Wrist band failure; which color?

[shipo]

Hey gang,

I've seen lots and lots of threads about Surge wrist band failures and wonder if the color of the band has something to do with the failures.  I ask because recently my original Surge developed a stuck upper right button and Fitbit sent me a new one.  The thing is, my original Surge was black, and while it has worn at the outer corners of the watch face, the band itself was nearly a year old when I got my replacement and it was still in good shape and very supple.  My new Surge is blue, and the first thing I noticed was the band was significantly stiffer/less flexible, this in turn makes me wonder if the wrist bands on the non-Black Surges are more prone to failure than the black ones.

So, how about a poll; for those of y'all who've had a wrist band fail on a Surge, please chime in as to which color it was (or they were) and how it failed (i.e. broken strap, cracks by the screws...).  Maybe there is a common thread here, and maybe say, the black Surges have less issues than the colored ones.

[WendyB]

Mine is Black and it has no wear or tear what so ever and I have had it for 1 1/2 years

[Charles.K]

As an engineer with experience in rubber and plastics the blue is definitely stiffer, less pliable and is more uncomfortable.  I have had my Surge/Black for 2 years when it was first released and no issues.  I did try the Garmin Vivoactive HR, but it was very uncomfortable also.  I wear mine 24/7 so comfort is a big issue.

I have looked at may options including the Blaze and it has the same issue with the polmer band being uncomfortable.  Of course you buy other bands, like leather which maybe better.  I had the Blaze for about 3 days, but the lack of continuous display, no GPS and being uncomfortable I returned my Blaze.

I just reverted to a new Surge with the black band.  This seems to be the softest and most pliable and it just works.  Hopefully there is a new upgrade for the Surge 🙂

[shipo]

@Charles.K, I'm an engineer as well (worked mostly with the Autos); why am I not surprised to read your comments?  🙂

[bearcats1]

I have a black Surge and my wristband has just recently begun to tare apart. My Surge is 18 months old and for the cost the band should have lasted much longer that 18 months. I find it a utter insult to each and everyone of us that Fitbit offers a 25% discount towards a new Surge which most likely will fall apart as well. I really thought that Fitbit was a customer focused company but thier actions say otherwise. Its loyal customers that keep Fitbit moving forward. They are truly losing sight because of thier lack of customer service and loyality.

[Spebfan]

My Surge band became detached from the watch as well. It is a black band. I got as a Christmas present 2015.

[nightswimming]

Black band peeled away from top of watch face after less than 3 months of careful use.

[Sam61]

Owner of Surge black with Extra Large band, my band cracked at the screw base on clasp side. Purchased October 28, 2015
Reaching out to support to see what my options are, hoping it is covered by 1 year warranty.

[jaysbarrett]

I have had two now, both were black here is a picture of both side by side. (edit.  cut down the size of the picture)

[Sam61]

Almost identical I'll take a picture later and attach, yes also black for me size x-large.

[SalviX]

@jaysbarrett I have a 20-month old black Surge and your picture could be mine. Exactly same problem here.

My question now is: which are the other GPS + HR sensor watches available on the market ?

[Mike.B]

Mine is black and delaminated about 1/4 inch so far.  Any idea if FitBit will replace the band?  If so, how do I get in touch with them to file a claim?

[jaysbarrett]

I have narrowed my slection down to Garmin but your milage may vary depending on what you want out of it.  Look around,  there are a considerable amount of gps + hr on the market with replaceable bands.  That is now one of my top requirements for a watch.  If nothing else this experience has educated me on what to look for and what to avoid. 

[jaysbarrett]

If it is still within the first year of ownership you can call/email/chat with customer service and they can walk you through the process of getting it fixed. I say fixed but it seems like everyone just gets a new one sent from fitbit.  If you are outside of your warranty you can either take the 25% off a new watch or go with a different vendor.   I went the different vendor route. 

[Mike.B]

Black

Moderator edit: Removed personal information.

[rdaquinoii]

i want Fibit to know I recieved a Fitbit Surge as a Christmas gift in 2014. Feb 2016 the band fell off after one year and two months. I called to see what Fitbit do to just replace the watchband. I was willing to pay for repair and their only option was "I will give you 20% off a purchase". How rich! My family paid $250.00 for the watch that has turned into a 16 month disposable watch. 16 months? I have watches that cost more than that and that I have had for years and years and are still working and not falling apart. Please do not think that I hated this watch, i absolutely loved it! The Sleep monitor, the silent alarm, the App, everything was perfect.

I started surfing and see time and time again people that are having the same issue as my Fitbit Surge. I have even heard from friends that they had the same issue as my Fibit Surge. They told me Fibit replaced mine without question. I asked myself, why doesn't Fitbit address the issue if it is a known problem?

So I have a $250 fitbit Surge sitting in my dresser not being used because the watch band broke. And to add insult to injury.....We bought a Fitbit Charge for our oldest son this past Christmas (2016). It also has fallen apart after 6 months. Now I have the call in and see what Fibit can do. Probably offer another 20% off a purchase.

