Heart rate accuracy concern with Versa 2

[Chooninator]

I have been a loyal fitbit user for many years.  Started with Ionic and graduated to Versa and then to Versa 2.  My first Ionic has been the only one that - so far - I have been happy with and no problems with.  I got a replacement Ionic when my first one broke and ever since, I am having heart rate measurement problems. 

So what's going on is I would start recording a workout and the heart-rate would just - out of the blue - disappear.  Here's a picture of when this happens:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1A8MF2JfkwX74tYs6 

Obviously this picture was taken at rest and the position of the watch not necessarily at the right place on my wrist, but I have tried everything since.  Placing the watch higher or lower on my wrist, putting the watch tighter or looser on my wrist.  This phenomena of the heart rate disappearing intermittently always happens. No matter what I do, where I put the watch on, how tight I put it on my wrist.  It doesn't even seem to matter if I sweat or not. Like the picture I have shared - it can happen even if I am just sitting and starting my workout.

I don't know how many times I have called Fitbit support - and the guys try but completely useless.  We tried everything from updating my app on my phone to updating the watch, to restarting/reinstalling app to resetting watch(es) to factory setting.  Nothing seems to help and as mentioned, I keep seeing this 

I am thinking, I can't be the only person who had these heart rate intermittent measurement that one sees on the Fitbit watches?

I am so frustrated with my fitbit and just about to give up on this stupid watch and switch to something that does this simple task of measuring my heart rate right.  I am making one last attempt to see if someone has some ideas what I could do - if I don't get anything meaningful back, I'll just buy something else that works.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @Chooninator, welcome to the Community Forums! 

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and personal experience with your Fitbit device, I understand your situation and how frustrating this matter can be for you. I'd like to let you know that we are always striving to improve the Fitbit experience with our products and services, therefore, the feedback that's shared here in the Community Forums is always appreciated and really helpful for us to evaluate our procedures and make sure that we are delivering what our users want and need.

Since you already received assistance from our Customer Support team, I suggest you to contact them back if you require further assistance or if you have any additional questions about the outcome of your case. 

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

[smiddly]

Is it actually a versa2? I have one and it looks nothing like your watch image. Is it a different bezel?

[MrMarv]

@smiddly -

Sure looks like an Ionic to me and I believe the original poster mentions Ionic in the post.

And the moderator edited the subject.

But what the original poster has stated about their device is pretty consistent with my experiences over the past year with my Versa 2 - both of them. My first two Heart Rate Capable devices were great. When my Charge 3 "white-screened" on me I ordered an Ionic that was DOA so I purchased a Versa 2 locally which I had to do a warrantee return on.

And with the Fall firmware update, consistent gross overstatement and understatement of heart rate 156 when pulse-oximeter says 98 and 45 against actual 82, 20 bpm below resting. 

And you can imagine what the overstatement of heart rate does to estimated calorie burn.