Heart rate accuracy with Versa Lite during treadmill

[CrabbyD]

I've noticed this so far only on the treadmill setting so far where my heart rate is show way lower on my versa lite then the treadmill HR sensor.  I manually count my pulse to find my versa lite HR is indeed showing much lower.  I have adjusted my watch all which ways tighter, loser, two fingers up from the bone, all the way down to the bone and it doesn't change my heart rate.  It's always in the low 100s (100-120).  When I'm done with the treadmill I end the exercise, move to weight lifting setting and the pulse immediately increases (140s/150s) and seems to be much more accurate.  I've tried holding my arm still while on the treadmill, moving it with my walking, cleaning the contacts, drying my arm, let sweat build up underneath... I'm at a loss.  I know what I have done and I can use the treadmill's HR, but i would like it to be recorded properly.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @CrabbyD, welcome to the Community Forums! It's a pleasure to assist you today.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention and for the details that were shared in your post. Let me share with you that when your heart beats, your capillaries expand and contract based on blood volume changes. To determine your heart rate, the optical heart-rate sensor in your Fitbit device flashes its green LEDs hundreds of times per second and uses light-sensitive photodiodes to detect these volume changes in the capillaries above your wrist. Then your device calculates how many times your heart beats per minute (BPM). The optical heart-rate sensor detects a range of 30-220 BPM.*

We use green LEDS because they maximize the signal detected from the capillaries near the surface of the skin. The optical heart-rate sensor also uses infrared light to determine when the device is on your wrist to improve the accuracy of your heart-rate data. Therefore, if you haven't already done so, I recommend you to take into consideration the steps that are specified on: How do I improve the accuracy of my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device?

Keep in mind that we do not recommend our users to compare the data that's tracked with your Fitbit and other tracking devices because they may use different algorithms to track data.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[Chubasco]

I am experiencing the exact same problem.  As described above the beats per minute (BPM) seem to get stuck in the 110-120 range, despite my heart rate definitely being higher.  It seems to get unstuck once my heart rate gets into the 140-150+ BPM range, at which point the accuracy seems to work as my heart rate climbs to 170, and then drops to 100.

To confirm accuracy, I am also comparing the Versa BPM to the heart rate monitor on the treadmill (brand new machines at the gym) and I’ve had my wife (registered nurse) manually take my pulse.  Prior to the last update this problem didn’t exist and the readings on the Versa and other machines/devices always were nearly exact matches.

If FitBit’s official statement is that we shouldn’t compare their readings to other devices because there might be differences in algorithms, then FitBit’s entire premise of being a health and fitness device is absurd.  A heart rate measured in beats per minute is a universally scientific and empirical measurement.  For FitBit to admit that their proprietary approach to BPM’s may produce different results is an admission that FitBit’s devices, services, and claims should be disregarded when it comes to health and fitness.

[Chubasco]

Is there any new information from FitBit related to this problem?  The issue is still occurring and it is very frustrating to say the least.  In fact, it is weighing heavily on my households decision whether to remain  FitBit customers or move on...

I understand that FitBit is in the process of being acquired by Google and that there will be many changes well after the integration process and switch over to Googles wearables OS, but this is no excuse to take your established user base for granted nor for ignoring our concerns.

[Fitwitch20]

The heart rate monitor was working properly the first 6 months or so.  The issue with the heart rate monitor has been an issue in the last few weeks only.  While running, my heart rate averages 151 bpm to 165 bpm.  I wear a separate monitor simultaneously on my other arm as I've always done, thus giving me opportunity to gauge my heartrate more accurately.   My Fitbit bpm on will soar all the way to 200 give or take.  This is completely inaccurate.   My other monitor has been far more stable and accurate.   Is there a way to calibrate my Fitbit to get it to work properly as it had in the first 6 months?  This isn't the first Fitbit I've owned with heartrate issues.  My previous two Fitbits both stopped working completely and wouldn't read my heart rate at all.  Perhaps Fitbit needs to correct the monitors and make improvement.   This being my 3rd Fitbit with more heartrate monitor issues doesn't justify me buying another.   I think I'm done with Fitbit all together.