Sense's notification vibrations are weak

[phrinda]

Has anyone else noticed that the Sense's notification vibrations are really weak? I have it firmly attached and I can barely feel the vibrations even if I know they are coming. I just changed from a versa, which I think had pretty strong vibration. Is there a way to dial it up a bit? If there isn't, which I suspect is the case, Fitbit needs to make this something that can be customized. 

Moderator edit: subject for clarity 

[AW_1]

Completely agree. Just took delivery of my Sense and thought it was faulty due tonthe vibrations being so weak until I saw other comments here 😢

[MommieWee2015]

Yeah well I turned mine up all the way right off the bat and still miss 70%+ of my alarms because the vibration is so lame. I have executive functioning issues and need my alarms to keep me on track, this feature failure is killing me.

[Guy_]

Hi @MommieWee2015 - yes vibration is awfully weak and has not been addressed by Fitbit since inception.

The only thing you can do to get the strongest vibrate possible whilst hoping for an update to fix it, is to charge it every day to 100%.

Or get an old Versa which had an excellent vibration.

[ArunB]

Try factor reset this did improve the vibration issue considerably, you have to set up the watch again. The vibration is longer and higher to be useful, but not up to the level of old watchs, however it is workable.

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get Outlook for Android

[Guy_]

HI @ArunB - after a factory reset do you get different results from the SimpleVibrate app than given in it's documentation?

There has been no mention of any changes in the firmware for vibration, so unless you had a specific watch fault it would be interesting to know how much or why it improved.

If it's not up to the original Versa standard for vibration it is still not good enough.

[Jasmynsmom70]

I have hearing loss and I rely on the vibrations to wake me up. The  vibration is way too weak to wake me up in the mornings.

[Guy_]

Hi @Jasmynsmom70  - that's rather unfortunate as there is nothing you can do to make vibration stronger on a Sense, other tha set it to Strong and keep it fully charged.

Fitbit haven't addressed this issue in over a year so it may be a design flaw.

May be a Versa which has a good vibrate but is not sold anymore or Versa 2 would suit better.

Unfortunately as yours is a special case you might need to look at makes that cater better to your needs.

[Jasmynsmom70]

I agree, it is rather unfortunate.  I used to have a Versa and upgraded to the Sense when it stopped working. That one had a strong vibration. 

[SunsetRunner]

My lass fitbit was the Fitbit Ionic and it had really strong vibrations compaired to the sense.  They should go back to that model for the vibrations.

[DMel08]

Just did a guided breathing session with Sense Relax app. Vibration was non existent until I felt the sides of the watch face as well as the band where it was much stronger. Strange design.

[Guy_]

Hi @DMel08  - note, vibration gets even weaker as the battery level falls.

[AW_1]

I keep my better charged at about 85% or more and it is always very very weak.


Get Outlook for Android

[Guy_]

I contacted Fitbit support yesterday to see if there was any update on a fix for the poor vibration issue.

They couldn't tell me.

Coming from a Versa original which works perfectly, it is so disappointing after nearly 18 months to get no improvement and none announced.

[Irish6l]

Yes! Just switched from versa to sense.  Frustrated!!! 

[CalgaryGarry]

Try setting the vibration to strong. Then with a 2 second timer and your free hand, check the vibration. If the watch is loosely coupled to your wrist it will likely be very faint. While the watch doesn't couple vibrations to your wrist very well, if you feel it with the fingers of your free hand you will be impressed with how strongly it is vibrating. The problem is likely the crappy strap which is original equipment. If you can get the watch strapped on so it couples that vibration to your wrist properly, it will work much better. Why does the alarm seem to work better? Can't answer that one. It does seem to be very different - perhaps the vibration mode is different between the alarm and the timer.......this should get fixed. It's a pain...

[CalgaryGarry]

Try setting the vibration to strong. Then with a 2 second timer and your free hand, check the vibration. If the watch is loosely coupled to your wrist it will likely be very faint. While the watch doesn't couple vibrations to your wrist very well, if you feel it with the fingers of your free hand you will be impressed with how strongly it is vibrating. The problem is likely the crappy strap which is original equipment. If you can get the watch strapped on so it couples that vibration to your wrist properly, it will work much better. Why does the alarm seem to work better? Can't answer that one. It does seem to be very different - perhaps the vibration mode is different between the alarm and the timer.......this should get fixed. It's a pain...

[AW_1]

My watch is set to "strong". Fitbit have told me it is normal. Many many others complaining too.

Get Outlook for Android

[Guy_]

Hi @CalgaryGarry  - interesting comment about the strap - did you check the SimpleVibrate app and it's documentation posted earlier which explains about vibration and can demonstrate the 8 different types.

Vibration isn't helped by a decreasing battery level making it weaker, nor by an imperceptible difference between normal and strong setting.

[CalgaryGarry]

That helps a lot. It isn't any stronger now but it does persist and will be
noticed with much higher probability. Thanks.

[Googoojma]

My biggest issue is the phone calls u can't hear