Is the devil setting out to destroy the Fitbit? Maybe not the biblical devil, but some nefarious characters may be at work. In January, Fitbit was slapped with a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit was on behalf of the Fitbit Charge HR and Surge devices. The lawsuit puts the accuracy of the Fitbit heart rate monitor into question. But as evidence shows, there may be a legal devil at work. In a world where lawsuits are as common as parking tickets, are heart rate devices really a scam? A recent Consumer Reports study put the Charge HR and Surge to the test. And the results were favorable. Will the same type of class-action lawsuit be next for the Apple Watch?
Does Fitbit Have a Broken Heart?
The Fitbit found a place in the hearts of people everywhere. However, one of its features came into question this year. Allegedly after the lawsuit against their heart rate accuracy was questioned, a study surfaced supporting the lawsuit. The possibly biased findings of the first study found a 24.34 beats per minute variation. This is not a small variable when it comes to measuring heart rates. Fitbit has made it clear that the study was paid for by the plaintiffs in an attempt to hurry proceedings and settlements along. It also said that the study used a consumer-grade electrocardiogram. It’s is not a true clinical device. However, a recent Consumer Reports study has found Fitbit heart rate readings to be quite accurate.
Consumer Reports Study Conflicting
The objective study conducted by Consumer Reports tested the heart rate readings of both the Charge HR and Surge. From a leisurely walk to a fast run, both devices tested with satisfaction. Fitbit uses optical heart rate monitoring. Which measures pulse through light refraction. The Consumer Reports study tested the Surge and Charge HR and compared the results to the Polar H7. The Polar H7 is a chest strap monitor with a proven track record for accuracy. In nearly every test, the Fitbit only had a maximum of three beats per minute variation. This is great news for the Surge and Charge HR. And the new study puts the previous research into question. Was it the act of the devil?
Devil May Find Apple Next
The forbidden fruit was an Apple. Which is ironic in more ways than one. The devil may be behind the Fitbit witch-hunt. But the question is, who’s next? Will the Apple Watch heart rate monitor find itself under the thumb of the devil soon? Apple offers a similar heart rate feature for the Apple Watch. It allows those Apple fitness nuts avoid dancing with the devil later in life. But the devil may come to Cupertino and play a little tune in the form of a lawsuit soon.
