Longer Screen Time for Charge Trackers

[SunsetRunner]

I purchased my charge 3 after seeing it would have a Screen Time out Option.  It shipped without one.  Moderator Kate says it’s not available at this time.  The manual is now being changed to reflect that.

I really, really want/need that option.  It was the reason I chose the Charge.  That and my 50’s year old eyes.  The current screen only stays on for 3-4 seconds.  That is a very short amount of time.  I have to repeated tap the screen to read a text that comes in.  IF we are going to have the ability to get notifications, we need the ability to read them.

Please Fitbit, give us the option that was originally in the manual to change the screen time out.  The Versa has it, so I know it can be done.

Moderator edit: Title

[macklee]

Why are my posts continuously being deleted, I don't think I am violating any terms or conditions with this post....Reposting for visibility

I am a med student and need to measure heart pulses on a daily basis. The screen times out after ~5 seconds rendering it completely useless for this - will be returning this if not fixed soon. Also, when I work out, sometimes the screen is not responsive in waking up either via tapping or raise-to-wake and is very frustrating.

@LizFitbit @SantiR @YojanaFitbit PLEASE give us some sort of update on this! Just a quick scan of this thread should be enough to know that this is a huge problem with this product! There has not been any update on this thread for almost a month now.

This thread below is the same feature suggestion with >6300 votes. However, it was resolved for the Versa and Ionic but not the Charge 3 since it wasn't released yet.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Keep-clock-face-device-screen-on-for-longer-or-p...

I love this so-close-to-amazing tracker and I want to love it so much

[SunsetRunner]

Definitely agree with this one - it's very annoying to use the Charge3 and it constantly turns off... I don't care about having to charge it every couple of days, just have an option for Always on Display or at least a longer timeout...

[kostax]

Fitbit moderators, here's a specific scenario I came across today that should emphasize the need to implement the screen time out duration option. @KateFitbit @MarcelBK @LizFitbit

With the latest update, Fitbit greatly improved the weather app. However, it does take some time for the weather app to sync and display the current weather. Guess what? The screen times out before the weather app updates and shows the current weather. For the love of all Fitbit Charge 3 owners who paid money for this product, please give us this option back.

[Kathyjo73]

I would really love to see the screen time out option added to the charge 3

[MarcelBK]

Hey @Kathyjo73! Thsank you for sharing your idea. This suggestion already exist, this is why I moved your suggestion here. Do not forget to give kudos by clicking on the thumbs up button.

[bosbefok]

First time fitbit user here after purchasing a new Charge 3. Am getting seriously annoyed at how much wrist flicking and side squeezing I have to do during a working to view my current status! Seriously, I'd like to see my current HR and workout time on the screen permanently while I'm working out. It is an absolute pain in the **ahem** for this functionality not to exist.

At the very least allow us to choose whether to keep screen on during activities, and specify a default screen off time.

[eileen2303]

Bought the Charge 3 SE today. Am taking it back tomorrow.  Screen time is absolutely useless.  What a shame. I have been waiting for the SE to be in the shops. What a waste of money. I am so disappointed as I really like the look of the Charge 3. Will re-add my Alta HR back to the dashboard and remove the Charge 3. 

[Wardha19]

I bought the Charge 3 mostly for the fact that its waterproof and I will be working in a veterinary clinic so that will make it easier to disinfect should it need it. I also HAVE to have the ability to count seconds and since I've had a charge 2 I fully expected the 3 to be able to count seconds. Not only does it NOT count seconds, the screen timeout is about 3-5 seconds. How in the world is anyone suppose to count seconds with a time out like that. Considering sending it back for something different. Extremely disappointed with the lack of clock faces. Why couldnt it be like the charge 2 where there was a store to shop from and you could customize what your watch face showed and how long it stayed on. This is a huge fallback from previous watches. 

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

I purchased my charge 3 after seeing it would have a Screen Time out Option.  It shipped without one.  Moderator Kate says it’s not available at this time.  The manual is now being changed to reflect that.

I really, really want/need that option.  It was the reason I chose the Charge.  That and my 50’s year old eyes.  The current screen only stays on for 3-4 seconds.  That is a very short amount of time.  I have to repeated tap the screen to read a text that comes in.  IF we are going to have the ability to get notifications, we need the ability to read them.

Please Fitbit, give us the option that was originally in the manual to change the screen time out.  The Versa has it, so I know it can be done.

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

I purchased my charge 3 after seeing it would have a Screen Time out Option.  It shipped without one.  Moderator Kate says it’s not available at this time.  The manual is now being changed to reflect that.

I really, really want/need that option.  It was the reason I chose the Charge.  That and my 50’s year old eyes.  The current screen only stays on for 3-4 seconds.  That is a very short amount of time.  I have to repeated tap the screen to read a text that comes in.  IF we are going to have the ability to get notifications, we need the ability to read them.

