Hi Erin. . .I also have a Fitbit charge 5 and love it. I have had issues with the ECG feature; it keeps telling me to open my phone. I have an android phone and only have the Fitbit app on my iPad. BTW. . .I wear my tracker on my ankle to make every step count!
As someone with sleep apnea I think having a spo2 while sleeping is a fantastic feature along with the breathing rates. Sleep monitoring and heart rate at the only reason I am considering this device.
Hi Erin, thanks for the review, it was really helpful. I'm thinking of buying one... but I have a question that you might be able to help me with. You mentioned that you were not sold on the usefulness of the skin temperature sensor and the blood oxygen monitor. Is that because the readings were not accurate or you did not find the functions helpful?
Great question. I don’t see how knowing blood oxygen from overnight sleeping can be extremely useful. I guess it’s kind of interesting to know, but I feel like if you really need more detailed readings, waiting a full 24 hours for an update is probably not helpful.
Thanks for the clear no nonsense review. I recall from a comprehensive review by DC Rainmaker in September 2021 that it was impossible to use both the onboard GPS and HRM consecutively with the Charge 5 as the GPS a will only work if the strap is loose enough to get a finger between the face and wrist meanIng the HRM couldn’t read the wearers pulse. I understand there is an option to tether the watch to a smartphone but if you can’t take a phone on a run/ride/hike etc you’ll have to sacrifice either HRM or GPS. What was your experience of this? Has it been rectified? Thanks.
Great Video Erin! Just a heads up, I noticed is that audio quality from your lapel mic sounds a bit compressed or distorted in comparison to the voice-overs on your B-roll.
I have used the HR inspire and the versa 3, both lasted a little over a year and literally DIED right after. I have gotten accustomed to wearing trackers, I want a replacement but I am really scared to purchase yet another fitbit device
I have both charge 2 and 5 my charge 2 is old and cracked but I keep ending up back to it because the 5 doesn’t accurately track heart rate for things like runs so I’m stuck using both, then they don’t sync so well together date wise. All the other features are great though, have you had this issue or been ab,e to solve it as without accurate heart rate it’s a bit useless to me
Is there an option to lock the screen when you are tracking a workout? For instance if I wear my charge 5 under my hockey equipment can I lock the screen so my workout won’t cancel on its own?
When my Fitbit Charge 2 died, I talked with customer service and mailed in my Charge 2. They replied saying it could not be fixed. They graciously offered a $75 discount to buy another Fitbit which had to be used in within 30 days. I considered this to be good customer service. Stay healthy.
I recently returned the Fitbit Sense I bought a month ago because the timer and alarm vibration was too soft even on the Strong setting. I often slept through the alarm whereas I always woke with my old Versa and Versa 2 trackers. I gave those to my children and now I’m not sure if the Charge 5 has the same gentle vibration because you’ve just said the notifications are a bit too gentle. Can anyone please give me feedback and advice about this alarm/notification vibration feature, please? Thank you.
I think I’ve tried almost every Fitbit since the original… I haven’t noticed a major difference in the vibrations myself, but I guess we all have different thresholds. 🙂
I'm very disappointed with my Fitbit Charge 5, solely due to the charging process. When I connect it, it doesn't always charge. I make sure it's connected properly. I've used 3 different USB ports tonight and it's not charging on any of them. Absolutely infuriating 😡 I wish I could have my old Charge 2!!!
I still have my charge 2, it tracks exercise more accurately I think part because there were two lights on that version instead of the 1. I also have a spare, got the charge 5 when on sale but it’s always impossible to return them if you do hate them I just hope they don’t stop allowing the app for the charge 2 (main reason I got a newer model . Have you has issues with the heart rate readings too ?
hi Erin - nice review clear and concise -- i've been wearing my charge 2 since forever, the last 18 months it's had a diagonal split right across the face from some direct hit but it's always worked fine ! i'm gonna buy the 5 even tho the additional features don't appear so interesting for myself i have a good gps on my iphone and i always take it when i run for the music and to look at the fitbit running dashboard - for me the biggest selling point for any fitbit tracker is the community of users thanks for your review - and btw ... i love your eye movement :)
Based upon my experience with the Fitbit Ionic recall, I will never buy another Fitbit. They have failed to provide the refund. They have provide multiple stories, no two match. Over 3 months and counting.
Thank you for your helpful review Erin! I am about to order the charge 5 with the blue strap like the one you are wearing in the video. I wonder if this colour gets dirty often and is it hard to clean? Thank you
@@ErinLawrenceTV thank you Erin, I appreciate your reply, I managed to find a black one and you are right, it is so silky smooth, it will be easier to keep clean and I love the feel of it.
