Difficulties changing Inspire bands

[PAT7776]

I have a tiny wrist and wanted to get metal adjustible band like on my Alta HR. Wow, this has tiny, tiny pins that you have to watch when taking it off so you don't loose them. My problem is putting the new band on---Anybody have suggestions on how to do this without taking 45 minutes like I did to change a watch band! The metal clips are so tine and if you loose it your watch becomes useless. The app shows as simple slide and lock picture but I did not have such a easy time of this. Kinda blows the idea of getting lots of bands like I like because this is so tuff! Terrible design

Moderator edit: removed all caps

[AlvaroFitbit]

@PAT7776 Welcome to the Fitbit Community! It's great to have you here!

Thank you for your feedback regarding the Inspire bands. Some members have commented that using tweezers have helped them remove and set the band again on their devices. 

Let me know how it goes.

[brutus001]

I just changed my band over to a metal band from Amazon.  The 3rd party bands are not easy at all.  And as you said, the pins are not secured in the band like the OEM ones, so you can lose them.  I would suggest changing over a white towel, so you can see the pins if you do drop them.  Practice sliding the pins in without the band first to get a feel for what motions you will need.  Make sure the band fits properly as well.  It took a little wiggling and trials, but my band fits and is in place.

[Catdet]

Just got my Inspire and am having trouble switching to the smaller band. Maybe I’ll just keep my Alta. 

[SCave]

I agree.  Would not have bought if I had only know.

Need a redesign.  The Alta was much easier.  Disappointed.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[BBurgDave]

I changed the band on my wife's Inspire HR to a 3rd party band and the only thing I really found difficult was getting my fingernail (I used my thumb) onto the pin to slide it so I could tip the band to remove the pin side.  In retrospect, it would have been easier if I had not recently trimmed my fingernails.

It is small, so if you have "fat fingers", or can't see small details that well, it might be difficult, that is true.

It is also true that the pins seem to be more secure in the OEM band than the 3rd party bands (where they are not permanently attached to the band.  You get what you pay for there I guess 🙂

[Sunlite705]

I bought 2 for Christmas, these watchbands are awful, one you can't even snap thru the holes the other slides up down and you can't put it in any hole.  There has to be something we can do besides request a new band!  It will do the same thing.  We spent w/tax and shipping almost $200 and are so disappointed.  I had the Charge HR which I had to get 2 replacements, and bought my husband a Charge 2 which I now wear and works so far after a year still perfect.   I am a long time fitbit owner and these two last Inspire purchases just 6 weeks ago we are regretting. There has to be something Fitbit will do about getting us Diff bands like the Charge 2 that is like a REGULAR watch band.  This design is totally flawed.

Tweezers?? We shouldn't have to use tweezers.  These inspire watches (we bought 2 for our middle school children) One just gave up on wearing it because the pin will not go into the band holes, the other watch band recently started sliding and you can't even get it in the hole, she was wearing it every day and would tell us how many steps she took each night.  I called you have no other replacement bands like a regular watch ( I have the Charge 2) all the bands should be made like the Charge 2, esp when these are geared to younger aged groups.  Sooooo Disappointed in my expensive last minute decision to surprise them both with these watches.  Design is definitely flawed and there should be a diff kind to replace under warranty that works long term.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Inspireproblem1]

I have used tweezers, magnifying glass, jewelry light.............should not be this hard to change the band. I have had my Fitbit fall off my wrist at least 6 times. My Fitbit is relatively new and I wish I had never bought it. Pin idea needs to be redesigned. Thank God I don't have arthritis, would never be able to change!

I had problems putting the original band back on as well. Not just a third party issue.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Sunlite705]

I don’t know this design how it passed testers of all ages and quality control. The best thing Fitbit can do for their Inspire consumers who have had issues with this band is to create on that fits this Inspire and functions like a regular watch band.

When I called customer service on both hands. Our son could r even put the pin in any of the holes. I tried I couldn’t do it. The rep sd it may be the band is defective my son was so frustrated he quit wearing it. He likes his watches right not loose. Our daughter loved hers wore it for 3 weeks and the pin popped up and it is impossible to get it in a hole. I sent in my request for replacement bands. My concern is they will not work either.

Sue

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Jrdubyakc · Accepted solution]

It is bit trickier than some. I have found  that it is easier to insert the pins when the band is at a 90 degree angle to the device instead of my initial attempts where I wanted to lay it flat (180 degree angle). 

[EllieH72]

That’s a great tip! Thank you. Will try that tonight. 

[nan818]

Thanks for the tip. It worked!

[Heatherfb]

Glad to see I'm not the only one. This is a truly terrible design. I was trying to change tot he larger band and can not get it to work at all. I don't understand how a product with such terrible usability makes it to market. 

[Inspireproblem1]

Imagine having arthritis! Worst design ever. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[nan818]

Do try holding it at an angle. It worked right away, but now I charge it with the band on. I'm not going to get another band, that's for sure.

[JCandee]

Completely agree - I would have liked to change the bands frequently between one I can use in water and the more professional silver wrist band, but it just took me over 30 minutes to change bands. Not sure why the design couldn't be same to the Alta which was a piece of cake and made changing the bands in seconds easy.

completely agree.  I have fingernails and small fingers and still fiddled for over 30 minutes to change the band and have it set - one side was fine and the other wouldn't work.  was so frustrated I was ready to blow a gasket.  How would someone elderly or with arthritis, with poor eyesight or with large fingers and no fingernails do this - I have absolutely no idea.  Wish I'd known beforehand.  I went for the Inspire as I like the look (similar to Alta) as a ladies watch and wish there were other more feminine options with a better band.  This really needs to be recalled and rectified.  Was otherwise happy with the functionality but the band frustration is for the birds.

Agree though my alta died after 2 years for no reason and was told better to go to the inspire which was meant to be better.  I like it overall but the changing of the watchband needs to be rectified to be like the Alta which was easy

Moderator edit: merged reply

[CommanderRikker]

I don't know who at FitBit decided this new way of attaching bands is better.  I also went from Alta to Inspire.  The Alta was just a pinch to change.  Dealing with these tiny pins is beyond stupid.

[nan818]

I agree totally. I don't even take it apart when I charge it. It takes too
long to assemble it again. Bad flaw in design!

[Inspireproblem1]

Not a good answer.

[kkpicker]

I do have arthritis, and you're right!  Totally awful design!