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.

[colscuba]

OMG - please fix this already.  It's horrible.  

[ukcynthiar]

Today was the first time I'd run into the Screen Brightness issue. For some reason, my FitBit Charge 4 seemed to be set to Dim (when I came back home and read all the posts and reset it). I am glad to know that--but I'd love to have a 'BRIGHT' option added, not just 'Normal.' I happened to be wearing prescription sunglasses and I believe the combo made it even worse. In any case, I could not see the screen whatsoever, ended up ending my workout within five minutes of leaving the house, and never got it started again.

Very glad to have this info and look forward to the updates. I only abandoned my Charge2 when hubby's died--his screen went completely black and no fix could be found at all, though it's still 'there' but out of warranty--and so I gave him mine and decided to upgrade. I never had this issue with any FitBit previously. At the moment, I love the Charge4 for lots of reasons (it's like my fifth FitBit over the years?) but this brightness thing? No. Gotta update it please, clever folks at FitBit. Thank you!

[dpugeau]

I've read through many of the previous posts and here I feel like I'm throwing gasoline on the fire.  These posts make it obvious that this is a serious design defect.  A fitness tracker with running and biking exercise modes that cannot be read outside is what? A practical joke??  Fitbit/Google should be ashamed to have allowed this through quality control.  I'm not one to bash products on forums, but I have a charge 3 with the same issue and apparently Fitbit didn't fix this HUGE design flaw in the Charge 4.  If this was the backup camera on your car that you couldn't read in daylight it would be recalled, wouldn't it? 

The recommendations from the moderators may help 1 in 100.  I'd prefer some honesty like, "We know there is a readability issue in bright sunlight and are looking into solutions.  You can try these suggestions though...."

Fitbit, please fix this.

[colscuba]

It has become clear FITBIT doesn't care.  The next watch I buy won't be this one unless they fix this which doesn't seem likely.  Sad very Sad.  The company should be ashamed of itself.  Guess they thought Gym only?   

[SteveHaynes67]

I'm done FITBIT! Over a year of our concerns and nothing! 

After the shocking lack of response, I bit the bullet and bought a Garmin 2 weeks ago! 

I've been wearing both watches constantly for 2 weeks and recording my progress on my walks and mountain biking and I'm amazed at the quality of the Garmin including the Garmin connect software and of course the fundamental issue of reading the screen in any condition, oh, and it's more accurate!

Myself and my family will no longer buy any other FITBIT products, period!

Shocking customer care!

Steve.

[Pa01a]

To use Fitbit as a watch, need to be able to see it during daytime. Also would like to see my progress so I can determine further activity. 

[GrahamWh]

Maybe, just maybe FitBit do not see it as a problem. What they might not realise is that many of us wear photochromic glasses and their testers are all bright young things with 100/100 eyesight perhaps that is why so many of us find it impossible to read outdoors.

[colscuba]

This has nothing to do with glasses.  I don't wear glasses.  It simply can not been seen in bright daylight. It is a design flaw.   What I'm believe is that Fitbit has this page for us to **ahem** but they do not read it.  They don't respond to posts or at least I haven't seen one yet from them.  Maybe I missed it.  But more likely than not, this is a non-monitored page.

[Val_b]

Folk, for some reason my Charge 4 has the usual brightness outside back to being able to see it! I found how to change the clock face maybe that fixed it? 

[creecan]

In the intervening months since my first post, I have noticed that a screen with no scratches is slightly more visible in direct sunlight.  My original Charge 4 broke and was replaced under warranty.  I noticed with a pristine screen that I could see the display more easily in bright sunlight. However, I wear mine all the time, and it doesn't take long for scratches to appear.  So I'll be trying a screen protector to see if that helps. I've also realized that it's easier to use the app on my phone to track my distance/time for exercise.

[PeterLab]

AGREE!!! Screen brightness on the Charge is BY FAR my BIGGEST issue!!! I don’t care about GPS, color screen etc.  

