New Generation Fitness Trackers - more robust?

hannahemiley · July 2016

I've owned in the past both Fitbit Flex and Jawbone 24 and in each case I've had to get replacement units under warranty on 2 occasions. Fitbits 1 and 2 both had battery charging issues and so I returned the third one they sent me for a full refund and switched to Jawbone. Jawbones 1 and 2 had a weird syncing issue, one after 3 months, the first replacement within 1 week and the final Jawbone died a death (no lights, no reaction) 1 year and 2 weeks later - so no Jawbone no warranty!

Are the newer models and more robust than these older ones? I remember Googling this issues as they occurred and finding them quite common. I don't want to upgrade to one if my experience is going to be the same. I also don't know what killed the most recent one but we've just had a very humid month and I do wonder if that's caused an issue.
To be honest, as we have a dog I meet my step target everyday, so when I exercise as well I'm way over, but I like the validation and the regular prompts to get up from my desk. The sleep tracking is interesting but I'm not sure I really understand what's it's telling me. Looks like all the newer models have HRM which I could take or leave so I'm also wondering if it's even worth replacing it?

NorthCascades · July 2016

I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 for about 1.5 years.

Last fall I got hit by a car going 35 to 40 mph while I rode my bike. My watch was on my left wrist, I was hit on the left side, when I came to in the road I was sure my left arm was broken. Not a scratch on the watch. It still functions as well as before I was hit. I spent about 24 hours in the ER and ICU after the incident. I'm fully recovered and the watch is still being used daily. I'd say it's pretty robust.

(To be fair, I got the sapphire crystal for scratch resistance.)

RoxieDawn · July 2016

I will never go back to fitbit. Jawbone does have a better sleep function but never used this one. I am now a garmin fan. I have had vivofit, vivosmart and now a Forerunner. I need GPS and HR for fitness.

Make a list of what you want, how much you want to pay, and do some searching. Maybe time for a diff manufacturer.

PS My husband bought the Fitbit Alta (pre-order) and it is holding up quite nicely for what he needs.

Sarc_Warrior · July 2016

I've had a fitbit and jawbone. I prefer the Garmin Vivofit and the Garmin Connect software.

CincyNeid · July 2016

The Fenix 3 is about the most robust "do it all" fitness tracker out there. I know a few people via forums and all of them "take a beatin' and keep on tickin'" to coin a phrase.

hannahemiley wrote: »

The sleep tracking is interesting but I'm not sure I really understand what's it's telling me. Looks like all the newer models have HRM which I could take or leave so I'm also wondering if it's even worth replacing it?

Things you do later in the day [beer, exercise, eating, working in the yard ect.] have an effect on your sleep through the day. In the mornings when I look at my sleeping pattern I look at what I did the night before and try to see what had what effect on my sleep and adjust it so I can get my full 8 hours as deeply as I can. But then again stuff like Caffeine and sugars have always played a long standing role on my sleeping habits. So I was always interested in it.

You can do the same thing with HRMs through out the day. When you standing/sitting Pulse Rate spike you know you've got a lot of caffeine, sugar, stress, excessive sodium or various other things that are effecting your pulse rate and you can adjust it accordingly.

rainbowbow · July 2016

I also came in to recommend the Garmin Fenix 3 (HR. SAPPHIRE).

I personally have the garmin forerunner 230 because i don't need built in hrm, but my boyfriend has the fenix 3, and let me tell you... this thing is solid.

hannahemiley · July 2016

Thanks everyone, I'm so surprised that everyone has recommended the same brand and mostly the same model!!! Message received, time to get shopping!

KellieTru · July 2016

NorthCascades wrote: »

I've had a Garmin Fenix 3 for about 1.5 years.

Last fall I got hit by a car going 35 to 40 mph while I rode my bike. My watch was on my left wrist, I was hit on the left side, when I came to in the road I was sure my left arm was broken. Not a scratch on the watch. It still functions as well as before I was hit. I spent about 24 hours in the ER and ICU after the incident. I'm fully recovered and the watch is still being used daily. I'd say it's pretty robust.

(To be fair, I got the sapphire crystal for scratch resistance.)

Glad to hear you had a good recovery!
I ride my bike to the gym on a busy street and being hit by a car is in the back of my mind EVERY ride.

VintageFeline · July 2016

Another Garmin fan here, started with the Vivofit and now have the Vivoactive. I love that I can shower and swim with it on. Got the Vivoactive in January and while I don't give it too much of a challenge it's still as good as it was when I got it, not even a scratch on the screen.

lakaw · July 2016

OP,
Looks like you might have made a decision. Here is a really good resource for product comparison. Ray does very in depth reviews on fitness gadgets.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator

erockem · July 2016

I've had my flex for 1.5 years, I wear 24/7 except for swim. It's starting to show wear and may not be water tight anymore. After researching it, I'm also going for a Garmin but the 235. It's a lot more, but you get a lot more. I also like the connect software as I use it with my Garmin Edge 810. If you don't need the latest, the 225 is also a fine choice.

curlsintherack · July 2016

I have the fitbit charge hr its nice to compare my day to the days of my friends and family. My wife got it for me I would have not picked it out for myself.

I also have the polar m400 which has activity tracking features but I use it exclusively for running.

I would suggest the polar over the fitbit personally because it has move reminders and it also is waterproof. the cons are the size its very large and pretty thick and the bluetooth syncing takes forever.

Fitamdshiit · July 2016

I have a vivofit 3 and I never take it off. I love it! Its waterproof which is a huge plus!

MsValerieAnne · July 2016

Just got a vivofit 3 and love that it's waterproof and not just water resistant, also love the long battery life and that it connects to ANT+ HRM if I want to use one. Also that it's always on so I can use it as an actual clock.

New Generation Fitness Trackers - more robust?

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