Fitbit So Expensive!

TiffKouns
TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Why is the Fitbit so expensive? Is there another product out there comparable to Fitbit but not sooo expensive?
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Replies

  • kyleerininger22
    kyleerininger22 Posts: 1
    You can get the Fitbit flex pretty cheap on ebay
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Which Fitbit are you looking at? What features do you want? Are you willing to pay a monthly service fee? You can spend anywhere from $5 for a basic pedometer to several hundred dollars for trackers with an HRM so more info is needed.
  • katdav2014
    katdav2014 Posts: 1
    As kyleerininger22 said, look on ebay, i got mine cheaper on there. :smile:
  • ahoier
    ahoier Posts: 312 Member
    i'd be leary of getting used fitbits from ebay.....i love my flex....and already needed to have it replaced once under warranty.....and was surprised that they did not want me to send my old Flex back to them for either 1) proper disposal, or 2) refurbishment? lol. i was kind of shocked when they told me to take the flex to my "local electronics recycling facility" - since the flex contains a battery it must be disposed of properly...but really, i'd be curious how many of these "used" fitbits were previously "broken" and replaced under warranty,,..so the person goes to hawk it for sale on ebay/amazon......get my drift?

    like for example, mine counted steps fine, it just stopped holding charge, would shut off at random times as if completely dead......but i wasn't getting the low battery notices or emails.......they simply told me my flex was 'sending weird data to their servers' so something wasn't right.....but they replaced it fine under warranty after i mailed them my fiance's receipt (she bought it for my birthday present in september)


    if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the fitbit......look up dealsmachine.com or a happy deal.com.....they have some generic knock off wrist watch pedometers there....of course made in china....but last i checked, so was the fitbit....some look like garmins lol.....tbh....basically the only difference is it's rebranded....

    otherwise, if you have a smart phone.....look up the "Moves" app on your marketplace....it's a pedometer that works with the latest smart phones that contain accelerometers (basically the same tech, that fitbit uses.....afaik) to count your "steps"....when i first got my flex, i wore it alongside the Moves app, and a cheapy digital pedometer.....and they were basically spot on......like less than 500 steps difference.....i chalked that up to a 'margin of error' - being that obviously the flex is going to clock more steps......it's literally always on me! lol.....whereas the phone stays in my pocket..if you get my drift....
  • JAT74
    JAT74 Posts: 1,081 Member
    I got an Omron Walking Style III pedometer for a very cheap price on Amazon before I got my Fitbit One (which I also got on Amazon for a good price). It seemed to be quite accurate, but I eventually got the Fitbit because I wanted to monitor my sleep, active minutes and set goals for myself. I also liked the fact it syncs with MFP and MapMyWalk and I can quickly see a summary of my activity on my phone which it syncs with regularly. It also gives me calorie goals to work towards and I can see the deficit I'm creating based on how active I am each day. This means that I can eat a little more on my particularly active days. My boyfriend got his Fitbit at the same time as me so it helps us both be more active as if one of us is really far behind the other we can try and catch up.

    A basic pedometer will give you an idea of your steps and calorie burn but that's pretty much all it can do.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    A Fitbit zip is 60$.
    One is 100$ and they go up from there.
    They aren't required for weightloss.

    A coworker got a Chinese knockoff of the Fitbit Flex for like 15$, the MI I believe. He did a lot of research before picking this one (we're engineers so yeah lol).
  • alphabetsoup2013
    alphabetsoup2013 Posts: 208 Member
    My Fitbit has helped me to lose a significant amount of weight -- and it is now helping me to maintain that weight loss. It is the best money I ever spent.
  • NerdieMcChub
    NerdieMcChub Posts: 153 Member
    I personally feel a fitbit is a useless tool unless you get most of your exercise by walking or running. I was thinking of getting one for a while but they really are expensive. I don't really walk or run, I do other forms of exercise, so I decided to just get a new HRM instead.
  • TiffKouns
    TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
    Thank you! Ugh I do most of my exercise doing cardio! I love to walk!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    tkouns2015 wrote: »
    Why is the Fitbit so expensive? Is there another product out there comparable to Fitbit but not sooo expensive?

    I got mine for $15 from an REI garage sale.

