New updated clip on tracker

I have had a One for 3 years now and love it but am a bit disappointed that some features are not available on it (e.g.. active mins per hour etc). Please can you make a new clip on fitbit with more features. I really don't want a wrist one at all.

1,086 Comments
AuntieS
Base Runner

They have been merging posts since they have started.  My posts with contact information for the CEO and others was removed as they said it violated the terms of their policy.  Even though they are a public company.  For some reason, they just do not want to hear what we have to say about wanting/needing a clip on tracker (and not the Zip).  Social media has not worked well either.  Maybe enough of us are not posting there.  All I can say, it seems they do not care about our business and that is a big mistake for any company to ignore a loyal consumer base.  

rachiti
Base Runner

Ugh!  If I had known before I bought my One that this company would be SO utterly dismissive of what their users want in a product, I would've gone with an alternative brand.  It sucks because I gave my niece one, my husband a different model, and I spent a ridiculous amount of money on the scale.  All of this before they decided to be idiots & eliminate a product which their own representatives admitted was very popular.  Whoever is making the design decision for this company needs to go back to college to learn the basics of supply and demand.  Maybe Apple's new watch will kill off Fitbit's market share - hopefully - because a swift kick in the caboose appears to be the only option left.

SCLOUSE
Recovery Runner

Where FITBIT has failed is with people like us that want to track activity (I wear the One 24/7).  I don't care about blood pressure etc readings. If I was having trouble with that I wouldn't be using a FITBIT device to monitor. I just want to clip on the device and go and use my phone to see the progress.  I think the mistake FITBIT has made was to try and convince everyone they need to wear a wristband.  You can't wear a wrist band 24/7 and if you arm isn't moving it doesn't count the steps (like when I am cleaning the house).  I gave up wearing watches so many years ago.  The FITBIT marketing teams are IDIOTS.  No wonder the company is in financial trouble.

Sunrider
Recovery Runner

@AuntieSTo extend on your idea of social media not working . . . 

What have you been doing?   I'll admit, I've only been posting here.  Have you been posted on their Facebook page?

 

I just spent the last several minutes in a sales chat  from the Fitbit Store page.  I can't help but wonder if we'd all start conversations there a couple times a week would that help Fitbit realize they have a market for the clip on tracker. 

 

Today's rep, "Sarah", informed me that they have a bigger need for  wrist worn tracker.   Uh huh.

SueAlan
Base Runner

@AuntieS wrote: "Today's rep, "Sarah", informed me that they have a bigger need for  wrist worn tracker.   Uh huh."

 

Perhaps Fitbit should realize that no matter what wrist tracker they put out there, they will never be able to complete with Apple. Why not claim the clip-on market--where they undoubtedly HAD the best tracker. They don't have to give up on wrist trackers--just go back to their strength and embrace it!


Sunrider
Recovery Runner

Well said @SueAlan.  They started with four clip on models, how about going back to that technology?

kemOx
Recovery Runner

Many of us in this chat have originally tried posting our own suggestion, which ultimately got merged here, calling or emailing FitBit customer service directly, and I would guess using Facebook (I don't use Facebook).

Of course, I still think it's worth using all these means of contact with them--but the problem is that we're not really being "heard," or whoever the major players are have decided our concerns aren't as important to them and their overall business plan.  Most of us has shared we received the same results...phone calls or returned messages result in some version of (a) We have options for everyone. (2) We have no current plans to introduce a new clip-on tracker, or (3) We have more demand for a wrist tracker. (4) Thanks for your feedback, and make sure to give this idea an "up vote."

They're all canned answers, as the default reply to anyone inquiring about the One being discontinued.  I don't know that chatting with them daily will really help, when they're not really thinking about and maybe not even tracking the reason for the inquiry.  Sometimes it makes me feel better though!  A moderator still hasn't replied to my question of if they have "something for everyone," what do they have for me as a person with a disability who cannot where a wrist tracker?

