Former Apple Watch user, using Sense 2

[SunsetRunner]

When I bought the Sense 2, I did not have high hopes for the product after reading the negative reviews. Overall it is an ok product. When I am on the tareadmill, it reports 10 beats over what my heart rate is. I am using an Oximeter to gauge its accuracy. Today it was spot on accurate within 1-2 beats of my oximeter. 

GPS seems accurate or within reason in accordance with my treadmill. 

The only annoying thing is that when I get a text message, I have to press the display to wake the watch up before it will show me the text. 

Comparing it to the Apple Watch ultra, the experience is different. Granted the Ultra is bigger and also $900. This was $200 on sale. The Ultra did have issues reading heart rate on occasion as well. So, now device is a medical grade device so, you have to accept certain inaccuracies. 

I love the reporting on the Fitbit. I feel like I am learning more about myself than what I did with the Apple Watch. Apple Watch is more about dumping data in Apple Health but, I never did anything with it. Nor did I know what to do with it. 

[Rich_Laue]

Nice report. 

On the treadmill (when you are not moving) or inside a building. GPS will not work. 

Tge treadmill mode, uses your stride settling and step count. 

The treadmill uses the amount of belt that moved under you. 

People have been asking for notifications to light the face 

Personally, I don't want the display to light up until I want to read the message. 

[Patrick421]

@SunsetRunner are you not bothered on the Fitbit sense 2 that the following features are missing?

1) smooth scrolling when changing screens

2) Integration with phone calendar (google or apple)

3) phone music app control via the watch

4) third party App support

5) google Map or Apple map integration

6) steps and heart rate accuracy as demonstrated from YouTube comparison factual videos?

[t.parker]

@Patrick421 it may depend on individual expectations. The apps support on AW is so good that there is no need for Apple to build all-in-one solution as most of features will be added by thirdparty developers. I believe the OP doesn't like the ecosystem fragmentation and prefers all-in-one solution so lack of apps support isn't an issue. If OP didn't use calendar/agenda before or didn't used to control music from the watch then won't notice those features are not in. Screen responsiveness doesn't bother some users as long as they get where they want to. Also, responsiveness and refresh rate are connected to the battery life. Basically, users should pick the right device for the job and if Sense 2 does everything OP wants then it may be the right device for him. He expects to have all-in-one basic fitness tracker with long battery life and smartwatch-like design and this is what he gets. I wouldn't pay higher price for another device if Sense 2 would tick all the boxes for me.

[Patrick421]

@t.parker 

Yes, it is always individual but don't you agree that a watch that is qualified as a smart watch should at least be able to integrate your calendar to remind you of coming meetings?

Or control your phone music when you run outside and your phone is in your pocket?

Not asking for the moon here....

[SunsetRunner]

For me, 1 does not really bother me since I do not do it that often and in its current state, I do not see it as an issue. 

2-5 would be great and I hope they add it. But it's not a deal breaker. 

6 - yes I have seen those reviews which has caused hesitancy when purchasing the device. However  in all those devices that are supposedly the gold standard which includes the Apple Watch Ultra that I had before this, I have experienced inaccuracies with those devices. For example, the Apple Watch has detected Afib on me in a few occasions and when I bring the report in, it is not afib. When I am walking it has reported high heart rate when I have taken the pulse manually and it's shown otherwise. For example when I am walking at my normal pace with my dogs, it on occasion showed 140 bpm when in reality it was 90 and that was on the Ultra, Fitbit has done the same but its usually off by ten or so beats. 

For me, I got little to no use from the Apple Health app other than dumping data in it. Cardiogram was nice. I have alway liked the Fitbit app. I feel like I learn more from the app and its reports. So, for me it works. I would not put in the same league as my Ultra was. Then again this watch was 199 verses the 899 that the Apple Watch Ultra was. So, when you think about the Fitbit watch being 200, it probably costs around 100 to make it. So maybe the hardware is $50? So maybe the sensors are maybe $20? Just estimating. 

Also for me, I wanted Android phones. Tired of the iPhone. So, I am seeking an alternative. Might wind uo with the Pixel Watch, Might keep the Sense. Who knows. Might wind up with the Garmin even though I think it's more reporting than I need and probable won't suit my needs. Right now the Sense works for me and it's an ok device. 

