Heart rate inaccurate reports

[SunsetRunner]

So I've had my versa for about a week and have had 5 workouts with it. First I'll start that it is showing a much different recording then my charge 2 did. It is a difference of about 30 bpm depending on what I'm doing. And the resting HR is 67 when charge 2 was 60. Also when I'm doing a workout it won't show the right heart rate unless I start an exercise recording. I was doing cardio for 10 min and it shows 120bpm which is crazy low, I turn on the record exercise and it shoots up to 160bpm. This can't be an intended feature...? Is my versa a lemon?

[SunsetRunner]

I wish I had read this thread before ordering a Versa. The heart rate monitor is reading 25-45 beats higher than my Mio (or my own manual reading), even at rest. The tech support person tried to convince me they measure "different aspects of my heart rate"-ha! I will be returning it, sadly, because I was really looking forward to using it.

[Stutler]

Versa is garbage and big step down for Fitbit. It’s a shame

[MariusH]

Afternoon walk 4,7 km 57 min 

Polar H7  Hr max 114  HR average 90,   Cal 237

Visa         Hr max 151  Hr average  106, Cal 511

regards

Marius

[Fosile]

I’ve used Charge 2 for about one year. I’ve been very pleased with it and found it was pretty accurate on my heart rate. Unforunately, I had three of them crack due to heat (three Charge 2’s in 12 months!!), so the last time when it happened I decided to try out the Versa instead. So far I’m pretty disappointed. I like the clear screen, the lighter design, but I totally miss the fun chatter of the Charge 2. But I also find it very inaccurate on heart rate, especially when I log exercises as «hike». I walk up steep mountain sides and almost feel the blood taste in my mouth, but the Versa shows me a heart rate of 98. Today I counted at least 17 heart beats in 6 seconds, holding a finger to my neck while walking. That means a heart rate of 170, but the Versa said 107 at the most. I even got a higher heart rate reading going down the mountain hills than I had going up?? This has happened so far every time I’ve used the hike mode. When I log runs or walks the readings are far better, so on my next hike I’ll try logging as a walk instead. But I do miss my funny companion the Charge 2, so I’ll probably try returning the Versa. I just don’t like the Versa. 

[5ggggg]

Heartrate readings too high compared to Charge 2

[MissS138]

I have the exact same problem! Waking up on the morning it tells me my RHR is 110bpm. Then I’ll take it off for an hour or so and put it back on then it’ll say 80bpm which is still inaccurate. 

Also realised when playing around with the ‘coach’ app (and didn’t even participate in any of the activities) each new activity my heart rate would somehow be increasing, even though I Was still lying in bed since the beginning. 

[Walker546]

I am on my third Versa. Having all the problems all of you have reported. Heart rate will go up to 117 when I am sitting. Returning it and buying an Apple Watch. 

[SunsetRunner]

After my original post, I tried an Alta HR and had the same problems with accuracy. Then I got an Apple Watch, and it’s great! I do miss some of the Fitbit app features, but overall, the Watch is far superior.

[Walker546]

Thank you for your response. Done with
Fitbit. Brand new Versa quit working the same day I bought it. My third Versa. Returning today and getting Apple Watch. Will just miss my friends on my list.

Sent from my iPhone

[wearmiat]

I'll just say, I've had mine over 4 months and it seems it's generally pretty accurate, at least when I've checked. Also, for everyone mentioning Apple watch, there are plenty of folks with complaints about measurements there too...and you'll be charging it every day.  But to each their own!

[coffeeinu]

My issue with my versa is kinda the opposite. My HR reading is pretty accurate during exercise but very inaccurate during rest/inactivity. While sitting down, my Versa will say my HR is 89bpm when my Sunto HR and manually taking my pulse, my HR is 68bpm .

[Ryan79]

It'd be nice if it worked correctly.

If it was only slightly off then I could deal with it but having an inaccuracy of 90bpm is a bit much. 

[Soo59]

From the lack of replies from "---Fit" gurus, it seems to be an ongoing, unresolved problem.

Just bought it on and very hesitant to even unbox it, after seeing all the problems.

[wearmiat]

---

@Soo59 wrote:

From the lack of replies from "---Fit" gurus, it seems to be an ongoing, unresolved problem.

Just bought it on and very hesitant to even unbox it, after seeing all the problems.

---

All the problems?  Seems the quantity of complaints after 6 months appears to be pretty low, if this thread is any indication.

[Soo59]

Usually there are plenty of replies from the gurus, with recommendations on how to remedy the problems. Strange that there are none here.

[Ryan79]

I took mine back yesterday and had it replaced.

The new one is reading perfectly though the large band was next to impossible to fit for some reason. The small one went straight in each time.

[OzDave]

So I bought a Fitbit Versa yesterday because I recently had a heart stent put in and I need to monitor my heart rate. I was very impressed with all the features and bells and whistles.. only problem is that the heart rate reading is consistently 10 -15 bpm higher than it should be. I have checked it manually using my pulse and using the finger heart rate monitor at the hospital and it is wildly out. My resting heart rate (because I'm on beta blockers) is in the mid to high 50's but the fitbit puts it at 70+bpm (sometimes as high as 88bpm when i'm lying in bed). My working heart rate during my cardio recovery was tested by the nurse at 96-98bpm.. the fitbit was showing up to 120bpm. I have read the trouble shooting about the correct tightness to wear the Versa etc and it makes no difference. From reading the many, many posts on your forum here it seems that this is a very common problem. Your solutions seem to consist of turning it on and off or factory restoring the device (losing data in the process). I'm pretty disappointed. This is a brand new device out of the box and it is basically useless as all the other functions require accurate heart rate reading. I will probably return to the store and return the product as it seems to be not able to perform the function it is designed for. 

[Tibtiffit]

I just got one as well and it’s consistently 15-20 BPM too high compared vs an SPO2 monitor, the old fashioned counting plus a stopwatch and a free heart rate app on my phone that uses the flashlight and camera (which all agree within 1-2bpm). FItbita are all chronically flawed pieces of junk.

[Marussia]

Fitbits are indeed inaccurate. I just got an Apple Watch which is a 100 times more accurate than both the Versa and the HR2. Fitbits resting  HR calculations are not accurate. 

[lenny4d]

@Marussia  Apple watch is at a different price point PLUS a very different battery endurance. That said, I also agree with the whole thread that there is a problem with the Versa (and presumably Ionic/Charge 3) heart rate measurement.