Versa counting extra steps and floors.

[Fitsammm]

Just submitting this in hopes that enough complaints will force the Fitbit team to take a look at maybe sending out a fix for these issues.

     My new versa is experiencing two known issues: firstly floor count is way too high.  I've seen the explanation about why the altimeter experiences this issue with wind, etc, but honestly with a product this expensive I could get past that, especially since floor count doesn't seem to influence calories burned.  A big reason why I got the watch is to be able to sync exercise across apps, especially with myfitnesspal.

     The bigger issue for me is that my tracker is logging huge amounts of steps while driving, even after a couple of restarts (which were an attempt to address the floor issue, which the restarts also didn't solve).  I'm using the suggested Drivebit app as a fix right now, but this is an untenable situation.  The app is not even native to the tracker, and I really feel that I shouldn't have to tell a $200+, location enabled device that when I'm going 70mph down the freeway I'm not exercising, even if my wrist is moving.

     I wanted the versa since it seemed like a reasonably priced device for all the features it offers, but so far I'm not feeling a high level of confidence about it's other exercise tracking skills when it struggles with the basics.  If I can find a suitable alternative, I'm honestly thinking of sending it back.  Fitbit team: a promise of an upcoming software update would do a lot to remedy these concerns, but I haven't seen any mention of one on other troubleshoots in the forum.

     Everyone else: any recommendations for a tracker that will sync with MyFitnessPal, is waterproof, and does multisport tracking?

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Fitsammm, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. 

I appreciate you have shared your experience with the Fitbit Versa and for letting me know you have already restarted it in hopes to resolve this issue. At this moment I would like to ask you to try the following:

1. Perform a Factory Reset on the Versa (make sure to sync the data first):
   • Go to the Settings app in Versa
   • Scroll down and tap on About
   • Scroll down and tap on Factory Reset.
2. When you're driving, wear the Fitbit Versa on your other wrist. 

I hope this can be helpful, give it a try and let me know how it goes

[Lauraldb]

@Fitsammm @MarcoGFitbit I am also experiencing the same issue with my Fitbit Versa of additional steps been counted! When I go for a walk and wear my versa and when I have my iphone with me a lot more steps are counted on the Versa compared to the phone. I am also experiencing the same issue of steps being counted with I’m actually not moving at all for example sitting in a car or bus. 

@Fitsammm did you find anything which helped? 

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Lauraldb thanks for joining the conversation, it's great to have you on board.

I appreciate your participation in the Forums and for sharing your experience. Note that Fitbit devices have a finely tuned algorithm for step counting. The algorithm is designed to look for motion patterns that are most indicative of people walking. The algorithm determines whether a motion's size is large enough by setting a threshold. If the motion and its subsequent acceleration measurement meet the threshold, the motion will be counted as a step. If the threshold is not met, the motion won’t be counted as a step.

Other factors can create enough acceleration to meet our threshold and cause some over counting of steps, such as riding on a bumpy road. Our engineers have worked diligently on your tracker's algorithms to make sure that it does not pick up false steps or activity recordings while in a car. Unless you are driving in a car with a stiff transmission or on back country roads, your tracker should not give you credit for any work that you don't do. If you do pick up some steps while driving, see How do I edit or delete Fitbit data and activities? for instructions on removing steps.

Now, with that said, I would like to suggest you to restart your Versa by pressing and holding the Back and Select buttons (left and bottom right) until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen, then monitor your Versa for the next few days to check if the step count normalizes. 

Thanks for your patience and understanding, if there's anything else we can do for you, please feel free to reply.