Dents and Nicks

[Richshep]

Hi all, 

I recently bought my Fitbit Blaze and quite honestly I'm loving it! So good. I am worried though as not even after 1 week of use making sure good care is shown the edge of the plastic that surrounds the glass is becoming dented. It seems like the plastic is so soft and already doesn't have the fresh new appeal.

Is there anything I can do in order smooth off these edges. I have looked into screen protection but I don't think it will cover the edge of the plastic.

Here are some pics of the issue

.

Many thanks

Rich

[John917]

The only thing I can think of that is simple is to cut a piece of clear cellophane tape to size and apply a narrow slice over the edge, That might prevent further damage. By cutting the tape narrow enough, it might not be too noticable. You can try it and if it is satisfactory, fine.  If not, you can peel it off.

[Chiefrock]

I've taken 2 back to best buy because of this. Luckily I got their 2 year warrarnty when I pursched my Blaze.

[MikeS1971]

Mine looks the same. They really should of designed a frame that protected the top and bottom edges. Wouldn't of been that difficult to have additional material there. Or at least have a frame that could be purchased separately that provided better protection.

Actually they made the entire thing more complicated than it needed to be. Instead of a removable tracker, frame and band. It should of been just the tracker with a removable/replaceable band. No need to have the tracker and frame as separate parts. Then they could of had a micro Usb charging port instead of the really poor design they have for charging it now.

[Lordrobs]

The plastic is quite soft and I can see my one becoming a bit chewed up over time. It is difficult with the design because they clearly designed it as it is so it is easy to push the unit from the top and bottom to remove it from the frame for charging.

As for the replaceable frames and bands again I think this was a conscious decision by Fitbit to make it as quick and simple as possible to swap the look of the blaze. Personally I am going to buy another frame with either the leather or metal band so I can wear my Blaze for day to day stuff or exercise with the standard band, pop it out to top up while I jump in the shower and just snap it into the other frame for a smarter look.

My biggest issue is with dust and lint getting trapped in the gap between the blaze and the frame at the top and bottom. I clean it when I take it out to charge but it soon looks mucky again.

[Nolander]

Mine has those marks too. It's just like any other watch- if you wear it everyday, they are going to get scratches, etc. I don't think there is anyway to avoid it, it's just normal wear and tear.

[Fands]

i have seen silicon bands that seem to encase the watch, but have never tried them.  check amazon for them.  they seem to be geared for heavy workouts that cushion the watch portion, idk if the frame is used.

[MikeS1971]

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@Nolander wrote:
Mine has those marks too. It's just like any other watch- if you wear it everyday, they are going to get scratches, etc. I don't think there is anyway to avoid it, it's just normal wear and tear.

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If the frame met the tracker body, that would probably elliminate 99% of the wear and tear. There really is no need for the gap between the tracker and frame. If the frame was designed better, then the frame would take the brunt of the damage. And the frame is easily and fairly cheaply replacable.

[Rich_Laue]

The way the frame is made requires the sides to bend out a little while inserting the Blaze.
This slight outward motion requires the top and bottom to come in towards tyre Blaze. If there was no gap at the ends then it would be impossible for tyre Blaze to be inserted. This gap does not need to be as big as it is, but it does require a gap.

This can be proven with a shoe box, measure tyre distance between the short sides, bend the long sides out, then measure between the short sides again

[MikeS1971]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

The way the frame is made requires the sides to bend out a little while inserting the Blaze.
This slight outward motion requires the top and bottom to come in towards tyre Blaze. If there was no gap at the ends then it would be impossible for tyre Blaze to be inserted. This gap does not need to be as big as it is, but it does require a gap.

This can be proven with a shoe box, measure tyre distance between the short sides, bend the long sides out, then measure between the short sides again

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After reading this, I decided to test it out. I took a pair of my digital calipers and attached them to the frame with the tracker removed. While inserting the tracker, the frame flexed at its center point ever so slightly. The next test was to take three calipers, tighten them until they made contact with the sides of the frame, then lock them in position not allowing for any flex. The tracker still was easily inserted into the frame. And actually felt more secure. In the month or so that I've had the Blaze, I've noticed that snaping it into the frame has got looser and looser over time. 

So if FitBit could design a frame that fills in the gap on the top and bottom, they would elliminate the damage that occurs to the tracker, elliminate the collection of dust and dirt and as an added benefit, the tracker would fit better into the frame. Its a win, win situation. 

[Rich_Laue]

But if Fitbit did so they would need a gap around all 4 sides and have to depend on some type of spring mechanism to hold the Blaze in. Since there would not be a lip wrapping around the Blaze, there would need to be pressure points with springs on all 4 sides.

Currently the Blaze uses the frame wrapping around the Blaze to secure it. This means the sides have to expand a little, and the ends have to compress. Removing the ability to comlress the ends would keep the Blaze from being able to be inserted or removed witgout damaging the frame of the Blaze.

Personally I think it is a pretty clever design.

[MikeS1971]

I think you're giving FitBit designers too much credit. By my measurements, the frame doesn't react that way when inserting the tracker. There is a very, very, very tiny about of outward flex midway down the sides of the frame when inserting the tracker. It becomes nonexistent the further up you go. And no measureable amount of flex, inward or outward at the top or bottom where it curves inward.

I've actually ordered a spare frame so I can prototype something that will fill the upper and lower gap.

[Lordrobs]

I think it is more about the ease of pushing the Blaze out of the frame that has influenced the design. With the gaps you can get a thumb on the edge of the unit top and bottom and push your thumbs into the gap to remove it. Without the gaps you would have to push directly on the screen to get it out. Whether or not that is an issue for most users I don't know.

[Nocturnx]

The top edge of my Blaze is starting to look the same way even though I am very careful with it.  I think it's just going to be normal wear and tear without much that can be done about it...