Versa 3 heart rate and calorie not tracking accurately

[1995z28]

Just received versa 3 for Christmas. It’s not reading heart rate properly during exercise. I have contacted support they had me turn off auto recognize, I have disabled, removed versa 3 from IOS and set back up again. Still no fix. I consider myself to be a fitness guru as I have been working out for the last 32 years and know what my heart should be. I can’t even get the versa 3 above 110 BPM at my max (which normally is at 155 -185 BPM depending on workout). I am so frustrated with this.

I was walking at work last night to and from point a-b and my heart rate was showing higher than my regular workout of the morning (95bpm). Obviously there is something wrong with this version of Fitbit. I have owned several over the years but nothing this bad. It appears this is a common issue between the versa 3 and sense.

this morning I decided to get an accurate assessment of how off this is by doing a short HIIT workout and using the Ionic vs Versa 3. I put the ionic on my right wrist and versa 3 on my left wrist. I have a screen shot of the results but cannot attach to this thread. Even with 7 minutes of high intensity I could not get my heart rate above 99 BPM on the versa 3. (143 on the Ionic). The difference between calorie burn is:

versa3 - 7:20 min

• 84 bpm avg
• 99 bpm max
• 37 calories burned

Ionic - 7:15 min

• 119 bpm avg
• 143 bpm max
• 63 calories burned

I used “workout” for each watch to get the results. 

my quick HIIT workout consists of the following:

1. 10 burpee tuck jumps

2. 30 push-ups 

3. 30 tricep press-downs (50LBS)

4. 30 decline sit-ups.

these were down with little to no rest between each set. Just to get my heart rate up for this experiment.

The difference between the two are extreme and when using exercise app on the watch it does not register heart rate accurately.

please help and get a fix for this. My wife is having the same issue with her versa3. We are not new to Fitbit and have enjoyed them until now.

I hope the above information can help solve the issue with this Fitbit.

thank you for looking into this.

[ashleigh347]

I’ve been waiting a week for support to contact me  after complaining through Twitter, very poor customer service! 

[nso]

Fitbit just needs to prioritize a software update for this device since it honestly doesn't work.  How are they restricting complaints?  

[1995z28]

I just finished a workout with weights, using the weights app on the versa 3, during my entire workout the heart rate monitor did not go above 99BPM. This was a 50 minute intense weight workout. Most of the time I was out of breath. My avg should’ve been right around 140-150bpm

I stopped my workout and instantly my heart rate on the watch jumped to 119. 

This is what I have observed: 

when doing a major cardio (like insanity) or running on the treadmill, the rate rate tracker seems to be functional. Keep in mind both of these types of cardio workouts have lots of jarring and arm movements.

when doing weights with slow movements, the heart rate tracker does not acknowledge your heart rate screaming through the roof, this I believe is due to the lack of slower movements that do not jar the watch. 

The algorithms on this version during the workouts are inconsistent and not correct to the exercise being selected.

From process of elimination it’s clear that the watch needs to be moving a lot with quick or rapid movements to accurately read heart rate. If the rapid movement isn’t there, it thinks you’re standing still, therefore you get a false positive on the heart rate accuracy. 

Please Fitbit, help get this resolved. This is the most frustrating thing I’ve had to deal with since I rely on a fairly accurate heart rate to determine my next goals.

[Karlgco]

My hubby works at REI and he said that a number of folks have returned the Versa 3 and got the Garmin instead.  Guess I should have listened.  

[Filmdad3]

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing. I've been researching the difference between the two. It seems Fitbit is supposedly good for general health monitoring and Garmin is good for specific tracking. Their HR monitor is also supposed to be better. I chatted with a reviewer that said if he knew the HR monitor for Fitbit was as problematic he would have changed his opinion more. But then, Fitbit apparently lied to him too. 

[LynneRose]

So I have used various Fitbit’s for 7 years and they have alway been reviewed as one of the most accurate however we k own that the algorithms have been changed and therein lies the problem .

Fitbit help have sent me a list of thingd to try and I will do these later today . I don’t think it will work because this issue is at their end and not with the watches per se.

They need it relook their algorithms

Sent from my iPhone

[Statiraroyal]

Hey everyone - I know I haven't responded in awhile but I still don't really have an update.  I sent my Versa 3 back to Fitbit on January 19th. They clearly selected the slowest possible shipping option with their prepaid label because it's supposed to be delivered to them sometime today. I then have to wait up to 5 days for them to inspect it and either send it back or send me a new one. 

Since I sent it back I've spoken with 2 support people, and a supervisor. They were unwilling to send me a new Versa 3 until they have mine in hand and checked out. (Which I do understand but I saw someone post here that Fitbit sent them one before they sent their's back). Anyway, the supervisor I spoke with was pretty dismissive and chalked it up to a device issue and not a Versa 3 as a whole issue. He said that when I get mine back, if it has the same issue, to contact them again and they will keep trying. Which would indicate to me that there's a bigger issue here, but what do I know? 

I've also had a Fitbit for 7 years, so I'd really like to stick with them but this issue is unbelievable and I can't believe they haven't addressed it. Also, my refund window closed on January 31st, so now I'll be stuck with the Versa 3 for a few years until I decide to upgrade again. (I can't justify being out $200 for the Versa 3 and buying another new tracker from someplace else.) 

Once I have the replacement in hand, I will be sure to update everyone. @KTB86 -- I saw on January 20th you were thinking of sending yours back in as well - did you end up sending it in/get a replacement yet?

