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How does Vivoactive-04, compare to the Ionic Fitbit (problematic Issues)

Thinking about buying the Vivoactive-04, but would like to know how it compares to my Ionic FitBit, and if there are any issues, like the issues with the Ionic Fitbit

I'm currently on my second Ionic, which was a replacement, after my previous watch died, which I believe was down the either the battery, or the firmware causing issues

Had my replacement watch now for 12 months, and this sounds like the right time to sell my watch, even though I might not get much, what I get £££ dosnt matter

Some of the issues I have, are syncing the ionic to the fitbit app, takes forever, and have to keep on resetting device

Most common message is fitbit can't find the device, so end up resetting device

If Battery dies, the watch can't be fixed, as it seems fitbit dosnt do this kind of service

The watch seems to have a lifespan of around 18 months+, as this is when problems occur, then out of warranty. Only the original watch is covered by the 2 year warranty

If my current watch was to develop a problem, like no longer working, fitbit will offer me 25% of a new watch, which I would refuse, as paid £300 for this watch

Questions:

Any syncing issues with the vivoactive-04

Does Garmin offer a battery replacement service

What is Garmin warrant policy like, and does it cover replacement watches

0 pshare over 5 years ago

My comments relate to North America. I would imagine European experience should be similar.

It wasn't always this way but for the past 4 or 5 years, syncing for me has been very reliable and quick either through my phone or via my PC. The only exception would be when there's a server issue which might happen 1 time per year.

There's a status website that can be a help when there's an issue but is really only useful when the downtime is extended.

connect.garmin.com/en-US/status

Garmin Express has a current issue of using more CPU cycles on a PC than it should right now so the trick is to turn it on when syncing and then turning it off when done.

Generally, Garmin doesn't change a battery but every one of my Garmin devices has lasted a lot longer than 18 months. My current Vivoactive 3 is 2.5 years old and the battery hasn't lost a step. My refurb FR910XT is 4 years old with 0 battery issues. My Vivoactive 1 is 6 years old and the battery is still fine. There is a local private service center near me that will change a battery but the only time I've tried to deal with them was when my 10 year old FR305 battery wouldn't go for more than 1/2 hour. It was then that I bought the FR910XT to replace it.

From what I know, Garmin's warrantee on all its products is 1 year. In fact, in my case, I was able to get service well beyond the warrantee expiry date - particularly when there was a proven flaw in the product. In my case, they replaced a Vivosmart 1 with a new model after about 16 months because of failing displays. They replaced my refurb FR910XT after 18 months because of a faulty power button that was a known issue.

This answers your particular questions, but I suggest you browse through the forum as some Garmin features are different than Fitbit. I suggest you also check out YouTube videos on the VA4 and similar products. Reviews by DC Rainmaker is a great place to start.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to pshare

I have a Garmin Venu and used to have an Ionic but also now a Versa 2 and from my experience Garmin is far superior in all but sleep tracking.

Ionic

Syncing very hit and miss, mostly have to force the sync but all too often have 'unable to find device'

Apps are generally very poor and often unreliable. Strava would hardly link, agenda the same and other apps pretty basic

Updates (when they were released) very painful, unreliable to do and can take up to an hour before failing and having to go again

Starting crashing and switching off during runs losing my data, extremely frustrating

Choice of clock faces very poor

Bluetooth connection to Fitbit Flyer earphones very patchy and constantly dropping out

Spotify app acts as a remote only

If powering off, you have to perform a cold reset (hold all 3 buttons for 30 secs) to restart and then due to a firmware issue find you have no battery left

Venu

Syncing flawless, never fails to connect and notifications always come through

Huge library of apps, widgets, data fields, clock faces. Some good some not so

Updating generally takes no more than 5 minutes and that's for the main firmware not just the GPS, Sensors or other software components

Has never crashed or lost data

Some really nice clock faces - currently using SHNs Fenix 6 face. Only criticism is there can be a delay on showing the face on downloaded ones rather than stock ones.

Bluetooth is flawless, has never dropped connection even when running for over two hours with GPS and Spotify streaming

Spotify allows you to download playlists and leave your phone at home (providing you have premium)

Not to mention the wealth of data that Garmin gives you, speed, cadence, Vo2 max, Pulse Ox, altitude and the rest. Only fly in the ointment is the Garmin sleep tracking is nowhere near as accurate as Fitbit's

Powers in in seconds from just one hold of the button with battery exactly where you left it.

Again my experience and others may vary but I would say ditch the Shitbit and go with the Garmin.

0 pshare over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

I lost data once in the last year when my VA3 crashed. That one hurt as I had just achieved my goals for the day. I do find that my custom IQ watch face (No Frills) crashes a couple of times per week but that doesn't affect anything else. Usually the only way to get it back is to reboot the watch. I don't know if the problem is CIQ or the watch face itself.

6322464 is right about sleep tracking. Most people who move from Fitbit to Garmin complain that it's a major disappointment. I never had a Fitbit but I also wish Garmin's sleep tracking were better than it is.