I've said this before, but it seems they're not planning to change their minds anytime soon, so it seems like one needs to either leave FitBit, but there isn't really a comparable option and you'd lose the community aspect if you regularly compete with friends, or self-hack one of their existing products.  Ultimately I caved in and purchased a Charge HR, and third-party Garmin clips, on someone else's recommendation.  It works well, though I miss my One.

AuntieS
Base Runner
@SueAlan Maybe the need for wrist based trackers is seen as bigger but they
are not the loyal users that have been fans of the clips on.

Waiting for a competitor to swoop in and do what the One does. Than all
they can do is say good-bye to all us loyal One fans.

HUGE MISTAKE @Fitbit! Go back to your roots as many are saying and corner
the market before it is too late!
AuntieS
Base Runner
@Sunrider - I have posted to Facebook - they tell me they have something
for everyone. When I respond that they do not, they no longer respond. I
have posted to Twitter with no results there.

As they say, it takes a village. I am going to reach out to the CEO, COO
and other AGAIN and see if that will put a bug up their butts.
nadasy
Strider

Are we allowed to 'Vote' for what has been said here, or is that Verboten?

Sunrider
Recovery Runner

I will start posting to Facebook and Twitter as well.  It can't hurt and is only a few minutes out of my day, which I'm totally willing to give.

I've been wearing my One every day, 24/7, for approaching 5 years now (Nov).  I know it's not going to last forever.

kemOx
Recovery Runner

You can "vote" for the suggestion (an improved clip-on tracker; that's where they're merging all the "Bring back the One" suggestions) at the top, by clicking on the "thumbs up" symbol.  Allegedly, they use this to gauge interest in particular suggestions.

The disconcerting thing is that if you look at other random suggestions if you click at the bottom of your page (at least on a web browser) "Back to Idea Exchange," there are other ideas like "Spotify for FitBit" that have thousands of votes.

Sunrider
Recovery Runner

I've seen that too @kemOx and it blows my mind.  Spotify on the Fitbit?  Seriously?  Why is that even a thing?

AuntieS
Base Runner
I think we need to get the word out to other FiBit users. I was unaware of
this suggestion thread until I called and asked them a question and they
pointed me here.
Sunrider
Recovery Runner

Agreed - but no idea how to do that other than Facebook or Twitter.   and I know there are people that would use Fitbits and not use social media.

 

SueAlan
Base Runner
As per Fitbit response to kemOx: (3) We have more demand for a wrist tracker.





Perhaps the higher demand for a wrist tracker is because the only Fitbit clip-on option left is over-priced with no more functionality that a cheap pedometer.
jrm27
Jogger

What are the options from other reliable makers? Is the best option buying a wrist based tracker, shoving in a pocket, and hoping for the best?

ScrapjenB
Strider

 I've been a Fitbit fan since 2010, love my One as much as anyone ... but I guess I've come to terms with the fact that it's been discontinued. I don't understand it and it doesn't make sense from my point of view, but I realize I'm not "in" with the company to take all the facts into consideration. I would guess they had some reason. Unfortunately, this happens all the time to all sorts of products. My favorite "tuffy scrubber" isn't made any more, a food disappears off the shelves never to return even though they were a favorite with our family and I would have thought a good seller. Shoes, makeup ... it seems as soon as I find something I like, they aren't making it anymore. And TV programs, there is always a group of people that LOVED a certain show and put up a huge stink when it is canceled and have thousands of people sign petitions and such ... rarely successful (although there has been a time here and there it has worked out). 

 

When people here say they will "just take my business elsewhere" ... NO ONE is making a clip tracker like the One. Even if there was (someone on another thread mentioned they had heard Fitbit had sold the "One" design patent, so no matter what, they wouldn't be able to bring it back as they don't hold the rights to it anymore, but maybe someone would?) ... I don't think I could leave the Fitbit system (I have eight years of data, friends, competitions, I understand the app and how everything works, Fitbit connects with MFP and other programs, etc).

