Heart rate readings too high in Fitbit Versa

[tiim]

I just went on my first run with the Versa and found the heart rate wildly off. I've had several other Fitbit devices that have registered a peak rate between 160-165 bpm for the same run, on the same wrist, with the same wrist placement. This run shows a lengthy section where my heart rate peaks at 209. I'm in my late 40's... No way that is accurate. Anything I can do to fix this?

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject For Clarity.

[tiim]

@Tammy_S: I also have a Note 8 and if I have to switch platforms to use it,
I won't be switching out my *phone* - I will return to an Android Wear
watch. Seriously, the Note 8 is one of Samsung's latest flagship phones.
Why wouldn't they support that?

[arf78]

Same here.  With Charge HR2 average HR was within 2 or 3 of my Garmin heart strap.  Now with Versa I am 20 higher and peaking at over 200 at 50 years old.  It's also driving down my cardio fitness score each time I run.  Have tried repositioning and tightening but makes no difference

[GittlerB]

I just removed my device on my phone then swiped the screen on the Versa to SETTINGS then went to reset to factory. Make sure to unpair your device under the bluetooth settings on your phone too. Then readd the device. It is actually pushing an update to my phone now so they must have pushed out firemware but it wasn't downloading. Hopefully this addresses this issue. 

[arf78]

Had this from Fitbit support, ignore the Ionic reference!  Will try a run at the weekend and see if it fixes things, not too hopeful as I had already done several resets and they made no difference:

We are part of the Versa team and we'll be happy to assist you. We can assure we are working on this to get this solved as soon as possible. We appreciate the information you provided us.

 In order to further investigate about this issue, could you please be so kind to follow the next steps:

- Go to Settings on your watch
- Tap Heart rate (OF)
- Sync your Ionic
- Go to Settings on your watch
- Tap Heart Rate (ON)
- Sync your tracker.

[SunsetRunner]

I'll be returning mine today. The Versa has been out for 15 days (April 12 release) and they haven't fixed this. I've had mine for 9 days, in my opinion a perfectly reasonable amount of time to wait for an update. I'll be moving to Garmin Vivoactive 3. As I sit at my desk typing this on my laptop my Versa says my heart rate is 100.

[Jimtowner]

Recovery Runner, I have no vested interest in Fitbit but here’s what I did.
Returned and got another from REI. They have a one tear return on dffective
electronics and I was told that inaccurate measures would qualify. If I
don’t like the aesthetics it’s 90 days. Their return policy gives me some
peace of mind that I won’t be stuck with a lemon. If Fitbit can’t fix it in
a year that would certainly convince me that it’s a lemon.
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Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Gadams99]

Hi Jim. What is REI?

[Jimtowner]

REI is a large outdoor recreational equipment store. Members get a 10%
end-of-year debate.
https://www.rei.com/
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Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Gadams99]

Thanks Jim. I was curious. I live in Canada so I’m hooped for buying one there

[tiim]

During my last run, which was a casual 3 miles, the Versa clocked me at
190-200 bpm for a sustained five minute period. And this is after double
checked my wristband placement.

My Charge HR never showed me higher than 160-165, which is much more
appropriate for a guy in his late 40s.

I did buy mine from REI, so I could try the replacement. I'd be interested
in hearing if that worked for anyone. But I suspect I'd just be exchanging
it for another defective device.

[SunsetRunner]

@tiim The unit I have right now is my second from REI. I returned the first thinking it was that unit but this one is exactly the same.

[acbdparker]

After both reset attempts, I just completed my half marathon and it was over a mile off for distance and said I was peak at 197 for 2 hours. Will be contacting customer service again and most likely returning. So disappointing I don’t have accurate info for my big race. 

[tiim]

@SunsetRunner Thanks for the feedback I thought that would be the case. This
is clearly an issue with the Versa and unless I hear that Fitbit plans to
fix the issue quickly I'll be returning the unit.

[Tammy_S]

@arf78 I tried the same advice I received from support (turn HR off, sync, turn HR on, sync).  It did not work for my run this an.  I tried to make sure the placement was correct on my wrist.  My HR peaked at 194 twice during my casual 3 mile run.  My HR average is higher than runs with my Blaze.  Has anyone heard any definitive information from Fitbit Support that they recognize the problem & they're fixing it?  They mentioned it early last week once during one of my email exchange but I haven't heard any updates. 

[Tammy_S]

@arf78 I tried the same advice I received from support (turn HR off, sync, turn HR on, sync).  It did not work for my run this am.  I tried to make sure the placement was correct on my wrist.  My HR peaked at 194 twice during my casual 3 mile run.  My HR average is higher than runs with my Blaze.  Has anyone heard any definitive information from Fitbit Support that they recognize the problem & they're fixing it?  They mentioned it early last week once during one of my email exchange but I haven't heard any updates. 

[Jimtowner]

A few days ago I was told “we have a team working on it” but no dates.
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Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Yvette-NS]

I’m having a similar issue. My resting HR IS 58-63ish. My Versa is telling me 80-90! I’m very disappointed as I really was hoping this would be accurate. I think I’m going to end up having to return it:(

[Lovetorunandlif]

Did you at least PR??

[acbdparker]

Ha THANK YOU for asking. I did! Somehow! I don’t know how. It was my third half and triple my training elevation gain but I finished in 1:59:49!

[arf78]

Followed HR reset and run stats are much more reasonable for same run.  Before reset avg 179, max 203 after reset avg 158, max 175.  Be interested if others have seen similar changes.  Also not sure why such a popular thread has had no moderator comments if the fix is as simple as switching HR on and off.  Back to being very happy with my Versa and the smaller bugs I am getting I am sure will be fixed soon too.....