Versa 2: my feedback

[SunsetRunner]

OK, early adopters, let me give you my results so far:

1.  Versa 2 apparently can not use existing Versa charging docks.  Yes, a new one comes in the box.  So, what's all the drama about?  Well, the already-way-too-short cable on the original Versa dock is now even shorter on the Versa 2 dock, rendering it absolutely useless.  I now have my brand-new Versa 2 sitting on the freaking floor because the cable isn't long enough to place the dock on any surface resembling a "desk" or whatever.  So, either buy a usb extension cable thrash through every drawer and box full of wires I've got, to see if I have such a cable buried anywhere.

2.  So far, trying to use third-party clock faces has been about 99% frustrating.  Yes, I can select one, and get it to appear on my Versa 2.  But, it won't save any settings.  I have tried doing full resets of the Versa 2 and my phone (and thus the Fitbit app), but so far, "no dice."  I may have to use one of the awful Fitbit faces.  this might be a "return this turkey now" situation for me.

3.  Speaking of "resetting my phone," apparently the Versa 2 is one more very strong step in Fitbit's continual elimination of any concept of working with desktop or notebook computer systems.  Including the elimination of features that will show up on the "fitbit dashboard" via Fitbit's web site.  Why on earth would anyone want to use a beautiful, enormous 27-inch computer monitor, when they can do everything via a teensy tiny little phone screen??  This is the way Fitbit apparently "thinks" now, folks.

4.  And the big thing regarding item #3, above, is that you cannot set up the versa 2 via a computer system.  Just forget about it.  Don't even think about getting a Versa 2, unless you agree that people must be raving, crazy lunatics for wanting to use a computer to work with one of these devices.  You must use a phone.  Just toss that computer into the nearest dumpster, I guess, because the young folks who "design" and "program" Fitbit's software apparently don't even comprehend what a "computer" is, let alone why anyone would be crazy enough to want to use one.

Enough ranting for now -- I've got to find something a bit longer than the three-inch cable that the Versa 2 "dock" comes with, so I can get my Versa 2 off of the floor.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity and format

[SunsetRunner]

OK, a bit of an update:

Finally, after several reboots, at least I've finally gotten a third-party clock face to save its settings on the Versa 2.  That helps a lot.

But, I think I've figured out part of what has me so frustratingly frustrated with the infernal Versa 2 charging dock:

The usb cord is attached to the bottom of the dock. It sticks out "straight down" from the bottom of the dock. You absolutely, positively can not get it to "lay flat" with your versa 2 seated on it. I've had my brand-new Versa 2 sitting upside down, on its face, because it won't "lay down" on the charging dock. What complete, utter **ahem** "designed" this worthless piece of junk???

good freaking grief.  Now I'm going to have to wade through dozens of third-party docks for sale online, and see if I can ever find one that will actually charge the Versa 2, while sitting flat on a table, like the original Versa dock will.  good freaking grief.  This is nonsense.  This is insane.

You just get the impression that everyone at fitbit is asleep on the job.  Doesn't anybody ever even look at what they're making, what they're selling?  Are there a few people who can see what's going on, but they fear for their jobs, rather than raising the issues that every one of their customers will experience within their first few minutes with their new Fitbit products?  Sheesh.

Moderator edit: format

[NellyG]

Hi @SunsetRunner  Please stop shouting. It is unpleasant for the reader and against Community Guidelines. Community Guidelines

I agree the charging dock is different. It is actually made to be set on its side when you charge. You dont have to put it face down, the same as the Versa Lite charger. It is also frustrating that the V2 wont fit the V1 charger, but the explaination is simple - it is thicker than the V1 so the clip wont fit. Unfortunate, but I guess they needed a bit more space inside.

[SunsetRunner]

Well, Nelly, all I can tell you is that it has been one extremely unpleasant experience to learn how incompetently "designed" the Versa 2 dock has been.  I certainly want "the readers" to comprehend the utterly frustrating experience that they are heading into, should they be switching from the Versa to the Versa 2.  In the end, I was shouting in my previous message, because I was shouting while trying to simply charge my new, precious, upside-down-on-the-floor Versa 2.

I wouldn't be surprised if I'm at least twice your age, I have been using computers and digital devices for right around fifty years, and the Versa 2 charging dock is absolutely the worst "design" I have ever seen in all of my years using computers and associated equipment.

