Versa heart rate inaccurate

[elaynesimensen]

Driving in to work today my heart rate jumped to 100+ BPM. Later while walking to get a coffee at work, it jumped to about 140 and when I sat back down at my desk it was 160 and climbing. This is usually what I see when I am running for an extended period of time or pushing myself during a run. I did a manual count of my BPM and it was at 65. I like to think I am in pretty good shape and that driving and walking don't equal the same stress as sprinting. Is there something wrong with my Versa? Is this a known issue?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Hank-reardon]

There has to be something wrong with the versa I have mine off my wrist as I write this with the sensor aimed at nothing and it’s still reading a BPM of 109. I have compared its reading with a dosimeter and it’s reading my BPM in the low 70’s but have gotten my watch telling me it’s as high as 140+ when the other device is in the same low 70’s

[IamRojin]

Most likely that was your heartrate when you took your watch off. To confirm this, I just exercised to bring my HR to 91 and then took my Versa 2 watch off. As I write this it's still reading 91 but obviously my HR is dropping. Then I put my watch back on and it dropped to the 62. When you take the watch off it can't detect a HR. If it drops to zero then all activity also stops including calories expended. So it's better to assume that the current activity continues. I think it'd be more accurate if Fitbit used the previous day's average HR.

[NishN]

I have been facing the same issue with my Fitbit. Specially since the last update. This is my second fitbit versa and I've noticed their HR tracking system dulls out after a few months. My current one is barely a year old and has already lost its sensitivity to track my HR. Very disappointed with Fitbit. I am also looking to switch over to a different device as I'm heavily reliant on a daily Calories burnt target for my fitness goals. I've tried all positions on my wrist and even tried restarting etc etc but no change its tracking sensitivity

[Ranki009]

Same here. The sensitivity has dulled over time, and my Fitbit is also
only about a year old.
Plan on switching to another device. I am done with Fitbit.

[Filmdad3]

Smart move. After I showed them evidence that their watch was underperforming, I then sent them a picture of the blister the Versa 3 gave me on my wrist. Literally two days later they were offering me a full refund. I guess it's just easier to brush people off than actually deal with the problem. 

[tryathlete]

I have the same issue as Tayz44. Heartrate monitor on my Versa 2 stinks. Regularly reports much lower than actuall HR. Sometimes my HR is in the high 140s to 150s and fitbit shows a HR of 80!  I agree with Tayz44 that sometimes fitbit  "catches up" but do I have to exercise for 30 minutes before it does?  Come on Fitbit!  This stinks.

[runrosarun]

I bought my Versa 2 last spring and it has steadily become more inaccurate during HIIT and weightlifting, any intense cardio really. It averages 20 to 50 bpm below my Polar H10 reading.

I have tried every single wrist location. The frustration and disappointment is very real. I spent over $200 and expected a 2 year lifespan but have not even made it to a year.

Oh the wrist irritation is bad.

Ugh. I hate being let down this way. Been a customer for nearly 10 years and yea I may be done.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Redliana]

I've worn a Fitbit for 11 years now and the Fitbit One (and original Fitbit) that were worn on the torso were amazingly accurate counting steps and calculating calories burned during the day.  My weight exactly followed what Fitbit calculated would happen as I also logged everything I ate.  As soon as Fitbit discontinued the torso worn version and I switched to the Versa I found that the calorie expenditure was hugely overestimated and the heart rate accuracy was terrible.  I tried everything but to no avail.  I bought an Apple Watch 6 and have been wearing it for a month now and the heart rate is almost perfect (compared to Polar chest strap) and I'm thrilled.  I miss the Fitbit app environment and the ease of use but I'll never go back to Fitbit.

[runrosarun]

Interesting, I just had a post removed replying to your response because I thanked you and mentioned I will be replacing my Fitbit with a APPLE 6 WATCH.

THANKS AGAIN!

[Redliana]

Weird but not exactly a surprise. Happy running 🙂

[246_khan]

Hi IamRojin,

I noticed the same thing on other reviews. Everyone compares to a polar chest strap or to a device that gathers its signal from electrical impulse, over the photodetection of the wrist watch. 

I am curious how the Fitbit sense stands up to other photodetector wrist watches. 

I get the need for accuracy, but using two different measuring apparatuses, is not fair. 

I am worried though about the Fitbit Sense. Everyone is telling me to buy a Garmin or Apple to get accuracy. 

Your thoughts? best Fitbit to get or just move on from Fitbit?
I am more a hiker than cyclist. 

[EddieB1]

I think it is a fair comparison for those of us either

A. Requiring and expecting accurate hr for calorie tracking, zone training or health reasons

B. (Me) moving from a strap system to fit bit to avoid strap and were expecting better

Would you feel less aggrieved if the comparison was made by taking pulse manually and comparing that?

There are those who don't want or need more accurate readings - fine. I think the problem occurs when you expect it to be accurate.

Somehow I can't see Fitbit being straight up about the range of issues with this when they know majority of consumers won't ever check accuracy and simply will be unaware of a problem. Just a view.

[Filmdad3]

Definitely move on. I switched from a Versa 3 and now have a Garmin Venue and it is super accurate. Way better watch. 

[JayISback]

This does not fix the age old problem with fitbit. Same operating system under a different dressing. My versa 3 hr is ridiculously low on hikes, can this be fixed or should I return. 

[Filmdad3]

Definitely return. Ever since the update, this HR issue has been completely ignored. I moved to a Garmin and have never been happier. 

[Mithras90]

Return it mate.

My Versa2 is completely useless, it's even worse now than it was at purchase. It hasn't registered anything above 130 bpm the last 14 months.

I basically only have it on me to gym to record how long I've been in there, and to keep track on how many times I've been to the gym during the week. 

[JayISback]

Thanks for the tip, mainly disappointed I purchased these without checking if it had music storage. Band and charger a huge improvement. 

Requested years ago Fitbit provide an optional chest strap improve accuracy. It was difficult choosing from the garmin range after visiting their showroom 

That just does not sound right, these gadgets are meant to inspire and motivate us. If you can invest in another model but shop where you can get a two year warranty.

It's beneficial to me to monitor my HR on long hikes to avoid cramping but this weekend when my HR was between 130 and 150, this versa was stuck in the 90s.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[geo1952]

Thanks for posting your Poobit experience with heart rate inaccuracies.  I just wanna say, Yup me too.  I’m old & dumb and pissed away a year of thinking I was jogging and running in place  with a heart rate of a 20 yr old. What a waste. Spring would come & I’d go outside to run fast & just die because while fitbit was telling me I had been training in peak zones I spent all those months in aerobic and below zones. 
That was then.

So I got a Coros Pace 2 running watch & it is so much more accurate than my fitbit versa.  
Coros also can sync up  with a polar strap. 
😉

Hard work, Fast Runs, Accurate Feedback. 
Thanks again. 

[EddieB1]

I gave up. The Fitbit developed a faulty side button. Returned for a full refund. Bought a Garmin Venu 2 and never looked back. Amazing in comparison. HR on wrist works far better and has option to use my polar strap too. Battery life fantastic. Oled screen. Great features. It is nearly twice the price but worth every penny.

[alinabarac]

Same with mine. I have been doing a 40 min cardio workout today. My usual calories burned ... Around 400. My new versa 4 showed me I had 1 active zone and burned 119 calories - I was dripping sweat and I could hear my heart beat in my ears