Comeon Fitbit ! Do the reponsible act. Replace both devices free of charge. You can PM me to discuss

[rdaquinoii]

---

@Charles.K wrote:

As an engineer with experience in rubber and plastics the blue is definitely stiffer, less pliable and is more uncomfortable.  I have had my Surge/Black for 2 years when it was first released and no issues.  I did try the Garmin Vivoactive HR, but it was very uncomfortable also.  I wear mine 24/7 so comfort is a big issue.

I have looked at may options including the Blaze and it has the same issue with the polmer band being uncomfortable.  Of course you buy other bands, like leather which maybe better.  I had the Blaze for about 3 days, but the lack of continuous display, no GPS and being uncomfortable I returned my Blaze.

I just reverted to a new Surge with the black band.  This seems to be the softest and most pliable and it just works.  Hopefully there is a new upgrade for the Surge 🙂

---

i want Fibit to know I recieved a Fitbit Surge as a Christmas gift in 2014. Feb 2016 the band fell off after one year and two months. I called to see what Fitbit do to just replace the watchband. I was willing to pay for repair and their only option was "I will give you 20% off a purchase". How rich! My family paid $250.00 for the watch that has turned into a 16 month disposable watch. 16 months? I have watches that cost more than that and that I have had for years and years and are still working and not falling apart. Please do not think that I hated this watch, i absolutely loved it! The Sleep monitor, the silent alarm, the App, everything was perfect.

I started surfing and see time and time again people that are having the same issue as my Fitbit Surge. I have even heard from friends that they had the same issue as my Fibit Surge. They told me Fibit replaced mine without question. I asked myself, why doesn't Fitbit address the issue if it is a known problem?

So I have a $250 fitbit Surge sitting in my dresser not being used because the watch band broke. And to add insult to injury.....We bought a Fitbit Charge for our oldest son this past Christmas (2016). It also has fallen apart after 6 months. Now I have the call in and see what Fibit can do. Probably offer another 20% off a purchase.

Comeon Fitbit ! Do the reponsible act. Replace both devices free of charge. You can PM me to discuss

[rdaquinoii]

---

@bearcats1 wrote:

I have a black Surge and my wristband has just recently begun to tare apart. My Surge is 18 months old and for the cost the band should have lasted much longer that 18 months. I find it a utter insult to each and everyone of us that Fitbit offers a 25% discount towards a new Surge which most likely will fall apart as well. I really thought that Fitbit was a customer focused company but thier actions say otherwise. Its loyal customers that keep Fitbit moving forward. They are truly losing sight because of thier lack of customer service and loyality.

---

i want Fibit to know I recieved a Fitbit Surge as a Christmas gift in 2014. Feb 2016 the band fell off after one year and two months. I called to see what Fitbit do to just replace the watchband. I was willing to pay for repair and their only option was "I will give you 20% off a purchase". How rich! My family paid $250.00 for the watch that has turned into a 16 month disposable watch. 16 months? I have watches that cost more than that and that I have had for years and years and are still working and not falling apart. Please do not think that I hated this watch, i absolutely loved it! The Sleep monitor, the silent alarm, the App, everything was perfect.

I started surfing and see time and time again people that are having the same issue as my Fitbit Surge. I have even heard from friends that they had the same issue as my Fibit Surge. They told me Fibit replaced mine without question. I asked myself, why doesn't Fitbit address the issue if it is a known problem?

So I have a $250 fitbit Surge sitting in my dresser not being used because the watch band broke. And to add insult to injury.....We bought a Fitbit Charge for our oldest son this past Christmas (2016). It also has fallen apart after 6 months. Now I have the call in and see what Fibit can do. Probably offer another 20% off a purchase.

Comeon Fitbit ! Do the reponsible act. Replace both devices free of charge. You can PM me to discuss

[rdaquinoii]

i want Fibit to know I recieved a Fitbit Surge as a Christmas gift in 2014. Feb 2016 the band fell off after one year and two months. I called to see what Fitbit do to just replace the watchband. I was willing to pay for repair and their only option was "I will give you 20% off a purchase". How rich! My family paid $250.00 for the watch that has turned into a 16 month disposable watch. 16 months? I have watches that cost more than that and that I have had for years and years and are still working and not falling apart. Please do not think that I hated this watch, i absolutely loved it! The Sleep monitor, the silent alarm, the App, everything was perfect.

I started surfing and see time and time again people that are having the same issue as my Fitbit Surge. I have even heard from friends that they had the same issue as my Fibit Surge. They told me Fibit replaced mine without question. I asked myself, why doesn't Fitbit address the issue if it is a known problem?

So I have a $250 fitbit Surge sitting in my dresser not being used because the watch band broke. And to add insult to injury.....We bought a Fitbit Charge for our oldest son this past Christmas (2016). It also has fallen apart after 6 months. Now I have the call in and see what Fibit can do. Probably offer another 20% off a purchase.

Comeon Fitbit ! Do the reponsible act. Replace both devices free of charge. You can PM me to discuss

---

@Spebfan wrote:
My Surge band became detached from the watch as well. It is a black band. I got as a Christmas present 2015.

---

[shipo]

@rdaquinoii, ummm, okay, we got your point after the first post, no need to repeat it over and over and over ad-nauseam.