Fitbit Flex 2 in the Review: simple but modular fitness tracker

Compared to the other Fitbit trackers, the Flex 2 is comparatively simple – there is neither a display nor a pulse sensor or GPS. This Review report reveals whether and for whom the 100-euro tracker is still worthwhile.

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design

The actual Fitbit Flex 2 is really tiny: The manufacturer accommodates the electronics in a housing that is three centimeters long and nine by seven millimeters wide and thick, which is also very light at 23.5 grams. The tracker can then be worn on the body in different ways – the scope of delivery includes two differently sized silicone wristbands, which in addition to black are also available in lilac, magenta and navy blue.

The silicone bracelets are then still available in the three-packs "Pink" and "Sport" – and also in really chic. Fitbit also offers bracelets for the Flex 2, which, at 90 euros for the silver and 100 euros for the gold-plated stainless steel versions gold and rose gold, are roughly as expensive as the tracker itself. The same applies to the pendants including the chain change hands in silver for 80 and in gold for 100 euros.

It is cheaper at online shops like Amazon, which offer numerous accessories from third-party manufacturers. With the silicone wristbands included in the factory, the Flex 2 is not exactly a design highlight – and definitely looks the "most functional" of the Fitbit trackers presented in 2016. However, the bracelet fulfills its purpose: it is robust, holds securely on the wrist and did not cause skin irritation for me during the Review period.

Incidentally, the housing is waterproof up to 50 meters – and is therefore not only suitable for showering and washing up, but also for swimming, according to the manufacturer.

Display

Although the Flex 2 does not offer a display like most of its siblings, it does have five LEDs arranged side by side on the front. Four of the five LEDs are white, the fifth can use different colors to indicate different events, for example an alarm in yellow, a call in blue and a motion reminder in magenta.

In addition, a different number of white LEDs lights up – there is an overview of the different notification patterns here. A vibration alarm is also on board. By double tapping on the tracker, the progress of the day can be called up – each of the five LEDs stands for 20 percent.

The Flex 2 offers two different types of smartphone notifications, namely incoming calls and text messages. However, only one source can be selected for each of these categories, for example, either WhatsApp for text messages or SMS or Messenger and so on.

Sensors

Finally, there is a three-axis accelerometer under the hood. Fitbit calculates the steps taken from the recorded movement data and uses this to estimate the distance covered, the calories burned and the active minutes. In addition, the Flex 2 can remind the user to move from time to time at pre-defined times of the day – namely 250 steps per hour.

Furthermore, the Flex 2 still records the wearer's sleep and distinguishes here, apart from normal sleep, also restless phases and waking phases. The recording is automatic, the results correlate well with the actual sleep and wake-up times. There is also a silent alarm, which is useful when you have to get up early than your bed neighbor. However, waking up in certain sleep phases is not possible.

And finally there is also an automatic sport type detection. With the feature called SmartTrack, Fitbit recognizes various disciplines such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming and then automatically creates a workout. If you really want reliable results here, you should start the workout manually in the smartphone app. Especially since the automatically recognized workouts do not activate GPS tracking with the GPS sensor from the smartphone.

In contrast to the other current Fitbit trackers, the Flex 2 unfortunately does not offer the possibility to count climbed floors. Incidentally, the Flex 2 can hold the movement data for seven days without synchronization with the smartphone. Furthermore, the daily total values ​​of the past 30 days are kept.

software

The Fitbit Flex 2 is compatible with Android devices from version 4.3, iPhones from 4S and Windows devices from version 10. Here there is an app for transferring the data from the wristband to the cloud – and for viewing and evaluating the recorded ones Information.

In the app, the user can clearly see his daily progress or performance. If you want, you can also track your diet and hydration in the app. And those who use the Fitbit Aria also see their weight and body fat data in the application.

Parallel to the smartphone app, there is also the option of viewing the recorded data in the Fitbit web interface. There are essentially similar functions here as on the smartphone. Due to the more generous space available, it is more fun to click through your hopefully existing successes.

battery pack

According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts for five days – my practical experience confirms this value. For charging, the Flex 2 must be removed from the respective bracelet, pendant etc. and transplanted into this proprietary charging cradle. The charging process takes about one to two hours.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Fitbit has succeeded in principle with the Flex 2, a sensible continuation of the first Flex from 2013. The operation and the app are fun, the tracker is well designed, and with the extensive range of accessories there are numerous ways to turn the Flex 2 into a fashionable accessory, albeit at very solid prices.

And the price is also the sticking point: the 70 Euro Polar Loop 2, for example, optionally connects to heart rate belts and thus also serves as a serious fitness gadget; the same applies to the 115 euro Garmin Vivosmart HR, which already comes with an optical pulse sensor. At Polar and Garmin, however, there is no bling-bling in the accessories shop.

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