Anyone happy with their Ionic?

[mb127]

Is anyone happy with their Ionic? Is yours fully working and syncing? It seems most discussions here are about the problems, but looking at different stores online the reviews are still mostly positive. I can't tell if the one I have is just never going to work or it's a firmware issue that could be fixed. Right now I'm leaning towards this one is never going to work, but then I'm not sure if I should get a new one or not.

[mb127]

Editing above for clarification.

[SunsetRunner]

Deleted.

[mb127]

Sorry, I guess I'm still asking the wrong question. I'm not looking for help on syncing. I'm just wondering if these problems are universal with the Ionic or if the people with issues are getting 'bad' watches. There's no discernible answer from reading those threads. Outside of this website people seem to be generally happy, so I'm guessing it can't be a universal issue with the watch, right? Or is it the current firmware? I'm not sure.

[SunsetRunner]

Very few people post here saying how wonderful their watch is, because that’s the nature of user forums; people just want to use them to moan! But rest assured there are many contented Ionic users too (count me as one, though if I have a complaint, it’s that Fitbit sent me a silver one instead of a charcoal one but hey, the watch still works well and I’m not about to waste another 2weeks waiting for yet another replacement )

[SunsetRunner]

As you've completely changed the thread I've deleted my last comment. I'm happy with mine. I think if you go through the forums posts for the last few weeks it gives you some idea.

Most people who aren't happy will have sync'ing issues I assume. We've seen a few dead on arrival cases.

[mb127]

Thank you! I will return mine and try a replacement then!

[SunsetRunner]

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@mb127 wrote:

Thank you! I will return mine and try a replacement then!

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What's your problem? I would suspect there's a 90% chance that your problem has already been discussed in these forums and you need to configure the app or something to get it working, esp if you have a sync'ing issue. If so your replacement will be exactly the same.

Another thing to do is contact their tech support. I assume you have updated firmware, turned off all day sync'ing and always connected.

I did supply a link earlier to one of these threads but as you know I've deleted my post.

[mb127]

You are right, the problem I had was already discussed and I tried everything in those threads to no avail. That's why I was trying to find out if it's just a problem with some Ionics or all of them. 

I could barely even get it setup. The setup process would always "fail" on the firmware update despite the fact that the firmware update was proceeding just fine on the watch. I tried the setup on my phone (Galaxy S7 on Android 7.0 with the latest update pushed by Verizon), my iPad, and two Windows 10 PCs, one with a BT dongle and the other with is integrated. I had my Surge paired with my phone before, but I removed all traces of that before starting. I never had my Surge paired with any other device. The setup would always fail while the firmware was downloading or installing.

So after several attempts of going through the whole setup process from a factory reset, I tried setting it up from the point after having the firmware already updated. I tried this on all my devices, but mostly with my phone because that's the device I really care to have it paired with.

You know the part where you enter the 4 digits displayed on the watch into the app? I would do that and then the app would just spin it's wheels trying to pair and eventually I'd have to try again with a new code, assuming my phone could even find the Ionic in the first place.

I tried different combinations of restarting the watch, turning off and on bluetooth on my phone, restarting my phone, clearing the app cache, clearing the app cache and data and signing back into the app, clearing the app cache and data and uninstalling and reinstalling the app, doing all that and restarting the phone and reinstalling the app, restarting the watch, restarting BT on my phone.. just over and over. 

On what I told myself would be my last attempt, it actually paired. I immediately turned off all day sync. Always Connected was off and I left it off. I was able to change the watch face, and I configured the weather app. I thought I finally had it working. I opened the app every now and then to make sure it would sync. Then I watched some netflix and forgot about the watch. After about 2 hours of that I tried to sync it again but it would not sync. First I tried everything I could without unpairing the watch. Could not get it to sync. Then I tried everything short of another factory reset, and couldn't get it to pair again. I don't think I can get myself to try yet another factory reset knowing how long it takes to update the firmware, just to see if I can pair the watch again.

If you think I'd have the same issues with a replacement Ionic then maybe I'll just stick with my Surge. There's nothing wrong with my Surge, I just liked what the Ionic had to offer, and I'm not interested in a full on smart watch like the Apple Watch.

[SunsetRunner]

Check your sync settings again in the app, they may have changed. Otherwise I would contact support.

[BobWang]

I've bought 4 Ionics for family,

we all have the same phones, OnePlus 5, and all are working OK.

Son-in-Law had problems with his OnePlus 3T,

so he swapped SIMs to the OP5 as primary phone,

now all we need to to is occasionally restart, or clear cache.

[EvKo]

I think that Amazon is a useful place to get a feeling about how happy (or unhappy) are users with their Ionics.

https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Ionic-Smartwatch-Charcoal-Included/product-reviews/B074VDF16R/ref=cm_c...

[N8teGee]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Very few people post here saying how wonderful their watch is, because that’s the nature of user forums; people just want to use them to moan! But rest assured there are many contented Ionic users too (count me as one, though if I have a complaint, it’s that Fitbit sent me a silver one instead of a charcoal one but hey, the watch still works well and I’m not about to waste another 2weeks waiting for yet another replacement )

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How is your replacement, other then being silver? You replaced it because of the gap/light leakage if my memory serves me? Does the replacement display the same things? 

