Fitbit Ionic feedback

[BrendonKenward]

I’m reading a lot of complaints on the Fitbit Ionic. I am looking into purchasing one, can someone please advise of what issue/s they have experienced?

Moderator edit: Updated subject for clarity.

[Aguilera]

Me personally I was happy with my Ionic. I had syncing problems at one time but it was resolved. I mean I had my music heart rate monitor ,text alarms and all I loved. The only big issue like many others is it only last less than a year. 16, to 18 months for some others less. Fitbit gives you a one year warranty if your lucky u can get a new one. If not like me all they give u is a 25 % of on next purchase. For 300 dollars and for it to last less than two years it's a bummer. Make your choice wisely and look at every watch and all. Oh and o e thing dont let your watch die out completely if you do or it does then you will start having problems.  Other than that last issue I enjoyed the hell out of mine if it could be repaired or replaced hell I'd slap it back on for sure. 

[Rolyat]

I purchased an IONIC a few months back. Worked fine for a while but then wouldnt SYNC  properly.

Then it lost the correct time somehow. So i tried to reset it. Problem is it wouldnt connect to the wifi. 

Contacted Fitbit. After nearly 2 hours of reseting, turning wifi on/off, downloading the app again on various devices I have, then finally rebooting the device to clear data, error message. Big red cross on the screen. I was cross as well. Its still under warranty! Also the GPS runs the battery down VERY quickly. In the bin!

[Aguilera]

I can understand your frustration. I also went through syncing problems, camera, and even syncing my Pandora for my music. I did all the trouble shootings that they have. Got fitbit involved and after a while of messing with it ,it finally worked. If you are still under warranty I would definitely get it replaced their warranty is 1 yr from purchase. If they would fix mine I would put it back on but they wont. To me all their Ionics seem to have battery problems they die before 2 yrs. Yet it's made to be swam with and for jogging. The only thing I can say is call them have them replace it if your under warranty and hope for the best, since the warranty while not roll over. 

[SunsetRunner]

How are you enjoying your apple? I had an Ionic for less than a year, and it died. As with other complaints, Help desk just runs you through test after test. It's a war of attrition. I loved my Ionic, when it worked. I liked the design and the capabilities, but it is unreliable, so I am looking at other options.

[SunsetRunner]

BTW, we used to live in Joburg!

[Aguilera]

Hello I live in Texas I havent purchased the apple watch or any other watch just yet. I'm making sure I review and look up everything I can on my next purchase. Even thou I had did the same for the ionic. I just might go cheaper price wise mainly because the ionic set me back 300 dollars for it to last so little time. Just as with every body else these watches dont last long less than 2 yrs I believe and for that price. I loved my ionic hell still do but it do t work and FITBIT is not working with us. They probably knew of the issues that's y they only offered a 1yr warranty for the watch which to me I thi k is a total RIP off. They can certainly do better than offer a 25% or 50 % off. They should replace all of our watches that didnt last that long. I just GOOGLE knows about these watches and their problems. 

[Rolyat]

Yes google have bought FITBIT.
The IONIC does look good, chunky, masculine… Great clear screen.
Used it for purchases early on but that function died after a few weeks.
Should have done something then about it with the company.
Apple provide much better customer support.

[Aguilera]

I too loved the watch like u said its chunky and masculine looking. I used it for all sorts of things. I got my calls on it text, and also used the pay on it. Then it died one night and when I tried to charge a no go.... I've heard about the apple my friend actually has one. Me I have the android so I couldbt get an apple. I'm searching else where since FITBIT is no help at all. I mean there are a bunch of us out of 300 dollars and it's terrible. Especial since Fitbit came out strong f and as a good company. I'll keep posting in case I find better...

[one4catie]

I bought one for myself as an early Christmas gift and MAN am I sorry! Out of the box it was a hot mess. Why am I having to factory reset a brand new device? Anyway, I am experiencing the same issues (and the same copy-and-paste "solutions" on the forums). 

