Fitbit vs Apple Watch

[honglong1976]

After owning a Fitbit Zip, HR, Charge, Flex, Surge and Blaze I thought it was now time to upgrade to an:

Apple Watch.

I liked my Fitbit but build quality was awful, each one felt like they were made by Fisher Price and only used to last a few months before dying.

I traded my Fitbit Blaze and Flex for an Apple Watch Stainless Steel (S0 model) at CEX.

The Apple Watch build quality is at least 200 times better than any Fitbit. Battery life is over 2 days. I can track my sleep, compete with friends, HR, steps, etc.

With the share price going down lower every time I looked I felt Fitbit wasn't the company it was 1 year ago, definately not 2 years ago.

Shame really!

Good Luck to Fitbit in the future! I will still use MobileTrack and if they bring out a decent device! Who knows? I may go for it, but for now it's adios!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Udmg]

You guys going about it all wrong, the real sports watch is garmin. AW is a fashion accessory nothing more with gimmicks and looks, if that's your aim by all means but the real sports tracking lies in the garmin. /thread. 

[bbarrera]

PureEvil - I don't depend on HealthKit. My real fitness data, the stuff that actually contributes to raising fitness levels, is stored in multiple platforms.

Unfortunately Fitbit wants to restrict that data to being created on a Fitbit device.

Fitbit locks me into its hardware platform, just like you complained about being locked into a phone platform. There is no choice.

When Fitbit fails to accurately track my fitness (heart rate, pace, power, weight lifting, etc), it is clear that Fitbit doesn't care and instead seeks to keep me on a Fitbit device. I have no choice with Fitbit - the company doesn't care about tracking fitness metrics for someone that is fit - is step count a fitness metric for me? Seriously?.

[PureEvil]

@bbarrera,

Independent of where you happen to keep your data.  Can you export it from Health Kit to another platform?  Yes... or No...?  Can you access Health Kit from a Galaxy S8?

And while this is an open forum and, I for one, would defend your right to be here and express your opinion...  Continuing to post here when you've apparently moved on to another platform is a bit like getting a divorce and going back to your ex-spouse every day to scream at them (even if they were a bad spouse).

[bbarrera]

@PureEvil I continue to use the Fitbit platform, with my iPhone as step tracker and using Endomondo to automatically feed workout data collected using more appropriate device - primarily a bike computer that supports power meters and other sensors. 

I haven't divorced Fitbit. I'm a customer, I've paid for trackers and in I've paid for Fitstar subscription. I'm actively using an Aria scale. Fitbit supports the iPhone as a tracker, thats what I'm currently using as both the Surge and Blaze were inadequate for my needs. A few folks on these forums only want to discuss the positives. I won't speculate on their motivation or comment on any possible special treatment they may or may not received as community council members. 

Fitbit has a mobile app that motivates people to move, sometimes I find it fun and engage in challenges. I recommend it to people that need motivation to move and change behaviors. The Fitbit platform is semi-open, if you 'graduate' from moving to training it may no longer fit your needs. The Fitbit platform does a poor job at accepting fitness data from other platforms. Historically the trackers are optimized for cost, not build quality, and multi-sport is more a marketing buzz word than a reality. I think an objective observer would agree.

It is currently impossible to track the strength training fitness level (sets/reps/weight) with the Fitbit platform. I say that because government recommendations for fitness include both moderate to vigorous cardio (I choose to cycle), and full body strength training at least twice a week.

As a self-proclaimed leader, Fitbit needs to step up its game and give me a reason to stop using my iPhone to count steps and buy another tracker. I'm very interested in the upcoming smartwatch launch that the CEO has publicly stated will launch in time for the holidays this year.

[PureEvil]

@bbarrera,

That's fair.  Like I said before, I'll defend your right to post here in the forums (provided we all abide by community guidelines), but I was just a bit curious.

Strength training is always a tough one, so far I've seen nothing that replaces the paper/pencil of the traditional workout log.  Other devices I've seen can even go as far as measuring the reps and intensity, but not actual weight.

[bbarrera]

@PureEvil For strength training I've been using an iOS app Strong and it allows me to create a routine before going to the gym, and then at the gym I start the routine and log reps/weight. I can log from either my phone, or Apple Watch. I have created several routines, for example "Weights at Work" and "Upper Body & Abs," and each one I defined the weight and reps and any supersets. Then during the routine, I can update the reps and weight if necessary, or accept the default if I complete as planned.

There is another app or two that does the same.

I have an app that exports workouts recorded with Apple Watch. I've written a small app to output HealthKit data, its pretty easy and I'm guessing there is an app available that does same. In addition Apple allows you to easily export Health data, but I think its a high-level summary. 

[Rich_Laue]

Interesting @bbarrera, ive seen posts for more than 6 + months where you have stated to have moved on from fitbit to the more serious AW. Like Fitbit i feel the AW simply exists to fullfill a need, neither one is designed to be the all for everybody.. 

When it comes to Fitbit, whether i agree or not, since im not a serious runner, many reviews say that the Fitbit is geared to the average person and not to the serious runner. 

For me Fitbit got me to be more active, and with me simply making my food portions smaller i was able to lose the 30 pounds and 4 inches in the waist.

[bbarrera]

My wrist moved to Apple Watch two years, not because it was more serious (what did you mean by that?), but because it makes me more productive all day long. 

I'm still tracking steps with Fitbit and MobileTrack. Like you I successfully used Fitbit to lose first 30 pounds, and once active I went back to the sports I love - cycling, weight lifting, swimming, skiing, and hiking. The Fitbit app and weekly emails nicely present a summary of step based activities, which was ok before I started focusing on non-step based sports.

