Review, opinion, price, application, user manual smart health innovation

After the Fitbit Charge HR Review, here is the latest in the range, the Fitbit Charge 2. A bracelet full of resources, for a healthier life.

Buy Fitbit Charge 2 bracelet at the best price:

Mark : FitbitCategory: smart health connected braceletRelease date : AvailableMarketing price: 159.95 €Tested on: Wiko Rainbow 4G

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxpxRoWmjq8 (/ embed) 

Unboxing of the Fitbit Charge 2 bracelet

A small rectangular box with the highlighted product photo arrives. We know from the start all the possibilities offered by this bracelet. Heart rate monitoring, activity tracker, sleep tracker, pedometer and notifications are symbolized by an image. All this is confirmed on the back with words. The visual is therefore pleasant and clear.

When this card is pulled, a blue magnetic box is hidden underneath. Once opened, it reveals the bracelet and a user guide, at least, we believe.

What we think is a user manual is really just a card indicating that you have to go to a website for explanations of installations. In the same box, there is a small booklet on warranty conditions and safety instructions. It doesn't make you want to be read, on the other hand, nobody usually reads it.

Under this booklet, a last box that fits the charging cable.

Fitbit Charge 2 design and ergonomics

The Fitbit Charge 2 is neither pleasant nor unpleasant to look at. Sober, it is resolutely sporty due to the silicone strap. The screen, as black as the bracelet blends very well overall. a single button does not distort the appearance. Very comfortable to wear, it does not cause any discomfort in the long term. Waterproof in addition, it adapts to all situations.

Installation of the Fitbit app

Curiously, the website is of absolutely no use other than giving the name of the application to download. Not surprisingly, her name is Fitbit. For the rest, nothing too complicated. Just choose the name of the device you have in your possession. Then, just follow the instructions on the screen, namely:

• Create an account

• Enter your name, age, height, weight and gender. It is possible to visualize the interest of these questions

• Activate your smartphone's Bluetooth

• Accept the terms of use

• Discover the device

• Connect to the bracelet

• Wait during the update (10 good minutes)

• Learn all the features of the device

Nothing complicated, everything goes smoothly. However, it takes about twenty minutes if you read everything carefully … However, using it is not necessarily that simple.

Using the Fitbit app

First of all, it is extremely energy consuming for your smartphone sincefor synchronization, Bluetooth and data connection must be activated. For the rest, it is very complete, maybe even a little too much. The main screen displays a lot of easy-to-understand data.

Bracelet settings

In the tab for the bracelet, it is possible to make a certain number of adjustments concerning it.

The, the first and surely biggest problem with the bracelet was felt: notifications. As soon as started, the notification worked for about 10 minutes before completely ceasing. Fortunately, help buttons are here. They return to web pages and there, we realize that it will be complicated. If the usage settings do not work – namely positioning the bracelet within six meters, ensuring that the connection between the smartphone and Fitbit is established -, you must try to restart the bracelet. For that, nothing simple, it must be plugged in, press the button three times in less than eight seconds while still waiting between each press. Thereafter, a multitude of other instructions should be followed to reactivate notifications. It works, but this is complicated and long.

For the rest of this tab, nothing to add, everything works, we can manage from what time to what time the bracelet will ask us to move (remember to tell him if you are taking a nap, this is advice). Thegoal chosen can be counted in terms of distance, floor to climb or calories to lose, you decide, it adapts very well. Thesilent alarm is effective, it wakes up without causing unpleasant sensations on the wrist. Finally, it is possible to personalize the watch to adapt it to your needs.

Applications relating to the data collected by the bracelet

They work perfectly. You can view a graph over the long term and benefit fromanalyzes such as his health check or the quality of his sleep. If that doesn't always help change your habits, here you are, at least warned. However, some advice and possibilities are offered to live healthier, in the context of sleep for example, it is possible to provide an alarm to sleep always during the same period of time.

The exercise tracking tab

It is however very interesting in that it doesn't work – at least in the countryside –, we are developing. By choosing jogging, the application launches to measure a certain number of parameters and trace the course. So here, the tracking plotted by the application and that traced by us based on the real route to within 200 meters shall we say (the forest does not allow perfect precision). Note also that we did not run three minutes but nearly twenty …

With this anomaly comes a problem with the delivery system trophies. This course, while uphill, imposed to gain largely in altitude. This has been translated by the app as Rambo training. At the end of the race, a trophy was therefore awarded for having climbed 25 floors. Flattering, but totally false, not a step had been climbed.

The other possibilities

Apart from that it is possible to program your goals depending on what you want to change. Many questions are asked to best suit your needs.

To complete this summary and especially the use of the bracelet, we must talk about the amount of water and calories ingested. There, several problems. Already, if you do not make one of these objectives a priority, in no case will you receive reminders. In other words, it's fine to write down everything you drink to check if you're entering the average, but if we forget, too bad for us. Then, second problem, to enter your number of calories, you have to scan the bar codes. Tested on several common foods from major brands, nothing was recognized, you must therefore enter the number of parts and calories ingested yourself, which seems impossible for anyone who does not know anything about it.

Fortunately, the bracelet, for an athlete, is enough. The app is more of a bonus than a real asset, except when it comes to sleep and goal setting when you lack motivation. And the bracelet works very well.

