Charge 4 screen brightness boost

[eschroedermark]

For direct sunlight situations, add an ability to boost screen brightness temporarily, i.e. one-time event, through an easy to access while exercising method e.g. through a screen tap/scroll sequence. Enable the user to determine the preferred method in the Settings on the Charge 4 device.

[BillCr]

This is a shame. I really like the Fitbit eco-sysytem but hate the lack of
brightness issue. Fitbit, please tease us that a fix is in the works.

[Dana917]

I’m so disappointed in FB3 due a now total dark display even in a dark room. I was thinking of getting the Charge 4 in hope to be able to use the perfect bands I bought for the FB3. After reading all these negative reviews about the FB4, guess that’s out. Maybe FITBIT has had too much control over my life this past year and I need to correct the whole idea of monitoring everything in my life. At almost 76 years old I guess I should just act my age. 

[lynngoss]

Dana, I applaud your efforts at tracking your activity at your age. I am 72
and use my fb4 every day as a way of keeping up with my activities. It's a
great way to keep our activity in front of us, so that we keep moving
forward, even in our later years. There are other devices that are less
expensive and keep track of our activity, so investigate. I'm not a big fan
of the 4 because of the brightness issue, but it's still useful to keep me
going. When this dies, I'll buy something else. Don't stop moving~you're
too young!

[BillCr]

At 75 I am not acting mine.

[Dana917]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've figured out how to add Yoga to my day on
my phone. At least the app allows me to see my sleep #s and Steps. I
don't ever get 10k in but I try to hit my goal of 1k and several days I can
get over 1.5k and even 3k if I go shopping.

*Dana917*

[colscuba]

So is there any fitbit that has a bright screen that  can be seen in the daylight?

[BillCr]

I do not know. I have always bought the less expensive Fitbit devices/
Anyone else know the answer?

[BigDaveRanger]

I used to use the Fitbit surge, that was always good in sunlight, nice big screen too, and decent GPS, but it’s a bit older now & doesn’t hold battery life very well any more, I now use the Fitbit sense which I really like even in the sunlight. The charge 4 was just a terrible in sunlight.

[BillCr]

Thanks, very helpful/

[colscuba]

Thanks for the info.  I was also looking at the Fitbit Versa 3.  Anyone know about how good that is in the sun?  

[Triathlon1118]

Add me to the list.  Have a Charge 3 that is useless outdoors.   Considered upgrading to a Charge 4 but clearly it has the same issue.   Come on Fitbit, fitness for many of us is OUTDOORS!  Not sure how you could miss this.  A fitness tracker that you can't see is worthless.   Please, please remedy.  The environment and trackers are geney great but that is nothing if you can't read them there are just too many other options.  

[BigDaveRanger]

Hi Colscuba, my wife has the Versa 3, she never has any problems with screen brightness outside in sunlight, definitely a good replacement for the charge 3or4.

[Nasubi7]

With over 300 likes this really should be  a note to the devs to take action on. The screen on the FB charge 4 is near impossible to see in sunlight. As others have mentioned I'd also sacrifice battery life to have a screen that's possible to see on most other devices. FB it's time to listen to your customer base and update the charge 4. 

[BillCr]

Hopefully Fitbit will see the light (no pun intended)

[Nasubi7]

Let's hope so! 

[BackerGirl]

I have been struggling to read my Charge 3 for a few months and at first it was the brightness settings. Now it is just now bright enough outdoor or in brightly lit indoors. I am so disappointed and was hoping there would be an update.  It looks like I might have to go to an Apple watch, they are very easy to read.  I really wish the Fitbit would take this issue seriously.

[BillCr]

This screen issue is perplexing. Fitbit's strategy should be to upsell
their existing Charge 3 and 4 customers which is pretty difficult when
those users can't effectively use their devices outdoors. For whatever
reason Fitbit is willing to risk losing these customers thinking that it
should invest in new products rather than fixing existing products. In my
experience I tend to stick with a product line until I reach a point of
total frustration. After that I never go back.How about the rest of you? I
like Fitbit and I enjoy using my Charge. But I use it outdoors primarily
and think it is a no brainer that an exercise watch screen should be
readable outside of an exercise club.

[Nasubi7]

I agree with Bill. It's perplexing that Fitbit would allow their latest Fitbit charge 4 line down like this. What use is good battery life if you cannot use the product in broad daylight? 

[colscuba]

I spoke to Customer Service via Facebook chat.  They requested a video of what happens to my charge 4 when I go into daylight.  They offered me a new Charge 4 (nope) or 50% off another product (their retail price not the price they are selling it for on line  so more like 40% off).  I just bought the Versa-3.  From the reviews this one should work in daylight.  Here's hoping.  I get it in a couple of days.

[BillCr]

Lett us know how the Versa

[colscuba]

I got my Versa 3.  I can SEE IT, in daylight and with sun glasses on.  The swipe is a bit wonky (not very responsive at all) so a bit of a pain.  But I'm guessing I will get use to that.  So write the help desk via Facebook and send a video (mine was showing from inside to walking outside).  They should send you an option for either a new Charger (don't) or 50% - full price - off another product.  I bought the Versa 3 as I didn't need all the options of the Sense.  so got the new one for $114.50 + tax.  Worth it.  

Shame they won't fix the Charge 4.

[Jimmers1977]

Fitbit charge 4 - cannot see it in the sun at all, try shielding with my other hand to create some shadow on the screen and this rarely works too. Not ideal as a fitness tracker for running / walking outdoors. This was not marketed as a gym user only tracker! I would not recommend this at present, please provide a software update that will provide more screen brightness. I would take the reduction in battery life for a product that can actually be used.

[Dana917]

Agree 100% but apparently FITBIT management and product design engineers don’t care about all these complaints. I’ve yet to see a resolution notification. 
I’ve still been wearing my Charge3 and just using the app on my cell. The stats calculate differently when adding exercises manually. Makes me wonder if all the days prior were not accurate. 

[holmanja]

Please.  Please.  Please make the brightness better.  I've changed the brightness setting to Normal but I can't see how many steps I've had unless in dim light.  The Auto setting was a teaser... bright before my brain can register the steps and then it would dim.  Took a google search to figure that one out.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello colscuba, is the Versa still working out for you? Did you get to keep the Charge 4?