Is the fitbit brand of watches inherently unrugged?
kyleskrinak
Posts: 17 Member
TL;DR: I need to replace my Fitbit Charge. It's my third replacement in three years. Each time the band has broken off from the actual Fitbit electronics.
I'm an enthusiastic fan of my Fitbit, at least the software side and how they model and display the data Fitbit collects. I find it motivation to track my steps and make sure that I'm walking at least 250 every hour for an otherwise too sedentary lifestyle.
Fitness-wise, I'm boring. I run or walk 3 - 4 times a week, and do weights 2 - 3 times a week. I will admit to being big and clumsy. That said, I've never, ever, had a watch that was so easy to break.
Is a watch that is so easy to break everyone's experience with Fitbit? Are some models more rugged than others? Have people had better experience with different brands?
I'm an enthusiastic fan of my Fitbit, at least the software side and how they model and display the data Fitbit collects. I find it motivation to track my steps and make sure that I'm walking at least 250 every hour for an otherwise too sedentary lifestyle.
Fitness-wise, I'm boring. I run or walk 3 - 4 times a week, and do weights 2 - 3 times a week. I will admit to being big and clumsy. That said, I've never, ever, had a watch that was so easy to break.
Is a watch that is so easy to break everyone's experience with Fitbit? Are some models more rugged than others? Have people had better experience with different brands?
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Replies
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I have a Fitbit Charge HR - I wear it all the time and have found it fairly robust. Trouble is, you need to tap it for it to display. You can choose what you want displayed at first 'tap' though - steps, heart rate, time, etc.1
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I've had my Fitbit charge HR for less than a year. I have replaced it 4 times Fitbits warranty is good but the band itself keeps separating from the display
I would not recommend the Charge HR.1 -
I have a Fitbit Charge HR - I wear it all the time and have found it fairly robust. Trouble is, you need to tap it for it to display. You can choose what you want displayed at first 'tap' though - steps, heart rate, time, etc.
I don't mind that, in fact, it's a convenient way to provide more functionality with less buttons.0 -
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I had my HR for 2 years until I lost it a week ago. Despite it being out of warranty, Fitbit is replacing it free of charge! Even if I wanted to upgrade, I can't turn down a freebie!1
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Alatariel75 wrote: »I had my HR for 2 years until I lost it a week ago. Despite it being out of warranty, Fitbit is replacing it free of charge! Even if I wanted to upgrade, I can't turn down a freebie!
I might have to try that. @Alatariel75 - did you just contact the company and tell them you lost it? I had my One for close to 3 years, no problems with it the entire time, then lost it a few weeks ago. Haven't purchased a replacement yet, but maybe I can try asking and see what happens instead. Maybe I'll get lucky0 -
I've had my charge HR for 18 months now. It's been through hell and back, the pattern on the band is wearing out, the screen has scratches on it, it's been in the shower and dishwater a few times, I don't want to know how much sweat has been on it, and it's in perfect working condition. I will admit though, considering the problems that people on my friends list have had, I've been one of the lucky ones.2
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I told them I broke mine, it wouldn't sync and they tried to help and couldn't sync it either. they asked where I bought it. I said best buy and they checked some info and then said I was out of warrenty but they gave me a coupon for 25% another tracker from the fitbit site...for my loyalty. I bought a Blaze,which I wouldn't recommend for you since it sounds like your tough on them, but maybe another model or the same model you have?
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Alatariel75 wrote: »I had my HR for 2 years until I lost it a week ago. Despite it being out of warranty, Fitbit is replacing it free of charge! Even if I wanted to upgrade, I can't turn down a freebie!
I might have to try that. @Alatariel75 - did you just contact the company and tell them you lost it? I had my One for close to 3 years, no problems with it the entire time, then lost it a few weeks ago. Haven't purchased a replacement yet, but maybe I can try asking and see what happens instead. Maybe I'll get lucky
Yup, I just sent them an email through the website, they were back to me within a couple of hours! I didn't even have my receipt, just told them where I bought it etc. I figure they could tell I had one because they would have looked up my account and been able to see that I'd been using it faithfully for years, then then all of a sudden, no synch. I'm very, very impressed with their service.0 -
i had 4 fitbit surges. 3 of them new warentee replacements before i finally gave in and bought a tomtom spark cardio.
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I have the charge HR as well. Love the simplicity. I also run and lift weights. I've never had issues with anything breaking.1
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Alatariel75 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »I had my HR for 2 years until I lost it a week ago. Despite it being out of warranty, Fitbit is replacing it free of charge! Even if I wanted to upgrade, I can't turn down a freebie!
