Charger Pin

[SunsetRunner]

So i got my Sense in March 2021. i got that charger problem where one pin doesn't come back out and you cant charge your watch. the thing is that happened 8 times since last year and i was wondering if the building quality is just bad or if I'm doing something wrong. at this point I'm actively trying to not pull the cable sideways but since then i had 2 broken chargers. I've been using 2 original replacements and 3rd party chargers since then because they only cost a third of the price and seem to hold a few weeks longer.

anyone having similar issues or any Tipps?

[Ftumch · Accepted solution]

You are far from alone. I've ordered a third party one on the recommendation of another user in one of these forums somewhere, who says it's reliable.  I'm yet to receive it, so can't vouch for it (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001783201513.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802qMnDcu)

That forum thread: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Sense/Sense-charging-cable-pins-are-sunken-in/td-p/4845233 

My post in that thread, having pulled apart a dead charger: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Sense/Sense-charging-cable-pins-are-sunken-in/m-p/5156210/highlight/...

The pins are tiny and sprung, and the magnets are way too strong, slamming the pins into the back of the watch. This can't help their longevity. I'll find out if the latest OEM one I have lasts any longer, but gently levering the charger on while trying to line up the pins as best as possible shouldn't do any more harm. I am finding that the magnets still pull the pins off line anyway, but at least they're not being smashed into the watch when I do it.

Eagerly awaiting the third party one to see if it is more robust. At least it's cheaper and might last as long as the watch. If future generations of the watch have this same charger, my Sense will be my only Fitbit. Maybe Google are going to let Fitbit wither and die anyway, while incorporating the best bits into their watches. 

[SunsetRunner]

I'm down to my last charger since today so I just ordered the one you linked because it looks great.

And thanks for the tip. That's what I've been basically doing and it didn't seem really work better but by now I'm pretty sure its less my fault^^

[manyhats2015]

I am angry.   My fitbit sense is not charging.  After reading your and some other posts.  I felt the charging thing and I think I feel a missing post.

I love what Fitbit can do, but the duribilty of the all fitbits are their downfall.   I left them for a while to go to Samsung Gallaxy Watch.

I missed what Fitbit can do.   Ugh.  I am so disapointed.

Why can't the engineers of Fitbit come up with a way to make it more reliable?

Also, why don't they have a real support team.

I saw an ad, they want a $1 for first week and they do not say what happens after that.

Disappointed in what is happening.   It is not even lighting up.

[Ftumch]

The third party one finally arrived yesterday (I have a love-hate relationship with Australia Post, mostly hate - things don't arrive forever, then magically appear in my mailbox less than 24 hours after lodging a query). On the first connection, I automatically went to shift it around to align the pins with the holes as always until I heard the pins make contact, but.... they were already connected. It seems as though this one somehow aligns itself better than the OEM. It also has a longer cable and the stand can have it facing me if I need to see the time. Next is to test the longevity, but will order another in the meantime. I think it was AUD 5.94, so not a big deal.  The band was also bought for a few dollars online. Metal band with a magnetic clasp that has been a lot more comfortable than the Fitbit ones. 

[Guy_]

Thanks for the photo and info @Ftumch - can you post the link to this charger.

The one I got was here (click photo) for about $3 and is still working too, seems more robust.

To ensure proper alignment haven't yet found one with a clip like the original Versa chargers to see if that is even better and eliminates slow charging totally.

[Ftumch]

Hey @Guy_,

I thought I'd actually followed the link you posted to get mine, but must have seen it at the bottom of the page amongst the other suggested items and chosen it instead.

This is the one I bought. 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001783201513.html

There's a good chance I'll buy another as a spare, now that I know it actually arrived and works, or maybe one from the link you gave. They all seem to be remarkably similar in price with similar store names, so possibly made in the same place, too. 

Oh, and this is where I got the band I mentioned: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003469373483.html

I have fairly large hands and can just get it through without having to disconnect it, but once on, it's not irritating to my skin as opposed to the rubbery one that comes with the watch.

[ginagperry]

I agree, the magnets are way too strong for the delicate pins. Can the magnet be removed altogether?

[ginagperry]

I tried a 3rd party charger much like that one but had no better luck. Please let us know how this model works for you.