    That's not bad.
  • TiffKouns
    TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
    I cannot read the last post! Wierd there is like a key locked gate covering it!!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited February 2015
    tkouns2015 wrote: »
    I cannot read the last post! Wierd there is like a key locked gate covering it!!

    I know, weird. Welcome to MFP where public shaming is teh kewlest. Silly programmers.
  • TiffKouns
    TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
    Why can I not see the replies to my post!
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    Fitbits are expensive, but Fitbit does stand by their product and has very good customer service. I'd be a little hesitant to buy from E-bay or craigstlist. You may be able to catch one on sale at Best Buy or maybe Amazon.
  • TiffKouns
    TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
    Awesome thank you!
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    tkouns2015 wrote: »
    Why is the Fitbit so expensive? Is there another product out there comparable to Fitbit but not sooo expensive?

    I got mine for $15 from an REI garage sale.

    That's not bad.

    Here's what dbmata said.
    You can't see it because he's in timeout and you're on the app.
    The users who are in timeout have jailbars covering their picture. And in the app/mobile website, it covers their entire post. It's a bug known to MFP and is on their "to fix" list
  • TiffKouns
    TiffKouns Posts: 222 Member
    lishie_rebooted wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    tkouns2015 wrote: »
    Why is the Fitbit so expensive? Is there another product out there comparable to Fitbit but not sooo expensive?

    I got mine for $15 from an REI garage sale.

    That's not bad.

    Here's what dbmata said.
    You can't see it because he's in timeout and you're on the app.
    The users who are in timeout have jailbars covering their picture. And in the app/mobile website, it covers their entire post. It's a bug known to MFP and is on their "to fix" list

    Awesome thank you so much for the explanation.
  • Solar_Cat
    Solar_Cat Posts: 188 Member
    Good recent article about this:

    Science Says FitBit Is a Joke
    Your smartphone is much more accurate and consistent than wearable devices.
    FitBits, FueldBands, and other wearable fitness trackers promised to enhance the health of the wearer by accurately monitoring every step, calorie, and sleep pattern. But, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the apps on your smartphone do the job just as well, or even better—at least in terms of measuring your steps and your calories.
  • ncscott11
    ncscott11 Posts: 100 Member
    Depends on what you are looking for in a fitness band. That will be the determining factor of how much you are going to spend to get what you want.
  • snarlingcoyote
    snarlingcoyote Posts: 399 Member
    I've gotten a couple of them off eBay and haven't had any problems. I wash them, or they fall off my clothes or get cracked when I slide off a cliff, etc. . .so, I'm fine with paying.less for something that is likely to encounter a mishap in 3 months. Any rate, the replacements used and cheap from eBay have worked fine for me.
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    Solar_Cat wrote: »
    Good recent article about this:

    Science Says FitBit Is a Joke
    Your smartphone is much more accurate and consistent than wearable devices.
    FitBits, FueldBands, and other wearable fitness trackers promised to enhance the health of the wearer by accurately monitoring every step, calorie, and sleep pattern. But, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the apps on your smartphone do the job just as well, or even better—at least in terms of measuring your steps and your calories.

    Interesting article! I am not debating whether the app or the band is more accurate, but I liked this quote from the article. This is how I feel. I don't like to carry my phone with me when I am hiking. I don't have pockets and it's usually in my bag I take with me, which means it won't be as accurate...which is where the fitbit comes in. :)
    "Smartphones may be harder to carry with more vigorous activity such as running or biking, and that might be one reason an individual chooses to use a wearable device," explains Patel, pointing to an obvious objection for people who might reject smartphones as fitness trackers.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    Fit bit (force) helped to motivate and get moving. I enjoy it when I hit 10000 steps before the sun comes up. Yo can do most of its functions with a smart phone if its too pricey but I have enjoyed mine.
  • disneygirl626
    disneygirl626 Posts: 132 Member
    Interesting, as I've found my phone tracks thousands more steps than my fitbit and I had been wondering which is more accurate. However I would rather track low than high while losing weight.

    Troutsy wrote: »
    Solar_Cat wrote: »
    Good recent article about this:

    Science Says FitBit Is a Joke
    Your smartphone is much more accurate and consistent than wearable devices.
    FitBits, FueldBands, and other wearable fitness trackers promised to enhance the health of the wearer by accurately monitoring every step, calorie, and sleep pattern. But, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the apps on your smartphone do the job just as well, or even better—at least in terms of measuring your steps and your calories.

