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Inaccurate heart rate monitoring on versa 3

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‎12-02-2022 12:21 - last edited on ‎12-18-2022 16:58 by Fitbit Moderator

‎12-02-2022 12:21 - last edited on ‎12-18-2022 16:58 by Fitbit Moderator

I have read several posts regarding the inaccuracy of the heart rate monitor on the Versa 3. Many use comparisons to other monitoring tools to support their complaints, which Fitbit seems content to dismiss based on these tools not being the best means of comparison. To take that excuse off the table with my own complaint, see below for a screen shot of my activity to this point in the day I am posting.

 

The spike in activity minutes around the 8 AM hour occurred while I was standing at the kitchen counter eating some almonds and dried plums. No exercise, wasn't even talking to anyone. Just happened to sync my Fitbit and noticed this. I immediately put my hand to my chest and couldn't even feel a heartbeat at all. That was issue number one...

 

Notice the lack of any meaningful activity preceding the 12 PM checkpoint. That overlaps a 20 minute advanced strength training class I completed on Peloton. Literally had 0 activity minutes recorded until the class was almost over, even though I was manually recording 2 heartbeats for every 1 second that was passing. That is issue number two...

 

The biggest spike is around 9 AM, when I was sitting at my desk. I didn't even notice this until I was syncing after my workout. That is issue number 3. 

 

How is it that eating a light breakfast can result in more activity minutes being recorded than a full 20 minute, intense strength workout, and how neither was as strenuous as sitting at my desk browsing the internet? 

 

papamike66_0-1670011891701.png

 

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‎12-02-2022 23:57 - edited ‎12-03-2022 00:12

‎12-02-2022 23:57 - edited ‎12-03-2022 00:12

Hi @papamike66 - as you have seen and experienced heart rate and movement seems to be problematic, but your values seem most odd.

 

Try cleaning the watch [ How do I clean my Fitbit device? ] and after syncing do a Shutdown from the watch Settings menu. Wait at least 10 seconds [to allow it to complete] before placing it on charge to restart it and charge it. If it's already charged just push the button for a second and wait.

 

This will refresh things that may have gone astray, then monitor the results. The good news is the heart rate should be accurate at rest and should measure sleep well.

Author | ch, passion for improvement.

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‎12-04-2022 07:24

‎12-04-2022 07:24

I've seen this also. I have periodic skipped beats and mild Bradycardia that does not restrict exercise.

 

Even a slightly irregular heartbeat blows Versa's "mind". Heart rates below 60 can display as high as 170.

 

As a custom machine builder familiar with various sensing devices, this looks like the algorithm for calculating and displaying current heart rate is written in a very linear fashion with restrictive assumptions.

 

I think Fitbit's algorithm is making assumptions about real heart beat, "filling in blanks".  One reason for this would be known mediocre sensing that is not repeatable, so beats are added to calculation to compensate. My experience with this sort of issue is no amount of software niggling can make up for poor physical sensing. The suggestion that moving the device on the wrist will help alludes this and tells me the sensor's "sweet spot" of capability is very narrow. So  a great example of GIGO!

 

In fact, fitbit employees claim their device should not be compared to others, citing algorithm differences. This is deflecting the question "is it accurate". Sounds like not uncommon programmers' fatigue when no amount of programming will fix bad data.

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‎12-04-2022 10:15

In response to Guy_

‎12-04-2022 10:15

Thank you. This appears to have resolved the issue, though it remains to be seen how long it will be before they'll need to be repeated and only after discovering similar inaccuracies. Seems like the best course would be to restart daily after syncing for a sleep score. 

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‎01-03-2023 17:55

In response to papamike66

‎01-03-2023 17:55

Done, done...done...with Fitbit and specifically the Versa 3. Restarting the device every morning has done nothing but give short term false hope that its heart rate monitor can provide consistent reporting. 88 activity minutes for a light walk today followed by 1 (ONE!) activity minute for an intense 20 minute strength workout on Peloton. The inaccurate minutes are one thing but anyone needing to be sure they aren't pushing the upper end of a heart rate range for health/safety reasons would be at real risk to use this. It's performance would otherwise be an absolute joke. Moving on.. 

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