Why no GPS on the Versa?

[Grumpyswife]

I have read that you need to get the special edition of versa for GPS?  Why the difference?  Why did they just not include it all in one watch?  Also -- what difference does no GPS make?  Just in logging your exercise paths?  

[smwebster13]

It's a bummer there isn't just an option for a more expensive version of the Versa to include GPS.  I mostly like the Ionic (currently have it), but the look & design of the Versa is so much better.  I'm even looking potentially selling the Ionic to replace with the Versa, but not having built-in GPS is main reason giving me pause.  Would absolutely pay more to have the Versa if they included GPS.  Is that something you see eventually happening? 

[Gadams99]

I can’t see them doing that in the near future. I think the reason the Versa is a little smaller is because it doesnt have GPS. To put the GPS in would make it bigger defeating the reason why they went that way in the first place 

[sumam]

Given that the Versa came out literally within 6 months of Ionic! Maybe we can expect to see some version of Versa with built-in GPS maybe?

[smwebster13]

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@sumamwrote:

Given that the Versa came out literally within 6 months of Ionic! Maybe we can expect to see some version of Versa with built-in GPS maybe?

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I for one hope so. 

[CRoweNH]

If nothing else, this thread is pretty consistent in that there’s a significant demand in the marketplace for a GPS enabled Versa.  I don’t know a lot of people who like to run with their phone...I actually like that I’m getting away from it when I work out!

[tuckerg76]

I was psyched forvthe versa - it looks beautiful.  But the lack of built-in gps is also a dealbreaker for me.  For what it’s worth though, I actually have an apple watch (series 2) and I love it. It’s more costly but it’s a solid fitness tracker. Apple just doesn’t do the watch any justice with the activity/health app.  That said, I’m using an app called HealthFit to export data / workouts into map my fitness and training peaks.  The app works nicely for that purpose.  Hopefully there’ll be a versa next year with built-in GPS.  

[Elizabeth4011]

I thought about switching to the Apple Watch but it bothers me that it doesn’t really have multiple sport fitness tracking and most workouts are just “other”. It also doesn’t track stairs climbed either, and I read it doesn’t track sleep either. Which isn’t a huge thing for me but I do like knowing my RHR when sleeping to get a baseline. 

Do you find that that the fitness component of the Apple Watch a but limiting for the price ? Just curious. 

[tuckerg76]

The series 3 tracks stairs climbed but not the series 2. It's had a decent enough variety for me, covering indoor/outdoor walking, running, biking and swimming as well as rowing machine, elliptical, stepper, and of course, the 'other' as you mentioned. It seems they are adding more activities to apple watch over time - I suspect when the next watch OS comes out you'll see more types of workouts supported. The battery life and health app are its biggest weaknesses in my opinion.  I love how fitbit has set up a community of users and the way they've built the website for activity and health tracking.  Unfortunately for me the GPS is a deal-breaker due to my own needs (triathlon prep), which is a pity because to date, Apple and now Fitbit are the only wearable makers who've actually designed stylish wearables. I'm hopeful that the next generation fitbit will have the GPS support or Apple will actually be able to create a community out of people using their own fitness apps like fitbit and others have done.

[Micahnatorx]

@Elizabeth4011

I've had the Apple Watch (AW) for couple/few weeks now and I think gotten a decent understanding of how I use it compared to the Fitbit. I've actually found that I enjoy the smartwatch capabilities as much as the fitness aids, which was surprising to me.

Fitness; I very much enjoy a couple of apps. Intervals, which allows me to create custom interval running routines. Gives me audible alerts when I'm half way through a period then a 10 second count down till the next period. For me that's great, helps me mentally prep for the next run period and to keep at it during the run period knowing that it's almost over as I get the alerts. I use the built in app for walks and bicycling.

Smartwatch; I honestly didn't care about smartwatch capabilities but found that I love reading texts, emails, etc on my watch. It lets me disengage from my phone much more, which has been nice. I really like being able to make and take calls from my phone (via bluetooth connection with my phone). It's super handy when driving (hey Siri, call...) or when I'm just kinda busy with something else like cooking or whatever. My watch isn't cell enabled, this is all bluetooth to my phone. I love that I can press a button on my watch and my phone will make a tone even when on mute so I can find it.

