Before we start, I am NOT an employee or affiliate of Fitbit, and this was not a 'freebie'. I paid for it out of my own pocket.
After a rough patch with the Band, and Band 2, which Microsoft tried to help me out with, I needed something with minimal contact between skin and metal. After much debate and thought, I went to study the other devices on sale. Garmins, Fitbits et al, all there to try. I liked the look of the Fitbit Blaze.
In common with most items these days, the box contained the device, the charger, and not a lot else. All the setup is done, apparently, via the Fitbit App. This is where the issues began. I downloaded the Win 10 app and tried to install the update offered when I opened the app. You cannot do anything with the Blaze without this update!! Pairing the device with the phone was very straight forward, so I was a little perturbed when the update wouldn't install! Time after time it failed.
It seems the only way to update the device is using a PC with the app! This involved 'popping' out the main unit, and placing it in it's strange charging cradle, and connecting the USB. The update is flawless then.
Right, we are updated and ready to go. Leave the PC app and then re-pair with my 950xl, and back to the mobile app. Fitbit have done a great job with the app. There is all the information you could possibly need including recording fluid intake and what you have eaten, along with the standard things in most 'health' apps. The sync time is roughly the same as Microsoft Health.
The battery has lasted around four days, which isn't bad for one of these devices. Admittedly, these do not have GPS built in, but use your phones to log routes. The charging cradle is an oddball device. You have to 'pop' the main unit out of the frame of the watch, and place it in the charger then close the lid, which has a large hole for viewing the charge process. I find this an unusual approach, as last year there was talk of all chargers just being a standard USB lead to reduce landfill and wasting resources on a different fitment for different devices. MS also have the different chargers for the Band series, although they don't require dismantling of the device.
The overall design is quite pleasant apart from the small gap between the device and the frame. One of the USP's of this device is the ability to swap out the strap. There are various replacements available, ranging from stainless steel to leather. The actual frame can also be changed. To aid in switching things up Fitbit include, built in to the strap, a couple of small rods so you can change the strap out yourself. No need for a jeweler or risk the little pins flying off across the room, never to be found again! Neat Idea.
The functions available are the constant Purepulse HR monitor, Targeted work outs, floor climbs, steps, sleep etc. All the functions the band has bar the notifications. I remember seeing a post on here about Fitbit and MS trying to resolve this. There is also the facility to control music on the 950XL and other compatible Win10 phones, although I haven't toyed with this. The band series are still among the best devices, but those who suffer from skin irritation, these are out there. I don't miss Cortana on my wrist. I could never get it to work properly. The nice thing about the Blaze is the display is in the position a watch should be. Also, bringing your arm up towards you, wakes the screen so you can see things like time, date, steps etc.
The main interface is obviously via a touch screen. Your main screen is the clock, along with any customisations you add, swipe left and you get Todays figures, Exercise, FitStar, Timer, Alarms and settings. If you have the 'original' clock face, the clock face outer, where your standard clock markings go, will change colour, and make its way around the screen depending who much of a challenge you have acheived. So, if you set steps at 10,000, when you have done 2500, there will be a blue line round to the 3 o'clock position. You can also check your stats by tapping the bottom of the screen. This will scroll the steps, heart rate, date etc. The device is shown on the box to be 'water' proof, although full submersion isn't guaranteed. Noticably, after the Class Action in the US, the box also states 'Contains Nickel'.
The step counter is pretty accurate as well, although the floors climbed seems to be a bit off. Like the Band, this has a barometer. The heart rate monitor is also fairly accurate, although you have to remember THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL purposes only :wink: The sleep facility is unnerving. It is very accurate. The silent alarms are OK, but the vibration is a bit weak, especially if you use it to get you up. It's more of a daytime reminder alarm.
All of the settings, for example, changing the clock face (there are currently four in the app) are in the app. You can, in line with other fitbit devices, set the wrist to dominant or non dominant, number of steps, heart rate goals, alarms (this can be done on device as well) and a host of other settings. The app itself is very self explanatory. The new look UI is rather pleasant to use. Just swiping now to see your stats, and then click on the item to see more detailed information, which includes graphs and charts. There is also Floors, distance,calories, active minutes, average heartbeat (hi - low - resting), hourly movement reminders, amount of exercise over the past 5 days, weight etc. All of these can be tapped for more detailed info.
When I installed the lastest insider build yesterday, I had difficulty getting the Blaze to stay connected to the 950xl. After a bit of tinkering, there is, in the settings on the watch, the facility to switch the Bluetooth to 'Classic' settings. I did this and it connected straight away. I reverted to the preset Bluetooth and it remained connected! Yay.
So, there you are. The Blaze. Not a Band by a long shot due to lack of built in GPS, Cortana and no notifcations, but, if you want more of a 'watch' then the Blaze is a worthy opponent. The clock is the right way round. You haven't haven't got to touch the device to turn the screen on, it's a damned sight lighter, interchangeable straps and frames, it's rather comfortable to wear, and the surface is flat so you can get a tempered glass screen protector off of the bay. I bought one for ?2.00 delivered. The battery has given me 4 days so far.
Just beware, the first firmware update has to be done via PC. This is also applicable to iOS and Android. The literature online does not mention this!! There is also a compatability list on Fitbit's website, and they still have many WP on there. These are designed with W10M in mind, so those on 8.1 may not get the new, rather nice app, and may well have to choose the 'classic' bluetooth to get the pairing done.