[t.parker]

@Patrick421 I may agree but what does it change? We need to look at the product for what it is, not what it supposed to be. After a few months with Sense 2 I see it as a basic fitness tracker, nothing more. That seems to match @SunsetRunner requirements, he is happy with such a basic device and whatever we say won't change it (and I don't want to change it). For me, Sense 2 lacks in sports tracking department which is the most important for me. I can live without calendar or music controls (that I can control from headset) but can't live without using external sensors (HR, power meters, cycling sensors etc.), some training features (like structured workouts - I don't want to have to remember what to do during each interval) and more sophisticated analytic tools. Everyone needs are different. @SunsetRunner needs fitness tracker, you need (I assume) a smart watch and I need sports watch. No matter what we say here, Sense 2 isn't smart or sports watch and probably won't be. Time to face reality.

[Patrick421]

@t.parker you wrote "We need to look at the product for what it is, not what it supposed to be"

I so disagree with you. When you purchase anything, you look at what it is supposed to be, in this case, it is supposed to be a smartwatch at a pretty expensive price, by the way.

So if it would have at least all what the previous version had, and then add what the new version should, then great.

In this present case, the sense 2 is a huge downgrade compared to the previous version.

But if you are willing to pay for something, then get something way less than it was supposed to be, and be happy with it, Yes, it is an individual decision but I am not and I would believe most people are also not ok with that situation.

I know I hear all the time "coming soon", but that is also not ok in my standard.

Imagine you buy a new model car, but many of its features are less than the previous model and oh, by the way, don't worry, they will come in a "coming soon" state which already many months has passed since it was announced.

Not ok in my book

[t.parker]

@Patrick421 that's why you can always return the product when it doesn't meet your needs 🙂 30 to 45 days (depends on return policy) is more than enough time to see whether it works for you. I got first HR comparisons (posted here) showing how much Sense 2 struggles with readings within 2-3 days from receiving it. Within 2 weeks, I tested everything there was to test and was ready to send it back (you can find my posts about HR, cEDA , laggy UI and some other issues I encountered). This is the point where user must decide whether trusts enough Fitbit on delivering improvements soon-ish. I don't trust. Definition of "soon" in Fitbit world means from month to years (and sometimes never happens like an official Dexcom integration). I look at the device as it is now, not what it's supposed to be. Then it shows that the value for money is not there. I decided to keep Sense 2 only because I want to see what the promised Google Maps will be (and seeing a failure of introducing very limited Google Wallet I don't expect much but hey, it's all for fun). I may be in a good position as I can afford to keep that "toy" (my main watch is Garmin Fenix 7, and recently I revived Fenix 6 Pro to be able to compare new and old-gen Stryd sensors). But for somebody who isn't happy with the watch I recommend to simply return it, get refund, buy something else. I have quite a good understanding what the watch should be to work for me and Sense 2 isn't it. I know what it's supposed to be according to promo materials but a few months after release we all know what it really is. That however doesn't mean some users wouldn't find Sense 2 a satisfying device and if they do then good for them.

[SunsetRunner]

Just wanted to update you on my experience. I did some analysis of sleep and found that my Oura ring did a better job with accuracy so, I decided to wear the Sense only during the day and shut it down at night. This weekend, I went to turn it on and the fitbit logo pulses and then shows a big Red X on the screen. I called customer support and they told me to factory reset the device. Overall they were helpful. I then restarted it several times and no Red X so, I was glad it was resolved. I had asked if maybe I need to exchange it in case it might be defective. Later on that day, I noticed that the active minutes were not recording properly nor was the heart rate. This time the heart rate was way off. I also noticed that the Red X was back. Decided I had enough and moved on. 

[t.parker]

@SunsetRunner well... that escalated quickly.

[ItsAngiie]

This is exactly how I feel. This was by far the best reply about this watch thay really isn't that smart at all. More like a advance tracker then a smartwatch. I'm on week 2 of using this watch and contemplating whether I should return it or not. Bc I have run in to so much problems and difficulties using it.... they shouldn't have launched this as a "2", but just called it something else. I'm reviewing this watch in a couple of places, and wrote almost the same thing that u just said lol. 

[SunsetRunner]

Personally, I really wanted it to work and was hoping that this would be the change. I am on the Pixel watch right now. It’s not the best when you compare it to others but it does have the Fitbit integration in it. It definitely is a good first generation watch so, I am hoping Google continues to improve it and provide a viable alternative to others.