Feedback about Fitbit Ionic

[MelissaRN]

I've never owned a Fitbit product.  I recently began using the Fitbit app as a way to log water, food and steps and I am enjoying it and finding it motivating.

I'm thinking about making the plunge and purchasing the Fitbit Ionic.  (I also was looking at the Blaze.)

So question, would you buy the Fitbit Ionic again?  Do you regret it?  Love it?  Think it's worth it or not?

Any feedback is appreciated.   Thank you in advance!  

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Weezaliban]

Nope. Went completely stock after the first tank because of all the blame
getting levied against custom faces. Fact is, the same problems happen at
the same rate as the 'non-approved' faces. I don't think Fitbit actually
knows how to do any of this effectively...

There are moments when it just freezes, the touch screen won't respond for
hours at a time, restarts in the middle of the day for seemingly no reason
for an hour or two, and then bog down to a standstill after inputting more
than 2-3 touch commands. This thing has been a frustrating heap of plastic
and metal for nearly 3 months.

[Jonno34]

I would not buy any fitbit ever again.  I have just had a replacement and it has gone bad on me the instant I set it up.  My third fitbit.  Had enough.

[Bujica]

I replied to this thread a long time ago, but maybe it's time to do a refresh even though some people will not be happy with my response but it's my own situation.

I have had mine since 2017, so did my husband and my son. Mine and hubby's are still gloriously working and doing everything they are supposed to do, battery still lasts 6 days, the watches look like new, they've been in countless adventures around the globe, have seen oceans and mountains, still track everything perfectly. My son was a lot less fortunate, I know he's a kid but he's probably the most careful in the family, yet, he went through about 6 devices during the warranty period, until we eventually had enough and he moved on (he now has a Versa which he loves and it works absolutely great so far). So based on his experience, I would be reluctant to buy another one (even though Fitbit's Customer Service was more than great every time we contacted them). Based on mine and hubby's experience (and my daughter's, who jumped on the Fitbit train and is now using a Versa Lite for quite a while - she's the opposite of a careful kid but the watch seems to withstand all she's putting it through), I would totally buy another Fitbit again (probably Ionic, as I like the convenience of a GPS and the battery life). I know most people who comment on this thread are the ones who have had issues (why else would you be here, right?) but I figured it's not 100% all bad, just saying...

[InkyMyCat]

My first Fitbit Ionic died when I installed there firmware update.  It now looks like the 2nd fitbit that I had to pay full price for my 20% is now dead again.  I will not be buying another fitbit watch again.  Lets hope this one is still in warranty as Im not dishing out another $200 dollars again.  So my answer would be no I would not buy another one.

[Jonno34]

My 4th replacement is currently in lockdown somewhere.  It would take a lot of convincing from Fitbit for me even think about buying another. 

[reinoutholland]

To be honest my Ionic works fine for two years now. Controls for downloading and playing music have been a bit of a discovery since manuals on the Deezer app were not that informative, but got everything working fine in the end. Battery life is fine since i only have to charge once a week in general (sportsmode 4 times a week). I have no software or sync issues having the watch work with my (almost obsolete) iphone 6

As a fitnesstracker it works fine and also the sportsmodes are good enough, the app is working well for food reg etc. 

I have and use also a Suunto Ambit with a HR belt. On the Ionic HR readings on a wrist HR vary wildly and are inaccurate  when starting or stopping an activity but that is common for most wrist HR's. I'm a bit disappointed by the information on the workouts in the app, based on what is registered there should be more available as is in my Suunto (recovery, heartrate zones etc.) The Suunto GPS navigation and barometrics are more accurate than FItbit's and I yet have to discover an app to be able to use the Fitbit altimeter in mountain hikes.

Suunto is a faultless watch in its straightforward intention to be a sports and outdoor watch. Nothing really smart about it.  Fitbit Ionic is a bit ambiguous you can receive notifications, calls etc on your watch, can even pick up the phone on the watch (though not speak through the watch) it has a lot of gadgetery if you are into that. I personally discovered that the smartness of the watch is not something

I particularly enjoy and i have moved somewhat to digital minimalism in that sense. 

In conclusion if you want a serious outdoor/sportswatch go look for an e.g. Garmin, Suunto, Coros, Polar or the like.

If you go for a serious smartwatch I guess go for a Samsung or an Apple.

If you want a little bit of everything go for a Fitbit, you could do worse than an Fitbit Ionic.

update;

generally all still is working fine. BUT
 bluetooth keeps breaking up during music play. Its the same for several types of  earphones so i have to assume its the fitbit. Gets worse below 50% battery power... shame cuz that was one feature i decided on to go for an ionic.

no running cadence in sight while it is a simple calculus function to add. Whazzup Fitbit, getting tired out there?

reinforces my feeling that.. if you want a real running or real outdoors watch go for a brand that breathes sports and not just a lifestyle brand like fitbit, if you want a real smartwatch go for a brand that aims to be exactly that. 

[JSunich]

NO! And after seeing the glitches in the apps and bugs over the years, lack of support I am done with fitbit all together.  So many bugs with the watch, GPS tracking issues, it’s basically overpriced junk compared to all other major brand GPS fitness watches.  Only reason I stuck with Fitbit was due to the friends and challenges.  But others have gotten tired of Fitbit prioritizing profit over quality of products, quality of support, and accurate data that they have drifted away.  

[smilerlisa]

No I would never buy a fitbit again waste of money to many issues  had 4 ionics all with issues 2 with screen issues 2 with keeping the time issues 

[Iain_K]

Ive mixed feelings.  I still think that "for the money" the Ionic has a great combination of features I want, namely on board GPS and music, smartwatch notifications and the Fitbit ecosphere of step and sleep tracking is pretty good. 

What would prevent me replacing my current device with another Fitbit is the companies attitude to its customers, the failure to recognise that firmware updates are an ongoing issue, longstanding on-watch app issues (Strava authorisation in particular), heavy handed customer interactions here and so on.

If you are a hardcore trainer interested in athletic metrics then Garmin offers better products, and for regualr smartwatch functionality Apple is hard to beat, but both are more money to get the combination I get from my Ionic.  Ultimately though, when it finally dies, and experience tells me it will die, my money will go somewhere other than Fitbit. A (mostly) good product let down by an arrogant company.

[SRogersCaptA]

Completely agree, never coming back once this device dies...and it probably will if I ever accidentally install this update. I've stayed through other issues but this "heavy handedness" is unacceptable, esp when most of us are just trying to help improve the product. Been through half a dozen login accounts now coz I refuse to be silenced. 

[MattJ71]

I've owned a Surge, Blaze and Ionic.  Never has a single serious issue with any of them.  Every single OS update went off without a hitch and battery life has remained consistent through the life of each one.

[DariusDParker]

I will Never purchase a fit bit product again.
Reason: horrible customer service
my Ionic failed twice within the 1st year.
Their solution. Go buy another one, we will give you free shipping and 10% off

Sent from my iPad

[SRogersCaptA]

Looks pretty darn good! I was sticking with my Ionic waiting for the SPO2 stuff to come out and when it did, all's looked normal for months, so don't really "need" that anymore anyway. 

Winner winner, chicken dinner! Thanks! 

[dvpatel]

I have had 3 Charge HRs and one Ionic. This one will be my last Fitbit product. I would rather deal with fewer features than deal with virtually no customer service at all. What swayed me is the mods deleting the posts. That is totally unacceptable since almost all the deleted posts were civil.

Still holding off on updating the Ionic but no way to turn off the nagging of firmware update in the app.

[sunsande]

No.

The whole way of measuring activities is for someone else - not for me.

First of all - "set goal". What goal? I set goals in my head not in my clock. I want to run and measure the distance and the speed. NO - YOU SHOULD CHOOSE YOUR GOAL - the device keeps telling me.

The developers/designers who did this have mental problems.

The other day I did a walk - I just wanted to track my path with the GPS. I set runnung and started tracking. It was about 15 Km path. The device reported 5.9 Km and the option to recognise running was off.

I swam 3 times with the device. The right bottom button stopped working afterwards. After weeks it started working again. So I do not swim with the Iionic anymore ...

and , and, and ... sure I'm not gonna buy it again.

