FitBit Watch

March 25, 2025, 10:35 PM

nhtagmember

FitBit Watch

Just wondering if anyone was using one and which app you were using

There are a number of different ones and I’d like not to have to set up a google account

Thanks for any advice

March 25, 2025, 11:26 PM

jimb888

I've had 2 fitbit fives (one warrenty replacement) and now have a fitbit 6. The batteries last about a year and then you need to buy a new watch. My brother was managing a utility and every employee got one (this was @2022), every one died before the year was out. The battery is not replaceable.

I enjoy the heart rate monitor, the step counter, and how long I sleep feature. Worth it for me. I just use the fitbit app although I use to use a calorie counter that also collected the step info and melded it in. Forgot the name. Got too much work entering my food so I stopped it.

That said, likely an apple watch would be more cost effective as it would last so much longer.

March 26, 2025, 12:54 AM

FenderBender

Fitbit specifically is owned by Google. If I were in the market for something like that I'd go for the Garmin Instinct 3

March 26, 2025, 01:53 AM

SigSAC

I've had one for several years. Like others have mentioned, it is now owned by Google. They have been making noises that you need to move your account to Gmail soon (they say for enhanced security), but I don't know that they will be able to enforce it.

If they do, then I will deactivate that day.

March 26, 2025, 07:44 AM

nhtagmember

I bought mine to track sleep but perhaps I picked the wrong watch.

Will look at a Garmin this weekend.

Thanks. May have a karma shortly

March 26, 2025, 07:53 AM

P250UA5

Not quite the same, but my daily is a Citizen CZ Smart Hybrid [from our own Dave].
Analog hands & limited 'smart' capability. It'll vibrate when I get notifications on my phone & you can decline a call. Notifications are chosen via the Citizen app.
It does sleep tracking, steps, heart rate.

It's about as dumb of a smartwatch as you can get.
They also make a non-hybrid that has a touchscreen.

March 26, 2025, 09:00 AM

HRK

Had one of the fitbit units you put in a rubber strap on your wrist years ago. It wasn't anything special, didn't monitor much.

Have an Apple Watch now, you can monitor sleep, steps all kinds of health stats. Gave one to my dad and it detected afib, gave off warnings that it was excessive, shortly after he ended up getting a stent put in a 90%+ blocked artery.

Biggest issue on Apple Watches is battery life, I have to recharge before going to bed if I want to wear it to sleep. Doesn't take long though.

March 26, 2025, 09:02 AM

SPWAMike0317

I have a Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and use Garmin Connect on my phone and Garmin Express for updates. Garmin recently released the Instinct 3 which offers the option of an AMOLED option for color. The Instinct does everything I need, tracks sleep, tracks a number of activities, has great timers and alarms, message and phone call alerts and options for different watch faces. There are more options but those are the ones I use. Because it is a "basic" smartwatch, I can go 10-14 days on a charge. The GPS pulls more power so more charging. Charging from 20% to 80% takes about an hour. While it does charge via solar, that is more relevant in the summer in PA.

I am not gentle on watches and my Garmin seems indestructible. If I were buying today, I would go with AMOLED Instinct 3 Solar but my current watch is fine and I don't see a trade up any time soon. FWIW, Garmin has a pretty wide range of watches so, depending on your needs/wants/budget there may be a model that is a better fit for you.

March 26, 2025, 09:26 AM

Genorogers

I've been using the Garmin Vivosmart 5 for about 3 months. Easy to setup with the Garmin Connect app and I'm totally impressed. I think I paid about $170 direct through Garmin.

March 26, 2025, 10:32 AM

FenderBender

quote:
Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:
I have a Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and use Garmin Connect on my phone and Garmin Express for updates. Garmin recently released the Instinct 3 which offers the option of an AMOLED option for color. The Instinct does everything I need, tracks sleep, tracks a number of activities, has great timers and alarms, message and phone call alerts and options for different watch faces. There are more options but those are the ones I use. Because it is a "basic" smartwatch, I can go 10-14 days on a charge. The GPS pulls more power so more charging. Charging from 20% to 80% takes about an hour. While it does charge via solar, that is more relevant in the summer in PA.

I am not gentle on watches and my Garmin seems indestructible. If I were buying today, I would go with AMOLED Instinct 3 Solar but my current watch is fine and I don't see a trade up any time soon. FWIW, Garmin has a pretty wide range of watches so, depending on your needs/wants/budget there may be a model that is a better fit for you.

I'd specifically go for the Solar over the AMOLED with NHtag being in Tucson, I did the math for Las Vegas, without using the GPS functions it seemed like I spent enough time outside I'd never need to charge it. and a no charge smartwatch is as good as it'll get for me.

March 28, 2025, 02:10 PM

SigSAC

Received an email from Google today - you will be required to move to a Google and Gmail account by 2/6/2026 or lose functionality.

Guess I'll be looking for either another platform or go back to a regular watch.

March 28, 2025, 02:24 PM

229DAK

I've had a Fitbit Charge 5 for almost a year now. I've tried the ECG function many times and it's always the same - inconclusive. Every time. Useless function.

March 28, 2025, 02:30 PM

sig2392

My wife went through 4 FitBits under warranty.

She went to an Apple watch and didn't look back.

She retired her 1st Apple watch many years later for a newer version of an Apple watch.