Lap count in Sense swimming is too high

[IanSelbie]

I am swimming freestyle laps in a 50 metre pool. I have set the lap length in the device. I don’t rest at all when swimming.

I do 13 laps up and down meaning 1300 metres.

but the device says I did 34 laps that is 3400 metres.

Seems it detects a turn when I’m still swimming.

Any suggestion on how to improve this?

[m-umar]

I don't think there is any solutions for it but I may be wrong. In my observations sense also over counts steps and there is no way to correct it other than adjusting & readjusting the stride until one gets it right. I can live with "over stepping" but not with HR inaccuracies.

[IanSelbie]

Thanks - I’m not having any issues with steps. The issue is with swimming laps.

Best Rgds
Ian

[m-umar]

I was just making the point that sense has lot of problems. Have you contacted Support in your country sort it out?

Try resetting the sense by holding the button for 10 sec and once logo appears let it go. If that fails do factory reset by swapping across to setting, select About sense and factory reset. But make sure to sync it as you will loose all personal settings incl wallet cards.

Good luck.

[Gr4ndp4 · Accepted solution]

Hi, @IanSelbie, have you tried allowing the "Sense" to auto-recognize your swim? I swim in a 25-meter pool and have no problem with the length count. The default setting in your Fitbit app will automatically record the swim after 15 minutes, you can change this figure. Once it starts it includes all the swimming from the start of your session.

Cheers

[IanSelbie]

Thanks I’ll try that tomorrow.

I have seen some reports of Fitbit underestimating the number of laps because it misses the turns. The recommendation in that case was to make sure to glide for a few seconds after kicking off from a turn.

I have the opposite problem and I wonder if it is because I have a rather long slow stroke and only  breathe every six strokes. Not sure what to do in that case!

Best Rgds

Ian

[IanSelbie]

I let the device auto detect today and it correctly detecte3d the start and end of the session.

It still got the lap count wrong - detected 58 lengths when it should have been 30.

I wish I could find out how it detects turns, so I could adapt.

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @IanSelbie, My own theory is the device recognises "lengths" where the regular cadence of the swim stroke is disturbed. If you are using "tumble-turns" and maintaining a steady beat it may not count the turn. I'm less competitive and touch and turn resulting in a brief pause which I suppose is recognised by the accelerometers in the device, thus accurate length counts. You may be interested in How do I track my swims with my Fitbit device? , I note it does not address your particular issue.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

[IanSelbie]

The latest update is that I spoke to Fitbit support and he advised me to keep going a few days so that the device can "learn" my styles.

Today I let the device auto-sense but unfortunately it decided that I was doing kick boxing instead of swimming. That's not very encouraging. I can change the category and duration in the App but the stats are still for Kickboxing. I don't see how it is going to "learn" this way!

I will go back to manually starting the swim session tomorrow.

[m-umar]

We shouldn't be guessing about the reasons if Fitbit has done it right at the 1st place by testing all the features before releasing these devices for sale with such a fan fare.

[dmsam]

Greetings Ian

I have very inconsistent count on my Sense for lap swims.  I swim freestyle (2000 yds, nonstop) in a 25 yd pool.  I noticed your post is 14 months ago, have you found a solution that provides accurate tracking?  thx, Dave