Using the Fitbit Charge 2 bracelet

From the first start, if we read the little introduction during the installation of the application, Everything is going wonderfully. When a doubt arises, a scrolling text explains the manipulation to do to make what you want work. No problem to be noted and a very effective application for sport. The ehealth below proves it to you. You will see that in the dark, like in direct sunlight, the screen is readable. However, for a camera, it is easier to film a screen in a dark place.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnukNNB2ERw (/ embed) 

Two concerns encountered, because it is necessary. Bracelet detects sleep at night, not afternoon nap. In other words, without precision, we are woken up in the middle by a vibration that tells us to go for a walk … yes, but no. Second and last criticism, in the middle of the night, it is common to turn around. There, sometimes, the bracelet takes this for a will to affirm to want to read the time and therefore lights up. When you have sensitive eyes, you wake up.

Bracelet autonomy

After recharging for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to have the battery full, the bracelet has a long battery life, despite normal use or even increased use. The five days of autonomy are met.

Fitbit Charge 2 versus Fitbit Charge HR?

Aesthetic level, the Fitbit Charge 2 is nicer in that the screen is larger. Same size, same design, but it is more original to see the heartbeats directly, so a point for the new kid.

Level taken in hand, compared to our Fitbit charge HR Review, here the app is not essential for using the watch. So that's an added advantage. Yes, the phone must be nearby, but it stops there, so much the better.

Utility level, the efficiency seems the same, however, this new version allows even more details, even more possibilities. So it would seem that without major changes, there have been some small improvements, it is logical but we can congratulate them for that.

Fitbit Charge 2 versus Charge 3

Aesthetic side, the third version of this product is distinguished by a more angular design. The bracelet benefits from the same texture suitable for athletes. However, the Charge 3 is waterproof up to 50 meters. This is a big advantage over the old model.

In terms of handling, the third version of the smart health connected bracelet has a haptic button. Goodbye to the sometimes annoying mechanism. You just have to let the vibration guide you to control it.

Unfortunately, both Charge 2 and Charge 3 fail as a sports smart health smart health connected object. In fact, the two products do not have measures that are precise enough to please athletes. The third version still benefits from better management of notifications.

Fitbit Charge 2 vs Withings Pulse HR

This time, we are competing against two products from a different brand. Despite all the design of the Charge 2 and Withings Pulse HR is very similar. Note that the Pulse HR screen comes out more because of a thick dial. If it is not the most beautiful, it has a water resistance of 50 meters.

Can not do without the application when using these two products. Indeed, they use the GPS of the phone. Likewise, the data is much easier to read on the wristband screen. In terms of manipulation, the identical placement of the button and the screen results in a draw.

From the point of view of functionality, it is difficult to distinguish them. It offers almost the same sports monitoring tools. It is especially the 20-day autonomy of the Withings Pulse HR that makes it the big winner in this section. The price turns out to be slightly higher: 129 euros against 100 euros.

Update

The Fitbit Charge 2 has just received a major update to bring it even closer to user expectations. On the menu, a pause function, better cardiac and respiratory monitoring and a “do not disturb” mode.

First thing : it is now possible to pause an active sports session by simply pressing the left button on the bracelet. You can easily stop and resume your session if you are interrupted for one reason or another.

Then, the bracelet facilitates access to cardiac information. When you're in full exercise, the heart rate zone (fat elimination, cardio or maximum) in which you are will be displayed on the bracelet in the form of a graph. No need to consult your mobile phone!

If you are more relaxation than frantic race, know that breathing sessions have been improved with a slight vibration that tells you when to breathe and when to breathe out. It was indeed quite counterproductive to have to watch your bracelet constantly in a session supposed to be relaxing.

Finally, if you want to be quiet during your workout, you can turn notifications on and off (calls, SMS, calendar, etc.) at will so as not to be disturbed during exercise.

Note that the bracelet is available with new colors. The Fitbit charges 2 lavender and the Fitbit charges 2 pink.

UPDATE April 17, 2019 : The Charge 2 now benefits from an advantageous price around 100 euros. It even happens to be accessible from 75 euros.

Conclusion

For the great sportsmen, the interest is more than obvious, the job is done, if not always by the application, at least by the bracelet that gives the data is essential. Again, it’s difficult for everyone to deny the pleasure that comes from the object. Notifications, heart rate, encouragement, sleep and goal tracking, hard to be more demanding... The aesthetics are correct and the price, compared to the possibilities is not that excessive. It’s a great product that benefits from being used.

Good points

• • intuitive bracelet

  • consistent collected data

  • effective on defined objectives

Negative points

• application not always reliable

• obligation to have an internet connection for synchronization

• long installation

Design and Ergonomics – 8.5

Features – 8

Getting started – 9

Application – 6

Value for money – 8

7.9

Design and finishes: Not original but far from unsightly.

Features: : Ideal for everyday life, for athletes and for those who have a goal to achieve.

Use / handling: : Very intuitive, very efficient, almost no complaints.

Application : : Not always precise and rather difficult to grasp with regard to food. For the rest, the job is done, the analysis can be interesting.

Value for money: : In comparison with the precision of the bracelet and the number of possibilities it offers, the price is not excessive. It is not affordable for everyone, but remains good value for money anyway.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW