qclabrat

from work I can get a discounted Fitbit device
I already have a zip but can get the following at these prices
Flex for $30
Charge for $50
Charge HR for $75
Surge for $150

I'm considering the either the Flex or Charge HR, but the Surge interests me because of the GPS, I didn't have mobile service today and could have really used a GPS. Though I've heard the Surge doesn't have a good GPS. Am I better off getting a separate Garmin for GPS and the Charge HR? I have a watch with HR, the kind with a chest strap which I never use because of the uncomfortable strap, so looking for another HR device.

unterhausen

you aren't going to get a gps for $75, but then again I don't know how much good it would do you with such a small display. I didn't think I would like HR, but I find it pretty interesting

Sirrus Rider

I've got the charge mainly because the other two weren't out yet and I needed a sleep tracker. Most of the early reviews say go with the charge HR. I'm probably going to trade up to the Surge or it's sucessor when this charge stops holding a charge.

Seattle Forrest

My girlfriend has a Charge HR. She likes it very much. A feature that seems pretty unique to the Fitbit line is that it tracks elevation gain over the course of a day, not just distance. If you live in a hilly place that can add a lot of context to your data. (Of course you'll walk less distance if you did an unusually hilly route.)

The HRM isn't terribly accurate for intense exercise.

The GPS in the Surge is good but not great quality. It takes a long time to get a fix compared to other GPS units. It's not terribly useful.

I suggest reading the DCRainmaker reviews of these devices before you make up your mind.

Dahon.Steve

I had the Fitbit Flex and now it's collecting dust. Here's what happened.

1. Got tired of recharging battery ---- Fitbit has good battery life but it still needed to be recharged every 4 days. After a while, I got tired doing this and really wanted something that lasted a lot longer. (Maybe months.

2. Too much input --- I found the most meaningful data such as diet required you to enter a lot of data. I really got tired of this fast. I wish there was a flex that counted all the calories once it entered your mouth. To be honest, you were really guessing the count. If you really want to lose weight, joint weight watchers or better yet, become a vegan, cut the sugar, dairy and starch. You'll lose weight fast and no Fitbit needed.

MulliganAl

I put on a few lbs last year and made a commitment this year to take control and get back to working out more and eating right; granted I didn't have that much weight to loose. I don't know about weight watchers but I dropped most of the sugar, starches and carbs from my diet and began eating more leafy green vegetables , started riding again and within a month I dropped 10 lbs., half of what I want to drop. I did just purchase a Garmin Fenix 3 so I can begin taking more control over my workout plan while tracking the results along the way. I'm sure there were cheaper alternatives but I just turned 56 and it was a birthday gift to myself. :-)

Seattle Forrest

Losing weight is hard. It takes work. Counting calories is the least of it. Worth it to do, though.

Photokid1970

I have a Charge, and I love it. I owned the Force previously, and the Charge is much improved. I did not wait for the Charge HR because I have a Polar FT7, so I didn't want to pay extra for the HR functionality. If you do not have that functionality, then the small upcharge may be worth it! Even if it is not 100% accurate, it can give you an idea of increase or decrease in your heart rate.

The Charge will also flash the caller ID info on your wrist. The Surge does texts and such - but it's a BIG display for your arm! The Charge is much more manageable. If you are exercising, it can show you the caller ID name and vibrate briefly and you can decide whether or not that person is worth stopping for. No need to stop and grab your phone and find out it is your Mother-In-Law asking to drop by for dinner.

I can't say it's better than the Surge for your needs, but I can say that I've been very pleased with it, and Fitbit has great customer service. You are getting a great service from your employer!

supercharger

I received a Surge for Christmas and am returning it. I find it overly complicated to monitor my heart rate. I am not a fan of the fitbit 'community'; I don't need to find 'friends' with which to compare my progress. I don't need 'rewards' and 'attaboys' for exercising. The device is bulky and it is suggested that it should be worn and inch or more above the wrist bone which makes it, for practical purposes, inaccessible to use as I ride in cold weather. I am looking for a device that will provide real time heart rate monitoring whilecycling. Perhaps the Charge would be a better choice. The GPS on the Surge isn't very accurate. It recorded a an accurate path/route I rode today but indicated the mileage was under 2 miles total. I am not impressed with Fitbit; I would certainly not recommed spending $200 - $250 for the Surge.