Why I will not (yet) buy a Fitbit Surge (or other Fitbit tracker)

[MW65830]

A few words upfront: I am currently using a Microsoft Band 2. Unfortunately the strap is breaking, MS has aBANDoned the Band product line and so I will not be able to get a replacement even though the Band 2 is still within the warranty period. MS might give me my money back, I'll see.

But now I am in the market for a new tracker / "smart watch" (the tracker functionality is what I mostly want and need). From the MS forums I know that MS stores in the US have started selling Fitbit devices instead of the Band and Fitbit also is one of very few makers of fitness trackers who still support the Windows Phone ecosystem - or will at least synch directly to a PC instead of forcing you to use an iPhone or Android phone.

So obviously I first checked what Fitbit has to offer (I also looked at TomTom, Garmin, Polar and a few others) and at first view, the Surge comes closest to what I would want to have. Unfortunately I have to say, at almost the same price, the MS Band is running circles around the Surge when it comes to functionality - not only but also in the sports tracking area, which should be where the product of a company like Fitbit should outshine the product of a computer / software company. OK, the Band 2 is not waterproof, but really? I'll come back to this point later.

Basic daytime activity and sleep tracking seem to be the same.

The smart watch functionality I do not care that much about. SMS and Email are nice to haves, showing the time (and date), a stop watch and a countdown timer are the only must haves in this regard. And I do not need music control at all. My "old" MP3 player from SanDisk does all I need during any kind of workouts all by itself - i.e. random pay MP3s.

So why am I saying the Surge lacks in sports tracking capabilities. Pretty simple: the Surge basically can only track running (yes, walking, hiking or climbing stairs ist basically the same) and cycling activities as well as "generic" "sports activities" (where it tracks the heart rate, measures the time and calculates calories).

What it is lacking is real support for gym workouts. If you have ever used "guided workouts" on an MS Band 2, you do not want to miss that anymore. For those who do not know, "guided workouts" lets you combine a set of different exercises (with machines, free weights, benches or only using your own body) into a circle training (or whatever you want to call your set of gym workouts) and then guides and tracks you through that training (including the necessary rest periods). Everyone who has seriously been a member of a fitness studio should know what I am talking about.

An example for such a training (with exercise machines, e.g. from Med-X) who still do not understand:

1. Leg press - 3 sets of 15 reps
2. Leg extensions - 3 sets of 10 reps
3. Hip adduction - 2min
4. Hip abduction - 2min
5. Chest press - 2min
6. etc.

As for "waterproof": the description of the Surge says it is waterproof (tested to up to 5ATM) - so you think "great, I can also track swimming" - just to tell you in the fine print that it should not be used in water. What is this, a joke?

So Fitbit, if you want me to buy a device from you for 250 EUR (I'd actually be prepared to spend more), then add support for guided workouts (as you seem to be MS' preferred partner for fitness trackers they will probably give you the necessary know how / software for free as they do not seem to have any use for it anymore).

And make the Surge or Surge plus or whatever you would call that next generation really waterproof - including swim tracking functionality (at least time and heart rate).

Last but not least, as I have read in the Surge forum that a breaking strap also seems to be an issue of the Surge - make the strap replaceable - this could even be a feature: "wear the color / strap material (leather, metal, rubber, ...) of your choice" (your most overrated "smart watch" competitor (yes, I am talking about another (originally) computer company) seems to make good money with different types of straps).

To the community:

What do you think about the features I requested - or what other features are you still missing from Fitbit?

[SantiR]

@MW65830 Thanks for joining the Fitbit family! Thanks for your feedback and opinions regarding the Fitbit Surge. The best place to go and ask for new features is the Feature Suggestions Board. I recommend going there and post each of your ideas in different suggestions.

Also, have you checked the Fitbit Blaze? It includes lots of features for exercising including the on-screen workouts with Fitstar! It also includes interchangeable wristbands and a color touch screen. Maybe you can find that useful! Feel free to take a look at it and let me know what you think. 

Keep me posted!