On my 4th fitbit Charge, FRUSTRATED; other options?

jeepinshawn · July 2016

I just got off the phone with fitbit support, and they are sending me yet another new fitbit charge. This will be the 4th fitbit charge I have had in 13 months. The first one worked great until the band broke about 3 month sin while i was doing burpees. It tore on the underside where the flexible material is screwed into the actual computer part of the charge. The replacement they sent me last about a month and the battery died and would only hold a charge for about 24hrs. This current one that is being replaced has worked well for 5 months, but recently the band started chipping away on one of the edges. It didn't affect the operation of the device but looked bad, but 2 days ago it suddenly stopped holding a charge for more than 24hrs, so I called and they are sending me a replacement.

The customer service with fitbit has been prompt, friendly, and overall a great experience. However, I am disappointed in the product overall. I don't feel that I'm asking to much that something I pay $100 for should last at least a year before needing replacement. So I'm thinking of selling the new fitbit still in the box, and going for something else that will keep track of my steps, running, and over all TDEE. Anyone have any non fitbit recommendations?

SezxyStef · July 2016

I like my jawbone.

It's pretty and looks like jewellery. App is easy to use and it has sleep functions with it.

Silent alarm for waking and reminders to get moving.

I won't say I haven't had issues but again customer service has been great.
I have the Jawbone2 no HR monitor or REM sleep.

zdyb23456 · July 2016

I had the Jawbone Up3 and went through 3 in less than 6 months before switching to the Fitbit Charge. I've had this for 8 months now. I noticed a few months in that it wouldn't hold a charge for more than a day and half, 2 days max. I discovered if I turned off the auto-syncing the battery would last at least 3 days.

zyxst · July 2016

Would the other Fitbits not work for you?

ew_david · July 2016

I have a Fitbit One and have never had a problem with it. I had my original One for 2 years without issue before I gave it to my cousin. I got a Charge HR because I thought I needed the latest and greatest and didn't like it. I sold that and got another One. No issues and I can go 2 weeks before it needs to be charged.

CincyNeid · July 2016

Garmin VivoActive HR, VivoSmart HR, or VivoFit.

I work in the Automotive Industry and my VivoSmart HR takes beating and keeps on working.

The VivoSmart HR+, and VivoActive HR both have GPS modules in them so you can take them out for a run w/o your phone.

VegasFit · July 2016

I just came across this as I am packing up my boyfriend's Fitbit Charge HR to return. I bought it on July 4th of last year. I also bought my Vivosmart at the same time and knock on wood no issues. Have to do some research to see what other options are out there now because he figured he'd upgrade anyways.

Sarc_Warrior · July 2016

Garmin is way better

aleryan1 · July 2016

I like my Garmin Vivosmart. I even took it scuba diving and there are no issues.

Nnsando · July 2016

The band started coming apart for my husband as well after 3 months, had to get it replaced. Same with a friend of mine. I had the flex it was great but upgraded to the blaze. I've had no problems with blaze.

Emzy1079 · July 2016

I switched from Fitbit charge hr to a Garmin vivoactive hr. Highly recommended the Garmin. Mine takes a beating sometimes and is still kicking along. I find the stats produced are a lot more accurate than the charge as well.

dragon_girl26 · July 2016

I have a Polar M400 and I love it. I've only ever used Polar products, though. My dad had one of the little Jawbone Ups for awhile and really enjoyed using it, until it fell out of his pocket one day at the doctors office. Would recommend either one.

Bianca42 · July 2016

After my 3rd FitBit Charge died in less than a year, I switched to a Garmin Vivofit 2. I like that the battery lasts a year before needing to be replaced and that I can wear it in the pool or hot tub.

curlsintherack · July 2016

I'm 2 months in with my fitbit charge hr now I'm waiting on a replacement because the band started separating and bubbling. Thinking about just seling the new one and moving to using my polar m400 all the time instead of just for running.

annwyatt69 · July 2016

I also went through 4 Fitbit Charges in one year. Between batteries NOT holding a charge for more than 24 hours to the band falling apart, I just gave up and retired my Fitness tracker usage completely. I do miss it. As I am a hearing impaired person, I do not own a cell phone, so many of the trackers are out for me. Fitbit support was great for that year of warranty, but 4 in one year? Obviously there are issues on both the technical and manufacturing side. Until their product is built better, built to last I will not put my $$$ into their product.

