Will Inspire (not HR) Work When In Pocket?

[JJIII]

I am curious if you remove the band and place the Inspire (not the HR mode) will it accurately track step count?  Is there a Fitbit or other market clip for the Inspire anyone is aware of?

[SteveH · Accepted solution]

The Inspire (but not the Inspire HR) has an optional clip that can be used in place of the band and which tracks just fine. It's available from the fitbit online store (where there are a few more details on it) at http://www.fitbit.com/store

[Julia_G]

@JJIII , adding to what @SteveH said, if you press and hold the button on your Inspire, it will bring up a menu that allows you to scroll down to the  option to change the algorithm settings from "on wrist" to "on clip"

Obviously the Fitbit will count steps just a little differently depending on how it is worn,so you have this option to make sure it is as accurate as possible.  

[MattFitbit]

@JJIII If you are carrying it in your pocket, 'clip mode' will be more accurate than when on 'wrist mode'.

However, for the best results, I would recommend getting a clip. This will also help prevent it from getting lost since you can secure it to your waistband or pocket. 

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have additional questions.

@Julia_G @SteveH Thanks for the help!

[JJIII]

Thank you Julia.  Very helpful and much appreciated!

[JJIII]

Thank you.  I used the Fitbit One starting in 2014 until it died in Nov. 2018.  Since Fitbit didn't offer a suitable clip-on replacement, I switched to a Garman Vivofit, which I just lost in a plane seat.  It's good to see that the Inspire is available and I will return to Fitbit and give it a shot!  Your feedback about the 'clip mode' is very helpful.  Thanks again.

[essloane]

SteveH

can I ask a clarifying question. Can you place the Inspire HR in the clip- it just will not be able to track Heart Rate in clip mode- or can you physically not use the Inspire HR in a clip because of size or configuration?  I’m interested in the clip, but not all the time. I currently wear a Charge 3. I thought both Inspires could go in the new clips. 

[BBurgDave]

@essloane  i had the same question.  I think it won't fit in the clip from Fitbit, but my conclusion is that it would probably work just fine with a 3rd party clip, once those become available (albeit, without the HR).  If you look up 3rd party clips for the Alta HR on Amazon you will see that those seem to work just fine with that device.

[WendyB]

Putting in any kind of clip you will lose HR. So if that matters to you you need to think about it

Third party bands will not solve the issue.

Needs to be on the wrist for heart rate

[SteveH]

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@essloane wrote:

SteveH

can I ask a clarifying question. Can you place the Inspire HR in the clip- it just will not be able to track Heart Rate in clip mode- or can you physically not use the Inspire HR in a clip because of size or configuration?  I’m interested in the clip, but not all the time. I currently wear a Charge 3. I thought both Inspires could go in the new clips. 

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@essloane the official line from fitbit is that the clip is only compatible with the standard Inspire. This is from the sales page:

This may be down to the Inspire HR being 1mm thicker than the standard model, or it might be for other reasons. There is speculation that it could be forced in and will work but I haven't seen any posts from anyone brave enough to try it yet.

[N8teGee]

I'd be a little bit wary trying to force the HR version into the clip. As you can see in the picture I took below, the clip has a bit of metel recessed into the back of it. It's fine for the non HR version, but could cause damage to the HR sensor on the HR version if it's "squeezed" into the clip.

[Julia_G]

Well, I must say, I am tempted to try, as apparently the difference in size is only 1 mm, so I doubt there would be much "forcing".  I would be more worried about the possibility of it falling out..  

Or maybe I will try a 3rd party clip, as they will surely be produced.  I love the idea of a tracker that can be wrist or clip, and I don't see why one shouldn't have the option of HR on the wrist just because one wants sometimes to wear a clip.

[Tedzone]

I have a flex2, an Ionic, and a bunch of other fitbits in between.  EVERY ONE tracks just fine in your pocket.  

[SteveH]

@Tedzone whenever I've tested fitbits in a pocket I have found that although the step count can look reasonable the calories burned were not as accurate. Did you not find this? It's been a few years since my last test so I'd be keen to know if that's changed.

[JoeGV]

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@N8teGee wrote:

I'd be a little bit wary trying to force the HR version into the clip. As you can see in the picture I took below, the clip has a bit of metel recessed into the back of it. It's fine for the non HR version, but could cause damage to the HR sensor on the HR version if it's "squeezed" into the clip.

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You may be right, but I had that metal piece with my Alta HR and it wasn't an issue.  I admit that I'm a bit puzzled that fitbit didn't offer a clip for the HR already anyway.  I suspect it'll be 3rd party for most of us.. when they are available.   

However, I thought I read that there is a setting in the non-HR that one can change to clip.  I don't think that option is available in the HR... at least I haven't found it yet.  However, I didn't have this with my Alta HR and it functioned well with both locations.  (except for HRate obviously)

[N8teGee]

@JoeGV, Yes you are correct. The HR version is missing the "on clip/on wrist" setting in the menu. Apparently this setting alters the algorithm to increase accuracy in whichever location its worn. I've not been able to do any testing regarding the setting with mine as I use it solely in the clip. 

[Julia_G]

@N8teGeeand @JoeGV, that is not entirely correct.  The original Inspire HR had the "on clip" or "on wrist" option.  That was removed in a recent update, apparently because Fitbit was worried that it might create "confusion", since the clip they produced was not prefectly compatible with the HR version.

I personally have not upgraded my Inspire HR, so I still have the "on clip" option.  I would encourage anyone who would like to retain this option not to upgrade -- if you don't care about such things as seeing your water intake on your wrist you won't lose much, and you will retain a really important extra flexibilty -- an accurate tracker whether you wear it in your pocket or on your wrist.

In the "on clip" setting I find the Inspire HR accurate, as far as I can tell, although I have not done detailed tests.

edited to add, I should have used the word "update" rather than "upgrade".  My personal view is that removing the "on clip" option for the Inspire HR was actually a "downgrade" even though it came in an "update".  Once your Fitbit is installed, "updates" are optional.  I would check to see whether they provide anything extra you want before accepting.

[Julia_G]

As I mentioned above, I still have this option on my Inspire HR, because I did not update.  Hiwever, I have created this feature suggestion for anyone who bought the (more expensive) HR version hoping to have similar flexibility.

Please do vote and comment if you think Inspire HR users should have the same flexibility to use on the wrist or on the body as non HR users!

[Tedzone]

Steve.  I don’t do it long term so I can’t comment.   I to do it sometimes if, say— I’m wearing my ionic and I’m doing work around the house and don’t wanna ding it....That sort of thing.  That being said— the steps are pretty bang on.  I’ll literally put it in my pocket and take 100 steps and the unit concurs.   

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@SteveH wrote:

@Tedzone whenever I've tested fitbits in a pocket I have found that although the step count can look reasonable the calories burned were not as accurate. Did you not find this? It's been a few years since my last test so I'd be keen to know if that's changed.

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[savtac]

I am really frustrated to find out that I cannot use my brand new Inspire HR with a clip.  I have used and loved my One for years, the only frustration with it was that I couldn't swim with it. So I graduated to this about 2 days before my One bit the dust forever. My annoyance with the  wristband style is that steps taken while pushing a stroller or a shopping cart don't register. Holding a railing nullifies the step counting function.  I need a clip for walking and a wristband for swimming. It's 2 weeks old and advertising told me there was a clip accessory to use. I feel cheated and annoyed (first world problem,  I know, but I did research this before my purchase,  and feel like I've been scammed!) I can happily forego the hr part during most of the daytime,  but really need the steps. Suggestions to solve this?