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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
By not adding this switch to turn on/off Bluetooth, FITBIT is making the situation worse than it is. In this way they create an unnecessary problem, making it more of an issue than it actually is, as most likely the radiation won't cause any harm. But we want to have a choice and decide that for ourselves!
As many have also mentioned here, I would like to be able to limit my exposure to radiation. Even if the bluetooth radiation of the Fitbit wearables is small, I would like to have an option to turn off bluetooth entirely on my Fitbit Charge 2 device, and turn it on only if I want to sync my device with my smartphone.
I am glad to see this suggestion. I myself have submitted it twice in the past and was coming to submit it again. As pastorscory said, MANY people are not able to bring devices with wifi or Bluetooth in the facilities they work unless they can be turned off. Turning off the phone as Rich_Laue suggested does not mitigate the security risk because the bluetooth is still open on the tracker and someone from the outside could connect to it in an attempt to do something malicioius. If you added this optional feature to your devices you would have a tremendous increase in business. Without it we are forced to purchase other devices. I have waited several years hoping you would add this option but I have waited long enough and will be looking to purchase something else. I highly recommend you add this feature.
Just wanted to add my vote. I bought a fitbit Alta last week and I'm returning it today due to being unable to turn off Bluetooth. I absolutely loved the ability to see calorie burn in real time and match my intake, and I loved the tracker itself, but I don't want to wear something 24/7 that is emitting any amount of radiation, no matter how little. I'm really sad to have to return it, and would love to repurchase if the ability to turn off Bluetooth was added.
It depends on the tracker... The simplest way would be to set a Bluetooth off window in the app which would be uploaded to the tracker. May need hardware changes though. This way BT would be switched off between x hrs and y hrs.
Another option for trackers with a user interface is to turn on/off on the tracker via a tap or press combination as with the polar loop 2 and other competing trackers.
Alternately could have the trackers set to sync on an hourly basis when not tracking workouts and to switch BT off between sync.
I wont buy or wear a tracker if it does not have the ability to be in 'aircraft mode'.
The ability to turn off bluetooth ought to be a given for all trackers. I don't mind turning bluetooth on to sync, but while wearing it, I expect the ability to turn bluetooth off.
i like what fitbit is doing and the flex 2 seems to be the perfect device, but not being able to turn bluetooth manually on and off on such a device is a deal breaker for me. please implement such a feature; otherwise garmin and polar are my alternatives to turn to ...
It would be nice if we could off our Charge 2 when we are not in use off it (e.g. go swimming, during situation that doesn't allow electronic devices like examination setting etc). It also help to conserve energy.
An on-off button could be installed and people who needs it to be off for certain timing (like me when I go swimming for example) can turn it off whenever necessary.
2017 and this STILL hasn't been implemented! What a let down. I just purchased a Charge 2. I thought having the ability to turn off bluetooth on the device was a no brainer, especially for a wearable tracker that you're to wear virtually 24/7.
Currently you can turn off Bluetooth connection from your phone but you device has it's bluetooth turned on continuously as it is alway listening for your phone to connect. It's 2017 and many people are concerned about radiation and it's carcinogenic effects.. Please, please PLEASE give us the option to turn off our Fitbit's bluetooth.
a let down indeed, especially that noone from fitbit is responding. i know that people have been monitoring this thread for years, but i am not that patient - especially with great alternatives from garmin on the market (however, i would have preferred a fitbit)
I just bought fitbit 2 charge and realise that there's no way to turn off bluetooth. Please add one ASAP. Otherwise I am going to return it in a week or so. I am going to swap it out for Garmin Vivosmart HR+
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