I love having music on my watch so that I can go running with bluetooth headphones and leave my phone at home. It's pretty easy, I just had to switch from Spotify to Apple Music, same price.

I was entertained by the sleep tracker of my fitbit but after a week or so, it didn't end up being meaningful information for me. I know when I slept well and I generally sleep well. I also don't like sleeping with something on my wrist. Because of this, it's easy enough to just put the AW on the charger while I sleep. I've never been close to worrying about batter percentage at the end of the day, always over 50% even using GPS, listening to music, apps, etc.

I did miss the fitbit app at first but I've come to realize that much of the "data" it provides is more than what could be considered accurate anyway. AW does much of what fitbit does in terms of activity tracking. I guess I do a lot less staring into my phone at the data than I used to with the fitbit.

If I were to do it all over again I wouldn't hesitate to get the AW, as long as you have an iphone. I don't stair climb and AW doesn't seem to count steps, it counts activity. I'm sure there are a myriad of AW apps that focus on steps though. I've never cared about steps, more concerned with getting my HR up.

[Veevee1]

Maybe you should consider the Ionic?

[SunsetRunner]

Hi,

Will you be releasing another similar style watch to the Versa with built-in GPS this year or in the near future?

Many thanks for your help! 🙂

[AlessFitbit]

Hi, everyone!

I can tell you would all love a Versa with built-in GPS. We really appreciate your interest and excitement around new Fitbit products. As you know, we are constantly working on new devices to help people live healthier lives. We don't have news to share at this time, but please stay tuned for what is to come. 

[Mboy1976]

Totally agree. Love the look of the versa and has just about everything I need BUT no GPS means I won't be buying one now and will stick with my Garmin. Fitbit have to realise not everyone wants to run with a phone.

[pvz]

So is the connection between the phone and Versa bluetooth?  Is there any way to leverage the wifi component to transmit data from the Versa to a phone using the phone's local wifi hotspot?  [My application is I use a tracker while playing soccer and then study my movement graph later.  There is a good chance the Versa and phone could reach via wifi.]

[Lcda]

Will you release new version of versa with gps, bc the ionic is not a pretty watch and the versa is at least more female friendly looking, but I do not want to buy a watch that I have to have my phone with to track my run. 

[drsnicol]

It's worth pointing out that the UK base versa model does come with NFC... the UK special addition just comes with an extra (exclusive) wrist band for the extra 30 pounds.

However, the pay function only works with certain credit cards and only a couple of small credit card companies support nfc fitbit pay at the moment in the UK market (but that may change in the future).

[Lcda]

The ionic is an ugly watch...

[michallides]

For fitness tracker, Its own GPS is deal breaker for me. I was looking for Versa, and was like wow this is nice, waterproof... but then I discovered it has no GPS. I don't wanna run with my phone to track my path. So I bought tracker/smart watch from another brand for 230 euros. Versa is for 200 euros. I think 30 euros for GPS is not so much. It has everything what Versa has, but plus its own GPS. It's shame.

[N8teGee]

It might be worth bearing in mind that one of the reasons the Versa is so compact and aesthetically pleasing is because of the lack of GPS chip and the extra antenna/bigger battery this would also require.

As we can see from the Ionic, this all comes at a cost to design/aesthetics. I'm not saying it can't be done, as with the Apple watch sharing a similar design to the Versa. I believe the Apple watch is still bulkier compared to the Versa and we all know what the battery performance is on that device. 

[michallides]

I did not want to say the name of other company's product I bought instead of yours on your forum but I have Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro. And it is nice small but you are right with battery life. I have to charge it every day. When I was hiking for 4 hours it drew 50% of battery. I had Charge 2 before but I had to make warranty claim 2 times cos its bad band quality (every owner of charge 2 has the same problem, the bubble on band), so they gave me my money back so I bought Gear Fit. But I will follow your products and try some in the future 🙂