Third-Party Bands?

[fabio_santino]

With the Blaze's versatility of being a removable module, I'd really like to see some third party developers get creative with an assortment of different bands/frames, or maybe even different types of housing for the blaze (like something that's just a clip if you didn't want to wear it on your wrist). Did anyone see/hear of anything like this? The only accessories I can find right now are the ones made by Fitbit, which surprises me. I'd really like to find a canvas band, or one that has a frame that is some color other than silver (like black or gold). 

[racertempo]

The Amazon seller Oitom prices are dropping like a brick in water, down to $19.....but it could be their pretty low reviews as 26% have give it a 1 star.  Almost all negatives cite problems with the pins coming loose, so maybe it is user error.  Like any third-party product coming from China.....buyer-beware of a higher % of potential problems or defects.

[janccm]

That is for the band itself, correct?  That is why I purchased the band AND casing.

The band I ordered has no reviews as of yet.

I will be getting my item on Friday, and will be sure to post about it.  There are no other bands AND casings together that I could find anywhere.

[racertempo]

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@janccm wrote:

That is for the band itself, correct?  That is why I purchased the band AND casing.

The band I ordered has no reviews as of yet.

I will be getting my item on Friday, and will be sure to post about it.  There are no other bands AND casings together that I could find anywhere.

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Correct, but remember that right now the only steel band that comes with the frame/casing is the silver.  Many people have been ordering different colors, myself included.  I did order the China-third party frame so I don't constantly have to make adjustments moving bands on and off the frame.  That frame got to NY from China this morning, so I should have it by Saturday (I hope) and can post pictures and a review of the stand-alone frame.

[Fands]

yes, right now the only seller i found with the frame and band attached for $49.00 is silver housing and silver mesh.  I see 2 of them with different style bands, but different sellers.

I used UMTele as it is a Prime item.  

I did get the rose gold mesh and the black mesh from the Otium seller and have had trouble with the pins in the rose gold.  After the jeweler attached the rose gold for me, the same night it popped off dropping my watch to the ceramic tile floor.  it was the single side attach portion.  I replaced it and tugged, wore it around the house, but plan to use the pins from the original fitbit band to hold it secure when i have time to switch them.  in the meantime i am wearing the silver mesh and no problems at all

[racertempo]

After getting my steel band yesterday from China directly through Amazon, the seller was V-Moro, it makes me wonder what you all got from Oitom.  The V-moro band came with 3 pins and they all have the little push down nob to make adding and removing a piece of cake, just like the Fitbit original versions.  So those having masive troubles with the third-party pins, do your not have these little sections?

[RoxieMuzic]

The Oitom came with the same set up, 3 pins and the notch (on one side of the band where the pins slot in), to permit loading the pins into the frame.  It is a piece of cake to replace the bands, mine came off, and went on in less than 2  minutes.  So, I suspect that the watches that are falling off the bands are due to the fact that the party replacing the band has not sufficiently checked to see if the pin has slotted into the little holes on either side of the frame's band attachment.  The "nob" slides to the center of the band whilst sitting in the notch to allow for the pin to fit into the hole in the frame's band attachment.  Releasing it allows it to expand into the hole and hold securely.  Once mine was attached I gave it a serious tugging session to make sure that it was attached securely and would not pop out of the frame's band attachment/holes.  It is extremely secure, if it has been attached properly.  My suggestion would be, if there is an issue with replacing the band, to find a local jewler and have them attach the band, and watch carefully.  I suspect that they would be more than glad to demonstrate how it is done.  I do not believe that there is any problem with the Oitom band and pins that are supplied, it appears to be more an issue of the user not attaching the band securely in the little holes in the frame's band attachment.   I have been using the Oitom band now for 2 days, Rose Gold, small, no problems, seriously secure and quite attractive.  

[Fands]

yes, the Otiem does come with 3 pins and they have the little nubbies, but the jeweler did it from the opposite end with a tweezer which was much easier for me.  the only thing i can think of why it was such a pain for me originally was because I am left handed and do everything backwards anyway.  OR the Otiem might slightly shorter and i did have one nubbie snap right off.  they do look more flimsy than the fitbit pins, but people have complain that those are also loose on the original latex/rubber band that comes with the watch.

the plain frame only has shipped (from china for $34.00) and i am waiting to see how long it takes to get here 

Digigo? or something like that.  now i am finished buying until new color frames are available.

[racertempo]

Yeah, but Fands was literally taking 30+ minutes trying to add a pin.  I guess I assumed they did not have this little lever.  The Oitom reviews on Amazon are about 30% with 1 star, all citing pin problems.  I guess it could be user/operator error.  10 out of 43 reviews all saying pin problems....that is enough for me to not buy from them.

[racertempo]

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@Fands wrote:

the plain frame only has shipped (from china for $34.00) and i am waiting to see how long it takes to get here 

Digigo? or something like that.  now i am finished buying until new color frames are available.

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I bought the stand alone frame from the same supplier, mine is in the US now and I should have it tomorrow.

[Nolander]

I just received the frame and Milanese band- I like the fact you can adjust the band perfectly with the magnet. I think it looks pretty good too.

[racertempo]

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@Nolander wrote:
I just received the frame and Milanese band- I like the fact you can adjust the band perfectly with the magnet. I think it looks pretty good too.