Can you please show how the Fitbit 5 band works I mean attaches on the wrist ! I found some of the earlier Fitbit bands were not good & lost my tracker! Thank you!
I HAVE RETURNED (March 2022) FOR A FULL REFUND MY NEW CHARGE 5 after Fitbit support acknowledged FITBIT has been working on a software fix to issues affecting battery life. NO ETA is know for the fix to the software. DO NOT BUY THIS watch until FITBIT comes clear about the fix to the batteries issues which can reduce the expected life from 5 days to 1 1/2 day. BTW, I went back to using my old Charge 2.
I still use the Charge 2 daily. But this review convinced me to finally upgrade. Thank you kindly for the review.
Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful!
The blood oxygen monitor is actually really great for detecting breathing issues like sleep apnea.
Thank You Erin, very useful review for me as I am deciding which Fitbit bests suits my needs 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful!
I just bought mine a couple days ago. It's beautiful and i love it. Subscribed!
Awesome! Thank you for the sub!
Erin, thank you for your detailed review. Upgrading from an Inspire HR to this model.
Cool! Glad you found it helpful.
Streamlined, professional, perfect review. Thank you!
Thank you so very much for the compliment.
Why does the Fitbit 5 not count stairs? My previous one did. I love that because my job involves multi steps on stairs. 😢
Back to you Joe for the weather. :) nice job on vid
Haha, thanks!
I loved your clear concise presentation .... So to get it clear ...there is no spot spo2 reading possible .....does it give VO2 readings
This was a really solid review, you’re a good writer. Thank you
Thank you too!
Hi Erin. . .I also have a Fitbit charge 5 and love it. I have had issues with the ECG feature; it keeps telling me to open my phone. I have an android phone and only have the Fitbit app on my iPad. BTW. . .I wear my tracker on my ankle to make every step count!
On your ankle!? And it fits OK? Doesn’t feel weird?
@@ErinLawrenceTV No, it doesn’t feel weird; I don’t even notice it!
Can't find any reviews that show putting it on, taking off. How easy or hard? Does it need adjustment or can it stretch over the hand?
Easy to put on and take off in my opinion. It won’t stretch over the hand.
I can't find ecg on my watch...only eda...is ecg only with premium?
This is the best review !
Thanks so much Pablo, much appreciated!
My sleep score is hit and miss !! I have tried everything synced the app to my watch several times all I really get on a consistence basis is my steps
Great review
Thank you!
As someone with sleep apnea I think having a spo2 while sleeping is a fantastic feature along with the breathing rates. Sleep monitoring and heart rate at the only reason I am considering this device.
Just got mine yesterday…how long does the O2 sat take to read? Maybe it takes more than a day/night?🤷🏻♀️
Thanks
Thanks Erin.
You are so welcome!
Would the Fitbit be okay in a sauna??
It is!
Thank you Erin
Welcome!
when I arrive in Brazil I will buy
Hope you enjoy it!
Hi Erin, thanks for the review, it was really helpful. I'm thinking of buying one... but I have a question that you might be able to help me with. You mentioned that you were not sold on the usefulness of the skin temperature sensor and the blood oxygen monitor. Is that because the readings were not accurate or you did not find the functions helpful?
Great question. I don’t see how knowing blood oxygen from overnight sleeping can be extremely useful. I guess it’s kind of interesting to know, but I feel like if you really need more detailed readings, waiting a full 24 hours for an update is probably not helpful.
Thanks for the clear no nonsense review.
I recall from a comprehensive review by DC Rainmaker in September 2021 that it was impossible to use both the onboard GPS and HRM consecutively with the Charge 5 as the GPS a will only work if the strap is loose enough to get a finger between the face and wrist meanIng the HRM couldn’t read the wearers pulse.
I understand there is an option to tether the watch to a smartphone but if you can’t take a phone on a run/ride/hike etc you’ll have to sacrifice either HRM or GPS.
What was your experience of this? Has it been rectified?
Thanks.
Still doesn't have anything on an amazfit bip S with month long battery life with an always on colour screen.
Great Video Erin! Just a heads up, I noticed is that audio quality from your lapel mic sounds a bit compressed or distorted in comparison to the voice-overs on your B-roll.
Noted! And thanks so much!
I like that the charge 5 is still slim but has big text and color screen
Ijhave a charger 2 and want to upgrade thanks for your info on the charger 5 i'm going to upgrade with a charger 5.
No problem 👍
I have used the HR inspire and the versa 3, both lasted a little over a year and literally DIED right after. I have gotten accustomed to wearing trackers, I want a replacement but I am really scared to purchase yet another fitbit device
Sorry to hear that Diana :(
Erin with the jumpscare 5:25
Ha!