[ZCruiser99]

Bought the Ionic, only used it to track steps, never abused it and it stopped syncing after 6-7 months, they replaced it, new one is having the exact same issue, stopped syncing after 6-7 months, only thing they offered was a 20% discount. This is the top of the line model and both had the exact same issue, DON'T last more then 8 months. never used it in a pool, lake or took a shower with it on. no abuse, scratches or dings on either one, I am disabled and only use it to track my steps and heart rate. I am on Disability and all they want to do is sell me a new one. The best model they sell should last more then 7 months. Spoke with Toraine at Fitbit customer support and he was nice enough, kept thanking me through the trouble shooting but insisted since they replaced it 6 months ago it isn't under warranty because the 1st one stopped working, now the 2nd one is having the exact same issues and all they can do is offer a 20% discount. If 2 break in less then a year why would I spend money I don't have for a 3rd one to break. Should have bought an Apple

[StarTrekRedShrt]

Our family too:

Charge 2

Versa

Ionic

Charge 3

Versa 2

Aria 2

Much as I admire the Apple Watch's merits, I don't want to give up my Android phone. 

Yes, Google hasn't completed the purchase yet, but something's definitely changed in this forum management strategy.

I normally use companies' forums to commiserate and help one another, which I think builds loyalty...but I also call the company out when necessary, for the benefit of the consumer.

Empathize with the folks having issues and don't be a blind follower. 

[Stav_98]

In short no.

I love the Ionic and the Fitbit ecosystem but they're just too unreliable.  My first Ionic was replaced under warranty (18 months) due to a faulty screen.  My replacement has now died after 10 months; I've been offered a discount voucher for a replacement but 1, don't have the resources to spend on luxuries at the moment and 2, am unwilling to take the risk.

Cost of ownership has been .30p per day.

I expect to replace tech when something new comes out and not because it seemingly has lots of flaws.

[Wasara]

Strap in, I gotta vent.

I have been a Fitbit user for years, and after my Surge litetally disintegrated on my arm I traded up and got an Ionic. And I've tried so hard to like it. So hard. I wish I could use Fitbit's awesome app with a tracker that lives up to the app's potential and features, but the Ionic sure ain't that jazz.

The sync fails constantly, days upon days aren't tracked fully as the software glitches out, the gyro has teleported hundreds of floors at least thrice (thanks for those floor medals on my account – I sure didn't earn 'em), automatic sports tracking is a constant mess (a simple walk turns into a bike ride three times out of ten) etc. But the absolute worst part is the charging.

Every time the battery dies (which is my own fault for letting it fall to zero, I know) I tense up, knowing I'll have to wiggle and waggle with the terrible charging connector, try to reboot the watch, clean out the port's wedge with a **ahem** sowing needle, wiggle and waggle some more, try to find a suitable charging angle, and just wait. Sometimes it takes days to wake up the tracker again – mostly because I lose steam, get frustrated and deduct I need a timeout lest I'd throw the whole tracker in the trash.

Even when there's battery left it's a ridiculous chore to get the power flowing into the Ionic. As a design choice it feels, for lack of a better word, amateurish. Did you really not figure out that an inwardly curved charging port would result in residue and dirt constantly blocking the flow of power? This is a sports tracker. People sweat, shed skin, secrete oils. This shouldn't come as news to Fitbit's design department.

Ultimately it is of course the end user who bears the frustration for Fitbit's shortcomings regarding borh hardware and software, and it does feel rather disheartening to play guinea pig while wearing a "flagship" model. The Ionic has never felt complete, which is a mournful conclusion to land upon after having shelled out a significant wad of cash for a fully-fledged product.

I tried to like the Ionic, I really did. I wanted it to be all that was promised. But its daily use is so full of woe and worry that it has kind of soiled Fitbit's name for me. Not only would I not buy the Ionic again, but being an Ionic user has made me wary of buying (or recommending) anything with the name Fitbit on it in general. That's a pretty sad statement from someone who's been a loyal patron for years, but here we are.

[StarTrekRedShrt]

Hmm...we're still gonna put @Wasara down as, "undecided". LOL