SkinnyGirlCarrie · July 2016

i loved my Fitbit One...worked perfectly for 3 years until i went swimming with it on

- i've replaced with a fitbit flex (wanted something water resistant for the summer) but will prob buy another Fitbit One in the near future and switch between the two.

CincyNeid · July 2016

SkinnyGirlCarrie wrote: »

i loved my Fitbit One...worked perfectly for 3 years until i went swimming with it on - i've replaced with a fitbit flex (wanted something water resistant for the summer) but will prob buy another Fitbit One in the near future and switch between the two.

According to Fitbit the Flex isn't Water Resistant enough for swimming. I'd recommend a Garmin Vivo for swimming purposes.

https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1598

bionicdiver · July 2016

I've had one Fitbit Surge since they were released early last year. Before that, I had a Fitbit One. I've never had a problem except when I jumped in the pool with my Surge. That was my fault. Put it in rice for a week and it works great, lasts a long time. And that happened last summer.

NorthCascades · July 2016

I've had several Fitbit Ones. Two (maybe three?) went through the wash and stopped working. One went on a shelf and was never seen again, maybe the cat got it. Now I have a GPS watch, I need a watch anyway to know what time it is when I wake up too early in the morning (can I go back to sleep?). It has a step counter because they all do now. I looked into a GPS watch a couple years ago and they weren't "there" yet, but they are now.

Mapalicious · July 2016

I don't like wearing something ALL the time (only during workouts/bicycle commutes), so I use a PolarA300. Very affordable, and can also sync to an app on your phone. I love it.

MsValerieAnne · July 2016

Over the years, I've owned the following Fitbits:

Classic (2009)
Ultra (updated version of classic; 2011), 2 of them, a roller coaster broke one of them.
Zip (3 of them, battery issues with all of them)
Flex (2 of them, went 4 days without using as it didn't let me know the battery was low/dead).

---

So with all the trouble, I decided (I'd been thinking of it for awhile/a few years) to switch over to Garmin. I liked the coin battery (like the zip uses) and the always on display so I could/can use as a watch if I want. It does all the things I want. I decided to go for the Vivofit 3 (newest model) because of the size, battery life, backlight (when needed) and the fact it's waterproof. I also like that it connects with an ANT+ HRM if you'd like to use one and that you don't have a HR on your wrist at all times.

jeepinshawn · July 2016

Thanks for the replies. Fitbit actually sent me a charge HR, as an upgrade/replacement for free so I guess I will give it a shot.

dyrec · July 2016

I think they are a waist of money? If you can put yourself together a weekly program and excessive to do in the gym... Your golden. No need for tracking! You'll see results from your work ethic in the mirror at night.

MeanderingMammal · July 2016

dyrec wrote: »

I think they are a waist of money?

Whilst you might see a step tracker as a waste of money from your perspective, different people are motivated in different ways, and indeed are less able to devote time to a training programme. When we're talking about weight management, whether loss, maintenance or gaining, there is value in knowing what ones basic level of activity might be.

When I started using a Garmin VivoSmart it exposed that I was probably undereating as my background activity level was more than I anticipated. It also helps to account for variations in activity. As an example for two weeks after my last marathon I did very little, so needed to eat significantly less.

What I would say is that the HR tracking element of these is of questionable value for many. The only useful bit of HR data from my VivoSmartHR is my resting HR, which I can use to indicate improvement in CV fitness, and also indicate when I need to think about overtraining risk.

The bigger value is that it can then transmit on the ANT+ protocol, so that my Forerunner or Edge devices can take an HR input without the need to use a chest strap.

You'll see results from your work ethic in the mirror at night.

