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

[Kounyk]

PLEASE MAKE SCREEN TIMEOUT A SETTING FEATURE! I just got the charge 3 with the latest update and when I get a text message I can't read the whole thing in 3 seconds! please let us adjust the screen timeout! It is ridiculously short! the next update needs even more date and time and feature clock faces and needs to have the screen out time setting added and the quick reply for Android! 

[SunsetRunner]

Sent from my iPhone

[Nea4u]

I purchased the Charge 3 yesterday and already the short screen time is annoying beyond words.

Also, I am appalled at Fitbit's behavior. I feel like a guinea-pig, not like a customer. I paid YOU good money, yet I have to beg for features that should be standard to every sensible person? Features that even are in the manual, yet are just getting deleted, rather than the issue getting fixed? Features like that sleep apnoe thingy are announced and then unfortunately not implemented on release?

I don't think so. This tracker is going back. I don't like being treated like a supplicator while throwing my money at you. These whole forums and "kudos" and suggestion boxes are ridiculous. I am not your beta-tester. You usually pay people to review your product and suggest improvements.

I find it really strange to see how many sheeple out there are happily paying money to test your half-baked substandard device they bought full-price from you and then submissively beg ("please, please, please give us this function") for features you should be providing on release in the first place.

[tuulil]

Just got my Fitbit charge 3 today. Had some sync problems etc and I thought there was something wrong with this as the screen goes dark all the time. But as it seems, there's nothing wrong with this... 😉 Yes, the screen stays on ridiculously short time. I hope they give some options for that. I would be happy to charge my Fitbit more often if the screen stayed on a bit longer time. 

[CAGustafson]

Wow, you guys are getting a whole 3 seconds? I just called because I'm only getting 1.5 seconds! So basically, my new watch is absolutely useless. And the heart monitor was accurate for a whole week! Lucky me. Now it's off by almost 50 bpm. Unless they can get this fixed ASAP and some of the other issues, I'm sending mine back. I've got an old Motorola Moto 360 2nd gen smartwatch that has a more accurate heart monitor, a timer app that can run while other apps are also running (Charge 3 doesn't do this), and a screen that I can actually read because it stays in view for as long as I need it to. Ugh. About the only thing this watch has that seems to work is fitbit pay. Let me see...which would be more important - a battery that only has to be charged once a week, OR A SCREEN THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY READ?

[CAGustafson]

An "always on" feature would be super useful. As other people have commented, when you are exercising, it would be nice to see your stats as you're exercising by simply glancing at your watch. Having to stop and press the side button (because the wrist flip is a joke) while you're exercising to check your heart rate is nuts (especially when the screen only stays lit for a few seconds). I can't even imagine having to do this while you're swimming. All of the exercise apps I have on my Moto 360 allow me to do this. When I bought the Charge 3, I assumed that since it was an actual "fitness watch" it would have more "fitness" options. Ha!

[MikeFlint47]

I was about to buy a Charge 3 after a lot of research. Seemed like the perfect device for me. But my wife just got one last week and after seeing the 3 second timeout which cannot be adjusted I have changed my mind. My decision is on hold at the moment to see if Fitbit implement this feature as a result of the many many negative comments the are receiving. I would not recommend this device to anyone until they fix the 3 second timeout. Extending it optionally to 10 or 20 secs, or a tap on tap off ability,  would make all the difference. It makes the watch unusable in an exercise situation when you need to monitor heart rate, or adsorb three different reading on the screen at the same time. Sorry to be so negative about a great new fitbit, but its a big disappointment for me personally. Please do something about this??

[bosbefok]

I suspect this short timeout period is purely a marketing decision by Fitbit to allow them to advertise "7 day battery life".

[karkar20]

Agreed. I am looking to use the analog clock in place of a watch so that I can perform vital checks. Please make it an option to have the screen always on unless "manually" touching the side of the FitBit to place in "sleeping mode". 

[TechAutoBlog]

I just purchased the Charge 3 and will receive it today or tomorrow. When I get it, I will explore this problem right away. I agree, there should be a changeable setting for this.

Good luck!

[IISSAA]

I agree.  As a medical care provider, I need to be able to see the time for a few minutes in a row.  I'd love to be able to select how long I would like my watch to remain on in the same way as my phone. 5 seconds is way too short. This watch can't work for me, simply because of this feature being unavailable.

[ginamoehum]

Yes I think it needs to be longer

[treekeysea]

I was going to buy this for Black Friday, but the screen timeout issue is a deal-breaker. Once Fitbit allows for some customization here, I'll be ready to purchase. 

[ginamoehum]

If you hold your finger on the screen it will stay on, but they need to have an update that solves this issue.

They are obviously doing for batter life.

[SunsetRunner]

Regarding Charge 3 screen timeout. For me, it needs to be at least 5 or 6 seconds. Currently, it is about 3 seconds. I am wondering if the designers actually lived with the device. I don't think that a timeout extension is an unreasonable request.

[Sierra720]

I'm a HIIT runner and I like to have my heart rate showing while running so I can pace myself. Not only is the time out annoying, while running I have to use my other hand to scroll to get back to the heart rate since timeout defaults to the clock face. Which actually wouldn't be too bad if the clock face was brighter and larger like the Charge 2. My clock face has time, steps and heart rate. So much easier to read on the Charge 2.  

[joeymomo]

I agree 100%. just got the new charge 3 and it seems like the screen times out even faster than my old charge 2 did. I understand there will be some battery life sacrificed but I feel like that's an option we should get to decide for ourselves. With this device even if you sacrificed a day or 2 of battery you're still worlds ahead of the Apple Watch and others like it. I can't watch my HR as I exercise to see if it's accurate and I can't watch the second hand to time as I hold a plank. very very inconvenient, please update ASAP!!

[BrianO10]

The display timeout period is just plain silly.  Users should be able to set their desired timeout.  This is a no-brainer.  Youd could set a default value (certainly longer than what it is now) for those not inclined or unable to figure it out, but we should be able to set our own timeout.

Brian

[Cupentine]

I would also like this option as I am a first responder and I chose this piece for the specific reasons that it's washable & can withstand working in the rain and or with body fluids , get notifications on my wrist without using my phone but mainly the digital second hand so I can take vital signs ; however, vitals are taken over 15 seconds so I need to see my watch for that long to do so . The countdown is great but if I have a very sick patient there's no time to be scrolling etc... 

If there were a watch face that had all the digits on the analog face or an analog second hand AND 24 hour digital time this time piece would b a favourite.of first responders. I may have to go to a Samsung Galaxy or Fenix to get the features I need. Soooo close Fitbit.

[Eleanor729]

I just switched from the FitBit Surge that displayed the time/date continuously. Could this be an option? I don't like having to flick my wrist to make the time/date appear. Thanks!

[mobileflow]

Absolutely MUST be able to keep the screen on for longer durations! 

[Osotoh]

I want to use my Fitbit Charge2 (and new Charge 3 coming for Xmas) as a watch for work and work outs, rather than wearing two "watches". Please add the functionality to keep the clock display on full time or at least for longer periods. I, like others am willing to charge my Fitbit daily to offset battery drain. If Fitbit is unwilling to add this functionality, please let this community know.

[BarryMcCarty]

Yes to a feature that changes the timeout. 

[MS123]

Totally Agree.  Display time too Short!  Need to be able to modify that in the settings.

[CoachMike14]

Yes, with only 3-4 seconds to view before it disappears, its not enough time to read all the data on the screen.  If a 10 or 20 second timeout was added and reduced battery life, it would not bother me and many other users.