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

[acls2x]

Just got it today. Yes the screen timeout is way too short. If changing screen timeout is hard to program, how about a binary option.  That is screen always on or screen times out

[AndrewStoneVet]

The increased screen time is a must. I have just bought my first Fitbit (which’s is also my first tracker) because of the option of seconds showing on the screen. As a Vet I need to monitor things (Heartrate, respiratory rate etc) and bought this as both a watch and a fitness tracker. The screen time doesn’t allow me to do this and I can’t tape the screen as my other hand is holding the stethoscope on the animal. I am strongly consider returning it because it doesn’t meet my needs. 

[Kermit12]

I completely agree with this! A longer duration to be able to read the clock face would be fantastic. 

[solobfly]

This device, as a watch, is almost useless if the length of time the clock stays visible cannot be adjusted.  I plan to return it unless there's some indication from fitbit they will fix this.

[Sammie1966]

Dont wait for it !! Been waiting already several months ans still not even one reply from fitbit

[Penpen15]

The Fitbit charge 3’s Screen falls asleep after about 3 seconds, I am CONSTANTLY double tapping and rewaking it which is so frustrating when I’m trying to check all my stats while exercising or reading something on it. PLEASE CHANGE THIS!!!

[Penpen15]

Come on, Fitbit. We’ve been waiting forever for longer screen time

[whybenorm]

The charge 3 was supposed to come with adjustable screen time.  The decision to remove that will rank up with the worst product decisions of all time. Please give  us an update on when we may expect to be able to make our Charge 3 units much more usable and user friendly by being able to adjust the screen time out.  Having to stop what you're doing during exercise to tap on your wrist to see your heart rate during an exercise is simply not acceptable. Not if you want to keep customers, that is.

Update:  they didn't move it anywhere, it's still under the same topic, and I asked for an update, the suggestion has been made hundreds of times, and 974 votes at this time.

[LuciaFitbit]

Hello @whybenorm! Thanks for sharing this suggestion, I moved it to this similar post so you can add your vote to it. Please keep sharing your ideas with us! 

[TripleCreekRay]

Give us a choice of screen time asap! At least let us know it is being worked on! Also a choice of a brighter screen for sunlight. 

[GunGuy]

I took the Charge 3 back after close to a month of disappointments.  

1.  Screen time.

2.  Lack of a max bright setting like other Fitbit's have.  You can't read the screen outdoors (sunshine or overcast).

3.  Inaccurate step counts.  After  4 1/2 to 5 miles the step count was off up to 1,500 steps (less) than another watch I have.

I've had the Surge, the Blaze and the Charge 3.  I give up!

Btw,  I recently received an email from Fitbit to participate in testing the Charge 3's upcoming changes.  HOWEVER, when I received the email it was already past the date in which I could respond.  When I tried to respond it was already closed. And I received the email on the date that participants were to be selected.  Typical Fitbit lack of customer service.

If Fitbit would like to send me another Charge 3 "free" I would love to participate in the testing.  Other than that it's farewell to Fitbit.

[Sammie1966]

Is this the only answer we get from fitbit !!!!!
I am so done with this !! This is a **ahem**ty respons !!

[Sammie1966]

Dont blame you !! I am going back to basic with my polar and will be checking out other brands for a new training watch ! Done with fit bit !

[ethical]

To avoid additional complaints on this feature request, I would recommend
to the developers to apply 4 main settings: default (4s), 10s, always on,
and dimmed (always on but low brightness, and when tapping or moving the
wrist, full brightness).
>From the app, add a warning message when selecting always on or dimmed
stating that the battery length may reduce drastically if enabled.

This will give users the flexibility to choose the suitable setting knowing
the cons of it. The battery may reduce from 7 to 2 or 3 days with always
on, but it will do what the user requires the band to do (which currently,
for many it's useless).

[Scotlef]

Please give an option for a screen time out for the charge 3.

[Sammie1966]

I dont think fitbit can do it or they dont want to do it !!! I think the update is to difficult or to expensive and will cost more then te charge 3 is worth to them ! They will loose mony mking this update possible

[Atmosdoc]

I would echo the comments above that the time-out period for the Charge 3 watch face (when reading the time on the face I have chosen) is far too short. My eyes have usually only just focused on the face when it disappears and I've missed what it was reading! I would vote for a longer default time or the ability to chose a time for the screen to remain visible, right up to 'continuously on'. I accept that battery life would be compromised (as I am sure that most users would understand as well) but recharge times are commendably short and with the battery percentage available on screen, I could decide when to recharge. Come on Fitbit - give us an update that would benefit all users. Surely the programming can't be that difficult.

[CrusherNL]

I just returned my fitbit charge 3 today because it's not usable this way.

[LThdwYm4]

Agreed, frequently turns off before you can read it.

[Shea1969]

I don't understand why Fitbit won't correct this issue.  It is impossible to try to read the BPM while exercising when it only shows for a second.  The more I use the Charge 3, the less I like it. 

[Lina70]

Gave up my charger 3 now have an apple 3. Love it. They never acknowledged my/our concerns and I had mine since it came out so I gave up.

Sent from my iPhone

[d12fsu]

My girlfriend got me the charge 3 as a gift and I was excited because I work as a nurse so I thought, great, I can track my steps and use the watch when I assess vitals. I am extremely disappointed of the fact that the display screen only stays on for 4 seconds. It is impossible to assess a heart rate like that, and I see many other people brining up the same issue in regards to the screen time. How is it 2019 and we don't even have the option to keep the screen on for AT LEAST one minute. I'm afraid I'll have to return my fitbit seeing as it is essentially just being used to track my steps and I need more from a smart watch. This is why you're losing to Apple. 

[whybenorm]

17 pages from unhappy customers about a feature that was supposed to be included in the first release but somehow didn't make it. 996 votes for this feature.  Do we get an explanation? A status update? An apology? No, we get "Nice suggestion, thanks for sharing. We look forward to hearing what other community members think."  Other community members say the Charge 3 sucks because you put user-unfriendly features on it and won't respond to our concerns.  They did put new watch faces out but I didn't see that they let you keep the display on all the time.  So frustrating when you spend the extra money for a "smart" device but they dumbed it down before they released it.  If it was in the manual for release, it can't be that hard to put it into the device. Finish what you started. By not even responding we are being told "We have your money, we really don't care what you think."  It's past 4 months since this subject was started. One doctor even wrote the CEO in December and can't even get a form letter back from the assistant.  I liked my One for what it did, but I wanted something better and more useful.  Fitbit has completely disappointed me on this, and much worse on their response.  That's the last they will get any money from me.  

[Sammie1966]

You are so right !! It is a big disgrace !! The worst is that there is no respond whatsoever from fitbit ! No a spark of chance for improvement on this issue !! Never again will i buy a fitbit !

[Penpen15]

They say they listen and value our feedback yet takes months and months for an update EVERYONE wants. No wonder Fitbit is failing wake up !!!