I may be unusual in that I had a single primary reason for purchasing a Versa SE, which was to analyse my sleep pattern, specifically to identify whether I was able to get deep sleep, which is a problem for people with apnoea. My apnoea is under sufficient control that it is unproductive for me to use a CPAP machine (noise, discomfort, restricted movement, time spent on maintenance). However I still have to deal with persistent overhanging tiredness. Deep sleep is the restorative kind, the only way to relieve that tiredness. However as someone who was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis 16 years ago, a disease which is kept in check by medications, tiredness is pretty much par for the course, so it is impossible to disentangle that from the tiredness due to apnoea, or from lack of exercise (and when you are persistently fatigued, exercise is barely an option).
So far, my Versa has performed the function I wanted it for. I have had it for over 5 months. As long as it continues to perform this function, I have good reason to keep it. It is unclear to what extent the information it gives me is accurate, but by monitoring my sleep pattern, and relating it to how tired I feel, I have some data based upon which I can make the effort, when necessary, to try to get extra sleep. Lack of sleep leads to unwanted appetite. Keeping weight under control is key to avoiding apnoea. If you wake up tired, first thing you want to do is eat. If you wake up refreshed, you might go many hours before the thought of eating crosses your mind. That at least is my experience.
Given my above focus on sleep issues, for a long time I have discounted the other capabilities of the watch. But I think it is worth making some comments about those other capabilities, trying to summarise the overall position, which I think is important, as it gives an indication of how much interest Fitbit have in solving the Versa’s problems, and is evidence that is not noticeable if one just looks at a single issue:
* Sleep: As described above. There was optimistic speculation in some produce reviews of the multi-frequency optical sensor being able to do pulse oximetry (ie to estimate spO2). For people with apnoea, this would be a boon. It would give some much-needed information. The fact that this capability in the hardware is not supported in the software however comes as no surprise to me. I doubt it will ever surface. Fitbit make no mention of it. Pulse oximetry is difficult. For medical purposes, approval is required, and the loose placement of a watch sensor against the wrist is not the same as a finger deliberately inserted into a purpose-designed device. So I don’t hold this against them.
* Distance walked: I have not had the ghost-steps problem. Sometimes I have been surprised by how far the watch says I have walked. However what it tells me is similar to what I have found from apps on my phone that measure distance walked. Where there is a difference, I think it arises from wearing the watch while at home. Just walking around the house during the course of the day can add up to a significant additional distance. So overall, no problem there. But bear in mind that there is no need for a watch if all you want to do is measure distance walked, especially a watch that relies on a phone for GPS data; all you need is a pedometer app on your phone, and there are plenty of those.
* Notifications: I have used the Versa with a Lumia 650 (Windows 10 Mobile), a Nokia 6 (Android), and an iPhone SE. No matter which phone I use, the notifications received by the watch are so sporadic as to be useless. It is a novelty when a notification turns up. Consequently this is a feature which, disappointingly, is totally useless. As for the watch being able to request data for the phone, on demand, as some of the apps require, I have never had any luck with that, with any of my phones.
* Wallet: I specifically set up an account with one of the few providers in the UK that support Fitbit Wallet, so I could try out the wallet feature. I have been through the arduous and longwinded setup process several times now. Why? Because when I went to my local grocery store and tried to pay with the watch for the first time, it told me the wallet had no record of any cards being added. This was embarrassing. And it is not the only time it has happened. So I have completely given up on this feature too.
* Updates from Fitbit: There was one firmware update. I installed it as soon as it was available. Sadly, no updates since. The update seemed to help eliminate endless redundant notifications, but has not solved the problem of their sporadic arrival on the watch. Despite the update, the wallet problem exists. I would have expected, by now, that these problems would have been ironed out. That this has not happened is, to me, ominous and disappointing.
I hope the above summary is useful in giving a general impression of how much confidence one should place in Fitbit with regard to the likelihood of remaining issues with the Versa being resolved. Such information is useful in a buying decision.
For me, provided the watch continues to provide the data I need in managing my sleep, I will continue to use it. If it ceases to do that, it is no longer of use. I have no reason to suppose it will stop doing what it does. I keep the rear of the watch clean so that the sensors can do their job. I wear the watch pretty much all the time, which means I need to charge it every 2-3 days.
Would I have bought the Versa had I known of the ghost-steps problem, or if I had known some of the features of the watch would not work? Hard to say. I was certainly put off by the prices of Apple watches, and worse, the lock-in to the Apple ecosystem. I can understand how Fitbit gains an advantage among people who are not locked into the Apple ecosystem. But to keep that advantage, I think they need to do more than I have seen in their responses on this forum, which come across as complacency and disinterest, so the ball’s in their court if they want that perception to improve.
At the risk of getting suckered into the Apple walled garden (again, having had a bitter experience with it in the past), I am looking at Apple watches at the moment. But as I say, they are expensive, far more than a Fitbit, and I would like Fitbit to remain a viable alternative.
Fully expecting this post to be removed by Fitbit moderator, for wandering off-topic, despite it being, I believe, fair and balanced, respectful, and containing what I hope is useful information which ties together different aspects of the use of the Versa product, aspects which make the difference as to whether a product achieves success or not.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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