I can confirm that the Versa also will not charge in the Versa 2 dock, for what that may be worth.  I have to disagree with your "simple explanation," though -- yes, the thickness dimensions are slightly different, but the Versa 2 will clip into the Versa dock quite securely, as will the Versa into the Versa 2 dock.  From my inspections, the shape of the "indent" in the docks that the devices fit into have different shapes, but it also appears that the position and shaping of the four pins in each dock are very slightly different.  This is probably just as horribly, terribly bad as Fitbit's "design" that positioned the charging cable at the bottom of the Versa 2's dock -- it is utterly as if there was intent to "change the design slightly" -- and for no useful reason whatsoever -- so that users will have to purchase even more proprietary chargers from Fitbit, if they want more than the one that came in the box.

As for "ordering third-party alternatives online," I have already seen what appears to be an absolutely normal "Versa" charger titled as a "Versa 2" charger on one site.  From this point in time forward, it will probably be nothing other than a complete nightmare for anyone who would like to purchase anything different from the abysmal Fitbit OEM Versa 2 charging dock, as the online sellers will presume that "a Versa dock is a Versa dock" (as would any other intelligent human being), but no, Fitbit "changed the position of the pins," sorry.

At any rate, I sure won't be apologizing for Fitbit's decisions to "design" a charging dock with an insanely, uselessly short cable, which is positioned so that the dock will never sit flat on a surface, and will naturally flip over so that the Versa 2's face will fall onto the surface, instead, and won't work with previous versions of the device, and vice-versa.  I understand that Fitbit hasn't been doing very well financially, lately.  I would suggest that "making the everyday use of their products frustrating" probably isn't going to help that situation, very much at all.  But I sure think that's a rather accurate description of what Versa 2 users will experience, every time they try to use the Versa 2 charging dock.

Moderator edit: format

[Libratravel]

I just chatted with fit bit support for over 30 minutes trying to inform them of the defect with my charging station. That cord emerging from the bottom of the docking station absolutely prevents it from resting nicely on a desk. They are getting back to me tomorrow but I honestly can’t accept such a MAJOR design flaw. It’s ridiculous.

[kimbevans]

All your points are valid. Fitbit should accomodate computer users and quit trying to funnel everyone into using annoying smartphones for EVERYTHING. End of story! 

Speaking of smartphones, how disappointing that if I upgrade my Ionic to a stylish new Versa, I lose onboard GPS! Instead I have to see my stats on my phone's GPS. I'll never get a Versa for that reason alone.

[N8teGee]

@kimbevans this is not how connected GPS works. You will still be able to see all your stats on the Versa display, just like you do with you Ionic. The only difference is that the GPS data will be coming from your phone rather than the onboard chip, this part is completely invisible to the user though (as in it would be difficult to tell the difference between onboard and connected when in use).

[kimbevans]

Thanks for the reply. I’m still left wondering how the Versa can accurately
calculate my distance mid-run if it doesn’t use GPS until afterward.

???

[N8teGee]

@kimbevans It uses GPS throughout the workout, just as the Ionic would. The only difference is instead of calling for the onboard GPS it calls for the phones GPS (which it keeps a constant connection with throughout), both systems display the same information throughout the workout and the end result is also the same.

[SunsetRunner]

What is frustrating about the Versa 2 dock is the comparison of having to use it after experiencing the quality of the dock that came with the original Versa. That was a masterpiece. The cord length worked well in my setting, it sit firmly on the top of the table both when in use and not, the connection mechanism was intuitive, and it held the Versa firmly.

Coming from that quality to the dock in the Versa 2 is a big let down. There appears to be nothing inherently wrong with the Versa 2 dock, but given the Versa 2 is nearly a clone of the original, the differences in the charging experience are quite frustrating. If it was a matter of reducing costs to develop the new charger, the goal should have been to at least allow those coming from the original Versa a way to continue to use the superior original dock. 

A third, although less desirable option, would be an accessory dock that worked with all of the Versa devices with the quality features of the original. I'd buy one. 

[Libratravel]

Amen.

Sent from my iPhone

[kimbevans]

I don’t run with my phone. I hope I will never have to again! That’s what I
have appreciated about Ionic. Music and GPS without having to lug my phone!

[RCWtristan]

A little confused by 'THOOTS' posts. Could be things have changed from his posts, 4-5 weeks ago, to now.  I just last week got my FB Versa 2.  Did almost all my setups on my Windows system HewlettPakard home computer, not my phone.  In fact, have gone back to the FitBit page on my home computer a number of times and input amended Setting data, which then alters the program in my FB watch and the results showing in both the phoneApp and my account page on the FitBit website account page (specifically, have been playing around with the "stride length" to make the non-GPS distance data for both running and walking to be more accurate.  First changed my height to artificially make their program give me a longer stride length, then quit that approach and manually input my own measurements for walking and running stride lengths).  Point is, have done all this on my home computer via FitBit account page, not on my phone.