Which is fine if one is vanity motivated. It's of limited value when one is looking at measuring performance in otehr ways.

chassp8pooh · July 2016

I tried a Garmin Vivofit and the display inside broke and crystallized within 3 days of having it...and I promise I was gentle with it. It also didn't keep accurate step count nor did it give me accurate time active. Now I'm using a little bitty clip on thing called a wego elite + and I couldn't be happier. It keeps accurate time,calorie burn,steps,miles and--accurate time active! Plus seamlessly syncs to the wego android app!

Jesslane93 · July 2016

I got fitbit alta. So far so good and i like that you can just buy replcement bands for them and change it out whenever you want. I got this one because it seemed most like the fitbit one but in a wristband style.

jeepinshawn · July 2016

I just disconnected my fitbit and MFP. I have been struggling with the supposed calorie burn amounts for quite awhile now. I had been at 165lbs pretty stable and was eating at what MFP/fitbit said was a deficit that ranged from 300 on some days to 1000 on others, just depended on activity and I just stopped losing weight. I figured I was at a good enough weight and wanted to focus on muscle building anyway. So for the past 22 days I have been running and lifting weights 3 days a week. I have eaten at pretty close to the amount of calories that MFP/fitbit said I should(with the exercise adjustment), still most days leaving a couple hundred calories left for things I may have missed. In that 22 days I have gained between 5-7 pounds!!! Most of it around my belly, although some increase in my quads and arms. So my plan now is to keep my activity level set at lightly active, eat at that specific goal(2340), and just use the fitbit to make sure I am staying lightly active. With the two disconnected I won't be tempted to eat the stupid exercise calories back. Yeah I guess I'm a little bitter and fed up with needing to replace the tracker as often as I have and to have the calorie burn be substantially inaccurate is frustrating.

I keep reading to build muscle you have to eat at a surplus, it has been incredibly frustrating to try and find out exactly what it takes to maintain much less an appropriate surplus. I can't continue to live my life counting every damn calorie and wondering why I'm gaining weight or not losing weight, or if I ate enough to build muscle.

meshashesha2012 · July 2016

if you want to stick with fitbit or need gto take advantage of that discount they will give you to replace the broken fitbit (i know because i got a 45% off discount on my alta after my surge band broke), i'd suggest the alta since the band can be replaced

i'm also looking at a Moov Now which is much cheaper

PAV8888 · July 2016

jeepinshawn wrote: »

I just disconnected my fitbit and MFP. I have been struggling with the supposed calorie burn amounts for quite awhile now. I had been at 165lbs pretty stable and was eating at what MFP/fitbit said was a deficit that ranged from 300 on some days to 1000 on others, just depended on activity and I just stopped losing weight. I figured I was at a good enough weight and wanted to focus on muscle building anyway. So for the past 22 days I have been running and lifting weights 3 days a week. I have eaten at pretty close to the amount of calories that MFP/fitbit said I should(with the exercise adjustment), still most days leaving a couple hundred calories left for things I may have missed. In that 22 days I have gained between 5-7 pounds!!! Most of it around my belly, although some increase in my quads and arms. So my plan now is to keep my activity level set at lightly active, eat at that specific goal(2340), and just use the fitbit to make sure I am staying lightly active. With the two disconnected I won't be tempted to eat the stupid exercise calories back. Yeah I guess I'm a little bitter and fed up with needing to replace the tracker as often as I have and to have the calorie burn be substantially inaccurate is frustrating.

I keep reading to build muscle you have to eat at a surplus, it has been incredibly frustrating to try and find out exactly what it takes to maintain much less an appropriate surplus. I can't continue to live my life counting every damn calorie and wondering why I'm gaining weight or not losing weight, or if I ate enough to build muscle.

I think you are conflating a number of issues. Only you know whether the results are or are not worth it to you, whether you can or cannot obtain the results with other means, and what you can or cannot take! Personally I am more than 20 months into using MFP on a daily basis and have no plans to stop tracking.

Errors in CICO estimation can come from your logging, from your activity tracking, and from your scale. Furthermore the assumption that 1lb of underlying weight change is the result of 3500 Cal is usually wrong since people lose and gain both lean mass and fat, all at the same time.

