Don't buy an Ionic!

[Amc51609]

I am writing this in the hopes that someone sees this before blowing their money on an Ionic like I did. I received my Ionic in early March and it seemed to deliver on its promises at first. Then I went through my first firmware update and it hasn't worked right since. Major problem #1: it only counts half of my steps. I contacted support and went through several hours of troubleshooting only for them to decide that it was a hardware problem and they'd send me a replacement. The replacement came and it STILL only counts half of my steps. So either the hardware is bad on all Ionics or I got the luck of the draw. Major problem #2: I am a runner and I purchased the Ionic for the built in gps. It is important to me to keep track of my runs and see if I'm improving. I run about 20 miles a week depending on the week (weather, schedule,  etc.) and the gps has been accurate maybe 6 times since I first got it in March. I kept it passed the 45 day return window because I was hoping that maybe it just had to get used to me, my routine, my environment,  etc. But now I'm just angry that I spent all that money on a piece of junk that doesn't even do the very basic thing it's designed to do by counting my steps. Contacting support and going through troubleshooting is such a waste of time. They can't do anything to make a flawed product work properly and it seems Fitbit and their engineering staff really don't care that their product doesn't do what it's supposed to do.

[GySgt_Seidell]

Hello @Amc51609 and Welcome.  Sorry to hear your having problems.  As an Ionic owner since Sept 2017 and also a runner (Jogger more like it), I also use the GPS and music on all of my runs and have only had one issue (which is pretty good), but I also understand things happen.  I'm not sure what you have tried and not tried, so let me just offer some advice:

1.  Are you using the Exercise App for your runs?

2.  Is your Ionic Connecting to the GPS Satellites, before you actually start your run?

3.  Are you wearing your band, tight, snug or loose?

4.  Have you performed a RESET recently and did that resolve anything?

So, post back when you get a chance and advise.  Thanks and Keep on STEPPING

[DevanH]

I've also had my Ionic since late Sept 2017 and its worked fabulously for me, up until about a week ago.

I started having some Bluetooth connection issues. Today, it didn't sync steps or anything. I've gone through every possible option I know of... restart phone, watch, computer. Tried Factory reset on Ionic. 

Tried setting it up on both phone and computer... nothing is working.

Hopefully support will help me resolve this

[Tracyr79]

I’m having exact same problems!

[SunsetRunner]

Funny thing- Fitbit is famous for over estimating the step count due to the detection algorithm. I am usually achieving my step count on my bike on the way back home😅.
Sorry to hear your story, I know how frustrating this can be. I can just say the - fingers crossed - I only had some setting retention issues which partly solved by a factory reset. Have you tried that? All the best!

[Tracyr79]

Omg! I’ve spent two hours on the phone to Fitbit due to be trying to sort out syncing issues. They advices a factory reset and now the stupid thing won’t turn on. I’m so cross. I’ve now got to wait two days for someone from Fitbit to contact me back. The lady on phone was lovely and helpful but doesn’t make me feel any happier!!

[Julio19]

Yes lack of quality and when you were given it as a gift they expect you to have a receipt but who asks for a receipt? And worse who expects that the glass breaks that easy after least than 4 months? FitBit are expensive products who lack of quality and support. They are even disposable, you cannot fix just throw them away. Buy something else instead don’t waste your money

[Thabani]

Unfortunately I did not read your post before blowing my money on an ionic. Unless something drastically changes in the next few months, my next fitness watch will definitely not be a Fitbit. My 4 months old ionic keeps rebooting at will during runs. I and a number of others have raised this issue several times but it still remains unresolved.

[EJS5207]

Fitbit Ionic is a piece of junk! The GPS doesn't connect for cycling. It doesn't count all the steps, and it finally died and Fitbit's response was to provide a 25% discount on a new Ionic instead or recalling it for known issues. Now that's an interesting take on customer dis-service.

[Diodes123]

I updated my ionic firmware, and now I have a very expensive good looking brick. Shows me the fitbit logo, but that's about it. I agree with you!

[jklou15]

Yep I've gone through two Ionic's in three year span....First one the HR monitor on the side where your wrist touches failed and water got in which destroyed the watch. Second, just started acting weird not responding to my touch and battery draining really fast and now wont power up. I suspect the battery failed. I'm done with Fitbit watches.