Heart rate tracking accuracy

[Pkark]

I’ve had the versa 2 for a few weeks now, but I’ve noticed since the first day that it over calculates my heart rate. I’ll check it myself or with another device and it will be 20-30 bpm higher on the Fitbit. Ironically it seems to be more accurate while exercising.

I’ve seen all the replies about watching positioning on the arm, and, it seems, No matter where I put it, the reading is inaccurate. I thought at first that it was knee abs would calibrate eventually, but it’s been a few weeks, and it is still reporting it inaccurately. At this point it’s throwing off nearly all of my data that’s gathered by the watch, so I can hardly trust it.

Is there something I can do to improve it? Or do I have to return it?

I used to have a Fitbit surge years ago, and I remember it’s heart rate sensor was incredibly accurate. I used to test it in all different ways, and it seemed to be very accurate. With the versa 2, I could be sitting still and it will still be inaccurate. It’s a pity this new model did not inherit the great software/hardware that the old one had.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @Pkark, welcome to the Community Forums! It's a pleasure to assist you today.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention and for trying some steps prior to posting too. First, I'd like to explain you how your heart rate is tracked with your Versa 2. That said, when your heart beats, your capillaries expand and contract based on blood volume changes. To determine your heart rate, the optical heart-rate sensor in your Fitbit device flashes its green LEDs hundreds of times per second and uses light-sensitive photodiodes to detect these volume changes in the capillaries above your wrist.

Your device calculates how many times your heart beats per minute (BPM). The optical heart-rate sensor detects a range of 30-220 BPM.*We use green LEDS because they maximize the signal detected from the capillaries near the surface of the skin. The optical heart-rate sensor also uses infrared light to determine when the device is on your wrist to improve the accuracy of your heart-rate data.

That being said, can you please let me know why you think the heart rate feature of your device is not accurate? Keep in mind that we do not recommend our users to compare the information that's tracked with other tracking-devices because they may use different algorithms. If you haven't already done so, please restart your device and let me know how it goes.

Keep me posted.

[Pkark]

Hey,

I have tried restarting it to no avail.

I know that the heart rate isn’t correct because I am checking the heart rate myself. I work in the cardio field and have access to EKGs as well. But even just with measuring heart rate on my other wrist or neck and I can track it. The only watch is definitely inaccurate. I’m wondering if I have just gotten a lemon, considering that I don’t see many people talking about this issue. 

[Pkark]

Hey,

I have tried restarting it to no avail.

I know that the heart rate isn’t correct because I am checking the heart rate myself. I work in the cardio field and have access to EKGs as well. But even just with measuring heart rate on my other wrist or neck and I can track it. The only watch is definitely inaccurate. I’m wondering if I have just gotten a lemon, considering that I don’t see many people talking about this issue

[Hsingmomto3]

I had a versa and for the first year it tracked very well. Then all of a sudden in October 2019 my resting heart rate went up 20 points when I had been very steady around 65 for a year. I decided to get a versa 2 thinking that one was just not working anymore and I have the same issues with this one. I put my husbands charge 3 on for a week and all of a sudden my resting rate is normal again. Went back to my versa 2 and my resting heart rate is 80 within 2 days. As I sit here typing it says my heart rate is 120 and I take it myself on my neck and it’s 72. That’s a large difference. I’ve restarted, and cleaned the sensor (daily) and it still isn’t working right.

[SunsetRunner]

I have seen this too. And it’s not just when I’m doing a workout. I can be sitting in my easy chair and my rate on Versa 2 reads over 100 bpm!! I compared this with my Ionic, which reads around 55-60 bpm. I can confirm with my Rhythm Plus heart rate sensor that the ionic is correct.

i too have looked at position on the wrist, tightness, etc. Versa 2 still reads artificially high. I even returned the unit to Target in exchange for a different unit. No change...same inaccurate readings. 

I have given the Versa 2 a month, and I’ve gone back to my old (faded) Ionic. I plan on returning the Versa 2 for a refund.

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get an Apple Watch 😩

[Oubethesda]

I also tried everything and unfortunately versa 2 heart rate tracking starts underestimating BPM severely the minute I start walking. Despite keeping the wrist stationary. Customer service says this is now acknowledged as a problem and that hopefully there will be an update soon. You can watch my 1 min video to see the issue in action. https://youtu.be/UeCi-53ryL8

[SunsetRunner]

I decided not to wait for a fix that may come soon or not at all. I returned my 2nd Versa 2 back to Target. I don’t believe in using a product that doesn’t perform it’s most basic function out of the box.

I’m using my Ionic until I can get an Apple Watch, or until my Ionic wears out. Whichever comes first, I guess.

[Jivalatina]

Me too.

Angelique

10/26/2020