While 1lb of fat is close to 3500 Cal on both the way up and the way down, a lb of lean mass can be 800 Cal going down, and a good 4-5000 Cal on the way up. And of course your scale weight is mostly changing because of changes to your water balance.

Some people on my friends's list find the concept of % TDEE error useful in estimating what they can or cannot eat back based on their usual tracking and use a spreadsheet I've cobbled up to help them figure things out.

I would suggest that each fitbit/different device/change in method of calculating CI or CO gets its own spreadsheet as each device contributes its own inaccuracies.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VDmqNpLPu7sbQSochUJNXdp2F7AN15AGgkvS3zLw1GU/edit?usp=sharing

The spreadsheet assumes 3500 Cal explains 1lb of change. as discussed already this is not the case...

ckwilson254 · July 2016

I have been through two Fitbits. Both of them eventually got water in them from the shower. I now have a Garmin Forerunner 920XT and I love it. It's pricey but not your average tracker. It's built for the Triathlete in mind. I am not a Triathlete but its tough and has lots of data. I have been through others too and this is my favorite.

jeepinshawn · July 2016

PAV8888 wrote: »

jeepinshawn wrote: »

I just disconnected my fitbit and MFP. I have been struggling with the supposed calorie burn amounts for quite awhile now. I had been at 165lbs pretty stable and was eating at what MFP/fitbit said was a deficit that ranged from 300 on some days to 1000 on others, just depended on activity and I just stopped losing weight. I figured I was at a good enough weight and wanted to focus on muscle building anyway. So for the past 22 days I have been running and lifting weights 3 days a week. I have eaten at pretty close to the amount of calories that MFP/fitbit said I should(with the exercise adjustment), still most days leaving a couple hundred calories left for things I may have missed. In that 22 days I have gained between 5-7 pounds!!! Most of it around my belly, although some increase in my quads and arms. So my plan now is to keep my activity level set at lightly active, eat at that specific goal(2340), and just use the fitbit to make sure I am staying lightly active. With the two disconnected I won't be tempted to eat the stupid exercise calories back. Yeah I guess I'm a little bitter and fed up with needing to replace the tracker as often as I have and to have the calorie burn be substantially inaccurate is frustrating.

I keep reading to build muscle you have to eat at a surplus, it has been incredibly frustrating to try and find out exactly what it takes to maintain much less an appropriate surplus. I can't continue to live my life counting every damn calorie and wondering why I'm gaining weight or not losing weight, or if I ate enough to build muscle.

I think you are conflating a number of issues. Only you know whether the results are or are not worth it to you, whether you can or cannot obtain the results with other means, and what you can or cannot take! Personally I am more than 20 months into using MFP on a daily basis and have no plans to stop tracking.

Errors in CICO estimation can come from your logging, from your activity tracking, and from your scale. Furthermore the assumption that 1lb of underlying weight change is the result of 3500 Cal is usually wrong since people lose and gain both lean mass and fat, all at the same time.

While 1lb of fat is close to 3500 Cal on both the way up and the way down, a lb of lean mass can be 800 Cal going down, and a good 4-5000 Cal on the way up. And of course your scale weight is mostly changing because of changes to your water balance.

Some people on my friends's list find the concept of % TDEE error useful in estimating what they can or cannot eat back based on their usual tracking and use a spreadsheet I've cobbled up to help them figure things out.

I would suggest that each fitbit/different device/change in method of calculating CI or CO gets its own spreadsheet as each device contributes its own inaccuracies.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VDmqNpLPu7sbQSochUJNXdp2F7AN15AGgkvS3zLw1GU/edit?usp=sharing

The spreadsheet assumes 3500 Cal explains 1lb of change. as discussed already this is not the case...

I have been logging on mfp for for something like 465 days. I went from almost 300lbs to a low of 165. I understand how to log and what to log, Im just frustrated by how far off the exercise calories or rather the tdee that fitbit gives me seem to be. I'm on my phone but will check out your spread sheet in the morning.

On my 4th fitbit Charge, FRUSTRATED; other options?

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