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

[SunsetRunner]

At least make the option available from the moment you hit the start button of an exercise. Maybe just at a lower brightness.

Now we can't see our HR while exercising. Now you have to gamble when your Heart Rate Zone changes and tap the watch or shake your wrist like an idiot. The same thing for apps that use a timer like Interval Timer, timers, Relax, etc. Sometimes you just want to have time awareness.

Please fix this or at least remove the "Real - Time Stats" in all of the product descriptions. Because now it's just a tracker to monitor all stats after training.

[Unojohn]

Please add back the screen timeout feature to the charge 3

[Lina70]

I got my charger 3 as soon as they came out, in fact I was preordered.  In the over 2 months since then you have done nothing about the 3 second screen.  I probably will never buy a fitbit again, my garmin does everything the fitbit does and the screen stays on.  I am very disappointed at  the attitude  of Fitbit you just don't care.  Glad I saved my Garmin because if this isn't fixed soon I will be going back to it.  

[Unojohn]

Please add back the screen timeout feature to the charge 3

[AnneBalfour]

It’s not just medical professionals. I work in education and a display that stays on for longer would be extremely helpful to me too. I‘d actually like it to be on all the time; I know this would reduce battery life but that’s a trade-off I’m comfortable with.

[Emmeria]

The screen time is ridiculously short, I don't care how old you are, this needs be on long enough to focus on it and see what says.  I for one, would rather have to charge it every day if necessary, to have it stay on until I'm ready to turn it off, but this could easily be fixed with an update that could be sent to your charge 3 owners, to fix the problem!  From the looks of this list of comments, there are quite a few of us complaining about it, so odds are that there are many more that agree, but haven't voiced their opinion for one reason or another.  This feature is a no brainier, no one can focus on something this small, usually while moving!  Please update the screen times?

[SunsetRunner]

Having it fixed on the charge 2 would help as well.

[asparklekat]

I just got an apple watch because FitBit was not responding to this request. I think it will serve my fitness needs better. Sigh :(. 

[NoMoreFat]

To all of you who are unhappy with this, I am going to suggest we all start calling them. Here is the contact information link for phone or live chat. If we are persistent, maybe they'll have some incentive to fix it.  CONTACT INFO  I see they've already lost some sales to Apple Watch. Personally, I've been looking in to changing to an Apple Watch, if I can also log my calories. It's a shame, because I've used a Fitbit for 3 years, and they are about to drive me to another company due to this severe design flaw. 

[SunsetRunner]

Also who gets to see the stop watch running. Lol. You no sooner start it and then you don’t see it. Come on Fitbit. A little response from you would be good.

Sent from my iPhone

[joeymomo]

 Just contacted customer support through the link suggested by NoMoreFat above. They were extremely unhelpful in even attempting to address this. here is the screenshot: no news on whether or not they are working on it or plan to work on it, just... wait.... and see if anyone bothers to do anything.... 

[Unojohn]

Isn’t charge 3 their newest device?  Fitbit—can we please fix this and make this a priority?

[NoMoreFat]

The benefit of the call is to be a squeaky wheel. We're easy to ignore in
this forum. Calls get their attention, and cost them money to answer.
Mostly the calls get attention on the issue.

[SunsetRunner]

They won't fix it, it will be a new feature on the charge 4. So they can hype it as next gen xD.

[SunsetRunner]

I'll just return my Charge 2 and get an Apple watch. So sad. 
   

[KenJones]

Dear Fitbit, Please allow us to extend the screen timeout. We love our fitbits, but little irritants like this prevents us from recommending them to friends. Thanks, Ken & Jane

[alexis1929]

I very much agree with this just because the battery would die faster not including the option to have the display stay on longer really doesn't make sense. I have this same problem and end up having to wear my fitbit and another watch for vital checks. 

[J0hnE]

I also expected this option on purchase, removing it from the manual does not change the fact that all were misssold this item! I would appreciate the ability being made available as a switch on/off option for those who would use it and those whom value battery life of options.

[garchebon]

Agree! I want to be able to see my HR while I workout without having to tap my Fitbit or shake my wrist!

[SunsetRunner]

It doesn't make sense how a product can be sold with so many display issues.  I wonder if hashtagging the issues on Instagram with short video clips of them would get them noticed and fixed? 

[CAGustafson]

It certainly can't hurt!

[SunsetRunner]

I gave up. I wanted it to work for me. I literally just put my charge 2 back in the box this morning and going to return it.  I love the Fitbit community.  It was so nice to be part of a sort of family.  I'm really sad because the charge 2 is nice and compact and the app is simple.  It's just not worth the screen timeout issue.  And no ability to keep the stopwatch on.  Or no ability to see your heart rate while working out.  That's all the things you NEED in a fitness tracker.  So, its not really a fitness tracker. And, it's not really a smartwatch. So, what is it really?  

[MrStoner86]

Just got this as a gift, LOVED it..... till the screen shut off 3 seconds later. Please make this an option, can’t recommend it to anybody as it is without it. Charge “3” eh 😉

[CAGustafson]

Just think how many disappointed people will be adding to this forum post come Christmas morning and the days thereafter, not to mention the glut of returned watches there will be on the market. I returned mine, and I haven't regretted doing so for one minute!

[bosbefok]

What's more concerning is this is trivial for Fitbit to fix/add yet they persist in leaving it as is so they can continue their "7 week battery life" advertising. No communication from them at all even with hundreds of customers unhappy with their feature regression. This is just poor form and demonstrates complete disregard for paying customers.