    Interesting article! I am not debating whether the app or the band is more accurate, but I liked this quote from the article. This is how I feel. I don't like to carry my phone with me when I am hiking. I don't have pockets and it's usually in my bag I take with me, which means it won't be as accurate...which is where the fitbit comes in. :)
    "Smartphones may be harder to carry with more vigorous activity such as running or biking, and that might be one reason an individual chooses to use a wearable device," explains Patel, pointing to an obvious objection for people who might reject smartphones as fitness trackers.

  • AgentOrangeJuice
    AgentOrangeJuice Posts: 1,069 Member
    You pay for what you get. want a cheaper unit, you'll get a cheaper unit. just sayin.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    bought my Zip on eBay for around $30. Worked well, although I did have a battery issue with it, but it seemed to be a widespread problem among some Zip users, so don't think it was because it was an eBay purchase. Hubby bought me a One for Christmas, so I willed my Zip to my daughter, and she has had no issues with it so far.

    Bought my mother-in-law a Zip at Target when they had them on sale, used my Red card for 5% off, plus gift cards that I often pick up when they have their "buy three get a $5 gift card" promotions.

    Shop around online, watch for sales at places like Kohl's where you can get their 30% off coupons on top of that. There are deals to be had.
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    edited February 2015
    disneygirl626 wrote: »
    Interesting, as I've found my phone tracks thousands more steps than my fitbit and I had been wondering which is more accurate. However I would rather track low than high while losing weight.

    Troutsy wrote: »
    Solar_Cat wrote: »
    Good recent article about this:

    Science Says FitBit Is a Joke
    Your smartphone is much more accurate and consistent than wearable devices.
    FitBits, FueldBands, and other wearable fitness trackers promised to enhance the health of the wearer by accurately monitoring every step, calorie, and sleep pattern. But, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the apps on your smartphone do the job just as well, or even better—at least in terms of measuring your steps and your calories.

    Interesting article! I am not debating whether the app or the band is more accurate, but I liked this quote from the article. This is how I feel. I don't like to carry my phone with me when I am hiking. I don't have pockets and it's usually in my bag I take with me, which means it won't be as accurate...which is where the fitbit comes in. :)
    "Smartphones may be harder to carry with more vigorous activity such as running or biking, and that might be one reason an individual chooses to use a wearable device," explains Patel, pointing to an obvious objection for people who might reject smartphones as fitness trackers.

    It may boil down to the phone and which app is being used. I don't always have my phone on me. I like to disconnect every now and have a breather away from work being able to contact me so using a phone wouldn't work for me.
  • MinnesotaNice507
    MinnesotaNice507 Posts: 60 Member
    I bought my FitBit one on eBay for $60 in 2013 and have had no problems. I do walk a lot so for me it was worth it.
  • blackcoffeeandcherrypie
    blackcoffeeandcherrypie Posts: 486 Member
    katdav2014 wrote: »
    As kyleerininger22 said, look on ebay, i got mine cheaper on there. :smile:

    Yep. I got my Charge HR cheaper on ebay and I'm totally satisfied. Just make sure that the seller has a decent history and good feedback and you shouldn't have any problems.
  • blackcoffeeandcherrypie
    blackcoffeeandcherrypie Posts: 486 Member
    Solar_Cat wrote: »
    Good recent article about this:

    Science Says FitBit Is a Joke
    Your smartphone is much more accurate and consistent than wearable devices.
    FitBits, FueldBands, and other wearable fitness trackers promised to enhance the health of the wearer by accurately monitoring every step, calorie, and sleep pattern. But, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the apps on your smartphone do the job just as well, or even better—at least in terms of measuring your steps and your calories.

    Not everyone has or wants a smartphone. I love my Nokia and have no plans to change it. I'd rather spend £100 on a fitness tracker that will last for some time, than £600 on a phone that will be virtually obsolete in a year or two.
  • ErinK09
    ErinK09 Posts: 687 Member
    AgentOrangeJuice wrote: »
    You pay for what you get. want a cheaper unit, you'll get a cheaper unit. just sayin.

    Yep.
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