[giblert]

Count me in for experiencing this problem too. I switched from using a Versa 2 to a Versa 3 a week ago, and couldn't figure out what was going with my stats!

Check out my aquafit stats... The instructor was the same in both instances, but Jan 6 was Versa 2 and today was Versa 3.

 

 

[HeidiMo05]

I am 100% in the same boat with this and I'm debating returning it.  I've done the reset once and a full factory reset now and it still sucks.  Off by like 20-40 bpm unless I hold my arm horizontal.  And this goes for when my arm isn't moving like when I'm on a stationary bike or something when I'm just holding onto the bike so its not like my arms are flailing around as I bike.   I'll take my pulse manually and be at like 150bpm and my versa is hovering anywhere between 102- 132  unless like I said, I bring my arm up and hold it still and horizontal while it figures it's crap out.  Same applies for weights workouts when I'm busting my butt and it's like anywhere from 99- eventually 124 ish..   SUUUPPER frustrating.  Not sure if all watches are this crappy when it comes to HR detection, but I'm not pleased.  And it advertises that the HR monitor has been improved... 

I'm sad because I do love a lot of features about the watch from the app, the look and other features, but if I'm paying 300+, I want the heart rate to work. Sigh

[1995z28]

Statiraroyal, I went back to the Ionic. They weren’t doing anything to help in this situation. I also ordered a New Ionic for my wife as she has been experiencing the same thing. It’s deflating to work your butt off and only see barely fat burn zone. I will keep watching this thread and if there’s a new update that fixes the problem, I will start to use the versa3. But until then, I’m going to use the more accurate Ionic.

[nso]

I sent mine back for a refund.  Now back to the Charge 3.  Once they address the software issues, I may give it another try.  We've all said it--a fitness tracker that can't track fitness is just a watch.  

[HeidiMo05]

Yeah 100% .

I'm looking at the galaxy active 2 but it's friggen battery life is only 2
days! But apparently its hr monitor is a lot better

[Doons60]

Misery loves company.. interesting I have a twist though.

Out of nowhere my HR will spike well above 150-200. Today during a spinning workout where my bike was registering 125 Fitbit was at 256, sorry I'd be face down if that were true. The bike pretty much matched the HR when I used my Charge.

This is just silly, this us my 5th Fitbit and most likely my last. The glitches with this watch, the circular references on the boards, and the generally subpar service is just a bit too much 

[LynneRose]

They have said they will replace mine however I am in South Africa and would face paying 30% duties on the cost of the watch.

The also want me to ship mine back to them.

Once I’ve done all of the above I may as well have bought another watch.

I’ve asked them if they will reimburse all of the costs. Let’s see

Sent from my iPad

[Filmdad3]

So, I've been going over some facts I have and came up with why the Versa 2, despite having the HR issue, is better than the Versa 3. 

1. The Versa 2 has adaptable exercise programs. For example, I can choose 'Run' and choose to set a goal for calories, time run, distance or active minutes. Versa 3 does not do this. 

2. There are literally 66% more watch faces useable for the Versa 2. Versa 3 has an extremely limited amount usable. 

3. the Versa 2 heart rate issue (at least for me) was only applicable when it came to exercising. throughout the day it wasn't nearly as bad. The Versa 3 is bad All. Day. Long.

4. It seems that the Versa 3 watch and watchband have some sort of material that makes my arm irritated constantly. I never had this problem with the Versa 2. I've been reading quite a few people having the same issue.

5. The button on the Versa 2 is much more accessible and useful. The way they set it up with the Versa 3 you have to cover a small hole completely in order to get it to work. It is not easy to do most of the time. 

It seems like they were in a rush to get this watch out there that they didn't even bother completing beta testing. 

[chielmi]

What bothers me the most is that there's zero information coming from Fitbit. I don't think the heart rate tracking problem is hardware related. I think the software / algorithm needs to be refined.

As this clearly is an issue with every Versa 3 device (also reviewers have this issue) Fitbit needs to fix this!

Despite it's flaws (I also hate the button, how can this have ever passed QA?) I do still like the watch, though I don't think I like the Fitbit company much...

[LynneRose]

I’m sending mine back to them and they’re going to send me another one. I’m in South Africa so have asked them to confirm they will pay the import duty. I’m certainly not going to bother clearing it if they haven’t.

As you say it’s an algorithm issue. I have the same issue with my old versa 2.

If they don’t ensure the duty is paid I will go on social media.

I think they are being incredibly arrogant . I’ve been using their product for 10 years and have always been happy.

Sent from my iPhone

[Filmdad3]

Exactly. I wrote the executive team and when they finally replied, they told me they had to ensure it wasn't a hardware issue and that a fix would come soon. I asked them what that meant since it's a very vague answer. They disappeared. Not a word since. Clearly they know there is an issue and instead of handling it with us, they seem to think that we have no need to know what is going on and we can just wait until they are ready to let us know what they plan to do. 

[Filmdad3]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I think I'm going to simply sell this Versa 3 and get Garmin this week. I wanted to give them the option of sending me back my Versa 2 since they can't get it together to correct this thing (The software is flawed. Roll back to the previous version so we can stop complaining!) but they've been so lax in handling this properly I don't know if they deserve another chance with me. 

[HeidiMo05]

Well, after much "research" (looking online, comparing watches, watching
youtube reviews and tests of watches from hopefully unbiased people) I've
decided to go ahead with a garmin venu sq. Not sure if that's helpful for
anyone, but I'm hoping to test it out myself too and see if it's better
which it's sounding as though it will be. Fingers crossed!

Good lucky everyone!