Truly disappointing band

[DeanSurkin]

I just received my $300 Sense 2. For that money, I was expecting a band other than the snap-tab-through-a-hole type that comes with sub-$100 models. And naturally, I had ordered this before they began offering the free extra bands and they wouldn't let me add them to my order.

[N8teGee]

Hi @DeanSurkin.

That's unfortunate about the band, I agree the one in the box isn't the best. 

Thankfully there are some good quality 3rd party bands available on the likes of Amazon for a lower price than the official ones. 

[Fab31t]

Maybe you should return it, wait for tests in a week or so (DC Rainmaker, Desfit...) and the Google Event on the 6th of October with the Pixel Watch to see probably clearer in the Google Strategy with Fitbit ? Personnaly this is what I am doing. The free band is still offered till the 14th of October and till then we will see clearer if the Sense 2 is worth it.

[DeanSurkin]

Thanks, I'll probably do that.

[DeanSurkin]

I was very interested in the Pixel Watch until I read that the projected battery usage requires daily charging. I much prefer the multi-day use I've gotten out of Fitbits in the past.

[Nilex]

Where did you see the free band is available until 10/14?

[Zergling20]

Yep just returned mine after a few hours with it due to no 3rd part apps and no google assistant. Mind blowing.

[Nilex]

Sure seems like lots of people are making snap decisions on stuff. I get purchasing for what it comes with vs what was promised but it's just a matter of time before 3rd party apps will be available, I'm sure it has to do with the release of the SDK.

I purposely pre-ordered earlier this week so I can give it a good few weeks of use to see what I think and can return within the 45 day window if something mind-blowing gets announced with the Pixel Watch (which if the rumors are remotely close to the truth isn't going to happen). 

[Dopovo]

I wouldn't be sure @Nilex that third parties apps will be released. There is never mention of any App Store in any marketing material by Fitbit, WIFI is disabled (and it's fundamental for developers to test their apps/clockface) and finally the silence of the moderators on the matter (and on all Sense 2 / Versa 4) is astonishingly concerning.

[Nilex]

Fair point. I guess I'm not ready to make a decision yet, but as I said, I'll watch the Pixel Watch launch and see if there is anything that makes me interested enough in it to return my Sense 2. I can understand the frustration of those who used third party apps, although I never really have so that isn't as big a factor to me. However, if it also prevents developers from releasing clockfaces, that is indeed disappointing. 

[Fab31t]

This is written on the top of the Fitbit page on EU website: "Free accessory! Add Sense 2 or Versa 4 to your cart along with a 24mm infinity or sport band and the band will be free at checkout. Offer ends 14/10/22."

[Nilex]

Gotcha. It's an EU thing. Same thing doesn't display on the US website.

[LissaxKristine]

I haven't even gotten mine yet and I'm planning on returning it based on what I'm seeing here. If I'm going to pay $300 for a Fitness tracker/smart watch, I expect it to have more smartwatch features. 

Also, what's the point of Fitbit preorder if people can go into stores and get the item before those of us who preordered get them?

[LissaxKristine]

That deal was available in the US until a few days ago.

[Nilex]

What additional features are you expecting? Are you referring to 3rd party apps?

[ali_baba7]

No third party apps. No Wi-Fi. No music controls. No music storage. No Google Assistant. And I hesitate to call these "additional features" because these are features that were present on previous devices and have been removed from the Sense 2/Versa 4. 

[SunsetRunner]

I agree with you, I feel like i've been scammed honestly. I can't understand how this watch can be that bad with that much of functionality and with that kind of price... 

Very disapointed 

[DeanSurkin]

Interesting problem with the replacement bands: I bought the Voma leather band from Amazon ($10). The short band snapped in and the long band didn't. I returned it and got a replacement. On the replacement, the LONG band snapped in and the SHORT one didn't. Plus, the band was very stiff and was not easy to bend around my wrist. I checked the comments on replacement bands, and all the ones I read had some people saying that the bands didn't snap in correctly (quality control problems throughout the industry?). I see that Fitbit sells a replacement bands from about $35 up. The leather replacement band that looked most like what I wanted is $49.95, and free shipping starts at $50.00. So I imagine that even if I'm willing to pay this amount, the shipping will likely be an additional 15% to 20% over the price. This is very frustrating. I wonder if there's a local store that actually stocks replacement bands and I can test the clips before I leave the store. Now that I think of it, I just checked Best Buy (not too far from me), and that may be what I'll do: go to the store, buy the band, open the box, make sure it works before I leave. 

[DeanSurkin]

Hopefully, this is my last comment on the subject of bands. Fitbit offers the Horween leather band on their website. Best Buy, a local electronics/appliance retailer, had the same band in stock. I went to the store and tried the band. It did NOT snap into my Sense 2. I wound up buying another silicon band, but one with a conventional clasp rather than the the snap closure on the supplied band. I looked closely at the bands, and I think there's a small but significance difference in the size of the indentation on the band that snaps into the Fitbit.