Is it worth upgrading to Sense 2 now?

[stclevine]

I have the Versa 3 and it is 3 years old and no longer charges to 100%.  I have been looking ash the Sense 2 but just read that Fitbit is doing away with that and the Versa soon.  This makes me think twice about buying it.  Do any of a you know if Fitbit will continue to support these watches after we buy them?  I have an iPhone which is why I can't get a Google watch. The Apple Watch would be my only alternative to the Sense.

[LZeeW]

@stclevine   Google said that there won't be a Sense 3 or Versa 5, but the Google Store still sells the Sense 2/Versa 4 in all color combinations.  So I don't think they are doing away with them soon.  Fitbit/Google say they generally provide software support and updates for two years after they are last sold in the Google Store.

You wrote that your battery won't charge to 100%, but do you still have generally good battery life?  If you use any third party apps, then the Sense 2 is not an upgrade.  Google doesn't allow any third party apps on the Sense 2.  The Sense 2/Versa 4 don't have a generic music control, a real downgrade if you like controlling music from your Versa 3 screen.  They also didn't put the Agenda app on the S2/V4.  There is a smaller selection of third party clock faces, too.

I hope this gives you things to think about.

[stclevine]

Thanks for the response.  I don't use third party apps.  I keep track of my steps, use notifications for calendar, text, call notifications.  Another reason I am looking at the the Sense is because I read that the bands I have for the Versa will fit it.  And the better health monitoring.  Is that true?

[LZeeW]

@stclevine   Your Fitbit brand bands should fit a Sense 2, no problem.  Mine do.  Some users complained that some of their third party bands didn't fit in a Sense 2 or Versa 4.

I'm not sure what you mean by better health monitoring.  The Sense 2 has hardware (ECG/EDA) that isn't in the Versa series.  Fitbit updated the heart rate algorithm in the Sense 2/Versa 4.

[stclevine]

When I compare I see that the Sense 2 has ECG, better stress monitoring, and SpO2, 

[LZeeW]

@stclevine   The SpO2 feature is the same on all models, meaning you get your average sleeping value.

[barky81]

Absolutely NOT. Google has clearly sent the message that Fitbit devices are OUT.

A Sense 2 that cost almost $200 a year ago is worth $35 as a trade in for the new Pixel Watch (which they heavily advertise along with a Fitbit Premium subscription).

Given that combined with the total lack of support (or even communication at this point) on serious issues means it would be throwing away your money to keep buying these devices.

[LOIj]

I haven't yet been able to get the ECG to work. Ive owned this watch a month,  Sense 2.  I bought it because I have heart issues. 

[grbmds]

Difficult question to answer....

One, the Sense 2 has more features and the battery lasts longer. It attaches to GPS much more reliably and faster and does all the things your Versa does.

Two, though, is that the Fitbit app has problems which  just don't seem to be on the priority list of Google to fix.

  * The cardio load function isn't really useful as there is no way to actually determine what it means by easy or more aggressive exercise. No matter what I do it never indicates that I did the right amount to match my goal. Plus, for several weeks it was gone from my notifications (to my relief because I really didn't care) and now it's back again but it seems to be even less useful (if that is possible).

  *The settings for exercises don't really work. For example, on my bicycling screen, I can set the top and bottom stats to what I want, but not the middle stat. No matter what I select and turn on and off, I get them all. This is certainly not the end of the world, but it sure is annoying and inconvenient.

 It just doesn't seem as if Google has a commitment to making the app work as it was designed. Not sure why this is or what the incentive is to get it all to work right. It seems to me that every time a new version is installed, some things are fixed and new ones are broken.

I joined Fitbit Premium for the trial period,  but not I'm not even sure I'll stick with my Fitbit Sense 2. I would encourage Google/Fitbit to be more forthcoming about their plans for future issuances of watches and to actually test updates to the app before publishing to determine whether they have not only fixed problem but they haven't broken other features.

Please create a switch to turn off cardio load and readiness. Without a clear indication of what they really mean and how to address highs and lows, they are not useful and get in the way of using the app.

[LARoadKing]

I would definitely not invest in a Fitbit product. I have a sense 2 and since around June, it has totally inaccurate sleep data and does not display a sleep score any longer. I have worked with the support group for about a month but they have provided nothing that helped; they have stopped responding. 

[LOIj]

I bought my Sense 2 in July.  It did a major long update when I first turned it on, so I assume it is up to date.  But when I do a search for how to do something, or how to turn a feature on or off, it is rare that the advice matches what is on my screen.  That make me wonder if Fitbit/Google even cares about the current users. It fits with what others have said on this thread.  

