Blaze or something else

[gingers5407]

Hi there. So this is my first time posting and let me start by saying that the Fitbit staff have been very helpful to me.  I was given the ChargeHR last year for my BD.  I had it just a few months when battery issues started, I called and was sent a new one.  Two more times this happened, then another one just stopped working.  The replacement for that one within a few days ended up leaving blisters on my wrists.  I think I am jinxed.  So now that one has been returned and I have asked for a refund.  I am also a little gunshy.  With that being said I have been researching other brands of fitness trackers but keep being led back to the new Blaze.  Anyone out there have any thoughts on the Blaze?

Thanks so much!  And truly Fitbit has been great working with me and I thank them for that.

[FerdinandFitbit]

Hi there @gingers5407. Good to see you in the Community! 😄

In my particular case, I use the Fitbit Blaze. What I love the most about it is the colored touchscreen and the fact that you can switch bands which is something you can not do with the Charge or the Charge HR.

I have not had any problem with it in almost 4 months that I've been using it besides syncing problems every now and then but I would say this is because of all the Bluetooth devices I have connected to my phone. Other than that, It's been awesome!

Hope others can share their perspective and experience with theirs.

[gingers5407]

Thanks for the info!

[MikeS1971]

I moved from the Charge HR to the Blaze at the time the Blaze was released. It worked as expected at that time. But when the latest software update was released back in April, all accuracy went out the window. After nearly three months with no fix, I gave up on it and now I'm using a competitors product. And I'm much happier. I've also sold all my Blaze accessories minus the actual tracker. I couldn't pass that off to someone, so it sits in a box.

So my advice is, don't buy a Blaze. At least not now. Wait a while and see if they finally release a new software update. Then read the comments regarding it and see if the issues have been resolved.

[gingers5407]

Hi and thanks so much.  Per chance would you tell me what product your purchased?

Thanks and have a lovely day.

[Nolander]

I have been using a Blaze for 4 months also, with no problems. For me, it is the best device available at the moment for what I want it to do. Many complain on this forum, but people out in the world that I know (that wear a Blaze) are very happy with it.
For me, it has been great for tracking steps and heart rate. I don't really use the workouts, etc. I like the battery life and the text, call, and calendar notifications. It's not a full fledged smart watch, but that's not what it's supposed to be. I really like mine.

[Heather-S]

I am obsessed with my Blaze. I haven't had any issues. I wear mine 24/7 with no rashes or irritations. Perfect syncing. Good battery life. I love the text and call notifications too!

My biggest regret is that I didn't get one sooner.

[J-flex]

I have a Blaze and am very happy with it.

[astrirojas26743]

I love it too!

[Lindago9]

Do you find it too big? I want to get one but it is huge.

[MikeS1971]

@gingers5407 I ended up purchasing the Garmin Vivoactive HR. Accuracy is pretty good, seems to be the same as the Blaze was before the April software update. It is a little more expensive though. The app is pretty nice too. Of all things, it's the black background of the app that really impresses me. I wish the FitBit app had the option of a light and dark background.

As for the Blazes current accuracy issues, users, including myself didn't or don't know it's not counting steps or miles correctly until it's tested. At least friends and family didn't. It became apparent to me when I would walk or run routes of known distance and mileage was way off even though my settings were correct. Same with steps. I'd walk a route and turn around at a certain number of steps. Then walk the same exact route back keeping the same pace. When I would return to my starting point, it didn't count the same amount of steps back. And it wasn't off by just a few steps. Usually it would be off by thousands of steps. If anything, the Blazes inaccuracies brought several of us at work together to hit the trails at lunch together to test them out. Of our group, only one still has or uses her Blaze. But then she bought it because she thinks her FizzBit is cute. Yeah... FizzBit.

After countless attempts to try to get it to work and countless testing, I finally gave up. Hopefully FitBit can fix it eventually for users that have decided to wait it out. And for those who don't know it even has issues.

[gingers5407]

Thanks so much, very helpful information.

Ginger

[Heather-S]

@Lindago9 I have very petite wrists and don't find mine to be huge.  I got the small band, though.

[bbarrera]

@gingers5407 the Blaze device itself is one size, the bands come in different lengths ("sizes").

Size of Blaze is really a personal decision. My wife thinks its too big and I agree. It looks too big on my spin teacher and she has bigger wrists than my wife.

If you want to visualize size versus a other trackers, see my post here:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Blaze/fitbit-blaze-shape-for-women/td-p/1113321/page/2

for a picture taken by the Wall Street Journal.

[Lindago9]

Thank you for the information. I think I will look at the Garmin too.

Sent from my iPad