I'm looking for a new FitBit, any suggestions?

[JacobGmbH]

I first got a FitBit in 2012, and it was pretty cool having one. I got the FitBit Ultra, which they no longer sell. It's lasted me 3 years and it still continues to work, but it's pretty banged up right now. Yesterday it got scratched up for the first time, but other then that the FitBit Ultra is just a bad model because it can easily snap in half.

Spoiler

If you're curious as to why, here is a picture: Image

The bottom of it open up to fit on the charger and some people would accidentally (or on purpose) break it.

Does anybody know a good FitBit model? I'm not the most active person you will meet in your life, so I'm not looking for the Surge, but I'm pretty active and want something more than the Zip. Thanks. 🙂

[beckysback]

I'm happy with the Charge HR. I like being able to get information on the screen without having to open the app. I use the alarm feature to wake me up. It's much better than a blaring alarm clock. The sleep data is informative.

[MamaJUDE]

I just got the CHARGE HR - has some good features but only having it for 3 days I have found some issues that would've made me rethink this purchase had I known.

But from the research I did prior to my purchase -- if you don't want to track your heart rate, nor sleep patterns and you're set on FITBIT...the FLEX seems to be the way to go and money wise you wouldn't go wrong.

I'm not too pleased at this point with the restrictions I've seen: Some info doesn't record, not able to manipulate activity records (i.e., add STRENGTH TRAINING info, STEPS, etc), having to PUT YOUR FITBIT into EXERCISE MODE...isn't that the point of the thing in the first place -- why have to do it manually, right?!

I also suggest looking on EBAY and having patience and you can get one for a decent price.

[Wanch]

I'm on the fence between purchasing a surge vs. the charge. I've heard mixed reviews on every FitBit product which I guess is to be expected.  I like to run and mountain bike so I would really like to have GPS but since the Surge GPS data does not integrate with websites like mapmyrun.com, I just can't justify the extra 100 bucks over the charge. Right now I'm thinking the Charge is probably the right device for me but it too  quirks as @MamaJUDEhas started to highlight.  I'm also not sure what to do with these devices when their battery life ends.  Any rechargable device doesn't last forever and I don't believe it's possible to change the battery in these things (except for the FitBit Zip) so then what?  Just throw it in the trash?  I hate doing that!

That said, FitBit should really be hiring the real end user to evaluate their product solutions.  I want to be able to export my data in standard formats and better yet directly integrate with other applicattions and popular websites.  

I've read that the mobile fitness tracker industry is expected to grow from $2.5 today to $5 billion by 2019.  My guess is that the majority of that market share will go to the company that provides the best devices from a functional standpoint (i.e. smart devices with replacable standard batteries) and the best integration of data with other 3rd party websites and applications. It remains to be seen if FitBit will be that company or not and 2019 isn't that far away.

[JacobGmbH]

All of the FitBits come with a charger. Did you really think they wouldn't be rechargable?

[Wanch]

No I understand they can be recharged but rechargable devices don't last forever.  I tend to keep my devices for a long time. All I'm saying is that it would be nice if I were able to replace the battery myself and recycle the old one.  I'm not sure if that can be done with any of the wrist based FitBit products.  My FitBit zip takes a CR2025 lithium ion battery that I have to replace every 2-3 months and those I can drop in a recycle bin at work.

[JacobGmbH]

As far as I know the batteries can not be replaced on the other devices. But I'm going to guess that the Zip needs to be replaced because they made it cheap. That's part of why it costs $50. I've used the FitBit Ultra for 3-4 years, and that's on a day to day usage. The battery still lasts up to 3 days at least. The only reason I want to get a new one is because it's banged up and outdated.

[WendyB]

@JacobGmbH If you liked the Ultra I woud get the One. I have a several and I like the One the best. Its the most accurate