Why does the Charge 2 not come with a USB dongle?

[MeanDean]

why in the hell does this not come with a dongle ? how frustrating to buy this product and begin to set it up ...only to find ..oh wait .....there is no dongle.?   wtf are you thinking .....so now how do i set it up ...this is my first purchase ..and with stupid thinking on fitbits part they don't ship all the hardware to set the watch up...?... this is so stupid ...i almost threw this piece of crap in garbage .....i would have if it didnt cost me 200 bucks ....Not happy .......

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[PureEvil]

@hmast,

Welcome to the community!

First, I took a quick look at your profile and you established it on May 2014.  If you have gotten a Fitbit before 2016 (Fitbit Blaze), then you already have a dongle (it came with your tracker).  Use that one.

Second, as other folks have pointed out, you don't need a dongle unless you have a pretty old operating system...  like Windows 7.  And just to put it into perspective Windows 7 is as old as the iPhone 3GS, both released on 2009.

Finally, you can simply get one by contacting support and asking for one.

I hope this helps.

[hmast]

First of all I lost the original. Secondly why was it not posted on box. A simple fix. And if that is a mode of operation whether it is old school or not it should state that it is needed

Sent from my iPhone

[Rich_Laue]

@hmast the contact Fitbit support and ask them to drop it in the mail. 

Problem solved. 

With the majority of users today a dongle is not needed 

[hmast]

That’s not the problem. I have one now. It should state on the box not included

Sent from my iPhone

[PureEvil]

@hmast,

I understand what you're saying, however...

First, you assert that they should "state that it is needed".  Let's qualify when you need the dongle.  Simply put it is when you can't sync without a dongle and you don't already have access to a dongle.  I'm sure Fitbit keeps stats on their users and how they use their devices.  In order to assess the impact of omitting the dongle from the box, they would need to evaluate:

1. Did the user already own a device that came with a dongle?
2. Does the user already sync regularly with a device that doesn't require a dongle?

I imagine that's a very small percentage of Fitbit users.  So you already admitted that you already have a dongle that came with an existing tracker (see #1 above).  And based on your "Sent from my iPhone" signature, it seems like you can already sync with a device that doesn't require a dongle (see #2 above).

So did you need the dongle?  I think the answer to that is "no".

Second, there are practical limits on how 'old school' something can legitimately be before being omitted from being mentioned on the box.

Windows 7 was released on 2009, that's nine years ago.  If it were a human, it'd be a nine-year-old child in fifth grade by now.  Still you may think that it's still sufficiently 'old school' and used enough so that it should warrant a mention in the box.

Okay, let's have it your way, give us a number (in years) when they can stop mentioning it?  Is it 11 years?  Is it 13 years?  21 years (old enough to drink)?

Especially when you consider that users of Windows 7 and above were all offered upgrades to Windows 10, then it's pretty reasonable to assume that you don't need the dongle.

Lastly, like it's been mentioned a number of times on this thread.  Just contact support and they'll likely send you one.  I can understand that if you're a brand new Fitbit user (that uses a fifth-grader aged OS and don't have a smartphone) you may be frustrated by having to wait a few days for the dongle to arrive, but even by your own admission, that's not you (by the two metrics above).

When you consider that you (specifically) don't need it, I certainly don't understand the response:

"I will never buy another tracker from this company again"

Just my 2¢.

[hmast]

Ok. Regardless of whether I have a dongle or not. I did in fact but my house is under construction and I can't get to it. My point is it should have stated on box. Just like with toys. Batteries not included or included etc. I have worked in marketing and sales just put it up n the box. Let the consumer know what they have or don't have. A very simple request.

Sent from my iPad

[Julia_G]

Hi, @hmast, while the Fitbit boxes do not say dongle not included, the box does clearly state what IS in the box.

[hmast]

Oh come on What is the big deal. If you buy a toy it says not included. If you buy a remote it says not included. And even the instructions inside do not say not included. A little qualifier is all I ask

Sent from my iPhone

[PureEvil]

@hmast,

So if you're counting, now there's also an iPad, so there are three ways by which you could sync without the need of an additional dongle... but I digress.

In your counter argument (a toy or remote), no one can use that product without batteries, right?  In other words you do need the batteries (either yours or included in the box).

In the case of the dongle I honestly think that this only really affects a very small percentage of user; I speculate under 5%.

Your assertion is that even if it impacts a very small percentage of potential buyers (say under 10%), there should be some wording in the packaging that tells you that it may not fit your needs or you may need to get something additional.

Okay, I'll bite... so let's take that argument for a different type of product altogether:  Scissors.

The vast majority of scissors are designed for right-handed people (it's in the direction the blades are angled) and about 10% of people are left-handed.  Should there be wording on the packaging for conventional (right-handed) scissors that it may not suit your needs if you're left-handed?  Based on your above assertion, the answer to this should be 'yes'.  I ask because I've bought plenty of scissors, but have never seen any such messaging on the packaging.

Just my 2¢.

[NixNox]

I originally asked this before I had all my info…..i understand now that there is no need for a dongle. Thank you to all that responded.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[Libhine]

My sentiments exactly.  Here I am at almost midnight and I get this far and don't even know what a dongle is much less have one.  Why aren't all things need to setup in the box? The picture is not even clear where you plug in such a thing!  Grrr!

[PureEvil]

Hello @Libhine,

Welcome to the community!

Do you have:

• A smartphone (Windows, Android, or iOS).
• A tablet (Windows, Android, or iOS).
• An iPod touch.

If you don't have any of the above, is your computer running Windows 10 or above (or a Mac)?

You only need the dongle if you don't have a smartphone, tablet, or iPod touch and your computer is running something older than Windows 10.

I hope this helps.

[Libhine]

I was trying to install it on my laptop (Windows 7) but I already have it on my smart phone. Maybe I don't need it on both?



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[PureEvil]

@Libhine,

No, you don't need it on both.  You only need one device to sync (get the data off your tracker and to the Fitbit servers).  Most people use their smartphones for that.

You can look at the data from anywhere.  Computer or phone.

[Rich_Laue]

It might not state that a dongle is not included but nowhere, like the older tracker a do, does it state that a dongle is included. 

[Libhine]

Thanks. I'm also trying to get it synced with my Weight Watchers app.



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Rich_Laue]

For WW you need to connect your accounts. The tracker can only sync to Fitbit. 

You will find instructions on fitbit's partner page. 

[Libhine]

Thanks. I've already started doing that. Thanks.



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[Peejaydee]

Dongles are small and literally cost CENTS to this company

[Libhine]

My question has been answered and i was able to continue set up.



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone