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lack of GPS and laps data in Blaze

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‎05-14-2017 09:05

‎05-14-2017 09:05

I am finding it extremely annoying that I basically need to run with my phone if I want to be able to have a map of my run and lap/ km splits saved in the app. This was great with the Surge and am puzzled as to why such a massive step back for Blaze. Really disappointing. Interested in thoughts/ suggestions. Thanks

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7 REPLIES 7

‎05-14-2017 10:16

‎05-14-2017 10:16

Look at the size of the Blaze as compared to the Surge. That is the reason the Blaze does not have a built in GPS. You are giving up one feature for a slimmer and more stylish tracker. Not everyone likes that so that is why they still sell the Surge.

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‎05-14-2017 10:21

‎05-14-2017 10:21

Hi, @alkoba, I think the decision to leave the GOS chip out of the Blaze was so the tracker could be lighter and thinner than the Surge, which has a chip. Also with the Surge the antenna was built into the band, meaning the bands weren't replaceable.  But the Blaze is now almost 18 months old, and the technology on these things is improving all the time, and I think they are able to pack a lot into a pretty small space, so maybe Fitbit will soon have a slim watch which also has the GPS chip.  

 

I personally take a phone with me anyway when I run (I think many women do), but I also would like to have a built in GPS chip in a slim watch so I didn't have to rely on the connection to the phone, so I know what you mean.  I really like the Surge for running, but for me it is too big for day to day wear.

 

Anyway, it will be interesting to see if Fitbit announces any new trackers for the autumn...

Sense, Charge 5, Inspire 2; iOS and Android

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‎05-14-2017 13:18

In response to SunsetRunner

‎05-14-2017 13:18

Thanks for the insight it makes sense. From a customer service perspective I think the loss of this feature could have been made more obvious as I would value it over size, but probably not something they wanted to shout about!

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‎05-15-2017 08:20

In response to Julia_G

‎05-15-2017 08:20

@Julia_G

 

Julia, the GPS Antenna is NOT built into the strap, NOTHING is built into the strap and the strap IS replaceable!

 

The GPS Antenna sits in a recess in one side of the BODY of the watch, the Bluetooth Antenna sits in a recess in the BODY of the watch on the other side.  The strap is simply a standalone part which is available from a number of suppliers on the net including Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress.  It is a very simple process to fit and there are plenty of video's on YouTube showing how to do this.

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‎05-15-2017 08:30

In response to Griswold

‎05-15-2017 08:30

Hi, @Griswold, I was referring to the Surge.  The antenna is, in fact, built in to the band of the Surge,

Sense, Charge 5, Inspire 2; iOS and Android

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‎05-15-2017 08:36

In response to Julia_G

‎05-15-2017 08:36

I think this is a matter of symantics.  If I have to cut off the band and then carefully scrape out the antenna, I call that built.  

 

I have watched the videos.  

 

Peoples' views on whether it is easy to replace the band or not vary.  Obviously if it is out of warranty and the band is the issue you may want to try.  

 

This discussion was about why the decision was to produce the Blaze without a GPS chip.  My guess is that it had to do with size.  Without putting the antenna etc into the band, making the band unreplaceable in the ordinary sense of the word, they could not easily incorporate the GPS chip.

 

I believe my answer made sense.  I certainly did not mean to get into yet another discussion about whether or not the Fitbit Surge band is replaceble.  It is not repalceable in the way the Blaze band is, obviously.

Sense, Charge 5, Inspire 2; iOS and Android

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‎05-15-2017 09:16

In response to Julia_G

‎05-15-2017 09:16

@Julia_G

 

It's not semantics at all Julia, at least not from my part.

 

It's just that when a newcomer to the forum reads something from a well respected long-time-member as yourself they will, quite naturally, take what is writ as gospel.

 

In the case of the Antenna being built into the strap making the strap non-replaceable your statement is clearly misleading and I simply corrected that part of your missive.  Your answer regarding the size difference between the two models being down to the implementation of GPS does indeed make sense, it simply didn't need any mention of the strap at all.

 

Also, I can assure you that neither antenna needed to have been implemented as they have been, as neither has any direct electrical connection with the underlying circuitry an so could, as with many other products utilising GPS, have been built directly into the body.  Quite why FitBit chose this particular methodology is somewhat puzzling, though I would agree that, as it is, it does make changing the strap slightly harder than would otherwise be necessary.

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