Do you like your Surge?

[Joylyn126]

I've been looking into getting a Surge but have seen a lot of negative comments and issues on this forum. Overall, what do you think of it? Any input is appreciated.

[jerpes]

I absolutely love my surge. I wear it pretty much all day every day. The battety life is amazing and it is great for tracking my cycling. The only issue is that now I have just put in a service ticket for my 5th surge in just under a year. 1st strap started to peel away by the screen, second strap cracked by screws, 3rd the battery died and wouldn't charge after the first week and my current one has cracked again by the screws. That being said, support has been excellent and replaced each one without question (only needing photo evidence.) 

Update: I have just received my replacement (5th watch) and I'm glad (and slightly worried) that it wasn't in full retail packaging. Less waste but implies they are doing this so often and haven't fixed it. Anyway, I went for Blue this time in the (probably foolish) hope that it is a different material and will last longer.

[elraidor]

If you are a runner it's not bad.  If you do pretty much any other sport it's pretty useless, so think of it as a smart watch for runners.  if that's your thing you'll probably be quite happy.

[Outcasted2003]

The last post is very inaccurate! I like the Surge because I workout at the fitness center 5 days a week and the Surge does alot! It automatically tracks when I walk on the treadmill for distance, calories burned and average heart rate. While running or bycicling the Surge will automatically track distance, calories burned and average heart rate. Automatically tracks calories burned, steps, hourly movements and heart rate 24 hours a day. Has GPS for hiking, biking and jogging. It's a watch and fitness tracker all in one! It's the best that Fitbit has to offer! I like that it tracks for all my needs without having to remember to push any buttons! Good luck!

[Outcasted2003]

I forget to mention that the Surge also has notifications for text messages and calls. Also can control the music features on your smartphone right from your Surge!

[Erichar16]

If you want all the features, plus you go swimming in the summer... Get a Garmin or a Tomtom. Vivoactive HR and Spark Cardio have all the features of the surge plus TONS more. FOR THE SAME PRICE!
If you want to leave your surge behind when you go kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, boating, or enjoy OCR races, then go for the surge.

Check out the review on DCRainmaker

[GallagherK]

The features of the Surge are great (I primarily run), but the product wears out after a short period of time. I have had mine for a 1 year and 3 months and my band is breaking down. Soon the product will not be wearable.  I previously had a polar watch that lasted for > 5 years (which is what I would expect out of such an expensive product). When I told customer service about my breaking band they told me that I am out of my warranty and they will no longer support their defective product. Don't get a Surge! 

[Erichar16]

Mine lasted about as long as yours. I'm now going to officially kill it during a mud run so I have an excuse to buy a Vivoactive HR.

[Outcasted2003]

Why would you want to wear a fitness tracker during water sports??? Anyone who understands fitness knows that cario, weight training and running are not the same as any water activities nor can they be tracked the same! When I go in water I always take off my electronics, watches and jewelry! Most responsible people who take care of their personal belongings do! You both speak as if you bought a Rolex and expect lifetime warranty on your own terms! Go troll your Garmin and Polar communities!

[Erichar16]

I'm pissed that a $250 fitness watch doesn't last more than a year. You may have disposable income at your fingertips, but I saved for months. If a watch rated for 5 ATM can't even survive a shower. It's sure as S it not worth even $100.

To answer the topic of the forum. NO I do not like or recommend the Surge.

[Soji24]

I've had my Surge for 8 months now, and I'm impressed that I still have around 4 days worth of battery use. It's on my wrist on a daily basis, all day with constant tracking and notifications. Still on good shape apart from minor fading underneath the band. 

Overall easy to use and durable. If there was something I would change, it would be a slightly smaller band.

[elraidor]

Yep I'd pretty much come to the same conclusion as well, maybe the Fenix 3 HR when its been around a while and i can aee some more reviews. Over the last year I'd been hoping we'd see more functionailty arrive with firmware updates but its been pretty disappointing. No golf, no rowing (indoor or outdoor), no swimmimg, not waterproof for kayaking, no skiing or snowboarding, no multisport mode for triathlon, no power or cadence on cycling, still can't download your HR data, weights mode doesnt recognise anything and so.... Outside running and hikes its been disappointing. Fitbit seem to be moving their business more in the fashion direction, which is fine, but its not for me.

[Chris1963]

It's a great item if you're not bothered about HR being accurate, unfortunately I bought one to get away from a chest strap but its next to useless when engaged in any activity. I have also had a replacement in the first 9 months. If HR is out, calories are going to be out. If its a pedometer you're after its great but it also converts other activities into steps and confusingly if I track a ride in auto the step count is different to the one it records when manually switching on the GPS bike tracker mode.

I like it, but I expect major improvements regarding strap life and HR tracking when/if a new model comes out. For a £200 device it shouldnt break after a few months. Regarding the HR Fitbit won't acknowledge an issue so who knows.  

[jerpes]

Are you in the EU? I believe the warranty here is 2 years

[Chris1963]

Yes it is two years in the EU...I'm hoping this one lasts till a new model comes out.  

[llsigler]

The Surge is worthless as a watch.  I only get 10 hours of battery life with everything turned off.  Even less with heartrate monitor or any tracking.  Do not reccommend.

[shipo]

There is something wrong with your Surge; I'm a runner and routinely do GPS runs in the 90 minute to 150 minute range and can easily go a couple of days on a charge, if I don't enter into GPS mode I can go four or five days on a charge.

The above said, an update came out earlier this year and put my Surge into some sort of a high power consumption mode where 10 hours (like your Surge) was pushing the limits.  A simple reset of the tracker solved the issue.

[llsigler]

Thanks for the info. I have reset it several times with no help. I have contacted support but have not gotten a resolution.

[AngelaMa]

Hello everyone! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the Surge.  Here are some pages that you can review if you want to buy the tracker such as the Surge product manual or the most helpful articles on the help site. 

Also if you have any questions regarding the warranty on your Surge you can review our warranty here, as someone mentioned if you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA) and you purchased your Fitbit product in the EEA, the warranty period is two (2) years from the date of purchase. 

Let me know if you have any questions! 🙂