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I agree with many of the others. I know there may not appear to be enough users requesting the bluetooth LE off functionality for fitbit to consider it, but I also know of several hundred, Yes Really, who would consider it, fitbit devices, at my location alone. There are 8,000 military and 12,000 civilians affected by the bluetooth rules at my location alone. I traded a fitbit flex for a first generation jawbone with my son-in-law for that reason. I love the Surge and want one, but I can't justify it if I can't turn the LE radio off while I am at work.
Please don't just consider, but make this an option. You will get a number, Most Likely thousands more at $249 a pop, of new customers with this functionality. Most people I speak with on the military base I work at love the look and function of your products, but won't buy them because they cannot disable the bluetooth. They get written up in sensitive electronic areas for active bluetooth devices and could potentially lose jobs.
One older gentleman specifically stated he came home and threw the device in a drawer because he was written up for a violation at work. He loves the device, but can't afford to lose his job. Thanks for implementing this as soon as possible.
Moderator Edit: Edited title for clarity and word choice
@MatthewFitbit Just noticed this thread is almost 3 years old with 9 pages and a lot of salient points (even the worrywarts and pseudoscientist hippies concerned about EMR). The fact that it hasn't been done leads me to believe it's some kind of hardware limitation?
Are we all wasting out breath? Fitbit most likely won't be concerned about backend support or customer churn because the concept of a dedicated fitness tracker is 2 years past its prime and theres no way the blaze can get to a feature/pricepoint standard to challenge wearable smartwear.
Point is the FitBit app and software will be the golden goose. This sync feature is just one example of maintaining Fitbit's industry leading app through minor innovation. #2cents
Over time, it's possible that 24/7 exposure to Bluetooth will cause adverse health effects. Twice, the use of a fitness tracker with Bluetooth has caused me to have severe insomnia — once when wearing the first at night as a sleep tracker as well as during the day and the second was a year later using it only during the day which I thought might remedy the situation but the insomnia was just as bad. It takes two to three weeks of usage to produce this side effect in me. So I'm going to have to take my Fitbit Alta back to the store, which is a bummer because it really did motivate me to get up and walk every hour -- something good for my health. I've been sick with chronic Lyme for many years, so I'm like the canary in the mine. It may take a year for symptoms to appear in healthy people, while it only took two weeks with me. But it's probably still bad for everyone. Being able to use a tracker with Bluetooth turned off would be good for both health and work reasons. Thanks.
I'm reluctant to buy a FitBit as long as the option to turn off completely BT won't be implemented, i wouldn't be able to wear it at work, and in any case i feel that zero radiation is better than low.
I'd like to add my request to incorporate some way of turning off the Bluetooth on the Fitbit charge HR tracker when you are not syncing (for me- most of the day). I was very surprised to find that this was not a function after I bought it when it seems as though it would be so easy to do. You also need to be clear in your purchaser marketing that this is not a function at the moment as it is withholding important consumer choice information. Why on earth would you not allow this functionality? Whether or not the radiation is at all significant still appears to be up for debate, nonetheless, to be at the head of the market in fitness trackers I can't see how this issue is not being addressed and delivered as a priority.
Please add an airplane mode. I've been a Fitbit user since the original Fitbit but had to switch to another brand due to new workplace regulations. I can sync at home. I just need to be able to disable Bluetooth during the day.
Looks like people have been asking for this for over a year now. I'm new to Fitbit and just got my Alta not too long ago. Was disappointed when I realized I can't turn off the Bluetooth on the Alta. It's such a simple feature, it should be added. I won't go to sleep with it because of this so can't monitor sleep like I wanted to and it's draining the battery on my iPhone. I know you have another model that apparently has this ability, but it's huge and has a lot more features that I would never use. I love the Alta for its simplicity. Please, come out with an Alta with this feature. I would be all over that in a heartbeat. And ability to add more reminders! 8 isn't enough for me. 🙂
Not that the Alta is draining the battery of my iPhone, just having to have the Bluetooth on my iPhone on all the time drains it, but that's not an Alta issue. Would save battery on my Alta though if I can turn off the Bluetooth 😁
Yes, that could be a really important feature to be added in the next firmware releases. I think it's not a difficult feature to develope. No need to take in stanby mode the watch if you don't want to...