The app is very nice for what it is, a motivational tool to take more steps, but go look at Fitbit marketing for Surge ("ultimate fitness super watch") and Blaze ("revolutionary watch designed with fitness in mind") and try to square up those claims with non-step based activities like weight lifting and cycling and swimming and skiing. I keep waiting for Fitbit to deliver on those marketing claims, and it has a lot more to do with the app and dashboard and APIs than yet another hardware tracker. 

Looking forward to the Fitbit smartwatch, but only interested in using it everyday if FItbit enhances app/dashboard/challenges/API beyond stepping.

[apier]

I can track my sleep, compete with friends, HR, steps, etc.

Is this with apple watch ? is it anything like fitbit in terms of competitions ect.

[honglong1976]

Yes, with an Apple Watch you can track steps, HR, sleep (with an app, autosleep or sleepwatch), (floors/elavation with series 3) and compete with friends who also have an Apple Watch via the activity app.

Also, it syncs offline 🙂

[Ozzie65]

Yes, you can track sleep, but your battery will be dead in the morning. 

[bbarrera]

I have an original, two year old Apple Watch, all of the newer AW have better battery life.

I have no issues tracking sleep at night. All I do is put it on contactless magnetic charger (takes 2 seconds) during my morning and evening bathroom ritual. Thats it. Plenty of battery life for how I use AW during the day. 

[honglong1976]

That's kind of a myth and started by those who don't have an apple watch.

I have a Serie 0 (the worst battery life of the lot). I can charge to 100% before I go to work. Track my sleep, use the next day, track sleep again then the next morning be on about 15%. So it lasts over 48 hours easy. The series 1, 2 and 3 models most likely do 3-4 days.

Will the Apple watch track your sleep? yes

Will it last? over 2 days on a single charge with sleep tracking

Can you compete against friends? yes

Any more myths that need dispelling.

[Rich_Laue]

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@honglong1976 wrote:

That's kind of a myth and started by those who don't have an apple watch.

I have a Serie 0 (the worst battery life of the lot). I can charge to 100% before I go to work. Track my sleep, use the next day, track sleep again then the next morning be on about 15%. So it lasts over 48 hours easy. The series 1, 2 and 3 models most likely do 3-4 days.

Will the Apple watch track your sleep? yes

Will it last? over 2 days on a single charge with sleep tracking

Can you compete against friends? yes

Any more myths that need dispelling.

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While I never had the AW I do have friends that have had or still do most complain about battery life. Those that fall under have had, actually still have them in a dresser somewhere and are now with Fitbit because they got tired of charging every day. The ones who do still use their AW do so for the status 

[honglong1976]

You don't get 7 days like a Fitbit but then you do get offline sync, notifications, apple pay, reply to messages, can take phone calls on the AW.

Both have their + and -

[bbarrera]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

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While I never had the AW

...

...

The ones who do still use their AW do so for the status 

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So much fake news and BS slinging it’s hard to take anything you say seriously. I work from home office, guess I’m trying to impress the dog?

I wear mine because it makes me more productive all day long, plus it has health and activity tracking, tracks weight lifting (weight/sets/reps), and it integrates with my bike computer which is a far better tracker than anything Fitbit has to offer. 

[PureEvil]

@bbarrera,

While I understand that it may not be the case with you, I generally agree with @Rich_Laue.  I think this is generally true not only the Apple Watch, but with Apple products in general.  I'm sure that it's something that Apple encourages, but there are certainly signs of it.  Here are a couple of examples...

For instance, it used to be that older Macs would have the logo on the lid so that it was right side up when the user looked at the lid before they opened it.  It has now been rotated 180 degrees.  Here is a picture of the older Mac used in Sex and the City vs. the modern Mac:

Basically, it's an indication that it's more important for other people to know that you have a Mac, than for you to know that you have a Mac.  Not to mention that there's no way to turn off that glowing logo, the best thing you can hope for is to cover it.

I think it's also true with iPhones...  You can see it in many cases, there are cutouts for buttons, camera, and naturally...  the Apple logo on the back?!  Why would you needlessly forgo (any kind) of protection for your expensive device for vanity (other people knowing that you have an iPhone)?

Again, while I'm not going to debate whether you are motivated by this, one has to wonder if each user of such product is driven more by function or vanity.

[Rich_Laue]

I never mentioned anything about why you use an AW.. I also notice that my message which was quoted, " of the ones that still use the AW.....",, believe it or not, I'm not a friend of you @bbarrera. 

[honglong1976]

What a load of tosh.

Let me guess, you have an android or windows phone? right? 🙂

I bought an AW because I wanted something which was high quality. I have had all the Fitbit's fitbit have released, including the Blaze and the quality isn't even close to the AW.

So, yes, for some it's a brand thing, for me, I want something that's high quality and doesn't self destruct after 6-12 months! (ala fitbit).

The straps are incredibly high quality and the way they fit is just ingenious!

You really have to compare an AW to any Fitbit or Android wear watch. It's not an extortionate price for something that's low quality. I purchased a Series 0 Stainless Steel AW with a sapphire screen for about £150 from CEX a year ago. I purchased a leather strap yesterday for £35 from CEX. The quality is just amazing compared to any of the Fitbit straps. The heart rate sensor is covered in ceramic which is fairly scratch resistant. The materials are really good.

[bbarrera]

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@PureEvil wrote:

one has to wonder if each user of such product is driven more by function or vanity.

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@PureEvil Ridiculous line of reasoning...

Fitbit has become enamored with branding and fashion, are you going to apply the same logic to people that buy Blaze and Ionic? 

Branding is commonplace, from clothing to handbags to electronics. Dell laptop? HP laptop? Logos on the back. Samsung and Microsoft vying to be the hippest. Whatever.