 

I don't understand why Fitbit just doesn't come out with clips for the Alta and the ChargeHR (there are clips that fit both, but they are 3rd party and Fitbit doesn't recommend wearing a wrist device in a different way than intended) and tell the One people that THAT is their solution (Garmin has a clip for their wrist tracker). I've experimented (I had an Alta and ChargeHR laying around from when family upgraded or stopped wearing) they aren't the One exactly, but quite close, and some features (like the auto-tracking) are actually an improvement. I think they are both quite accurate when worn clipped (more so than when worn on the wrist as designed). When my One eventually dies, I'll just move to one of those options, wearing it clipped. 

 

kemOx
Recovery Runner

@jrm27, As far as I know, there is no comparable option as sophisticated as FitBit, except for the Garmin Vivofit tracker. It comes with a wristband and also has a clip option; other clip versions are the old, old versions that only track steps, could be clunky, and my guess would be it’s not as accurate.

 

I, too, have accepted FitBit has no interest in bringing back the One, so I decided I’d either need to leave FitBit, stop using a pedometer, or adapt one of theirs to be worn on a clip.

 

I learned from another on this forum (sorry, can’t remember who it was!) who compared FitBit vs. Garmin. I got the tip from that person that a Charge HR 2 fits in a Garmin silicone clip. I bought third party clips on Amazon and it works great. It’s larger than the One, but I can still use it the way I used my One. I just don’t use the HR function, and I’m happy with it. Because I was unhappier without anything! 

 

There are third parties that make clips for the Alta, but for some reason not the Charge (I want to count flights of stairs). I honestly feel like we’d have more success lobbying someone to make third party clips for the Charge, than convincing FitBit they’re leaving out a devoted user base and not providing accessibility to people with disabilities, let alone people who cannot or do not wear a tracker on their wrist for another reason! 

jrm27
Jogger

I'm thinking that no matter if they bring a new One to market (please), it won't be in any timeframe near enough to make a difference to me. So, I either am thinking of getting a Charge and seeing how it works in my pocket, or moving over to a Garmin product.


@Yellowcow wrote:

I have had a One for 3 years now and love it but am a bit disappointed that some features are not available on it (e.g.. active mins per hour etc). Please can you make a new clip on fitbit with more features. I really don't want a wrist one at all.


 

kmburne
Base Runner

You have to remember it is all about the money, they can get people to wear tracker watches because that will compete with the leading phone companies. They could care less about users that aren't interested in upgrading ever time something new comes out. The people that have one's are left out in the cold unless they want to buy a watch tracker and cut off the straps. I have long ago come to realize if you aren't part of the crowd that will buy something new every 6 months, you are quickly forgotten.

silver829
Jogger

I've worn a Fitbit One (or its predecessor) since 2012.  It has helped me to lose weight, push myself to exercise more.

I DO NOT WANT a wrist-tracker.  I liked that it could clip inside my bra, unseen.   My last one died today;  I am really disappointed that there are no better options than the Zip.  

If you could bring back an upgraded One -- here are a couple of suggestions.

*Waterproof -- I like to swim, and had to be careful to remember to take it OFF before getting in the water.

*Improved case -- the silicone case was ok, but I ended up getting a little rubber band to hold it secure after a while because the silicone broke down and got kind of loose.  

*The last two Ones I had sometimes took a while to sync.  Often I had to literally set it on top of my phone to sync.  

Thanks -- I've been in the Fitbit family a long time, and want to stay -- but if the Zip is my only non-clip option, I may have to look elsewhere.

Dqd
Recovery Runner

Completely agree. Need an upgraded One.

bluepinecones
Strider
Good suggestions. Sure hope Fitbit powers get the message that they are loosing a loyal customer base by not offering a better clip on than the Zip.
I’m even willing to pay more for it if they just bring the One back

Sent from my iPhone
Gardeneva
Recovery Runner
Those are great suggestions .. let us hope they listen

🌻 Eva 🌻
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