Please Fitbit, give us the option that was originally in the manual to change the screen time out.  The Versa has it, so I know it can be done.

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[KCross17]

I’m a veterinarian and need to count heart rate. I’m ok w 6 seconds or 10 seconds. With my charge2 I either flick my watch twice or put it on stop watch and it counts 10 seconds. Why on earth does the stop watch not count 10 secs for charge 3? Why are there only dots to count seconds? How is that really useful for me? I may just return charge 3 and keep charge 2 if nothing changes. I just like that charge 3 is waterproof and has more features.

[JH1976]

I work in the healthcare field and find that I cannot monitor heart rates or respiratory rates with this watch.  I was hoping to be able to have one watch for all needs but with the time out being so fast this will not work.  I find that because of this I then forget to take my charge 3 to the gym and am not using this much at all.  

[SunsetRunner]

I am very displeased with the Charge 3. I do like the fact that it is waterproof however, there are a few things I am unhappy with. First, the duration of the display is way to short. How is a fitness watch supposed to be used if I cannot view the stopwatch or heart rate at all times. Flicking your wrist in the middle of heavy cardio and reading the display within 3 seconds is impossible. There should be an option to increase display time. Second, why are the watch faces so limited. The Charge 2 had an option to view time, steps, date and heartrate. The Charge 3 does not. I am taking this back today and I will invest in another fitness tracker that will give me these options. 

Moderator Edition: Updated title for clarity 

[SunsetRunner]

I also request ability to change screen lock time. 3 sec is just ridiculous.

[SB50]

I LOVE my new Charge 3 but would love it even MORE if I could choose how long the screen stays on. Please add this setting!

[AlexandraFitbit]

Good idea, thanks for taking the time to share it with us @SunsetRunner! 

[SunsetRunner]

I appreciate the response unfortunately, I took my charge 3 back yesterday. I will however, gladly purchase another one if an update allows me to choose a better watch display face and extend the display time during my workouts. I am willing to sacrifice battery time for this option. Thank you. 

[Timmyee]

I think I will just return my new charge 3 unless they change the time out. 

[mx490]

Well after a month and a half and numerous complaints about screen timeout still no update. I spoke to Fitbit. Their response was “make your voice heard on the forum. Enough complaints and an update will be put out.”  Ok. Nice lie. I’ve seen hundreds of complaints. Still nothing done. THANKS A LOT FITBIT. 

[Demistri]

I am a critical care RN as well as a volunteer EMT.  As such, an analog clock face with a second hand is a primary consideration for my watch purchases.  While I realize that keeping the clock face always lit would shorten battery life substantially, I was hopeful to have the option to choose to lengthen the display time.  The option to display the clock for 60 seconds would be my ideal duration when I am checking manual pulse and respirations for my patients, however, as little as 15 seconds would be a extremely helpful.  

[EnderWiggin]

I just wanted to add my voice to many people requesting this feature.

I think FitBit went too far in order to reach a longer battery life. I would very much rather have the band last 1 - 2 days less on one charge if I didn't have to constantly tap the screen to make it stay on while using my Charge 3.

[Deanh69]

So Fitbit recommend posting suggestions on here as a method of resolving issues but then never add a comment or reply

i think postings in here are a “safe” place for Fitbit as there is no damage to their reputation 

I think maybe people need to also start posting their issues with this ridiculous time out feature onto general social media, I’m pretty sure Fitbit will monitor them for comments as many big firms do, perhaps we will get some sort of reply from there

[Timmyee]

I was thinking the same thing. Like on Facebook and amazon for starters.

Moderator edit: removed personal info

[kostax]

@Deanh69 wrote

Fitbit recommend posting suggestions on here as a method of resolving issues but then never add a comment or reply

i think postings in here are a “safe” place for Fitbit as there is no damage to their reputation 

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I recommend doing both - I have. It's good to put things out publicly for others to see, as well as in these forums. Putting things out in public (amazon reviews) has seemed to get Fitbit's attention the most. It's a huge selling platform for Fitbit and reviews are taken more seriously there

[seadawg13]

here here. please make screen time adjustable, and please consider an “always on” mode during activities. having to mess with the watch just to see simple stats while trying to jog, ride a bike or swim is frustrating and potentially dangerous. also when tracking an activity, it would be nice if the actual time was displayed on each screen instead of buried so many swipes in... or maybe give us the option of which stats we want to scroll through and their order? thanks

[enricam]

It'd be very useful

[Larry44]

Agreed, I need more screen time. It would also be nice if it was more sensitive to wrist flip to activate the screen. Most of the time I have to push the side button to light it up. Which can be difficult when your hands are dirty or you have on sterile gloves.