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I agree, I love mine.

I am a little worried about my third party frame though.  My band/loop came from the same city of Guangzhou, China and was processed through the same facility in NY, and got to me in 2 days.  Now my third-party frame has been at this facility in NY for 3 days and has not moved 😞

[AZPete]

I agree. I have both the silver and black bands from Oitom. Been wearing them for a few weeks now with no problems. I do trail running and workout at the gym and the bands have never had an issue.

[KSimmarano]

I just got my leather band from China I ordered a couple of weeks ago. Great deal for $5.95 and besides having only 1 strap to hold the loose end of the band, the guality is pretty comparable to the one I got from Fitbit that retaills for $100. (Bought mine from Bed Bath and Beyond with 20% off coupon, so I only paid $60) The new band was easy to install and very secure. Not sure why so many had double with this. It only took me a minute or two and I heard the "click" that it was in place. I tugged on it to make sure it was secure too. Looks great!

Only problem was that I ordered black. My Fitbit brand band is camel and the new 3rd party band is chocolate brown. I emailed them and they responded within minutes. They asked for pictures of the band in the packaging to verify and they are sending me a black band without me having to send back the chocolate one. So, that is a win. 2 leather bands for $5.95 Now I just have to wait a couple more weeks for it to ship from China...a bit of a pain, but I am happy with the fast response to the issue. I would recommend this product and company.

Still waiting for the milanese band I ordered the same day. Hopefully it will be here any day now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CV3YVCQ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Kate

[KGJFit]

@KSimmarano Thanks for the update. I may have overlooked in on the website but  don't see what size these bands are??

[racertempo]

I will post here and in the third-party frame section as I know people are looking at here a little more.  After tracking seemed to stall, my band showed up today!  Try to tell wehich is which.....this frame is identical to the original inj every way, what a great buy and considering it was coming from China shipping ended up being very fast!

It connected to the fitbit bands with no problem at all, and the tracker pops in and out perfectly!

Spoiler

The new one is connected to the leather band!

[KSimmarano]

The band I got is a large.

-Kate

[SunsetRunner]

Anyone see the 'TOPOOT' seller on Amazon? Their bands seem a good price in Canada, only $1 difference in the USD prices. I just ordered one and will let you guys know how it is... They also do blue and purple milanese loops.

For all other bands, there's no love from sellers for Amazon.ca, lol.

Other sellers;

The replacement frames are jacked up to $86 CAD ~ $66 usd!

https://www.amazon.ca/Fitbit-Accessory-Stainless-Repalcement-Housing/dp/B01D9SXNDU

Some of the nice looking bands are $45 CAD / $35 USD!

https://www.amazon.ca/Accessory-Milanese-Bracelet-Stainless-Fitness/dp/B01DBUFDOI

It's might just cheaper to buy off Amazon.com and pay the shipping. Thanks all for the reviews so far. I'm just super paranoid about the magnet fastners, else I'd buy a milanese loop or the leather magnet band... Can anyone take a video shaing their hand with the milanese band to see if it slips or loosens? Maybe a review after 2 weeks of wearing them? That would be hugely appreciated

This is the style I want, but is it secure?
http://www.amazon.com/Eagwell-Accessory-Premium-Adjustable-Magnetic/dp/B01D4U0UQ6

*EDIT* Actually, I see the TOPOOT are 20mm bands, where are some of the pricier ones 23mm. The 2 mm extra makes a big difference, appearance wise.

[Fands]

I have ordered a light purple topoot band, but it will not be here until about April 21. i also ordered the plain frame for $34.00, but it is not delivered yet either.

as for the strength of the magnet?  it is VERY secure, it might slip a bit with moving around but nothing major.  i have a 6, 3/4" wrist and the large size doesn't look goofy at alli would say that if you are concerned, order from a PRIME seller, no issues.  I like UMTele, (they have one band with the frame attached) read their questions and answers for info...i wont post it or the pictures.  i did read that their blue mesh milanese is dark blue like a navy.  WOW, the canada prices are much higher, sorry--you may not have the choices we do here?  the most i have paid was $19.90 except for the one with the housing/milanese which was $49.00USD.

I wanted to let everyone know that i offered this kind of frame and band information to someone in another thread and i rec'd a reprimand from a moderator, my post was removed.  perhaps it was my wording? evidently i MUST work for Amazon sellers?  (no not at all, i work in Surgery)  so maybe I need to "curb my enthusiasm".  (but i do read here and check for info, because it has saved me a lot of $$) so i am very grateful for everyone's help.  you guys are great..and the tweezers make me an expert jeweler!

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks, I wanted to buy the one you mentioned, but they don't ship across the border... So I'll keep looking. I'm really anticipating frames in different colours to match the bands.

After researching all these bands, it really makes me aprpeciate the band that came with my Fitbit. Hasn't attracted much dust, doesn't pull at my arm hair, and the holder that keeps the strap down stays put, doesn't slide during the day

[sonjacm]

Hi, I live in Catalonia and in Amazon.es we don't have such variety of bands and frames, so I have to buy them in Ebay.

I've found this: (China and long shipping... but cheaper than Amazon):

Bands

Frames