So, you’re looking to buy gadget like the Fitbit Ultra or Fitbit One, and wondering how long the device will last? That I can answer for you, as my Fitbit Ultra has this week counted its last step.
It’s been treated well, not dropped, and not water damaged. Last week I docked it to my computer in the morning, mainly to give the battery a charge. That evening, I popped it out of my pocket to check my step count, as I’d had a very active day. And… nothing. The screen was blank.
I went to the Support Forum on the Fitbit website. The advice given to others experiencing the problem was to reset the Fitbit Ultra by:
In this respect your GP will be able to give you more information regarding what you should do in your specific circumstances. When taking a dose from your inhaler make sure that you are using the correct technique. Ineffective use of the Ventolin inhaler will result in less of the drug reaching where it is needed in your lungs. Press the top down and breathe in until your lungs fill completely - about 3-5 seconds. Hold the medicine in your lungs as long as you can (5-10 seconds is good), then breathe out.
- Place it on your base station, which must be plugged into your computer’s USB port.
- Next, press the gold button on the underside of the base station with a toothpick, pen tip, or paper clip.
- Your Ultra will now be reset and should function properly.
I followed the instructions, and nothing. While the Fitbit was docked, I could press the device’s button and see the title screens, but no data. As soon I removed it from the dock, the screen was again dead.
Next step, I emailed Fitbit. Upon hearing what I’d already done, they asked if I had the receipt to prove a warranty claim. So that’s the non-pronouncement pronouncement of death.
Unfortunately, the warranty is 12 months.
Do you have a Jawbone UP? Read my companion piece, ‘How long does a Jawbone UP last?‘
I purchased my Fitbit in February 2012. Since then, the Fitbit Ultra and I have done 6,614,281 steps, or 5,617.65 kilometres, and 11,437 floors. Hell, we even did a marathon together. But that’s it for us.
But there’s some good news. The Fitbit support staff offered me a 50% discount on a new Fitbit One. So very soon a new electronic pedometer and I will be stepping out.
Fitbit One Wireless Activity Tracker and Sleep Tracker
Update, December 2014: How is the replacement Fitbit going?
It has been almost 18 months since this story was first published. As I wrote above, my Fitbit Ultra managed to count 6,614,281 steps before it broke. I replaced it with a Fitbit One, and I’m pleased to be able to report it is still going strong.
I’ve now travelled 16,544,487 steps with a Fitbit, meaning the Fitbit One has been with me now for just under 10 million steps. Not only is the Fitbit One a design advance over the Ultra, it is also demonstrably a better build. Now, if only Fitbit could do something about improving my tired, sore feet!
Read more about my Fitbit experiences:
Have you killed a Fitbit?
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Buy a Fitbit
Like the sound of becoming a possible stepaholic with a Fitbit? The Fitbit Surge, Charge HR, Flex, and One are all available at the Fitbit online store.