Is Charge HR accurate when driving?

jennibee70
jennibee70 Posts: 1,067 Member
Hi, I'm currently using a One, but I'm a bit fed up of it because it records steps when I'm driving - apparently it only does this if you drive on back roads, but I live in the Highlands of Scotland - they're ALL back roads!!! It's a bit tedious adjusting my steps after every journey. I've been thinking of forking out for a Charge HR but I would be really annoyed if it does the same thing. Presumably my HR shouldn't change while I'm driving. Has anyone had problems like this with the Charge HR?

Replies

  • NancyN795
    NancyN795 Posts: 1,134 Member
    Sorry, but the Charge HR also records phantom steps while driving. And, since your heart rate isn't elevated while you're driving (I assume), it won't be using a HR formula to calculate calorie burn. It will be going by steps. So, you'll have the same problem.

    Have you tried using the DriveBit app to make the task of adjusting your steps less tedious? I haven't used the app because I don't drive a lot, but I think you just tap it when you start driving, tap it when you stop and it takes care of adjusting your steps for you.
  • jennibee70
    jennibee70 Posts: 1,067 Member
    NancyN795 wrote: »
    Have you tried using the DriveBit app to make the task of adjusting your steps less tedious? I haven't used the app because I don't drive a lot, but I think you just tap it when you start driving, tap it when you stop and it takes care of adjusting your steps for you.
    Oooo, that sounds interesting - thank you, I'll look into that!
  • lcooper327
    lcooper327 Posts: 112 Member
    You could also just take the Fitbit off while driving...
  • NancyN795
    NancyN795 Posts: 1,134 Member
    lcooper327 wrote: »
    You could also just take the Fitbit off while driving...

    That won't work unless you're willing to leave it at home. If it is in the car, it's going to count bogus steps.
  • tiffkittyw
    tiffkittyw Posts: 366 Member
    edited May 2016
    Yes, I actually tested this out recently and my charge HR gave me 300 steps for a 30 minute drive. I'll probably take it off next time. I think it must be because you move your feet from the gas to the break so it thinks you are taking steps.
  • NancyN795
    NancyN795 Posts: 1,134 Member
    tiffkittyw wrote: »
    Yes, I actually tested this out recently and my charge HR gave me 300 steps for a 30 minute drive. I'll probably take it off next time. I think it must be because you move your feet from the gas to the break so it thinks you are taking steps.

    I haven't tested it, but I doubt it will help much to take it off. I just ignore it because it isn't a significant portion of my daily steps. If it were a problem, I'd get DriveBit.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    tiffkittyw wrote: »
    Yes, I actually tested this out recently and my charge HR gave me 300 steps for a 30 minute drive. I'll probably take it off next time. I think it must be because you move your feet from the gas to the break so it thinks you are taking steps.

    It doesn't actually count steps of your feet going down - it counts impacts it sees.

    That just happens to include steps usually and mainly.

    But if wrist is held motionless by shopping cart - it'll usually miss the step impacts.
    If you don't walk but move your arm right - it'll usually add some steps.
    Grip the steering wheel while the car is bouncing - it sees impacts and counts as steps.
    Leave it sitting on seat bouncing around with car - same issue.

    Now - it's likely low impacts so it thinks short distance, so that also means low calories assigned to them.

    But all that step, distance, calories is indeed bogus.
  • ridge4mfp
    ridge4mfp Posts: 301 Member
    I also have a Charge HR and get bogus steps driving. I second the vote for Drivebit, it's easy to use.
  • jennibee70
    jennibee70 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Thanks all, I've tried drivebit, which seems easy enough, but used up 32% of my phone battery on my 50 minute commute. I think I'll have to go back to manually adjusting.
  • CLS0912
    CLS0912 Posts: 1 Member
    To avoid bogus steps and floors, I take mine off and plug it into the charger. It certainly works for my 40 minute commute to work.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    What about taking it off and wrapping it in a towel or blanket so any bumps are "muffled"??
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    CLS0912 wrote: »
    To avoid bogus steps and floors, I take mine off and plug it into the charger. It certainly works for my 40 minute commute to work.

    Does it seem to ignore all steps during charging, like even if shaking it while hooked up?

    That sounds like great solution.