Blaze replacement for the Surge.

[AtkPilot34]

I am writing to express my displeasure with Fitbit. I have been using my Fitbit Surge for one year as of today, and I am very happy with all of the features, gps, fitness tracking etc. During this past year I have had my Fitbit Surge replaced twice, due to band failures. Although this was an inconvenience, customer service made the entire process very easy. The last time I needed a replacement was seven days prior to the end of my warranty. Now after my warranty has expired I see that Fitbit has a new fitness tracker, the Blaze, that does everything a surge can and has replaceable bands. You can only imagine my disappointment that I was never offer a Blaze As a replacement for my damaged Fitbit Surge( after all the Fitbit Surge band issue is well known problem). Once again Fitbit has put corporate profits ahead of customer satisfaction. Once my Fitbit Surge band fails again, and it will, I will be looking into other Fitness trackers as a replacement.

[GG007]

with the issues with their current products, why would I look or recomend Blaze to anyone?

Surge not Charging

Aria scale not displaying weight and displays 'ERR'

Charge HR not recording heart rate and sleep data and then stairs count overboard

seriously??

[MikeF]

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@GG007 wrote:

with the issues with their current products, why would I look or recomend Blaze to anyone?

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Errr...no-one's asking you to.

[Wilsondesign]

I did (give up my newly purchased Surge for the color, lumious, and legible screen), even though there is no GPS and the device is not out yet. I think I will appreciate the screen, exchangable band and thinness above the GPS, but most of all I was disapointed with the Surge media control.

Moderator Edit: Removed all caps.

[vegas55]

Hi.
and what do you think colleagues, about Microsoft band 2...

[EmersonFitbit]

@vegas55 Hey there. I appreciate that you're perpetuating the conversation in this thread. However, the purpose of this thread was originally to discuss the Blaze within the context of its relationship with Surge. While we encourage discussion of the devices in this thread, we ask that you take conversations about other trackers to their appropriate platforms.  

[Staxed]

You bought a device, were happy with it for a year, works just like you want, customer service has been awesome and helped you out...

and now you want to change because they didn't give you a brand new, different device than what you bought, that isn't even in production yet?...

How does that even make sense to complain about?...

That's like buying a car, wrecking it, and asking to be given a newer model for free...

[PureEvil]

@vegas55,

How long did you have your Surge before you lost it and how did you pay for it?  American Express covers 90 days damage/theft; you may be able to get it replaced.

[Triciapop3]

As I stated earlier, I returned my Surge. I have been a runner for 47 years and as a senior now slower, shorter, less aggressive and less concerned about detail. So, probably not suppose to say this here, but I bit the bullet and bought an Apple Watch. Still have my Charge HR as it does serve a purpose and there is a program that syncs the data for both.

[rsakata2003]

I am in the exact same boat as you...two band failures and a brand new Surge sitting in the box from the warranty department. The Surge has been great along with customer service with my returns but I don't see any reason to continue to use this product knowing that in a matter of time this band will fail too. I don't think I will invest another $200 in the Blaze right away either. Think its time to look at another brand as well.

[vegas55]

I got it a few months. lost in Ireland at the airport, was not insured. But I bought ..fitbit surge again. There is nothing better on the market at the moment.

[Bill9909]

I didn't have quality problems. It was just large and uncomfortable. It's a good product if you want and or need a GPS and can tolerate the size.

[Racerx67]

I think personally the Blaze is a watch pitched below the Surge to give them time to sell remaining stock of those watches before being superseded by a Blaze with GPS. It has a better display, more options and connectivity and the option of straps which are known to not be an issue with both leather and steel being offered. 

As my Surge has lasted 2 months before it started to delaminate and the strap begin to break up I asked for a replacement Surge under warranty and was told they would not replace it directly but they would give a refund and if I wanted to go and buy a new Surge that would be fine. But they were not replacing them (here in the UK at least). I am tempted to order a Blaze but the niggling thought that there could be a GPS version is making me have doubts as for many the GPS in the device would be a deal maker not a deal breaker. I loathe to have my smart phone on me when I go cycling off road as it cost 4 or 5 times more than the Surge and if it gets damaged I would be looking at a huge bill to replace it. Where even a more expensive version of the Blaze with GPS would still be a fraction of the price of a new phone and would be my ideal solution too. 

[matt9013]

I really doubt we'll see a Blaze with GPS anytime soon. Maybe in a few years. Fitbit still wants the Surge to be the top of the line product and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Plus there are reasons besides price they went with conncted GPS like battery life of the Blaze comapred with Surge and size.

