Ionic Build Quality

[SunsetRunner]

In the past I saw that owners were running into Fitbit device failures quite often. Fitbit did replace these devices under warranty but the watches should have lasted years instead of months. Given that the Ionic isn't a low priced buy how is the build quality on the Ionic? I realize it might be too soon to tell but what have you seen or heard so far?

Thanks.

[datalore]

I don't own one, but I'm using a friends watch to develop an app. I haven't had any problems with his watch on the hardware side and like the feel of the watch. I haven't even had some of the software hassles that some on here have experienced. I do think the watch was released a tad too early and I think the 1.1 Fitbit OS release will address some of the sync issues people are reporting. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks. 

[DramaQueenDiva]

In terms of durability, I've put mine through the ringer and haven't had any issues, so in that regard, it's top notch.  However, I do agree that maybe it was released a bit early, as I think that with some time, they could have resolved some of the syncing issues among others.  Hopefully, the next update will address some of these issues, as stated above.

[Jorix]

Seems pretty solid; I've even bumped it against a concrete wall a few times and couldn't find any scratches. Band seems to stay in place as well, although I haven't detached them; maybe if you switch bands more often, they'll get less firm. 

Also good to know; I used to have some nasty red marks on my skin from where the harder parts of my Charge HR touched it (clasp, HR-sensor and a bit of the buckle). Never gave it any rest (except when taking a shower), because I didn't want to miss any steps (I know, I know), but when I switched to the Ionic, the red marks were gone within a week or so. 

The software seems good as well, but I'm on the developer firmware. Maybe the 'regular' (stable) version of the firmware is different. I agree with @datalore that the software is still in its early days, so there is always room for improvement. But that's not unique to the Ionic. Remember the early days of iPhoneOS 1.x and Android 1.x? 😉

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming.

I am encouraged that the Ionic's hardware quality seems to be better as compared to some of Fitbit's previous watches. Do you think it is now on par with watches from Garmin, Samsung, Apple, etc?

[tannydan]

The color display color failed after 2 weeks only. Tried changing clock face and shutting watch down, to no avail.

[John_T]

My wife's had here a couple of months,  and it's just died after snorkelling . The reason for buying it was it's quoted 50 metre waterproofing, so not impressed that it quit while submerged to a relatively shallow depth.

[tannydan]

Yeah mate looks like water penetrated my watch too but thank goodness I had warranty and got a new one from Officeworks no questiins asked!

[Agrajag]

I bought mine in March 2018. It's now September 2018, and I'm on my third one as the first two died. The first one lasted 5 months, but watch number 2 died in under a month.

I've had them both replaced under Norwegian consumer protection law, so it's not actually cost me anything, but I gotta say I'm not impressed.

Prior to switching to Fitbit this spring I've had a Garmin Forerunner, and a Polar Loop. I used the Loop for about 18 months, and the Garmin for well over 3 years -- and neither of them ever failed, they're both still functional. (and in daily use -- I gave them to the kids when I chaged to the Ionic)

Frankly, if this third watch *also* dies in a few months, I'll ask them to refund me my money rather than replace it, a fitness-tracker that is unable to survive normal use isn't acceptable to me, even if the functionality otherwise is pretty cool.

[SantiR]

@Agrajag Welcome to the Fitbit forums! Thanks for posting the experience you have had with Ionic so far. Also, thanks for sharing your feedback regarding this matter.

I'm glad that customer support was able to replace it for you. How is the third one going? Is it working properly now? Please provide me with an update. 

If you happen to be experiencing any problems with it, please let me know what is it and I'll help you out.

Keep me posted! 

[Agrajag]

I'm happy that I was able to get a new Ionic at no cost too (twice!) - but to be clear Fitbit's user support had nothing to do with it. Norwegian consumer protection law comes with a 2 year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for all products, and it was this warranty that the shop I bought it from honored. (as they are required to do by law)


I did ask that they'd had many returns on Fitbit-products, but the shop said that the only fairly common issue they'd had was a problem with the lock on the armband on the Blaze, so I hope I was simply unlucky. We'll see how long my third Ionic lasts 🙂

[HelgeD]

I have experienced the same. My second watch is now starting to act up and I believe there is water intrusion. Bet disappointing as such a costly watch should last for years!