[SunsetRunner]

@N8teGee the replacement's display is better, in that it's as it should be 😉 thanks 

[N8teGee]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

@N8teGee the replacement's display is better, in that it's as it should be 😉 thanks 

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Good stuff, glad to hear all is well! 

[mb127]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Check your sync settings again in the app, they may have changed. Otherwise I would contact support.

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I gave it another shot before I pack it up but I can't get it to work after several attempts.

The app will usually find the Ionic but but sometimes I have to retry a few times.

When it does find it, the code usually pops up on the watch but sometimes it doesn't and I have to start over.

When the code does show up and I enter it on my phone, the code immediately disappears from the watch and goes to the clock screen. There is no green check mark animation like I've seen when the few times it would pair. The app is just spinning at the Connecting.... screen. I tried this at least 10 times now. I've turned off and on BT, restarted the watch.. cleared app cache.. nada. Watch is plugged in, fully charged, and on 27.25.16.7. I'll try one more factory reset and try the setup from the beginning.

13:01 local time: Ionic is on wifi, Step 1 of 3 preparing....

13:03: Step 2 of 3 Downloading...

13:06: App says update failed (try again or switch to bluetooth). Watch still shows firmware downloading just fine....

13:17: Watch shows firmware 2/3 downloaded.

13:23: Firmware downloaded successfully, installing on watch.

13:27: About half way installed.. this is so much fun /s

13:30: Install finished? Screen is on fitbit logo with green background..

13:31: Clock screen is on. Has my personalized watch face & steps for the day. App still stuck on the failed setup screen (retry or switch to BT). Tapped try again, instantly went to step 3 Installing...watch is just showing an animated fibit logo, no progress bar.

13:35: Fitbit is paired succesfully! Turned off All-Day Sync and Always Connected immediately. Let's see how long this lasts!

[bbarrera]

@EvKo Here is first review I noticed after clicking on your link

“The Surge actually sucked and I didn't know it until I got the ionic” 

if you are upgrading from an earlier Fitbit, and love the Fitbit app, the Ionic will be a nice upgrade.

There are some rough edges, you may or may not notice them. Fitbit trackers for activity tracking are more alike than different, for most people I know. The Ionic will appeal to runners and others that like to listen to music while working out without a phone. There is a lot of competition at the Ionic price point. I think the Charge 2 is value leader in Fitbit lineup. 

[edit001]

I'll add my opinion on the subject

I have the Ionic for almost 2 weeks now. Being a new watch I never expected to be perfect. I am all aware about the fitness market trends on new products and their launch software status.

It has a lot of small issues to be addressed and a lot of features to implement. The hardware looks good and it has potential so it's all about the software but this is a delicate subject because they might do it great in 6-9 months or they might never raise it to people expectations.

I might add an honest review to it at some point is you are interested, haven't seen many around here, only people complaining pointing to the issues when this watch has some good things running. I've watched several so called reviews on youtube, also read some on the web and after using the watch I could say that I am not happy with what is going on. They all paint a pretty picture but do not say what the problems really are at this moment, problems with the software mostly. That of course does not mean that will not be fixed but people have the right to know what to expect when they are buying the product because most watch and read the reviews and think happy thoughts till they buy the watch and they start to experience problems.

Now, to answer the question : I have mixed feelings about the Ionic. Can't say that is good but can't say that I can rely on it completely. I will not return it, I'll wait to see what happens over the next 2-3 months and then decide.

[WavyDavey]

The answer to the question is totally dependent on expectations.

If you expected the watch to come out with all features enabled, bug-free, with a ton of apps available on day one... well I can imagine there may be some disappointment.

If you wanted to get on board early, expecting to ride a few of the early rough waves of new features, then it could be a pretty positive experience. 

Self-knowledge goes a long way towards happiness. If you are intolerant of quirks, then being an early adopter of any technology would not be a good fit.

Also in play, as @edit001 mentioned, is the reviews. The reviewers are all competing to get their youtube videos out as quickly as they can. I get the sense that many of them haven't fully tested the features on the track or in the gym. You can't test a device like this very well in just a day or two, you can only highlight features. Good reviewers will come back in a few weeks with a more comprehensive look at the device, but many will just move on to reviewing the next gadget that comes out. 

[mb127]

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@mb127 wrote:

 13:01 local time: Ionic is on wifi, Step 1 of 3 preparing....

13:03: Step 2 of 3 Downloading...

13:06: App says update failed (try again or switch to bluetooth). Watch still shows firmware downloading just fine....

13:17: Watch shows firmware 2/3 downloaded.

13:23: Firmware downloaded successfully, installing on watch.

13:27: About half way installed.. this is so much fun /s

13:30: Install finished? Screen is on fitbit logo with green background..

13:31: Clock screen is on. Has my personalized watch face & steps for the day. App still stuck on the failed setup screen (retry or switch to BT). Tapped try again, instantly went to step 3 Installing...watch is just showing an animated fibit logo, no progress bar.

13:35: Fitbit is paired succesfully! Turned off All-Day Sync and Always Connected immediately. Let's see how long this lasts!

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Hmm I tried adding a picture but then my entire reply disappeared. Let me try again.

15:25: Last synced 22 mins ago, cannot get it to sync again.

I bought the Ionic accepting there might be some issues. I had hoped I could resolve them, if there were any, by restarting the watch and/or cycling bluetooth on my phone. Unfortunately it seems I'm only able to get +/- 2 hours of use after a factory reset before I lose the ability to sync.