"Connected" GPS and Not Waterproof

[JenL11]

Wow, the Blaze was so exciting for me, until I learned I'd have to carry my phone with me during runs (bad for my phone and too heavy/bulky) and that it's not waterproof (we do sweat when we workout).

The Surge is an option for me but it's very bulky for a petite woman to wear daily to work, etc. The Blaze has much more appealing looks for everyday.

Fitbit, please consider making a Blaze-like watch that has built in GPS so I don't have to carry a phone and please consider making your products waterproof.

Thank you!

Moderator edit: format and edited title for clarity

[SteveH]

Is there any reason why you don't want to use the standard fitbit tracking where it calculates distance by multiplying your steps by your stride? This way, you could run with the Blaze (or any other fitbit) without having to take your phone.

According to fitbit: "Fitbit Blaze is rain, sweat, and splash proof."

[Rich_Laue]

It sounds like you might rather have a Surge, snce it sounds like your not the intended costomer the Blaze is going after.
Why all the negativity?

[JenL11]

my Fitbit Charge HR is not accurate for mileage.  If I calibrate my steps, they are different for running vs walking.  I have tried repeatedly to get my Fitbit to record accurate mileage for running, but then my everyday steps are off.  A GPS is what I need, I just prefer not to use my phone.

thanks!

[JenL11]

Like I said in my post, the Surge is too bulky for everyday use and for a petite woman.  I don't mean to be a hater, I just would have preferred that the 'new' Blaze made use of current technology and that is to build the GPS into the watch itself.  I really like the idea of a combo everyday smartwatch with fitness tracking and the Blaze does that.  Maybe Fitbit would consider making a "Blaze GPS" version in the future, which is why I posted.

[SteveH]

ok, that makes sense. It might be worth revisiting though. Fitbit uses 2 stride lengths: one for walking and one for running so it should be able to cope. Having said that I know that sometimes the issue is with it telling the difference between walking and running when the pace is borderline.

But, as you say, a GPS would solve the issue and that leads to the Surge being better for you than the Blaze.

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edit: our posts crossed so I missed the reason for avoiding the Surge

[MikeF]

I'm sure they would consider all sorts of things for the future but I think that excluding the GPS is what has allowed the Blaze to be the size it is. I suspect that, at the moment, a "Blaze GPS" would physically resemble a Surge with a colour screen.

Still, this sort of technology moves quite fast so who knoews what will be achievable in a year or two?

[ErickFitbit · Accepted solution]

@JenL11Thank you for your feedback. I will make sure to forward it to the appropriate team as we take our user sentiment into account when improving our products and services.

As @SteveH said above, you only need to carry your phone when going on a GPS tracked activity. For everyday use, I tend not to use the GPS, which is why the new Connected GPS works out well for myself and other soon-to-be Blaze owners.

If you're considering the Blaze, I also recommend doing as @SteveH said and attempting to revise, measure and adjust your walking and running stride lengths. This can be done by following this guide.

As for why the Blaze isn't waterproof, I suggest checking out my good friend @MatthewFitbit's response in this post. Hope this helps to clarify and give you with some useful information to make your purchasing decision easier.

[golfercacher]

I completely agree. Built in GPS and water resistance is a must. Fitbit screwed this one up.

[matt9013]

@golfercacher

Can't have water proof when you have an altimeter as it leaves ports open or something like that. One of the mods explained it a lot better than I can. I would have liked built in GPS but I love how connected GPS saves battery life and is keeping the price down. If built in GPS is important than the Surge would be what you would want as that's the top of the line for Fitbit.

[bbarrera]

Untrue. Garmin devices have altimeter and "waterproof" for swimming, diving, snorkeling, etc.

There are no "waterproof" devices, just water resistant. Unfortunately no real industry standard for water resistance so you need to read specs carefully. For example Fitbit says (paraphrased) "tested to 5ATM and suitable for splashes, sweat..." while Garmin says 5ATM is suitable for swimming, diving, and snorkeling, and Polar says 3ATM is suitable for swimming.

[matt9013]

@bbarrera

My mistake, I thought I remember reading something about why Fitbit doesn't do water resistent devices. I'll see if I can find it.

[bbarrera]

@matt9013 just wanted to be clear that it is possible... I've seen a couple of reasons why Fitbit doesn't do it, seems to be a business decision and not a technical decision. If you look around there are devices capable of swimming/diving/snorkeling with an altimeter and optical HRM starting around $150.

[Rich_Laue]

@bbarrera there is to a standard for water resistance.

