Fitbit Sense and Heart Rate

[mperry9701]

I just bought the Sense and noticed the heart rate monitoring is way too low.  My Ionic was much more accurate.  Has anyone else noticed this?  

[steveo57]

Doesn't the Versa 3 have the same pure pulse monitor and therefore have the same problems? If it does not have these same problems I would trade the Sense back and get the 100 dollars back ? I like the features of the Sense but I could get by with a Versa 3 if the heart rate was stable and accurate. Standing by for replies from Users or Admins. A sufficient answer for now would be that they know there is a problem and that they are working on it and they will address it. Anyone know the answer to whether the Versa 3 is more stable or accurate or is it the same? ANYONE

[Wassermann80]

Have a look at this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzrk514w88

It seems like the sensor of the versa reacts the same way to the sense.

[Guy_]

Fitbit have given us some nice new watches quickly and with any new technology there will be some initial problems in some cases.

We are hoping that the feedback we provide will help them improve the logic and produce a better result soon.

For now my observation is. it is necessary to remain still during the heart rate measurement process for at least 20 seconds, which means extending the display timeout preferably to 60 seconds, as it improves over time, presumably as it is averaging over more consistent readings.

It is probable that the same logic is applied to both Versa 3 and Sense as they have the same sensor but as the watch construction is slightly different there may be minor differences in the way the information is detected, one might be more or less reactive in some cases, more impacted by movement than the other.

The Versa 3 and Sense have introduced sophisticated new technology and are a good improvement on the older watches, some initial issues are to be expected as with any new product.

Hopefully there will be an improvement in the next firmware upgrade, it must be a huge job to introduce so many new features and corrections and get them to the market quickly.

[sscol3]

I am also experiencing issues with the heart rate monitor.  It seems like when I am working out (and sweating) the readings on the monitor drops.  If I wipe off the monitor and my arm or even switch arms then it returns to a somewhat accurate reading.

[OldBob3301]

I will say that my Sense's HR seems reasonably accurate.  Like all wrist monitors is is a bit laggy and essentially useless on exercises like weights, pushups, etc.  I tested my Sense after having it for 2 weeks while simultaneously using a Polar HR10 monitor.  They were consistently close to one another during a 5 mile uphill route.  The Sense lagged the Polar each time there was a change in exertion ... that is it under reported for a short time as exertion increased and over reported when exertion dropped it was right with the Polar during steady going.   While it may not be spot on, it's close enough and way more convenient than using a chest strap.   BTW, the GPS distance also matched the Polar device which uses my Pixel 3 GPS.

[Brennik]

Did you get any resolution, I've been experiencing the same. I took one sense back and got it replaced thinking my other one was broken. I can have a hard weights session and it barely gets into fat burning.

[techcop]

What I've noticed that in the morning when I take my blood pressure readings, the HR stays the same as the previous night's HR.  It doesn't change until I began exercising or walking for a period of time. Another thing I noticed is that the reading on the face of the watch doesn't change until I go to exercise mode. Once out of exercise mode it changes but is nowhere near the HR while in exercise mode.  I had a Versa 2 before upgrading to the Sense, It didn't do this. You could monitor your HR from the face of the watch without having to switch to exercise mode. The Sense has been a big disappointment. For me, it's just an expensive time piece. 

Update: 113020...I am so disappointed in the Sense that I purchased the Versa 2 during Black Friday. I gave my Versa 2 to my sister. I just can't bear to ask for it back. So, I purchased another one since it actually worked. The Sense may go into a drawer or I will visit with Fitbit and see if they will take it back since I've owned it for awhile. I was hoping things would change, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards. 

[Brennik]

I had an ionic and am so far regretting the upgrade. Although my HR on the screen seems to change fine and always be what I've come to expect. My runs seem to be about consistent with what I'm used to. It's is just solely the weight workout that seems to be off. Although the last 2 days it has been about right. So I'm hoping they have changed the algorithm or something to fix it. Over all I don't mind if it is a software thing and will be sorted soon. But if it doesn't track my HR and give my zone minutes or my calories correctly it just really bugs me.

[Diana97311]

I was having this issue with my charge after the firmware update a few weeks back. I was complaining so much, my husband bought me the sense. Same issue!!! I’ve had it for 2 weeks & im going to return it. 

[Diana97311]

Same!!! It’s very frustrating. I had a charge & was having this issue. Thought it was grappling out on me so I bought the sense. Same problem. 

[Diana97311]

Same issue here & no response that explains what’s going on from Fitbit. 

[Diane945]

I have been working on this all day. Did all the basic things, delete app, reinstall, remove Versa Lite from phone, added back. Turned everything off and turned it back on. I see posts that you need to edit - there is only tiles with an x. Crazy not to have steps. Gives me calories

[NeilFinny]

It is a bit poo that you spend £300 on a fitness device and if you want accurate readings have to spend another 300-500 on a device that actually functions correctly.

that amount of people and you tube videos says we are not alone, so a statement that they are looking into it be good, cause if I leave I won’t be back.

[WDWMS]

New owner here; just got my Sense today.. Coming from a Fitbit Inspire HR...

Got on my treadmill this enveing and told sense I was starting a workout.. about halfway through I decided to check it.. it was about 5-6 beats slower than the pulse on the treadmill.. Hmm.. I paused my workout, grabbed my Inspire HR and a PulseOx monitor and jumped back on the treadmill and upped the speed.. All but the Sense were within 2-3 beats of each other, the sense lagged behind, and at one point the sense was 14 bpm slower!

After that, the Sense refused to sync to my phone, took about 30 minutes of screwing around with stuff for it to work. Whent the workout finally got synced, it reported 0 cardio minutes; compared to the IDENTICAL workout I did with my Inspire HR last week where my carido made up 70% of the exercise..

Sad to say, this thing isn't destined for my wrist much longer...

[Diana97311]

Hey. A few weeks back after updating the firmware I had a problem with my charge. I thought it was just crapping out on me, so I got the sense. I think it’s the new software update. The charge is 3 years old and worked fine until 3 weeks ago. Now I have 2 fitbits that have same issue. 

[Raager]

I noticed same thing. I was starting to look for chest strap to confirm what my peak rates and average is. Cant eat anything these days due lack of calore burn in gym... 😪

[jwsaldo]

Look at the boards, there numerous post about inaccurate/ low readings on the HR monitor.  Readings are consistently low, 20-30 beat below accurate reading. There is even a YouTube on this , somewhere on the boards, where a guy tested it and described  technically why its not working.

[Guy_]

Did you get any improvement with the recent tracker firmware upgrade to version 44.128.4.15? - I didn't.

However I love the Google Assistant which came with that version and the way it works.

[BlueMountain]

I have the exact same issue. Have compared to my Iconic, my Polar M430, HR reading on my treadmill, and others. I am breathing heavy, sweating my butt off, definitely feeling my heart pumping. It seems everything else is reading my HR at about 140 or 150 which sound about right for the level of effort I put in, but the Sense sits there at around 96 bpm, and no measured zone activity. I have tried moving it up my wrist, down my wrist, tightening and loosening the strap. No change. It seems to like to sit at about 96 whenever I work out. Please fix this, or at least let us know you are working on it.

[Brennik]

I've tried everything and still no luck. I'm hoping now all the assistant
stuff has been added that they will work on it and get things as normal.
Honestly I'm a bit disappointed with Fitbit for letting this issue go on so
long. Especially when it seems to be a well known thing.