Fitbit Charge 5 - $158.98

Regardless of the reduced price, buying a Fitbit is almost like a subscription, when after around a year of use the device starts to fail or there are crippling sync issues, and you're forced to buy another
(I say this after my own experience owning 3 Fitbit devices, at which point I looked towards other brands)

But upvoted anyway

It was exactly the same price a month ago (which I bought)
still an OK deal!

also at the Source and Best Buy

The 5 has syncing/battery drain issues that I never had with the 4. Very disappointing

I got this on the first day it was released, back in September. Big mistake.

I just got a warranty replacement. The process was painful. First-line customer support treats customers like idiots and basically makes you go through each and every (in)conceivable step to self-resolve the issue, even when it's obvious that your device is busted. e.g., the rep said "ensure the Wifi is turned on" . When you finally finish that pain, they "open a case" and a you have to suffer more back and forth with a second-line customer rep. When they confirm your device is busted, they issue a pre-paid Fedex label. You ship back the watch, and twiddle your thumbs in the mean time. After 10 days, I got my replacement device.

I got an Amazfit band for like $50 on Amazon when my Fitbit bust, and I couldn't be happier. It's a surprisingly nice watch and there are no subscription fees!

Just my two cents.

I'm glad I didn't get into that ecosystem...

Apple watch isn't an option for me... I've been looking at the Garmin devices... What were you looking using?

The Fitbit website has $70 off both the Charge 5 and Versa 3, so it looks like the major retailers that carry these are matching the price (including Staples and Sportchek. However, for me the best deal would be to buy at Staples and do the following:
- shop via airmilesshops.ca to get 1 AM/$20 plus bonus of at least 100AM for spending $100 across 2 stores (would need to make a small purchase at another retailer for bonus)
- include Air Miles number on the order to get standard 1 AM/$40 from Staples
- Apply $10 off $100 Email signup coupon

You'd pay $149.99+ tax and get $10+ back in Air Miles, plus Staples offers free next day shipping - which is great for those without a Prime membership

slynx85 wrote: ↑ I'm glad I didn't get into that ecosystem...

Apple watch isn't an option for me... I've been looking at the Garmin devices... What were you looking using?

Came here for this

Tempted by the Venu 2 which Costco has cheaper than Visions and visions has its 15 percent price match beat (unless I missed it I think they will price bear Costco)

slynx85 wrote: ↑ I'm glad I didn't get into that ecosystem...

Apple watch isn't an option for me... I've been looking at the Garmin devices... What were you looking using?

I was in the same place, but ironically enough, the Apple Watch was SO good (especially coming from Fitbit) that it was justification enough for me to switch both my smartphone and watch to Apple's offerings

pkamto wrote: ↑ Regardless of the reduced price, buying a Fitbit is almost like a subscription, when after around a year of use the device starts to fail or there are crippling sync issues, and you're forced to buy another
(I say this after my own experience owning 3 Fitbit devices, at which point I looked towards other brands)

But upvoted anyway

this is so true, id stay away from Fitbit.
I now use garmin, way way way better.

how does this compare to miband 7?

Y2BNE1 wrote: ↑ Amazon dropped price for Fitbit Charge 5 to 158.98 for black and 159.95 for other colors. Looks like ATL according to CCC.

[$159.99] Best Buy - https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/fi ... k/15666446
[$159.99] The Source - https://www.thesource.ca/en-ca/health-w ... /108096251

Had a Fitbit before, avoid if possible.

Switched to Garmin and using it from last 3 years, broke Bracket once and got replacement in couple of days. Garmin is a rock solid, get on a deal, otherwise pricy but really good product.

Fitbit devices cannot be used as heart rate monitors outside the Fitbit app.

I bought a used Inspire HR, thinking I could use it as a heart rate monitor paired to QZ. Turns out only the Fitbit app can connect to Fitbit devices. Nothing else can connect to it as a bluetooth devices, nor use metrics, e.g. HR. The feature has been requested since 2015 in their forum, garnered 885 votes, but status is "Not currently planned" (https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature ... i-p/687286). The official response is to use the web API, which is limited to 150 requests per hour! So much for that.

I personally will not be buying another Fitbit product until they un-cripple their hardware. OP thanks for posting.

I know a lot of people seem to have issues with Fitbits. I'll chime in with a positive experience.

I'm still using my Charge 2 HR. Still works great after daily usage of 3+ years. Got it Black Friday 2018.

My wife would also still be using hers, except she lost it at work a month ago. She is now using a 4.

I've changed my wrist band a few times. I also had to disable getting text/call notifications, as it drained the battery. But without it, I still typically charge it every 6 days. I keep the "low battery" emails, so I can gauge the battery length. I wear it all day and night.

I've been very happy with it, including getting an Aria 2 weight scale. I plan on getting another Charge once this one finally dies on me. But absolutely believe I have gotten my money's worth.