 Anything less than 5 Atm or 50 meters is not rated for swimming, 5 ATM is rated for shallow swimming, shallow skin diving, etc. no diving.

[bbarrera]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

@bbarrera there is to a standard for water resistance.

 Anything less than 5 Atm or 50 meters is not rated for swimming, 5 ATM is rated for shallow swimming, shallow skin diving, etc. no diving.

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@Rich_Laue

Apologies I didn't clarify "diving" 

According to your link, Fitbit is not compliant with the spec, which is either misleading or lying.

Fitbit says:

 "Surge has been tested up to 5 ATM meaning it is sweat, rain and splash proof. However, the device is not swim proof."

and your Wikipedia link says:

Water Resistant 5 atm or 50 m

Suitable for swimming, white water rafting, non-snorkeling water related work, and fishing.

Not suitable for diving.

And Garmin says

Swim(2)

Suitable: Splashes Rain or Snow Showering Swimming Diving into water Snorkeling

Unsuitable: Scuba Diving High-speed watersports

2. Activities in this row also apply to wearable products rated to 5atm/50m or dog products rated to 1atm/10m

Please help me understand how Wikipedia and Garmin are in basic agreement regarding 5ATM (although Garmin is more aggressive and allows snorkeling and diving into water), but Fitbit claims 5ATM is not suitable for swimming.

[SunsetRunner]

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@bbarrera wrote:
Untrue. Garmin devices have altimeter and "waterproof" for swimming, diving, snorkeling, etc.

There are no "waterproof" devices, just water resistant. Unfortunately no real industry standard for water resistance so you need to read specs carefully. For example Fitbit says (paraphrased) "tested to 5ATM and suitable for splashes, sweat..." while Garmin says 5ATM is suitable for swimming, diving, and snorkeling, and Polar says 3ATM is suitable for swimming.

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altimeter, barometer, depth sensor, are all pressure sensors.

waterproof is depending the model.

i'm a diver, and my diving computers have a pressure sensor, and they're rated (at least) 130 m.

imho, the problem is more the heart sensor than the pressure sensor.

some data for the Surge pressure sensor

http://www.meas-spec.com/downloads/MS5805-02BA01.pdf

[SunsetRunner]

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@bbarrera wrote:

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Please help me understand how Wikipedia and Garmin are in basic agreement regarding 5ATM (although Garmin is more aggressive and allows snorkeling and diving into water), but Fitbit claims 5ATM is not suitable for swimming.

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same Wikipedia link :

Watches are often classified by watch manufacturers by their degree of water resistance which, due to the absence of official classification standards, roughly translates to the following (1 metre ≈ 3.29 feet).

Manufacturers water resistance classifications are interpretations and are not part of any ISO standard definition.

so, Garmin and Firbit (and others) can disagree on definition of "Waterproof 5 ATM".

must also be considered in the problem the watch buttons.

at 5 ATM, they're waterproof if they're not used.

[bbarrera]

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DuboisP wrote: 

so, Garmin and Firbit (and others) can disagree on definition of "Waterproof 5 ATM".

must also be considered in the problem the watch buttons.

at 5 ATM, they're waterproof if they're not used.

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That was my point, the 'standard' isn't really a standard for consumers if each vendor can disagree on the definition of "5ATM water resistance." In any case, we should all agree that the Fitbit definition of 5ATM water resistance falls short of both wikipedia and the competition.

Why do you think the optical HRM is possibly a bigger issue? I've been looking at Garmin Fenix 3 and they just introduced a new model with optical HRM and it is rated 10ATM and supports swimming, snorkeling, etc. Also includes altimeter, barometer, and compass. And of course supports ANT+ sensors like chest strap and cycling cadence/speed/power.

[Rich_Laue]

@bbarrera about ygat link and the rating  Fitbit gave the Surge, do a you tube search. Remember that unlike a diving watch, this is a static test.

My bigger concern is in the glue that holds the band together, this is why i keep mine away from water. 

[bbarrera]

Yes I've seen the DCRainmaker video. Go read his review if you want to see the video, some minor GPS issues (vs competition), and HR inaccuracy graphs - I've independently verified the same issues.

My biggest issues with Surge are i) size (doesn't fit under dress shirt sleeves), ii) non-replaceable band, iii) HR inaccuracy, and iv) lack of ANT+ support (HRM, cycling sensors). Fitbit hasn't done itself any favors with cyclists, and my iPhone 5s is working just fine as step tracker so I can still participate in step competitions.