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Fitbit's spotty record with device reliability- Surge & Ionic

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‎07-13-2021 16:54

‎07-13-2021 16:54

I have been a faithful Fitbit customer since 2016, first purchasing the Surge. I loved the style, the features and the app and online dashboard. I still do.

Trouble soon set in with moisture buildup in my new Surge - I eventually went through three or four of these - one actually arrived with a defective touch screen! I eventually persuaded Fitbit to let me pay the difference and upgrade to the then new Ionic, the style of which I found brilliant thought some critics thought it clunky.

Things were great for a while and then there was the infamous software update that turned off many of these devices, never to turn on again. After some initial frustrations, mine was replaced. Now we have what appears to be a repeat, with defective units rapidly draining batteries and then not charging nor turning on.

The response in my case, goven that my device was over two years, was to offer a discount on a new device.

I think it is time to cut my losses and say goodbye. I still love the style of the devices and the app, but enough is enough. Fitbit needs to address the vexing issues with the reliability of their hardware - Apple, Samsung and Garmin produce competitive products with less issues. It is just my love of the design and app that kept me here this long. No more. I have regretfully switched and I hope that even my small gesture will sound a wakeup call. Fix your issues!

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3 REPLIES 3

‎07-14-2021 09:34

‎07-14-2021 09:34

Thought my Ionic was a goner, after one of the earlier updates, but was able to reset it and all was well. My main gripe is the lack of availability of replacement sport bands in large. I’ve bought third party bands for the watch, but the metal buckles quickly corrode and irritate the skin. 

My Ionic is almost three years old now and still going strong. I’ve thought about a newer replacement, but find the (Sense and Versa 3) models a little on the small side. They don’t appear to have been designed for a man’s wrist like the “clunky” Ionic. 

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‎07-17-2021 07:56

‎07-17-2021 07:56

I have had 4 devices fail . The charge HR had to be replaced twice.  My Aria scale started weighing me 40 pounds too light.  That was resolved after 2 lengthy support calls with a real smartass agent. 

 

Then I bought a Blaze.  Their ridiculous charging scheme eventually caused the tiny main button to damaged. They were absolutely no help. I just gave up on that one,  mainly because of the terribly designed charging. 

 

Now I have an Ionic, which doesn't do much of anything. Heart rate, counting steps, automatic screen awake flights of stairs, all don't work. 

 

 

 

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‎07-17-2021 15:33

In response to davekane

‎07-17-2021 15:33

Yes it is frustrating when an otherwise great company allows themselves to be let down by their technology. Report your Ionic issues and get it sorted.

Franklin
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