I needed a watch and a new pedometer, and when I saw that the FitBit Sense 2 does the ECG and some other Heart monitoring, I chose the Sense 2.  But the ECG has never worked for me, and the HRV stopped working.  I also get a zero for Floors, though I live in a two story house with a basement, most likely because I ascend slowly due to a walking disability.  

I have used the Fitbit as encouragement to be more active, so that is good.  The sleep monitor is mostly ok. 

Ive found that some features seem to get turned on or off "on their own."  Or they are much too easily bumped somehow. 

Center

[grbmds]

Whether to buy Fitbit or not is, to some degree, a personal decision, but I would say that my Sense 2 isn’t as reliable as my Versa 2 was. Problem is that my Cersa no longer reliably connects to GPS. 

Trhe real problem for me is that there really are no longer any fitness tracking watches available which reliably do the basic tracking functions. Apple watches seem to have way to many features that I never use. Garmins tend to be very pricey and seem to do more than I need also.

i have no idea what Google’s goal was in acquiring Fitbit but Google’s watches are definitely not desirable for me at least. polar may be an option but I haven’t done any research.
Options seem to be less than previously, but for me, Fitbit would not be my first choice in the future. Features don’t work. Google either doesn’t want to or can’t fix the app problems. My feeling from recent experience with Fitbit is that Google is not. Or planning to maintain the Fitbit line. Unless they come out with a Google watch better than their current line I would never buy a Google product. It can’t be that hard to fix Fitbit problems when you have all the tech resources Google has. 

[SisuFit4Real]

I'm having very similar issues with my Sense2. It seems to work fine up until I take the charging cord off, then everything goes black. Did Google just destroy a brand? I guess I won't be purchasing another Fitbit device, but if this-not fixing dysfunctional product-is Google's answer to selling Pixel products, no thank you.

[SLovell]

I shall keep my Sense 2 until I must switch and when I do it will likely be to a Garmin... After having a watch that can go 5 to 7 days without charging can't deal with charging requirements for a Google brand watch...

[grbmds]

SLovell - That appears to be a good decision. I recently saw that Garmin has come out with watches that seem to be similar to the Apple Watch and the Fitbits that are stll out there being sold. Since Google does not appear to be interested in fixing the app issues, I would agree that buying a Fitbit watch is not a good decision for the future. The Garmin Venu X1 seems like a great full-feature Smart Watch, but a bit pricey (similar to Apple watches). The picture below is the Venu X1. I haven't seen any reviews, but I suspect it's probably a solid watch. 

[DramaQueenDiva]

Honestly, I have both versions of the Sense and prefer the Sense 1. I'd say if you can't afford a Pixel Watch (which I LOVE), you'd be better off staying with the Sense 1 or switching to Versa. 

[LARoadKing]

I have a sense 2 that stopped working correctly after the circa June 25 update. I worked with “support” over a month and it still doesn’t provide sleep numbers or accurately portray sleep stages. The food monitoring is not as friendly as MyFitnessPal. The readiness and Cardio works but I don’t know about accuracy and if I trust it.

Just my thoughts…

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[Gfee]

I have just changed my versa 4 for a Sense 2 and wish I'd not bothered. Having lots of problems with it. Hit and miss syncing, screen stops swiping, i have to keep restarting  both phone and fitbit. Can't use voice control, the option is simply not there, despite following all advice to restart, reboot, uninstall app, Force stop, clear cache etc etc etc . Not sure what to do next to resolve these issues 🤔 

[grbmds]

While I have not had these exact issues with the Sense 2, there are numerous issues with the Fitbit app and notifications which, despite reporting on this forum, Google/Fitbit have chose to do nothing about. I believe that, based on this lack of interest in resolving problems you, first of all, should not have much hope that Google will fix the problems you noted. It also appears that, from feedback on this forum, Google's lack of response to problem resolution, and some actual indication from Google, they are not going to promote Fitbit's previous line of smart watches in the future.

I personally plan on using my Sense 2 until the various base functions stop working and junking it for either an Apple Watch or a Garmin product (Venu X1 looks good but I need to research more). In the meantime, if I were you, I'd attempt to return the watch for a refund from the dealer you purchased it from. Most have satisfaction warranties. I'm not sure about Google if you bought it directly from Google, but it would be worth an attempt at refund.

Next I'd research other brands, with Garmin and Apple at the top of the list. Concerning the Apple Watch, I personally find that it's intent is well beyond what I need; too many features and apps. For basic fitness and calorie intake tracking, Garmin seems to be a long-time reliable brand, but their prices are high (maybe wait for a sale).

Bottom line, from recent experience with Google/Fitbit, I would recommend not even considering their future products.

[Gfee]

Thanks for your response, I'm going to return the Sense 2 and revert back to my old versa until it dies completely and then I'll look at whats available. Very disappointed with the Sense 2.