-device won't sync

-device won't track steps

-device won't register HR 

-device gives multiple calibration rewiests, then fails to calibrate (8 requests since I opened it at noon, so 8 in 12 hours)

-battery died after 1 hour when fully charged from initial setup (brightness is dim, turn off after 10s and turned off GPS)

After using the copy-and-paste advice from the forums:

-soft reset did not resolve

-factory reset did not resolve

-unpairing and repairing did not resolve

-uninstalling app and reinstalling did not resolve

-did not have 3rd party clock face

But I have solutions that will 100% make me happy:

-Returning the device for a full refund

-Accepting that the last 12 hours of my life just won't come back and move on.

[Rolyat]

my advice... get a Garmin or an Apple ( if your an apple person )

[Aguilera]

I hear you I had problems with mine but further down the line. If I could of returned for a full refund trust me I would of. I suggest you do that and look for better as i am now doing my self. 

[Aguilera]

I totally am looking for better this time. 

[MKCool]

My recent purchase of the Ionic has been an extreme disappointment. After years of using the Blaze, I decided to “upgrade” to the Ionic due to the additional features is offered. I can honestly tell you that this has been a disappointment right out of the box. First issue is that it lost Bluetooth connectivity all the time. I had to “forget” the device and set it up daily.  Next, I get no notifications.  Multiple calls to a help line where the personnel have stated the issue has been around for weeks with no timeline to fix.  Finally, not sure the GPS feature works....I travel all the time for work.  Days after moving on to my next city, it still is showing me the weather for “TIMBUCKTOO”. All I want, and believe the watch should do, is recognize where I am based on either my cell (bluetooth or wifi connection). Why is this not possible.  

My calls to customer “service” have been equally frustrating.  There are no answers.  They are not well trained and cannot trouble shoot the device. They are apparently told to tell us “we are aware of the problem and our staff is working on it” as and attempt, I believe, to prevent you from returning the device or them from offering an exchange.  

Well, I am now so frustrated that I am first writing this terrible review and hope that it goes viral.   Maybe this will prompt the company to care more about  its customers.  I will wait one more week for this device to start working as I feel it should.  If not, I will get my money back. 

Signed,

Was a loyal customer

[Aguilera]

I too feel your frustration. I was a loyal customer as well and only to be let down with this watch. I loved mine it work well then started having problems.  Like you mentioned customer service just says we are aware of the problem yet do nothing to help us at all.

[davidyeo78]

Don’t buy. Ionic is a piece of rubbish. I could not update the firmware of my new ionic, despite following all the instructions given by the so-called fitbit moderators.

[TTaunton]

Bought my Fitbit Ionic in Dec. '18 after my old trusty Garmin was obsolete. It worked great until a few weeks ago when magically, it was out of warranty.  I woke up one morning and the only thing that worked was the time.  No heart rate, no steps, no calories, nothing.  It would still vibrate every hour and let me know I have 250 steps left though, regardless if I had just ran a race.  When getting in touch with customer service, they pretty much just keep giving you a bunch of technical acrobatics to run through, wasting countless hours of your time.  They finally offered to send me a 25% discount on a new one.  No thanks.  I fished out the Garmin and am using it again on runs.  Going to check out the Apple watch next.

[fireyodm]

I would not buy one again. Mine lasted just 5 months before it stopped working completely. It was purchased from a dealer on ebay. Fitbit support said it wasn't an authorized dealer so they would not warranty it. The dealer had a large selection of fitbit products and it came in the original sealed box with the warranty instructions included. Money wasted.

[Aguilera]

Oh wow that's really messed up. Would that dealer warranty your watch? Its wrong off Fitbit tio do that. Mine died 18 months in it and all they offer is 25%,off next watch.... sucks since the ionic is so expensive. At this current time I have on a versa 2 only cus it was a gift from my girlfriend. 

[Aguilera]

I agree one has to be started. So many ppl got the ionic and fir it to die in less than two years. If I would of know I would never had purchased that one. Should of went cheaper. Maybe it would last longer.

[Tras]

By  closing  the ionic down by the settings the right button is inoperable in turning the ionic back on.