Sense 2 from a Fitbit newbie perspective

[SunsetRunner]

Hello!

Some of you might remember my Sense 2 pre-purchase concerns. You will find the discussion here: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Sense-2/Starting-with-Sense-2-good-or-bad-idea/td-p/5227961

Now we know more about the device.

Of course, many Fitbit users are shocked about drawbacks of this device. For me, it's a different story because I'm looking for a decent device that will help me to change some bad habits (e.g. drinking more water, sleep more, stress less etc.).

I'm not very interested in smartwatch functions. I have the original Galaxy Watch, so I might still use it for music controls or notifications. Unfortunately, this device lacks of health & wellness functions that I'm interested to.

What's more, I have a non-Samsung smartphone, so practically I can choose between Fitbit and Garmin. The latter is for sure better when it comes to fitness abilities, but my activity is mainly about strolls, and occasional gym workouts as well as biking.

Also, opposite to Garmin's one, the Fitbit's app connects with apps that I'm using (diet, water intake).

I can get the Sense 2 for around 265 bucks, but I have to decide during the next 3-4 days whether I want to buy the device. I don't see any alternatives.

Do you believe that Sense 2 will match my expectations? Thanks for advices!

[t.parker]

Looks like Inspire 3 has a much better start (some reviews appeared). If you don't need smartwatch functions why not go for something simpler and cheaper? Or just go for Sense/Versa 3 which provides more functions (they are simply more advanced) for a lower price.

[crobbins]

Go for a Sense or Versa 3. You will get much more from it.

I've returned my sense 2 like many others have been. Its not worth the price point and is a worse watch from the two above which are cheaper. 

[SunsetRunner]

It's important for me to monitor my stress levels, and Sense 2 should provide me the most sophisticated metrics when it comes to this aspect. 

[Guy_]

@SunsetRunner- it is uncertain at this stage what the Sense 2 will and won't provide.

What the Sense provides is known and there are a plethora of clocks and apps available, google assistant, some music control. It provide stress management but this is only a guideline anyway, so as @crobbins - says a Sense makes much more sense with a known and working environnent.

It would make sense to look in the Sense 2 forums for issues already experienced by other users.

[RonaldM]

I am focusing on Fitbit for the same reason, general health monitoring. And Fitbit is in my opinion they only one really focusing on this. For me it doesn't matter if my heart rate is exactly the same as medical equipment. I'm more interested in statistics over a longer period. For instance my resting heart rate, when I'm in a stressful period I know it will get higher so I need to work on it. AFib registration is nice and I'm very interested in the continue stress monitoring. The only thing am wondering is sleep monitoring, my personal experience with the first Versa and Sense I hardly got a couple of days with Sleep stages and a Sleep score. I hope my new Sense 2 will not disappoint me on this. 

So yes, I guess the Sense 2 ticks all my boxes but with some serious doubts.. 

[SunsetRunner]

I know all the currently mentioned issues with Sense 2. 

To be honest, I don't need a smartwatch, but a reliable fitness and wellness tracker. 

The original Sense is a two years old device. 

I don't use Google Assistant, and might use my old smartwatch for music control.

It's a shame that Fitbit castrated Sense 2, but it's quite obvious why they did it, and the answer is Pixel Watch.

However, the battery life of Pixel Watch will be probably a garbage, so it won't be a good sleep and stress tracker.