After a rough patch with the Band, and Band 2, which Microsoft tried to help me out with, I needed something with minimal contact between skin and metal. After much debate and thought, I went to study the other devices on sale. Garmins, Fitbits et al, all there to try. I liked the look of the Fitbit Blaze.
In common with most items these days, the box contained the device, the charger, and not a lot else. All the setup is done, apparently, via the Fitbit App. This is where the issues began. I downloaded the Win 10 app and tried to install the update offered when I opened the app. You cannot do anything with the Blaze without this update!! Pairing the device with the phone was very straight forward, so I was a little perturbed when the update wouldn't install! Time after time it failed.
It seems the only way to update the device is using a PC with the app! This involved 'popping' out the main unit, and placing it in it's strange charging cradle, and connecting the USB. The update is flawless then.
Right, we are updated and ready to go. Leave the PC app and then re-pair with my 950xl, and back to the mobile app. Fitbit have done a great job with the app. There is all the information you could possibly need including recording fluid intake and what you have eaten, along with the standard things in most 'health' apps. The sync time is roughly the same as Microsoft Health.
The battery has lasted around four days, which isn't bad for one of these devices. Admittedly, these do not have GPS built in, but use your phones to log routes. The charging cradle is an oddball device. You have to 'pop' the main unit out of the frame of the watch, and place it in the charger then close the lid, which has a large hole for viewing the charge process. I find this an unusual approach, as last year there was talk of all chargers just being a standard USB lead to reduce landfill and wasting resources on a different fitment for different devices. MS also have the different chargers for the Band series, although they don't require dismantling of the device.
The overall design is quite pleasant apart from the small gap between the device and the frame. One of the USP's of this device is the ability to swap out the strap. There are various replacements available, ranging from stainless steel to leather. The actual frame can also be changed. To aid in switching things up Fitbit include, built in to the strap, a couple of small rods so you can change the strap out yourself. No need for a jeweler or risk the little pins flying off across the room, never to be found again! Neat Idea.
The functions available are the constant Purepulse HR monitor, Targeted work outs, floor climbs, steps, sleep etc. All the functions the band has bar the notifications. I remember seeing a post on here about Fitbit and MS trying to resolve this. There is also the facility to control music on the 950XL and other compatible Win10 phones, although I haven't toyed with this. The band series are still among the best devices, but those who suffer from skin irritation, these are out there. I don't miss Cortana on my wrist. I could never get it to work properly. The nice thing about the Blaze is the display is in the position a watch should be. Also, bringing your arm up towards you, wakes the screen so you can see things like time, date, steps etc.
The main interface is obviously via a touch screen. Your main screen is the clock, along with any customisations you add, swipe left and you get Todays figures, Exercise, FitStar, Timer, Alarms and settings. If you have the 'original' clock face, the clock face outer, where your standard clock markings go, will change colour, and make its way around the screen depending who much of a challenge you have acheived. So, if you set steps at 10,000, when you have done 2500, there will be a blue line round to the 3 o'clock position. You can also check your stats by tapping the bottom of the screen. This will scroll the steps, heart rate, date etc. The device is shown on the box to be 'water' proof, although full submersion isn't guaranteed. Noticably, after the Class Action in the US, the box also states 'Contains Nickel'.
The step counter is pretty accurate as well, although the floors climbed seems to be a bit off. Like the Band, this has a barometer. The heart rate monitor is also fairly accurate, although you have to remember THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL purposes only :wink: The sleep facility is unnerving. It is very accurate. The silent alarms are OK, but the vibration is a bit weak, especially if you use it to get you up. It's more of a daytime reminder alarm.
All of the settings, for example, changing the clock face (there are currently four in the app) are in the app. You can, in line with other fitbit devices, set the wrist to dominant or non dominant, number of steps, heart rate goals, alarms (this can be done on device as well) and a host of other settings. The app itself is very self explanatory. The new look UI is rather pleasant to use. Just swiping now to see your stats, and then click on the item to see more detailed information, which includes graphs and charts. There is also Floors, distance,calories, active minutes, average heartbeat (hi - low - resting), hourly movement reminders, amount of exercise over the past 5 days, weight etc. All of these can be tapped for more detailed info.
When I installed the lastest insider build yesterday, I had difficulty getting the Blaze to stay connected to the 950xl. After a bit of tinkering, there is, in the settings on the watch, the facility to switch the Bluetooth to 'Classic' settings. I did this and it connected straight away. I reverted to the preset Bluetooth and it remained connected! Yay.
So, there you are. The Blaze. Not a Band by a long shot due to lack of built in GPS, Cortana and no notifcations, but, if you want more of a 'watch' then the Blaze is a worthy opponent. The clock is the right way round. You haven't haven't got to touch the device to turn the screen on, it's a damned sight lighter, interchangeable straps and frames, it's rather comfortable to wear, and the surface is flat so you can get a tempered glass screen protector off of the bay. I bought one for ?2.00 delivered. The battery has given me 4 days so far.
Just beware, the first firmware update has to be done via PC. This is also applicable to iOS and Android. The literature online does not mention this!! There is also a compatability list on Fitbit's website, and they still have many WP on there. These are designed with W10M in mind, so those on 8.1 may not get the new, rather nice app, and may well have to choose the 'classic' bluetooth to get the pairing done.
Last edited:
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