Permanent heart rate display during workout

[chiguy]

As a workout enthusiast I would like to view my heart rate on my Charge HR throughout my workout without having to hit the side button.  I would like to see an option that can be set to "keep display on during workouts".

Moderator edit: Updated title for clarity and labels.

[Borninbflo]

Having the display disappear after just a few seconds is really inconvenient. There should be user selectable options for duration of display - everything from during an activity to the length of time you want it on. An example is, I use the timer for planks and it is **ahem** frustrating to have to tap the screen (which usually doesn't work when I'm working out - I have to hit the button) and by the time I focus - it's gone. Plus if I'm driving, walking, etc. the display is just way too brief. I want the option of setting my display time.

[BobbiP]

While no one at FitBit can tell me the integration (averaging) period, the
Charge and Charge 2 DO allow for continuous reading of HR during exercise.
But, while I have not thoroughly tested the Charge 2, the Charge seemed to
provide an average over the preceding *minute*, approximately, and the app
seemed to average over about a 10-minute period.

The Charge 2 *seems* to be a wee bit more instantaneous, but still lags by
about 30 seconds. I just did an experiment where I tense, isometrically,
and watched the reading, re-displaying it when the display blanked. It
took 30 seconds before the rise showed.

FITBIT: What would be REALLY useful is to be able to *adjust the
integration period* and *display-ON time* via the Dashboard or other
settings. Of course, the battery life would be VERY short with continuous
display ON time, but some of us are willing to accept that. And, a
shortened integration time, we know, will be noisy and jump around more,
but that, too, is something we want and are willing to accept.

BobbiP

[BigHaole]

When I was a kid, I remember having a digital watch that not only continuously displayed time, but it also told me the temperature. The battery lasted more than a year. Why is battery life a problem for wearables?

[NHB]

You can enter Activity-mode (Run, Walk etc) on the push button - and by tapping the display have the heart rate displayed.

Best Regards,

Niels Boldvig

[NHB]

They perform much more calculations than a simple clock and the display often takes more energy.

Best Regards,

Niels Boldvig

[Spiyda]

The fitbit hr will be consigned to history as an almost good device.

Two faults.

1.    not able to display continuous heartrate

2.    prone to the wrist band detaching.

of these, the biggest letdown is the lack of continuous heart rate display

as the wrist band can be fixed with a little loctite superglue 4100

its not a problem if a spell of continuous hr display takes a bit out of the battery

as it can go on charge while I take a shower after a workout

[BobbiP]

Oh cool! Many thanks.
Bobbi

[BobbiP]

Because your watch was an LCD display with a low-power "computer". The
FitBit Charge 2 has an LED display, uses LEDs to measure HR, and if you
understand electronics, you will know that these activities-- not to
mention the processor's computation-- take 10,000 times more power.

BobbiP

[Spiyda]

Some urban myths creeping in here !

1.   that it would require a lot more computing to display the heart rate continuously.

the charge HR already is monitoring and calculating heartrate continuously, just not displaying it.

That can be seen if you have your paired bluetooth device showing the heart-rate tile.

2.   that the battery would go flat in minutes if the LED display was lit all the time..  

Modern LED displays use a lot less power than the old red displays used in watches (yes I had one in the 1970's) and  the Charge HR battery lasts several days when illuminating the green LEDs that illuminate wrist to measure the heart-rate, It would last several hours at least if the display was permanently on

As for understanding Electronics, I have a Masters in Computing, I run an Electronics manufacturing company and still design all the products.

[hawkap]

I think this is must have feature if FitBit wants their product to be more then fancy gadget. 

During workout FitBit is almost useless because of disabled display (pressing button or waving is not a solution during exercise). I have to wear some chest wraps with one another watches to track HR, or use smartphone display nearby.  I noticed that Charge 2 HR is quite accurate comparing to polar chest wraps (+/- 5 bpm). So I would be much happier if I can just use FitBit to watch HR during exercise.

One more option would be to have some notifications when you are entering or leaving HR zone. 

[StevieMede]

My wife would get some use out of this idea. She monitors her cardio zone while running and has said she would like to see her HR constantly while doing so

[Jessiebee]

It's crazy this isn't yet an option! You can't market something as a sports device (different sports modes suggest this) without offering this as a feature. It's a tiny account of code! Guys! 

I really want to throw out my mio alpha. I can't until I can view my heart rate during  a workout. 

[JReal]

I vote for this too. This is something I've wanted since I got the Blaze. It would be a game changer.

[CharlieChatz]

I know that you can turn on the display by twisting your arm but:

• It doesn't always turn on straight away, sometimes I need to twist my arm more than once to bring it on.
• It seems that when my Blaze display turns off, so does that HR. By having a setting to keep the display on during exercise should mean that the HR will be continuously monitored.
• I do HIIT workouts. During my breaks, I like to monitor my heart rate and when it starts to drop that's when I start my next set. Currently the screen times out so I have to either double tap or twist my arm to bring it on again.

[NatAttack6]

I just bought the Blaze today and am experiencing the same frustration! Plank position especially when trying to see time elapsed on stopwatch. Would love customizable timeout feature. 

-N

[GershonSurge]

---

@Dky wrote:

It would be better if heart rate could be permanently displayed as that's why I bought the Fitbit charge 2 

when exercising it would be nice to just check heart rate 

without haveing to tap/swipe screen 

---

This option is available. Click on the gear in the upper right while on your dashboard. Select Charge 2. Change the clock display to double stat. Select the two items you want to show. 

On the watch while doing a workout, etc. you can tap on the screen until the heart rate shows.

[steak2009]

Agree with Amy71193, I'm in law enforcement and nice to be able to just glance down at the watch quickly for the time. The charge 2 needs its.

[mathsz]

+1 for this. 

always on mode. I run, do interval training and karate.

I really don't care about tapping the thing two times (when it works) or pressing a button while i'm moving. 

Keep the display on!

[Kirstenmschmidt]

It would be great if the clock could be set to stay on for a longer period than 3 seconds. I bought this to do vitals at births but it won't work because the time disappears too fast. Disappointed!

Thanks

kirsten

[Mformley]

Please lock the screen on the Blaze when in Exercise mode. While running today, my sleeve kept hitting my Blaze and stopping my workout. 

Thank you

[sigurdur]

A constant display, perhaps (even preferably) at a lower brightness level as to not drain the battery as quickly, is sorely needed on the Charge 2. I was disappointed that it wasn't possible, being a previous surge owner for 14 months (couldn't get it replaced, only refunded).

[Sureel]

I would love to see more options on my charge 2 clock display with day along with date. Constantly​ on display option will also be helpful.

[Ribiker]

Without this feature it defeats the purpose of using heart rate for interval training. You need to be able to see it and adjust your workout. It is not safe for me to have to use my right arm to get the screen on since it is otherwise engaged. This would be a great addition. 

[samkajo]

you can get mounts for your phone that are waterproof to attach to your bike bars. I set my phone display to never lock open the fit bit app and voila heart rate visible throughout cycling spinning or any other activity you can attach the clamp. For my rowing machine I just do the same and use some masking tape loosely strapping my phone to the machine 

[bj2burch]

Yes please I'd like to see a way to lock the screen on my Blaze. I like to see my stats but hate when I bump pause and don't realize it. Or maybe make it harder to pause it?