Versa GPS Features dilema

[daydr3am3r]

Hi guys,

I am thinking on getting a Fitbit watch and I cannot decide between Versa and Ionic.

As far as I can see the only difference, apart from the design, it's the built-in GPS on Ionic.

So I am wondering what features on Versa require the phone's GPS. 

I can see on the comparison chart that the pace and distance require the GPS function yet both have Steps & Activity and Swimming Tracking.

Obviously, you can't take the phone with you when swimming so in this case I am not sure what exactly is Versa tracking.

Also, how is the Steps & Activity different from Pace & Distance? What exactly (and how) is Versa able to track the steps and activity without the GPS? Or this also requires it?

As for the sync functionality, is this done in real time with the phone connected or is it done manually from within the app?

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

For the Ionic with built-in GPS, for outside runs, walks, ... it uses the GPS data to measure your course and distance, also allowing it to calculate pace and show a map of your route afterward.  With the Versa, and many other models, you can get essentially the same thing by using connected-GPS, provided you carry phone with GPS with you.  But having the GPS built-in on the Ionic makes it simpler and sometimes more reliable, not relying on tracker keeping connection with phone.

For the Versa, if you don't use connected-GPS, it calculates/estimates distance as number of steps times stride length.

For other activities, GPS is not used.

The Ionic is a bit thicker and heavier, partly because of including the GPS, and perhaps somewhat from being a slightly earlier model.

As for step count, GPS is not a factor.  Steps are detected and counted by the accelerometer in the tracker, detecting steps by the normal swinging of the arms while walking or running.

For syncing, if you have all-day sync turned on, Fitbit periodically will try to sync on its own, but, whether all-day sync is on or not, you always have the option to manually start a sync from the phone app.

[daydr3am3r]

Thanks.

I really like how Versa looks and the fact that is a bit smaller.

And since I always keep my phone with me, no matter what, this won't be a problem.

I was just curious if I should really pay the extra $100 for Ionic instead of getting Versa.

[JohnnyRow]

Just my opinion, but I'd say it might be worth it for serious runner/racer not wanting to always carry phone, it might be worth the extra $.

[daydr3am3r]

I was thinking exactly the same.

However, I mostly do jogging, biking, swimming and gym. And I walk a lot (about 5km / day). 

I don't remember when I had a serious run in the last years. 

[daydr3am3r]

Thanks for your help. I got the Versa in the end and it seems quite OK.