Compare Versa with Alta HR and Charge 2

[nhlisa]

Hi, I currently have a Fitbit Alta HR and a Charge 2. I alternate between them. I really like the size of the Alta as far as the width. On the Charge 2, I really like the button and I got the rose gold which I really like. The Alta bands are much easier for me to change for some reason. Seems to hurt my finger and take longer to change the Charge band.

I've been looking at the Versa. On one hand I like the overall look although I'm not sure how the size compares to the Charge. Can't really tell by looking at the pictures how much larger it is. Also does the Versa sit lower on the wrist than the Alta & Charge? Sometimes I get annoyed with the "height" of them. How hard is it to change the Versa band? I like to change bands depending on what I'm wearing.

Anyone have the Versa and also had experience with the Alta and or the Charge?

Lisa

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[AlejandraFitbit]

It's great to see you around @nhlisa.

I appreciate your preference for the Fitbit products. I think here that all the suggestions and feedback about the Versa will depend on the person. You can take a look at this page, where you will be able to compare the trackers you have with the Versa and for more information click here to have the Versa manual.

I hope this helps, let me know if you need anything else. 

[wtchambers]

I made the jump from Alta to Versa and the Versa does everything I wished my Alta would do:  I can read it outdoors - not being able to read the Alta outdoors was so frustrating; it counts the steps toward the hourly 250 - so helpful sometmes I CAN take the short way; it is a clock, it has apps - I added My Agenda which is a simple, straight forward calendar and a To Do list and I love them - having the weather on my wrist is nice; it has the Exercise Shortcuts - makes tracking treadmill and Tai Chi (I have to call it Yoga) foolproof - as soon as the Fitbit folks figure out how to make the settings stick, it will be perfect; Notifications stay on the Versa until you delete them - I usually missed them on the Alta because they disappeared quickly; I did not have the Alta HR so the heart rate information is new and helpful; I have found the more detailed sleep information very interesting.  I am sure there is more but I cannot think...since nothing is perfect, I will say that the two drawbacks for me are (1) changing bands - it is getting easier but it will never be as quick and painless as changing Alta bands; and (2) the Versa includes statistics for stairs climbed - stairs are not a part of my life and I hate seeing zeros.  I was able to delete the stairs tile from my dashboard but 0 stairs climbed shows up in various places...I hope the Fitbit people can make stairs an optional statistic but, even if they don’t I am very very pleased with my Versa.

[NYBarb]

I just received my Versa (Special Ed.) a few days ago; an upgrade to the Alta HR to motivate me after being sidelined for a year with plantar faciitis.  I love the flatness of the Versa compared to the Alta.  I bought a number of extra bands for the Alta, which are gorgeous (gold and silver metal, several colors of the classic), but they all have that height issue due to the height of the Alta device itself.  The Versa's footprint is obviously larger, but that makes it SO much easier to read due to a much brighter and larger touch screen. The Versa also has three "real" buttons (one on the left; two on the right). All of this makes the Versa MUCH easier to navigate.  I had a very difficult time finding the right "touch" to make the Alta change screens.  Also, I really  missed the stair-climbing feature on the Alta.  I love the weather app on the Versa, along with the ability to listen to Pandora without my iPhone (you have to have a premium Pandora service, which I already did). I've had fun with the various watch face options; not just because they are attractive, but because they offer a multitude of data choices for you to view right on the "home screen" (aka the watch face).  Some cost a little bit of money, but many of them are free, too. 

[nhlisa]

Hi Alejandra,

Thanks for responding.  I had already compared them but didn't see any comparison on the width & height of them.  I believe someone else responded saying it does sit lower on the wrist than the Charge 2.

Thanks,

Lisa

[nhlisa]

Hi & thanks for the response.  I appreciate the information.

I don't do stairs either as I have a tough time just stepping up onto a curb or something like that.  With stairs I need to go up & down sideways with both hands on the railing.

I love changing bands on my Alta HR.  It's very easy to do.  It's a little harder on the Charge 2 even though it's the same concept.  Don't know why.  I have seen a video on how to change the band on the Versa.  It does look a little more tricky.  Not sure if I'd have problems doing it or not.  Finding it difficult to decide which one I want to get because of that reason.  I really like the look of the silver with gray band.  I wear a lot of gray.  But I also really like the rose gold.  Although not sure I'd want to wear a peach band on a regular basis.

Thanks for your input,

Lisa

[nhlisa]

Hi and thanks for the response.  I appreciate it.

I love the width of the Alta HR but the height is annoying. Having something that sits flatter to the wrist would be nice but not sure if I'll be comfortable with the width of it.  The Charge 2 isn't too bad but it's easier to wear a bracelet or two with the Alta than the Charge.

I also have a bunch of bands for both the Alta HR & Charge 2.  Would have to see how hard it is to change the band on the Versa before I bought too many of them.

I also had a tough time at first trying to wake the Alta up and change screens.  That's why I like the button on the Charge 2.

Thanks again for the information,

Lisa

[nhlisa · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up buying the Versa yesterday.  I took advantage of the last day with free overnight shipping.  I had a tough time trying to decide whether to get the rose gold/peach or the Silver/gray.  I did go ahead and get the silver/gray.  I figure I can always get a rose gold band.  When looking for bands at Amazon I saw these case things that will change the color around the FitBit itself.  So I could in theory get one in rose gold or any other color I wanted.

I do have another question but I'll start another thread.

Thanks,

Lisa

[Nimbus2018]

Hi Lisa,

I just wondered how you were finding your new Versa?  I also have the Charge 2 and the Alta HR and am having difficulty justifying getting a Versa to be honest!  Just the same as you I'm torn between the rose gold and the silver - suspect push come to shove I would go for the rose gold.  But is there sufficient difference?  I do struggle to see the Alta HR outside, which is annoying and also find myself tapping it to activate the screen, also annoying.  Be good to get your thoughts after having yours for a bit. Thanks. 

[nhlisa]

Hi Nimbus2018,

I'm really enjoying the Versa.  Even though it's larger (wider), it doesn't sit up as high and it's more comfortable than the Alta HR & Charge 2.  

I sold my Alta HR.  I've only worn my Charge 2 twice for a short period of time while charging the Versa.  I'm no longer alternating like I did before.  It's basically serving as my backup.  Although I an thinking about selling the Charge 2 and buying the Charge 3.  Although that does seem slightly crazy when it'll probably continue to be a backup.

I'm not using any of the smart watch features at this point.  I do like having them available to me though.

The Versa display adjusts depending on the light.  I don't do much outside but I have been able to see the display fine when out.

As far as the silver & rose gold.  I do like them both.  But I really do prefer the rose gold.  I wish they would allow us to connect more than one of the same device.  I might have kept the silver and alternated depending on what I was wearing.  My husband has my silver one now.  If I had to do it again, I'd get the rose gold the first time.

I'm extremely happy that I got the Versa.  Actually wish that the Versa was out when I purchased the Alta HR in January.  We've bought 6 Fitbits between us since January.  We did sell both of our Altas.  We both kept the Charge 2's as backups.

Good luck with your decision.

[Nimbus2018]

I hadn't thought about selling the Alta HR - that would help alleviate some of the guilt in upgrading! Wow, six Fitbits since January - i'm obviously not the only Fitbit addict out there (perhaps we need our own self-help book!) Thanks for letting me know your thoughts.