No unfortunately not yet. Hope they're working at it for the next firmware release.. It's really stupid to do.. Fitbit are fun+tastic!! But Sometimes little lacks make me really think why software developer staff didn't think at those features we claim... 🙃
I just want to voice my support for the ability to turn bluetooth OFF and ON. I stopped using Fitbits for my family and have had to move to Garmin Vivofit 1 and Garmin Vivoactive HRs for my family because there *is* the ability to turn off Bluetooth with them. Problem is, I have been fitbit customer for years and I was happy with Fitbit otherwise. Unfortunately, being able to turn Bluetooth off is not negotiable for me in my present job and if I have to take my band off for 12 hours a day, it defeats the point of wearing one.
I totally agree with you. It's one year and more I use fitbit and reccomanded to all my friends.. But I definitely think this feature is un-negotiable.. I also hope next firmware releases will have breath exercises for all medium level models (I.e. Surge or blaze) 'cause new stuff and features that won't cost for customers are a plus and renew your purchased device. So next time you will choose it again also for this..
I completely agree with this on the blaze. I want to get an upgrade from my HR, and this is the deciding feature because I am not comfortable with Bluetooth bring on while I'm sleeping
I really want to be able to turn off Bluetooth. I was able to with my Garmin and I did so every night whilst asleep. I am beginning to think that I made a mistake buying a device without this functionality.
Love the idea of a "long-push" to put the device into blue-tooth-off and do not disturb mode 🙂 I had tried garmin and now have a samsung gear fit2 as you can turn BT off, while waiting for Fitbit to implement this feature. I love the GearFit2 but I really miss the fitbit community aspect and would buy another fitbit if this was implemented. Hopefully they consider it for the future!
No.. I can't follow you. Yes on garmin 2 it can be turned on/off BT but there's a big difference.. Simply It's not a FITBIT! No good materials, no similar customer help, not even the same app! I won't change my surge for anything at world in this world.. Even if I can't turn my BT off.
I *wish* I could have bluetooth on, and agree, there is something special about Fitbit, which is why I am asking for Bluetooth off option for those that need it 🙂 Many jobs REQUIRE bluetooth/communications off, or the band not worn, so if I cant wear the fitbit except when I am sleeping, I am not getting the use from it. 😞
The Surge looks great too, I would consider that or anything from the Charge HR2 up to the Surge. I have used fitbit for so many years I am used to it and love it, plus the customer service is unparallelled! Unfortunately, BT off is something my job requires now, rather than an option for me. In the meantime, I make do with the GearFit2 (Samsung) despite a very ill-designed app. 😞 I have hope for the future until Fitbit declares otherwise. 🙂
I bought a FitBit Chargec2 but returned it the next day when I discovered that I can't switch off Bluetooth. Wish you develop an update where you can turn off bluetooth completely.
I bought two fitbit's nearly a year ago. When I found out I couldn't turn Bluetooth off, I returned them and bought two Garmin Vivosmart HR's, which you can turn Bluetooth off.. I am very impressed. It appears that they are very accurate as tested against other distance devices and a hospital heart rate monitor. They are comfortable. The software features are informative and user friendly. Garmin are constantly improving their firmware and features. The battery lasts over a week, especially when Bluetooth is turned off. Clearly FitBit are not going to implement this feature, they have no intention to, but I wonder how many potential customers they have lost because of issue - and how many new customers Garmin have made - well done Garmin, a company that actually listens to the desires of its customers.
1. Design - fitbit are stylish 2. Reliability - fitbit gps and heart rate is better 3. User-friendliness - Fitbit app wins one thousand times against garmin app 4. Social - You can add and challenge your friends
No match. Even if you can't turn off Bluetooth. Case closed!
I begin to wonder if Fitbit has really not considered this technology or simply the nature of their devices will not allow it. Is Garmin is the only health tracking devices company that have the ON/OFF Bluetooth option? or is there any other company that offers this option?
I recently got a Fitbit Charge 2 with a one-time employee discount, so I do not want to return this right away as I may not be able to receive another discount. I have been enjoying Fitbit, but I would rather stay healthy. If anyone can answer my questions above, it will be very helpful in making a conclusion about my current situation.
All you have told us are things that are important to you. Bluetooth switching off is right up there in my prioritised list. But thanks for playing. I think enough people have asked for this option for Fitbit to consider.
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