  I hope you've had some luck getting your InspireHR to record swims; I'm still struggling.  I may just give up and go back to my Garmin swim watch.   

[Sokeeffe]

This watch is absolutely useless as a basic swim lap counter. Rather than using a simple accelerometer to detect laps, it seems to use algorithms based on intensity levels. As I can only assume it uses the heart rate monitor to calculate your intensity levels, there’s no hope as the HR measurement feature is also hopelessly inaccurate. This produce is basically an expensive watch for telling you the time!

[elsahikes]

Agreed. I want FitBit to acknowledge that the algorithm is faulty, and either upgrade the software or refund my money.

Elsa Svensson, M.Ed, NIC-M
...............................................
Sent via tesseract

[SamanthaSouter]

Very frustrating Fit Bit inspire HR cuts out during swimming session. 
Is anyone else having this problem I have tried wearing it quite tight so I want to slip down. 

[SamanthaSouter]

Yes I am ha e had this Fitbit HR for 3 or so months swim 3 ton4 times a week and only once it did not cut out Totally pissing me off

[Sokeeffe]

My advice to anyone looking for a swim watch for lap counting, pace, stroke
rate, strokes per length, etc.. is to avoid wasting your money on a Fitbit
and go for a Garmin with swim feature

[elsahikes]

I gave up and I’m selling my HR on OfferUp to whoever wants it. Hopefully they are not a swimmer. 

[Sokeeffe]

I have a Garmin 910XT which is an amazing & accurate watch for multi-sports
including open water and pool swimming. It's bang on always with lap
counting and records a range on metrics f
or your workout. It's expensive, but there are other cheaper Garmin models
(eg: Vivoactive 3 Music for $250). The Fitbit's don't come near a Garmin
for accuracy and features.

[cherylsz]

For some reason it appears that you can only edit auto-detected exercises. It would be nice to be able to edit the number of laps to make it accurate. My swim today was right on the money in terms of laps and distance, but it's the first time that has ever happened!