Ionic user experiences

[Freeco]

I've been using a Surge for nearly 3 years now. I've always been happy with it's functionality, although I can't say the same about the build quality. I needed 2 replacements under warranty, and just after warranty had ended the band showed the known 'bubble' thing (fixed with a Chinese replacement band).

I'm in the market for an upgrade to an Ionic, but 2 things I'd like to know from other users:

1. Is the step accuracy during an elliptical workout any good? The Surge isn't: only 1/3 steps are counted, at least at my high pace. It's a little better at slower speeds. Heart rate and burnt calories are OK though.

2. Any build quality issues I should know about?

(hope Fitbit support isn't going to censor this )

[N8teGee]

I can't really comment on the elliptical accuracy as I haven't tried it, although I would probably guess it won't pick up all of the steps due to how your arms are moving.

As for build quality though, I would say it's much better then the Surge. The big improvement being the removable bands and metal frame. Overall I am happy with the build quality.

[USAF-Larry]

@Freeco, I use the elliptical every other day, and never depend on the fitness tracker to accurately count steps - mostly because I am not really stepping. I have the Charge HR, the Charge 2, and the Ionic, and none of them can accurately count steps while on the elliptical - the tracker is worn on the wrist and the arm is not swinging like it is when walking, but simply moving back and forth.  When I am on the elliptical, I use the stats on its screen to monitor my activity, and don't depend on the tracker.  My Ionic does an excellent job of counting steps on the treadmill, and while hiking, etc., though.

[SteveCoatney]

The Ionic is the absolute worst Fitbit purchase I've ever made.   I owned the One, followed by the Surge (had two replaced under warranty due to the rotting band issue), and when the band on the second replacement Surge went bad, I ended up replacing it with a Charge 2.  The Charge 2 went bad after 1 week (wouldn't sync), but Fitbit replaced it, after which it worked absolutely flawlessly for over a year. 

And then, the Ionic.  Nothing but problems, primarily failing to sync, but also failing to download Pandora stations.   I've had the Ionic for a couple months now, and it has NOT worked for far more time than it has worked.   I worked with the helpline the first couple times it went bad.  The first time we got it working after a couple hours of fiddling with it.   But then it went bad again in a couple days.    I switched to an Android phone at some point (not because of the Fitbit sync issues, but in spite of them, since they were reported on all phone platforms - iOS, Android, and Windows), and it worked for a couple weeks, then failed.   Since then, I've gone through the same "fixit" steps ad nauseum, and whenever I finally get it to work, it fails again within days, if not hours.

My advice: don't buy the Ionic, at least not until Fitbit fixes the issue.  And I honestly don't think I will personally ever purchase any Fitbit ever again.  I'm that disgusted with the company and their seemingly lackadaisical la di da attitude toward this Ionic syncing fiasco.  But that's just me.

[Freeco]

thanks for sharing your experiences, guys.

[SteveCoatney]

I'll add one more tidbit from my most recent experience, i.e. the past 24 hours.  After reading some posts from some other Ionic "no-sync" victims, I decided to try leaving everything BOG STANDARD after my latest (umpteenth) reset, i.e. do not change to a nicer watch face, do not attempt to download Pandora stations, etc., since some have reported some measure of success using this strategy.

So far, it has been syncing OK (since last evening's reset).  Whoopee.   So, basically, I have a $300 Ionic for which I can't use the majority of its $300 features, and I get to hold my breath waiting to see when it will fail again.  Which I have very little doubt it will do, sooner or later.

Thanks, Fitbit.