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]

I, for one, would NOT put up with anything less than a feature we've asked for since 2018.

Not some work around, holding this or that... nope.. they CAN do it, they just refuse to even listen.

That to me, and the fact Google now owns it all, is enough to say sayonara...

[Pop-Pop-Moose]

I agree 110%, that it should be fixed! For me, personally, I can force myself to get by, but I'm not even remotely happy.

[Polarbreeze]

It's a choice - if you're OK with taking the device off your wrist every night to charge it, get a watch with a long screen time; if you want it to run 7 days on a charge, and keep it on at night, get a tracker, which has a short screen time to save power. It's a tradeoff. 

[Pop-Pop-Moose]

It shouldn't have to be a trade-off. They advertised it as adjustable time and they had it in the manual. They lied to get the sale.

[Sammie1966]

The charge 2 had this option and the manual of the charge 3 said that this option was there !!
A few seconds more screentime wil not suck your battery dry every day ! We only wanted the option that was promised in the manual and that was on the charge 2 ! So than we would have a choice! Second thing is that this company let us all down by not responding at all !! The kicked us in a corner and left us there ! If you are happy whit costumer service and company treating you like sh*t , good on you ! I will not ever let anyone treat me this bad whitout a fight !

[Polarbreeze]

Fact-check:

Did the Charge 2 really have this feature? I don't see it in the manual.

Did the Charge 3 show this feature in the manual? I don't see it there.

Did Fitbit ever advertise that the Charge 3 had this feature?

[Polarbreeze]

wrecche, do you know that first hand or are you just quoting this thread? I'm just curious as to what the facts are. You're right, I'm here because I was wanting a longer timeout - but It turns out that you can keep the screen on by holding your finger on it - that works for me and it's much superior to using a watch that has to be recharged every day.

[whybenorm]

Polarbreeze, I do have first hand knowledge that it was in the manual and they advertised it. It was the reason I bought it to exercise, so I could continually monitor my heart rate.  The Charge 3 went on sale 10-8-18 and this  thread was started 10-11-18.  Given a couple days shipping to get it to customers, that means they immediately found out the advertised feature wasn't there and somehow found this "community board" hoping that the glaring error in our product would be fixed.  It took them 5 months and 18 pages of comments about the lack of feature before they put it "under consideration",  whatever that even means to them.  One user has already been told individually that it will NOT be fixed, but they have still not posted a single message on the board to that effect and still continue to steer unaware buyers to this thread making them think it is still under consideration when it is not.  They do have a "not currently planned" designation they could give it since the idea is dead but they have not done so.  I have found a work around since having to keep a finger on the screen during a workout just to see your  heart rate is ridiculous, but I didn't pay $125 so I could have to find my own work arounds to glaring problems that were not supposed to be there. Mine has already been replaced once due to the white line problem that afflicted many of the devices.  This is not how a business would be run that wants to keep it's customers, let alone keep them happy.

[Sammie1966]

Fact : The longer screen time was in the manual , fit bit said it was a mistake and said they would remove it ! By then many people ( including me ) allready bought the C 3 !!! So even if they didn’t advertise this if the manual says it is there i aspect it to be !

Fact : i had a C2 and bought a C3 after the screen cracked! The C2 had a way longer screen time then the C3. If i buy a later outcoming watch i will acpect it to be a better version of the previous, not a worse !

If you want to defend a company that treats its costumer this bad go ahead . I pay good money for good service, no matter how much i pay ! I expect to be treated in a respectful way , when
I am not i stand up for my self . I will not stand for less !

[Ianmb73]

Well it's time to unsubscribe, there's nothing useful nor interesting being
reported by anyone on this community, so bye everyone AND adieu to Fitbit.
Shame on you.

[Sammie1966]

You are right ! I am going to follow your example and leave !
This is now useless and frustrating!
Bye and indeed fitbit shame on you !

[Intrigued2b]

It drives me crazy that the screen times out so quickly!! With its classic look and different bands options, we are wearing our fitbits in all aspects of our lifes. it is also popular to all age groups across the board.  We need to be able to discreetly look at our screens, Not keep tapping to read what we need.  Tap on-Tap off or set the amt of time for screen to automatically shut, like phones, laptops, etc.. Thanks! Fitbit has been an anazing company with amazing Customer Service!!

[ThorkellH]

It would be really helpful if there would be an option to keep the screen on! During workouts, it is really annoying to always have to twist my wrist to see the time. Such as during sprint workouts this gets really frustrating. 

[Master10]

You are right
It can be a great feature

[Renpaulnat]

Just got a charge three and must say very disappointed with the screen time.  Don't get a chance to read any thing.  At least with my charge 2 it scrolled across giving me time.   

Then I find this post and they say they want to know if others want this feature of leaving it on longer.   Doesn't fill me with a lot of hope that they are even looking at doing this as this has been going since Nov18 and 42 pages of comments.   How many do they need before they actually update this feature?  

[Synnistra]

A Year ago it's status changed too "Under Consideration". I can't seem to find an update on whether they are planning on doing something about this problem or not. I would like to know if I need to start searching for an other option is this will never gets updated... 

[Pop-Pop-Moose]

I was informed by Fitbit that is NOT going to be fixed.

[comedowntous]

Bought a Charge 3 last week, and was also amazed by the short screen time. It is a big inconvenience for me as well. Reading this thread did not get my hopes up, but just want to chime in and say that I would also really appreciate this seemingly easy to implement feature. 

[walktalk1]

Just received my Charge 3 today after my Charge 2 died.  I see the significant need to extend the screen time delay.  If Fitbit is not going to correct this I will be returning it.

[Yahgiggle]

return it

[Return3]

RETURN IT WHILE YOU CAN!Powered by Cricket Wireless

[funkytwig]

I too will not be getting another Fitbit unless they add the option to set the screen on time for clock (and setting for other screens would be good).  My guess is their reluctance to add this option is because it will shorten the battery life (time between charges) but that's my choice.  It's hardly a difficult thing to implement (assuming they have not written the software badly).  But it probably would not reduce battery life buy mutch.

[walktalk1]

I have returned my Charge 3.  I was hoping that Fitbit would address the short screen time but based on comments from this community it appears they have considered this not a major issue for them.  Couldn't find an email address to ask them myself and was number 25 on the chat list so didn't use it. 

The other reason for returning was that the heart monitor was erratic.  Showed 140bpm vs chest strap indicating 125.  This was after doing all of the normal troubleshooting procedures.  Started having this issue with my Charge 2 before it died (after 2 years) and didn't want to get into that whole mess again.

[K_freems]

I take heart rates all day long. My charge 4 is not a functional watch because the screen times out way too quickly to allow an accurate count. I would love to not have to wear 2 watches. You really need to make it an option to extend this, it's been a topic on the charge 3 and still not corrected for the new edition. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @K_freems, and thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about increasing screen time on charge 4. We rely on feedback like yours to help us develop products and features that we know our community wants to see. If this suggestion receives votes from other customers and gains popularity, it will be shared internally with various teams at Fitbit. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

Watch this space for status updates. In the meantime, try visiting Health & Wellness to talk with other members about all things health and fitness.