I might have to try that. @Alatariel75 - did you just contact the company and tell them you lost it? I had my One for close to 3 years, no problems with it the entire time, then lost it a few weeks ago. Haven't purchased a replacement yet, but maybe I can try asking and see what happens instead. Maybe I'll get lucky
Yup, I just sent them an email through the website, they were back to me within a couple of hours! I didn't even have my receipt, just told them where I bought it etc. I figure they could tell I had one because they would have looked up my account and been able to see that I'd been using it faithfully for years, then then all of a sudden, no synch. I'm very, very impressed with their service.
Fantastic, I'm going to try that. Bought it straight from their website as it was way back when the One first came out. Thanks for the help!!!1 -
I have the Blaze and like but also wear the zip as that is more accurate for step counting.
I have had a couple of fitbit models and only replaced for a newer one and have never had issues with them. Same with my husband.
The Blaze doesn't need to be tapped to see the display and you can buy different bands for it. They are changeable. And tracks HR too.1 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »I had my HR for 2 years until I lost it a week ago. Despite it being out of warranty, Fitbit is replacing it free of charge! Even if I wanted to upgrade, I can't turn down a freebie!
Fitbit has replaced every defect I've reported. Still, I'm tired of playing this game. I'd like to hear if there's a rugged wearable watch with comparable fitbit features.1 -
Update: I've contacted Fitbit. This is the first time they are not fully replacing my defective watch. I'd give them credit for doing so, so many times, but consider:
- The first time was for the Nickel recall of their original Force band
- The second time was when that replacement band failed in under a year of the nickel replacement band
- …and here I sit with an expensive, if unrugged, watch.
Fitbit has offered a 25% discount on a replacement watch. I feel like that mitigates what may ultimately be a bad gamble?0 -
kyleskrinak wrote: »Have people had better experience with different brands?
I had my Garmin watch on my wrist when I got hit by a car. It was going 35 to 40 mph and I was riding my bike. I lost consciousness so I can't be sure about everything that happened, but I think my watch hit the hood of the car. When I came to, I was sure I had broken the arm I was wearing the watch on. It wasn't until the following day that the hospital released me. By extreme luck I hadn't broken anything although it took a few months to recover. Not a scratch on the watch. It worked as well after the accident as before. Fenix 3.0 -
I have had my flex for over 2.5 years. I have gone through bands either due to grubbiness or tears near where I pop the device in and out. But the replacements are pretty cheap. Also, I treat mine terribly. They say it's water resistant, but I wear mine showering and even several times in the ocean. It still holds it charge and syncs up beautifully. Maybe get one where you can replace the band? Even leather watch bands eventually wear out.0
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Ive had them all. Have the HR currently and Im pretty rough with it.
The face has been scratched but thats nothing new with me.
Amazon has little slip covers you can buy to slide over it.... so it can be a little more "fashionable".
Im happy with its ability to keep up with me.0 -
I currently have a replacement Fitbit Charge HR. My 1st one had the HR sensor turn on and stay on constantly, so that the battery would last ~2 hours before dying. The band itself was starting to bubble and warp, and this was all within 1 year of ownership. Luckily they replaced it for free.
My wife also had a Charge HR, and the plastic bit on the back of the band broke off, making it nearly impossible to charge. They offered her a 25% discount on her next purchase.
Personally, I think Fitbit makes their stuff cheaply and offers the 25% discount so they can boast "increasing sales" as part of their marketing scheme when customers replace the broken units.0 -
The Charge is garbage, I no longer use Fitbit because of it.0
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I had the Force that was involved with the recall due to rash. I had the rash but decided to alternate wrists and the rashes stopped. I kept it for about two years or so and it got some water in it and quit. I moved on to the Blaze and have enjoyed it. I wear it daily and it is holding up well.0
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i've had the charge, and the charge HR. both have lasted between 3-4 months before the band starts bubbling/peeling. i am currently on my 4 one (3rd time fitbit has sent a replacement) in less than a year. i will not buy this one again thats for sure. i think i might look at the new charge since you can actually swap out bands.0
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I've had my one for 3 years, never had a problem. I think since it isn't on my wrist and clipped to my bra, it doesn't get banged up too badly. It has been for a swim in the washing machine a couple times and keeps on working.1
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I have had a fit bit for almost 4 years. I wear mine every day, and have only forgotten to put it on twice. First a One, Then the Force (discontinued) and a Charge HR for about 16 months. No problems with any of them, except the Force which I developed a rash on my wrist from. I am currently trying to justify buying the Blaze. I love my fit bit, and the company's customer service is outstanding.0
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