Another new Fitbit! Versa

Jennifer P. · 03-14-18, 03:55 PM

I got an email from Fitbit yesterday. I guess they have a new Fitbit up for preorder. It's called the Versa, & it's a replacement for the Blaze (which I have now, along with 2 Fitbit ones.) It is priced at $199--& it does everything the new Ionic does except it doesn't have an independent GPS, it has a connected GPS.

Wow, if I had bought a Ionic, I'd be mad. I don't know if the GPS is worth $100 more, I guess people who run regularly for their fitness would want it. It's not worth it to me. I am interested in getting a Versa, but I am going to wait until they (hopefully) have the bugs worked out, & I can buy an extended warranty to go along with it.

If anyone is wondering about accuracy, I find the Fitbit One to be accurate, the Blaze not so much. Unfortunately, the One was discontinued last year.

I have read several articles that say Fitbit's sales of its fitness trackers are down, which is why they are releasing trackers that are more like a smart watch.

hedygs · 03-14-18, 03:59 PM

I saw this yesterday. I was looking at an Apple Watch and now I saw this. Decisions.

desderata · 03-14-18, 10:45 PM

My husband has the ionic and really likes it. The only problem is he is a distance road biker and the GPS drains the battery - it's ok for 2 hour rides, but after that the battery fades.

Marie1120 · 03-15-18, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedygs

I saw this yesterday. I was looking at an Apple Watch and now I saw this. Decisions.

I was looking for a fitness tracker and pretty much decided on an Apple watch and now this. Still leaning toward Apple for a couple of reasons. Fitbits that I have seen only let you charge by connecting to a PC. I saw some info about connecting to a plug in charger but it was so vague that it would discourage me from trying. Garmin at least has one that they approve that you can buy. Not sure the charging options for this one but that is one thing I would want to look into. I do like the battery life so you would only need to charge every 3-4 days. I don't know how often the Apple Watch needs to be charged.

The other reason I am leaning toward Apple is the band options. While they have some different bands for the Versa, they are all the buckle type. I'm not sure that is a big deal but I like having the different options.

desderata · 03-15-18, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Fitbits that I have seen only let you charge by connecting to a PC.

My husband's ionic charges with a wall charger. He leaves it on manual mode and except for long bike rides with the GPS his battery lasts him 6-7 days on average.

Marie1120 · 03-15-18, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desderata

My husband's ionic charges with a wall charger. He leaves it on manual mode and except for long bike rides with the GPS his battery lasts him 6-7 days on average.

That's great to know. We do have a PC but, with tablets, many don't anymore.

Vantreesta · 03-15-18, 08:25 AM

I have always used a wall charger to charge my Fitbits.

As far as GPS and battery life, I recently bought a Garmin Vivoactive bc my phone shuts down when I try to use it in the cold so all my MapMyRun attempts were lost. We were just snowshoeing last week and I got two days of life on the battery with about 10 hours in GPS mode. I was satisfied with this and charged before we went out on day 3. As a step tracker I feel it is just okay, but to be fair I wear it on my left wrist which is the side I heel my dog on, so it doesn't have a normal swing for our walks.

The connected GPS on my Fitbit Charge 2 has never worked right, but I don't know if that is more reflective of the device or my phone being about 4-5 yrs old.

Marie1120 · 03-15-18, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vantreesta

I have always used a wall charger to charge my Fitbits.

As far as GPS and battery life, I recently bought a Garmin Vivoactive bc my phone shuts down when I try to use it in the cold so all my MapMyRun attempts were lost. We were just snowshoeing last week and I got two days of life on the battery with about 10 hours in GPS mode. I was satisfied with this and charged before we went out on day 3. As a step tracker I feel it is just okay, but to be fair I wear it on my left wrist which is the side I heel my dog on, so it doesn't have a normal swing for our walks.

The connected GPS on my Fitbit Charge 2 has never worked right, but I don't know if that is more reflective of the device or my phone being about 4-5 yrs old.

Is there any specific charger that you use? I have Apple and Kindle ones.

Vantreesta · 03-15-18, 03:05 PM

I just use a plain old USB wall charger that I bought years ago to charge my MP3 player.

yogapam · 03-15-18, 03:14 PM

Is the Versa waterproof? IIRC, the Iconic is waterproof?

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03-14-18, 03:55 PM
Jennifer P. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Va. Beach, VA	Another new Fitbit! Versa I got an email from Fitbit yesterday. I guess they have a new Fitbit up for preorder. It's called the Versa, & it's a replacement for the Blaze (which I have now, along with 2 Fitbit ones.) It is priced at $199--& it does everything the new Ionic does except it doesn't have an independent GPS, it has a connected GPS. Wow, if I had bought a Ionic, I'd be mad. I don't know if the GPS is worth $100 more, I guess people who run regularly for their fitness would want it. It's not worth it to me. I am interested in getting a Versa, but I am going to wait until they (hopefully) have the bugs worked out, & I can buy an extended warranty to go along with it. If anyone is wondering about accuracy, I find the Fitbit One to be accurate, the Blaze not so much. Unfortunately, the One was discontinued last year. I have read several articles that say Fitbit's sales of its fitness trackers are down, which is why they are releasing trackers that are more like a smart watch. __________________ Jennifer P. Let's keep this beautiful planet & all its wonderful creatures alive!

03-14-18, 03:59 PM
hedygs VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Michigan	I saw this yesterday. I was looking at an Apple Watch and now I saw this. Decisions.

03-14-18, 10:45 PM
desderata Join Date: Oct 2007	My husband has the ionic and really likes it. The only problem is he is a distance road biker and the GPS drains the battery - it's ok for 2 hour rides, but after that the battery fades.

03-15-18, 08:25 AM
Vantreesta Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Snowman Land :)	I have always used a wall charger to charge my Fitbits. As far as GPS and battery life, I recently bought a Garmin Vivoactive bc my phone shuts down when I try to use it in the cold so all my MapMyRun attempts were lost. We were just snowshoeing last week and I got two days of life on the battery with about 10 hours in GPS mode. I was satisfied with this and charged before we went out on day 3. As a step tracker I feel it is just okay, but to be fair I wear it on my left wrist which is the side I heel my dog on, so it doesn't have a normal swing for our walks. The connected GPS on my Fitbit Charge 2 has never worked right, but I don't know if that is more reflective of the device or my phone being about 4-5 yrs old. __________________ "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch." "God, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." "You can't run from your problems. But you'll both feel a little lighter when you get back." ~New Balance shoe ad You don't have to be fast, just keep moving forward. Note to self: You don't get to complain about things you won't work to change! Word for 2024: Accomplished; Word for 2023: Grounded; Word for 2022: Consistency; Word for 2021: Mindfulness

03-15-18, 03:05 PM
Vantreesta Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Snowman Land :)	I just use a plain old USB wall charger that I bought years ago to charge my MP3 player. __________________ "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch." "God, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." "You can't run from your problems. But you'll both feel a little lighter when you get back." ~New Balance shoe ad You don't have to be fast, just keep moving forward. Note to self: You don't get to complain about things you won't work to change! Word for 2024: Accomplished; Word for 2023: Grounded; Word for 2022: Consistency; Word for 2021: Mindfulness

03-15-18, 03:14 PM
yogapam VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West coast of Canada, eh. ;)	Is the Versa waterproof? IIRC, the Iconic is waterproof? __________________ **~Pam~** Certified Level 4 Essentrics Instructor - March 2021 Hatha YTT - 2011 Your body keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down..... "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." Jim Rohn "It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” - Tony Robbins Check out my Instagram account, @fitness.ficti0n.inspirati0n