Two new Fitbit wearables launched

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LazyDr

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#192211 1-Mar-2016 23:08

Fitbit Blaze: https://www.fitbit.com/shop/blaze

Fitbit Alta: https://www.fitbit.com/shop/alta

These both look like nice devices, but wow, pricey! The Blaze is essentially what I'm looking for, if it does what it says on the box, but I can't see myself stumping up $370 for it. Maybe I'm just cheap?

Also they advertise leather and metal straps to change the look, but again, over $200 for the metal sounds a bit extravagant to me.

In terms of aesthetics, I think they've done a reasonable job, and both have improved over the Charge and original Fitbit in my opinion.

Thoughts?

alasta

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#1502551 2-Mar-2016 07:17

Neither of them are fully waterproof, and it doesn't look as if either of them have a GPS built in. I assume 'connected GPS' means that it relies on your phone GPS to measure distances?

As a running and swimming enthusiast I think the TomTom Spark is a much more useful tool, but I'm hoping that the next Apple watch may have built in GPS.

andrew027

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#1502579 2-Mar-2016 08:08

I'm quite interested in the Blaze. It would be nice if it had GPS built in instead of relying on a connected smartphone, but on reflection I realise that every time I use the GPS on the fitness tracker I have now I have my phone with me anyway, so why not? I'm not fussed about getting extra bands for it - a black rubber one will be fine. So the Blaze will do everything I actually need, and is $100 cheaper than the Surge.

LazyDr

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#1502726 2-Mar-2016 10:11

Good point actually, I saw GPS but missed the "connected" bit. To be fair, I currently do everything with my phone on me anyway, so wouldn't be too much of a problem, but a shame they've bypassed full GPS. Maybe to do with battery life?

Fitbit seem to be following in Apples footsteps IMO, and starting to charge more based on their brand recognition. Interesting to see how that works out for them with the market flooded with wearables now

MaxLV

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#1504858 2-Mar-2016 12:53

andrew027:

I'm quite interested in the Blaze. It would be nice if it had GPS built in instead of relying on a connected smartphone, but on reflection I realise that every time I use the GPS on the fitness tracker I have now I have my phone with me anyway, so why not? I'm not fussed about getting extra bands for it - a black rubber one will be fine. So the Blaze will do everything I actually need, and is $100 cheaper than the Surge.

Dont know about it being cheaper than the surge...

Bought my Surge last year at Noel Leemings. $299.00 (now over $400)

Blaze is $369 with the classic band. If you want the metal band, it'll cost another $229, or the leather band $179.

Noel Leemings wont have them till end of the month, JB HiFi have them already.