Music cutting out every 15 seconds

[Halpertal]

On my first run today with my paired Bluetooth headphones, and while I able to listen to music just fine while warming up, as soon as I started the Running app, every 15 seconds I would get a "lost connection" message, then it would start playing music again. 

I couldn't really handle all the interruptions and took my headphones off. I'm guessing my bargain basement headphones may have low fault tolerance, OR the fitbit is doing something else like checking in on GPS every 15 seconds and drops the Bluetooth all together?

I'm using an IONIC. 

[Stick7]

I have had this problem on occasion but usually I find the charge level on my phones to be low. At other times resetting my ionic solves the problem as well. Very frustrating when it happens.

Sent from my Mobile Computing Device

[CdnBcn1]

You might be one of the lucky few to have found a band-aid to the problem
but I've had 3 sets of headphones all at full charge and no real difference
that I can tell. The signal cuts out as soon as it's arms length away from
the watch. Not good for a watch that's regularly going to be an arms
length away. Resetting the watch seemed to help for a very short period
(maybe one run or workout) and it comes right back. Resetting the watch
every workout isn't a great solution either... IMO.

Can anyone recommend a good fitness watch with HR, GPS, and music?

[motoxrunner]

I'm not sure how long this post to be up because every time I say something truthful the moderators cut me out so basically you really get a say anything truthful because when she do they delete all those post but basically jump ship I gave my fit bit to my wife she likes to know her steps so now she has a $300 step counter but for that it's great but if you're at Evan active lifestyle and I wanna play music and you wanna do all the things that they describe that it would do well though we should time a mentor to him already and I'm with another brand now that's big on GPS and garman such Phoenix 5X and it works great

[Jasondemeter]

Lol I also switched. Turns out Fitbit ionic is not all that waterproof. I had 3 die after swimming one time each. Not even really swimming hard, just chilling standing in a 3ft pool

[CdnBcn1]

Thanks - I was wondering how often posts are removed that prove their
"fixes" do nothing but provide false hopes to those only read for fixes.

Appreciate the recommendations for a more functional alternative tracker.

[CdnBcn1]

yikes - I liked the waterproof part too but haven't tested it in anything
more than the shower and rain. I killed an Alta HR in the water too but
that one was on me when they only claimed "splash proof" and I took it in
the wave pool. Sadly though two replacements for that crapped out in less
than a year which is one of the reasons I went to the ionic hoping for more
stability and features...so much for that...sadly an expensive lesson
learned and my wife will continue to remind me that she warned me not to
trust fitbit products after two of them just died on me

[RCA219]

I don't have any issues using my Ionic for swimming.    I swim laps 5 days a week and have been using the Ionic to track my swim for about 4 months, 5 days a week, and have never had any issues.   The Ionic is spot on keeping track of laps, too!        The music is totally broken though!   8-)

[MIKE-kilo]

I too have been dissatisfied with the bluetooth strength. I have demoed it and tested it and can demonstrate it being a rubbish BT radio as it stops working if I turn my wrist over. How this was ever tested I have no idea but I had a charge 3 and now the ionic. I will look at other offerings as the music was a big seller.

Also revolut doesn't work on there either and they still advertise that as a feature despite revolut saying it's not been implemented. I wont be suckered in a 3rd time with fitbit again.

[evillama]

Wondering if anybody is experiencing this same issue "and potential solution"?

I also experience the music cutting out when running, but I do notice this: Since I generally leave my phone at home during a run, I turn on my (Jabra Elite Active 65t) headphones in the house - which means they end up connecting to BOTH my phone AND my Ionic. When I leave the house and get far away, the headphones say "device disconnected" and the music starts cutting out (at first I thought it was the headphones, but two other BT ones did the same.) 

So recently, I started FIRST turning my phone's Bluetooth OFF - and then turning my headphones ON - so they ONLY connect with the Ionic. The music seems to be pretty stable for most of my run.

Solved? Not really...I do notice that the distance between the Ionic and headphones needs to be "consistent" if the music is to remain stable. If I change pace from running/jogging to walking...my arms go from swinging high to swaying at my sides...and the music starts to skip. If I place my hands on my head, it stabilizes. It's not just being "near" the ears though, because if I start with a warm-up walk the music could start stable - but when I change to running and swinging my arms, the music starts to skip (unless I go back to walking...)

So basically, the BT connection is finicky and fragile. It can work fine if you "set it up right" - but if you change pace, and also arm-distance to your headphones, it's not smart enough to adapt. Not very good programming and design...

[ribo916]

Can't say I agree. I had an older Motorola Motoactv for years. It had everything (bluetooth music, gps, etc) built in. Battery life sucked, but I never had an issue with wireless bluetooth headphones when running. Now that I've upgraded to Jaybird X3 and Ionic, I can't run without constant interruptions in the music. I now have my phone with me (in a belt) to listen to music when I run. Ironically, the phone in a belt facing behind me has no issues. Also bluetooth...

[POTATOEMAN]

Spoiler

@evillama 

Try wearing the Ionic on your other wrist. It should fix your problem.

[motoxrunner]

That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard people that wear watches have a
dominant side any product that is halfway decent should work on either
wrist the solution is not to put it on the other side the solution is to
get rid of the watch

[POTATOEMAN]

So, get rid of it.

My Ionic stopped working a year ago. I got a Garmin 245 Music to replace it.

I'm just trying to help people out here, who a having issues with their Ionic, because I solved my music-cutting-out issue. It worked perfectly for about a year, then my Ionic died.

If people paid $300 for an Ionic, and they can make it work by switching wrists, why not use it that way, while you are saving up for a Garmin or Apple watch.

[motoxrunner]

This Thread has been going on for well over a year your suggestion is one
of about 300 prior suggestions it's a common solution probably the first
solution but I switch both wrists put it on my ankle put on my finger
everything it's not the wrist is the hardware and software that has the
issue so it doesn't really matter what wrist it goes on until they figure
out his constant issue it will always happen regardless of the body part
you put it on I myself have a Garmin that was the original issue

[Kitty_B]

@Halpertal 

You're really quick to dismiss the problem as not being with your Fitbit

However bear in mind that numerous devices manage to connect to the headset and work properly without getting all precious about only being allowed to be the only device paired to the headset. In fact one of my really expensive headsets allow connecting simultaneously with multiple devices, and still has the issue

We should not be so quick to accept Fitbit flaws but rather demand Fitbit puts out an update that makes things just work the way they say on the tin

[kschersc]

I've had the same issues with music, using POM Basik Sport earbuds.  I'll try switching to right arm next time and see if the "through the body" idea makes a difference.