[colscuba]

So my question is, does anyone from FITBIT actually read these post, or is this just a place for owners to **ahem**.  I find it strange that there are no replies or comment from FITBIT.  At least I haven't noticed any  Of course, there are 7 pages of complaints

[BillCr]

I've not seen a response from Fitbit for some time. Bill

[GrahamWh]

My gut feel is that the problem is an inherent design limitation of the
screen that can not be fixed by a software update. FitBit may well be
reading these posts but are not prepared to admit that there is nothing that
can be done to fix the issue, other than buy a different product and they
are not prepared to offer a workable replacement or a refund to Charge 4
owners. Graham

[XanderAmsterdam]

During daylight the screen needs more brightness in order to be able to see what it shows. This is not the case, and during darkness the screen is brighter than during daylight. In cars and airplanes this is the opposite. My suggestion is to make the screen much brighter during daylight in order to be able to see what is shown.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi @XanderAmsterdam, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback about the possibility of increasing the daylight brightness of the Charge 4 device. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here, this helps to keeps the boards more organized. Make sure to add your vote as well to support this suggestion, this helps the team of developers to keep track of popularity and demand over time.

Thank you again for your participation in the Community!

[Litespeedone]

At this point fitbit you have 267 votes for making the screen brighter...how many votes do you need before you will take action and make it brighter?  A shame that such a good tracker can't be seen or is hard to see in sunlight - makes it rather useless. Fitbit it is time you acknowledge the issue and fix it and not just encourage folks to keep voting as your last post about an hour ago encouraged others to do. 

[colscuba]

I think its safe to say, they don't care.  If all you hear from them is moving a post to a better group, or keep voting - that speak volumes.  I will keep using my fitbit for now, but at this point, I don't see buying another one,  nor will I recommend it.  Sad as this is a US company or so the web says.

[Scottmakin100]

You have completely missed the point.

The brightness feature is not bright enough.
You cannot read the watch in daylight on the brightest setting.
There are many posts on this thread to this effect.

Please fix this serious design flaw.

[XanderAmsterdam]

I agree. Also I wrote a negative review on the website where I bought the watch. As I understand the Charge2 did not have this flaw. It actually is unbelievable that they designed it this way, can’t understand....
Rgds

[beach9NOEL]

I agree with you. My charger died in 5 months. Company sent a new one -
it didn’t do the job either. I put off further action due to husband’s
medical issues and selling house. Then I realized 1-year warranty would
soon expire. Company rep was going to try and help me get life back into
FitBit 4 but when I said I ordered it from Amazon, directions changed to
“we’ll replace it”. So it’s on its way but...I DID mention to rep that
watch is useless outdoors and that I got it mainly to wear in clubhouse
pool. Neighbors and friends would ask me the time so everyone would hear
my complaint that the water-resistant watch cannot be read outdoors! The
rep did NOT address the Technical issue but commented on the Social
issue-“That’s too bad people ask you for the time.” FitBit is totally
skirting their FLAW --
..NOEL

[fb-hater]

i second this suggestion.  The screen brightness of the charge 4 in bright sunlight is useless.  I am not purchasing anoher Fitbit or recommending it until this is addressed as it seems to be a very prevalent complaint back to the Charge 3 which you have ignored.

A exercise tracker should not force you to stop exercising and seek a dark location to see your progress/stats. 

[Randy.Leo]

I agree completely. It is impossible to read the screen in even dim sunlight. About one time out of 3 when I try to start and exercise session it doesn't start because I'm just blindly tapping the screen.  This is especially irritating after a long run and you realize that your run was mapped. 

-------------------------------------

Okay guys. I give up on this useless Charge 4. Just ordered an Apple Watch :watch:️! Anyone want a free Charge 4?

[Tinhead]

I have been watching various fitness tracker reviews and the NE Huawei 6 and the Samsung fit 2 both seem better. Brighter screens and can be set to stay on longer. Both have GPS. I am going to get one of those Sent from my Galaxy

[GrahamWh]

Neither of these have GPS, they are not comparable products.

GW