Fitbit doesn't seem to be like Apple where a new product version comes out every few months.

[Racerx67]

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@matt9013 wrote:

I really doubt we'll see a Blaze with GPS anytime soon. Maybe in a few years. Fitbit still wants the Surge to be the top of the line product and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Plus there are reasons besides price they went with conncted GPS like battery life of the Blaze comapred with Surge and size.

Fitbit doesn't seem to be like Apple where a new product version comes out every few months.

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As thry have admitted the strap issues cannot be recified and their only option is not to replace but refund those surges that have peeling straps, I think a new Blaze with GPS is closer then you think.. Fitbit refused, I repeat refused to replace my Surge but have offered me a FULL refund. If they are not sending out replacements then it seems to fit that it is on its way out sooner rather than later..

[matt9013]

@Racerx67

A lot of people have been getting replacements for the Surge though. Just seems like you got gipped by customer service as I know a lot of people with band problems that get a new one sent after they call CS.

They would have announced a Blaze GPS at CES if it was close. Fitbit isn't going to release a new product and than a few months later turn around and announce a new one. I wouldn't expect one until nexr year or later if at all.

The Surge is for very active/high fitness people while the Blaze is more casual. I don't see the Blaze ever getting built in GPS.

Maybe next year or two years they'll announce a new Surge that's more like the Blaze but not anytime soon.

[Racerx67]

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@matt9013 wrote:

@Racerx67

A lot of people have been getting replacements for the Surge though. Just seems like you got gipped by customer service as I know a lot of people with band problems that get a new one sent after they call CS.

They would have announced a Blaze GPS at CES if it was close. Fitbit isn't going to release a new product and than a few months later turn around and announce a new one. I wouldn't expect one until nexr year or later if at all.

The Surge is for very active/high fitness people while the Blaze is more casual. I don't see the Blaze ever getting built in GPS.

Maybe next year or two years they'll announce a new Surge that's more like the Blaze but not anytime soon.

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Here was the response this week...

We want to share with you that at this time we're still investigating all reports and feedback regarding this matter so we haven't changed the materials and components of the Surge yet. Also, we're still unable to provide exchanges or replacements.
.
We acknowledge that the Surge tracker suits your fitness needs. At this time, we are really unable to provide you a like for like replacement. As mentioned before, we cannot guarantee that the same issue won't occur with a different band. However, you can use your refund to purchase a new Fitbit activity tracker

[bbarrera]

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@Racerx67 wrote:

I think personally the Blaze is a watch pitched below the Surge to give them time to sell remaining stock of those watches before being superseded by a Blaze with GPS. It has a better display, more options and connectivity and the option of straps which are known to not be an issue with both leather and steel being offered.  

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Agree. And I also believe the "Surge 2.0" will be slightly bigger than Blaze+frame, as it will need watchband lugs.

IMHO the Surge is dead-end, too many design flaws. And now its becoming clear that 1 year warranty is likely to indeed be a 1 year warranty, until legal action forces Fitbit's hand.

[Racerx67]

@bbarrera

Here in the UK anf through the other EU countries Fitbit have to give a 2 year warranty. So as many will buy from other sources and not always the Fitbit web store dealers will have to supply new watches to us who have had issues for up to two years from the original purchase. So if some have had 3 or more replacements in 12 months then here in the UK and Europe there could be customers who end up having 6 or more devices all from the same shop which would not be happy at having to give out devices and looking after warranty issues with all of the hassle of returns and getting credit from the supplier/distributor etc. Currently the Garmin Forerunner 235 is within £5.00 of the quoted price of a Blaze if you add the leather strap. With Fitbit having known issues with the silicone straps most who have had another Fitbit device would automatically go for leather or steel. So would those who have done their research. Yes the Garmin does have a rubber strap but they have no known issues with rashes. It is also replaceable so you could fit another strap if needed and it seems it has about double the battery life of the Surge both with GPS off and on. 

The blaze is the way forward but it needs to have GPS to compete now. 

[bbarrera]

Completely agree with you regarding competition and that Blaze needs to be the platform for Surge 2.0. Indeed I think Blaze+GPS will be a single unit, about the same size as current two piece Blaze + frame.

Thanks for explaining how returns work in your country.

[matt9013]

My biggest concern would be new features. While I cannot wait for the Blaze and think it's awesome it's not really adding any new features. Usually with new products you get new features and a new look. Fitbit seems to just stick with new look.

I would hope Surge 2.0 would add a new lot of new features but if Blaze is the gateway to Surge 2.0 I fear for new features. Could just be another re-design with added GPS.