Wearing a Sense in my pocket

[1Justin13]

Can I wear my Sense in my pocket to still track steps?  I've done it a few times and it inaccurately tracks Zone Minutes, so the bpm isn't reading correctly.

Is there a fix for this or is wearing in my pocket useless?

My Ionic seemed to have no issue accurately collecting the data.

Thanks!

Moderator edit: format. 

[JohnnyRow]

Keeping tracker in pocket generally gives reasonably accurate step count, sometimes better than on wrist, depending on arm  movements.  But there is no way it can detect heart rate without being next to skin.

On the older models before heart rate tracking, fitbit would estimate your activity intensity and calorie burn from your steps per minute.  I don't know what happens for that with trackers that measure heart rate in pocket, whether it reverts to old method or random stray "heart beat" detection throws that off.  I know the Inspire 2 has a setting for whether it is worn on wrist or on clip but that is the only such tracker, sold with an optional clip for wearing on waist.  There are some other models that have option to turn off heart rate detection, but I don't think Sense has that option.

[LZeeW]

@1Justin13   Your Sense can't read your heart rate at all in your pocket.  It needs to read a heart rate because zone minutes are heart rate based.  You won't be able to take full advantage of your Sense's capability by wearing it in your pocket.

I just read your other post where you were comparing data between your Sense and Ionic, both with active zone minutes.  There is a significant hardware change in the Sense, compared to the Ionic.  The heart rate sensors are very different.  I also suspect that Fitbit changed the heart rate algorithms in the Sense compared to the Ionic.  I think this is due to heart rate measurement differences.

[1Justin13]

Something is wrong because my Sense is most definitely reading a heart rate while in my pocket.

[LZeeW]

@1Justin13   I'm not sure I would trust that as an accurate heart rate.  The heart rate sensor use a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG).  PPG looks for pulsations in tiny blood vessels under the skin.  I'm quite confident that your heart rate measured in your pocket is not accurate.

[1Justin13]

I most definitely don't trust it and would love to turn the heart rate function off like my Ionic had.  When I'm working I don't want to wear my FitBit and prefer a different watch, but still like getting my steps in.......which is my dilemma!