Sense as Replacement for Ironic - Performance Issues

[NS016227]

About 2 - 3 weeks ago, I replaced my Ionic with the Fitbit Sense due to the recall of the Ionic watch. I have had nothing but trouble with the Sense not tracking accurately or at all everything from exercise to sleep to GPS never working. No where near the performance of my Ionic, that I now wish I could get back. The Sense in fact is getting worse with performance and tracking of metrics (Was thinking the new device might need some time to adjust to body trends, but doesn't seem to be the case). I also do not like the removal of side buttons - these don't work 90% of the time for the watch I have, nor am I a fan of the tuck under wrist band. 

Anyone else experience issues with the Sense performance/tracking? Is this user error somehow? I am just dumbfounded how this watch seems to have gone backwards in Fitbit technology and my Ionic worked 10 times better all around. 

I am considering returning and going towards the Apple watch as am extremely hesitant to stick with the Sense as it has left a very bad impression on me.I have been a long time Fitbit user dedicated to the brand, so the fact I would consider Apple over the Sense is very disappointing but gives some insight on my experience thus far which has not been great to say the least.  

[JCC01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @NS016227 

When the recall was announced I purchased the Apple Watch Series 7 - I was so annoyed by many things I returned it and purchased the Sense and am Very happy... 

Annoying items:

- Battery does NOT lasting more than 1 day... This is major for me (Sense lasts 6+) 

- When asleep and want to know what time it is ... It is difficult to turn the gear ... I get awake to display the clock (very bad design)

- After a long swim, Apple recommands to open the valve and evacuate water (very weird!!)

- +200$ more expensive for same functionality

- You loose all your ionic telemetry 

I briefly had the same problem at the beginning (would not turn on even though it was still connected to my cell...

So what I did it, is --> reboot my cell and then reboot the Sense (maintain touching 2 sides for a long time).

Then no longer had a problem.

JCC01

[NS016227]

Thank you for sharing and outlining the pros/cons - this has been extremely helpful!! The Sense seems to be working now, looks like maybe it just takes some time to reset from the old device. Glad I didn't make the switch away from Fitbit - Thanks again! 

[JCC01]

Hi Again NS016227, 

Believe me you don't want to change to the Apple watch ... Steve Job would not have approved ever series 7 the way it is designed... 

and Sense will be updated by Google so they will put powerful AI in there... So the future is bright...

😉

JC

[LokeAa]

@JCC01 - according to thisgoogle9to5 article, Sense 2 and Versa 4 will be released with Fitbit OS, not WearOs. One can only speculate why, but Fitbit OS has one huge advantage compared to Wear OS - and that is three times batteey time...

[JCC01]

Hi LokeAa, I think you should stick with Fitbit for masny reasons... Battery / design / water valve (Loll) etc...

The touch buttons makes sure you (keep the watch hermetic) can stay in the water a long time...

Try to shut it down & restart... (both cell and watch)... 

I tell you I am thrilled with the difference... I gave Apple series 7 a fair chance... Steve Jobs would have NOT allowed that version... 

+ you get to keep all your past telemetry... Good luck! 

JC

[Niknak123]

Hi, can I ask if the Sense counts the laps in the pool while you swim please? My ionic did but the versa didn’t & this is one feature that I really would like. Thanks very much. 

[JCC01]

Yes because it has a GPS ...

[DanMel]

I  also switched to the Sense when I sent my Ionic in for the recall. My Ionic was 4 years old and still worked great. I now wish I would have ignored the recall and kept my Ionic. The band is lousy so I purchased one from Ebay which is better. The notification on the Sense sucks.It is very hard to feel the vibration and therefor I missed a lot of text messages and calls. I wish I had my Ionic back.