HR tracking on Versa vs Charge 2, utility of gyroscope on Versa

[Micahnatorx]

Hello, I'm a first time Fitbit owner and my recently purchased Charge 2 has been very helpful in keeping me on track toward better health and fitness. I have two questions...

1. The Specs page on both the Versa and the Charge 2 list the same info to describe their heart rate monitoring capability. I cannot find any description that there is a difference. I facebook messaged with your company but the person responding couldn't really expand on anything other than "better architecture" than the Charge 2.
   
   Could you please expand on any differences between the capability (accuracy or otherwise) between the Versa and the Charge 2?
   
   
2. What is the practical difference between a fitbit device that has a gyroscope and one that doesn't? I see it listed as a sensor but can find no description of the benefit or purpose of it being there.

Thank you, and thank you for your line of products. I think they help.

[Baltoscott]

@Micahnatorx -- If you are thinking about upgrading, I would not do so simply because the hardware is a bit newer.  My guess is that HR readings, step count, and calorie calculations will be very similar.  (I have the Ionic and CH2, and the HR readings are not that different).

The main advantages that I see the Versa brings over the CH2 are better messaging, the possibility of on-board music, fitbit pay if you get the special edition, and the ability to swim with it.  (I think that last one is a big plus!)

I personally really like the look of the Versa, but if you routinely wear another type of watch, the CH2 or an Alta HR lower your nerd profile a bit if you feel the need to wear both your fitbit device and your other watch 😉

I think all that the "gyroscope" does is turn the Versa on when you bring it up to your face to view.  And it may just a function of the 3-axis MEMS acceleromoter.  Fitbit marketing materials mention it, but the Versa manual does not -- at least not as a sensor.

The manual says:

Sensors

Fitbit Versa contains the following sensors and motors: l A MEMS 3-axis accelerometer, which tracks your motion patterns l An altimeter, which tracks altitude changes l An optical heart-rate tracker l An ambient light sensor

The marketing materials, on the other hand, list the following

Sensors & Components

• 3-axis accelerometer
• 3-axis gyroscope
• Optical heart rate monitor
• Altimeter
• Ambient light sensor
• Vibration motor
• WiFi antenna (802.11 b/g/n)
• NFC (in special editions)

[Micahnatorx]

Thank you for the comments. I'm happy with the CH2 but I have another week in which I can return the device for full refund, no questions asked, so when the Versa was announced for only $50 more I became curious.

I also don't really like running with my phone but I do greatly enjoy running with music so the Versa seems like a worthwhile purchase for the ability to listen to tunes without the phone. I also like the waterproof capability of the Versa.

Right now I'm looking at their Coach program because I think I would respond well to guided workouts that change based on my performance but it's really hard to get a good sense of how useful it is. It's well reviewed and all but it seems to be more geared toward visual guidance. I'm more interested in strictly audio input while I run, particularly interval running. I've downloaded the app on my phone and I'm really not impressed.

I've even been considering the Apple Phone because they appear to have so many/better apps for the watch that respond to how the owner performs. The likely deal killer for me is the low battery life.

[Bunnybear_05]

I’d return it and switch just for the waterproof capabilities alone. 

[Micahnatorx]

Now I'm actually considering the Ionic for its GPS. I've done a couple runs with the connected GPS with my CH2 and I find that I enjoy browsing through the maps and seeing that metric. I'd rather buy "up" now than wish for more 6 months down the road. Browsing the webs now to see if the Ionic is a mistake or not. From what I'm reading it's generally well liked.

[Micahnatorx · Accepted solution]

I ended up finding an Apple Watch Series 2 at Walmart for $200 so went with that. The device does everything I want except for having a good battery life. I'll miss the fitbit app on my phone working with the watch but I look forward to a more seamless experience in terms of music transfer and a certain future in terms of device support. 

[Micahnatorx]

To follow up on the battery life comment I made about the Apple Watch, turns out with me putting the phone on after getting dressed around 7:30am, doing my work day, ~40 min run using GPS while listening to music downloaded onto watch (bluetooth headphones) and a few mile bike ride with daughter using GPS, around 8:30pm bedtime when I put it back on the charger it's been around 59%. That's better than expected but I also don't futz around on the watch, just get email/text notifications sometimes responding, using Siri to set timers and short term reminders, etc.

In short, other than the missing sleep analysis (which was interesting and entertaining for a while) I'm finding the Apple Watch to be excellent to perfect for my needs.

Fitbit got back in touch with me regarding the gyroscope and they corrected their original response to say that the gyroscope's purpose is to aid in detecting/analyzing movement.

[SunsetRunner]

One of the biggest reasons why I switched from the Charge 2 to the Ionic was because of the watch face -- I use either band as a "watch," and I can simply see the time and date (along with my steps and heart rate) far better on the Ionic screen than the Charge 2 screen.  The Versa should be very similar to the Ionic, in that regard.  And if anything, the shape of the Versa screen might allow it to show more information than the Ionic's screen.  Which is one of the reasons why I'm in the Versa group, going through some of the messages folks have posted.

[Ali2697]

I think I am too, I have had my Fitbit charge hr for 16 month now and toiled with the Versa or Apple Watch , however as I am in the Uk and not on EEthe AW would require my phone near me anyway like the Versa, I can’t actually work the size out on the Versa I drew it out going off the size guide but it looked nothing like the Versa haha, I would miss the Fitbit app there’s so much info and even now finding new features I never knew existed!, I think after reading the comments I am going to upgrade I just don’t like the lilac strap ! Good you get the waterproof strap also with this model

[Mimmofathy]

Concerning the heart rate monitoring, here's what I got from this article: Versa vs. Charge 2.

Fitbit Charge 2: The Charge 2 keeps track of your heartbeat rate and uses PurePlus Technology to give you uncut, automatic heart rate monitoring that is based on the pulse in your wrist.

Fitbit Versa: Special LEDs on its undersides detect blood volume and capillary-size changes under pressure. It’s also equipped with Cardio Fitness level that gives you a snapshot of your cardiovascular system for more details.

My opinion: I think the fitbit versa is more accurate regarding this.

[Pruzer]

I found out to my dismay that the new Versa heart rate sensor does not work if you have a tattoo on your arm.  The old charge 2 sensor works fine.  Sadly, I will be returning my Versa to the store.  I'm not sure if is a certain ink color or not, but the LED's clearly don't like mine which depending on where the sensor falls could be black or green.