Wich one is that you can answer your phone from
I have the Black Fitbit Charge 5
I have both charge 2 and 5 my charge 2 is old and cracked but I keep ending up back to it because the 5 doesn’t accurately track heart rate for things like runs so I’m stuck using both, then they don’t sync so well together date wise.
All the other features are great though, have you had this issue or been ab,e to solve it as without accurate heart rate it’s a bit useless to me
Is there an option to lock the screen when you are tracking a workout? For instance if I wear my charge 5 under my hockey equipment can I lock the screen so my workout won’t cancel on its own?
Mine lasted six months. Blank screen, will not charge and assistance from Fitbit clueless. Lots of issues reported after software updates
That's not good.
When my Fitbit Charge 2 died, I talked with customer service and mailed in my Charge 2. They replied saying it could not be fixed. They graciously offered a $75 discount to buy another Fitbit which had to be used in within 30 days. I considered this to be good customer service. Stay healthy.
I recently returned the Fitbit Sense I bought a month ago because the timer and alarm vibration was too soft even on the Strong setting. I often slept through the alarm whereas I always woke with my old Versa and Versa 2 trackers. I gave those to my children and now I’m not sure if the Charge 5 has the same gentle vibration because you’ve just said the notifications are a bit too gentle. Can anyone please give me feedback and advice about this alarm/notification vibration feature, please? Thank you.
Mines arriving today I'll let ya know how it does tomorrow.
I think I’ve tried almost every Fitbit since the original… I haven’t noticed a major difference in the vibrations myself, but I guess we all have different thresholds. 🙂
Did you ask the Fitbit community?
I'm very disappointed with my Fitbit Charge 5, solely due to the charging process. When I connect it, it doesn't always charge. I make sure it's connected properly. I've used 3 different USB ports tonight and it's not charging on any of them. Absolutely infuriating 😡 I wish I could have my old Charge 2!!!
That's terrible, so sorry to hear that :(
I still have my charge 2, it tracks exercise more accurately I think part because there were two lights on that version instead of the 1. I also have a spare, got the charge 5 when on sale but it’s always impossible to return them if you do hate them I just hope they don’t stop allowing the app for the charge 2 (main reason I got a newer model .
Have you has issues with the heart rate readings too ?
hi Erin - nice review clear and concise -- i've been wearing my charge 2 since forever, the last 18 months it's had a diagonal split right across the face from some direct hit but it's always worked fine ! i'm gonna buy the 5 even tho the additional features don't appear so interesting for myself i have a good gps on my iphone and i always take it when i run for the music and to look at the fitbit running dashboard - for me the biggest selling point for any fitbit tracker is the community of users
thanks for your review - and btw ... i love your eye movement :)
Thanks for the comment!
Based upon my experience with the Fitbit Ionic recall, I will never buy another Fitbit. They have failed to provide the refund. They have provide multiple stories, no two match. Over 3 months and counting.
So sorry to hear that!
It is difficult to use. Taping the screen doesn't work often. It also gets frozen and unresponsive. I will be buying a different model.
Sorry to hear that.
Thank you for your helpful review Erin! I am about to order the charge 5 with the blue strap like the one you are wearing in the video. I wonder if this colour gets dirty often and is it hard to clean? Thank you
Glad it was helpful! No, that strap actually seems to avoid dirt buildup... or at least it's less noticeable. It wipes clean with a damp cloth easily.
@@ErinLawrenceTV thank you Erin, I appreciate your reply, I managed to find a black one and you are right, it is so silky smooth, it will be easier to keep clean and I love the feel of it.
Can you please show how the Fitbit 5 band works I mean attaches on the wrist ! I found some of the earlier Fitbit bands were not good & lost my tracker!
Thank you!
Ya didn't mention contactless payments, super useful stuff.
For sure!
I HAVE RETURNED (March 2022) FOR A FULL REFUND MY NEW CHARGE 5 after Fitbit support acknowledged FITBIT has been working on a software fix to issues affecting battery life. NO ETA is know for the fix to the software. DO NOT BUY THIS watch until FITBIT comes clear about the fix to the batteries issues which can reduce the expected life from 5 days to 1 1/2 day. BTW, I went back to using my old Charge 2.
😀
Erin - ever since Google swallow Fitbit ALL METRICS MUST BE PAID FOR, THE PREMIUM BENEFITS COSTS 80 DOLLAR PER YEAR SO I SWITCHED TO GARMIN
How do you like garmin? Is their sleep tracking as good as fitbit?