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Johannesburg - Electronics maker FitBit has launched its latest fitness tracker, the Ionic.
The device is one of the most stylishly designed products from the manufacturer, adopting a better aesthetic appeal than its Surge range, while being bigger than the Alta models.
The Ionic is a premium fitness tracker encompassing high-end features expected from a product such as this one.
The device has a brighter display than other fitness units to be visible in bright sunlight, with the display as bright as the highest setting on the iPhone 7.
The Ionic features seven onboard workout modes - outdoor running, cycling, swimming, treadmill running, weight exercises, an interval training time and regular workout timer.
One of the best features of the Ionic is that the device is able to store music, which means the wearer is able to connect a Bluetooth headset to the watch and leave the connected smartphone behind when working out.
However, loading music on the device can become tedious.
The smartwatch and computer used to load music to the unit both have to be connected to the same WiFi network, which the watch connecting to the WiFi network through the FitBit app on the smartphone.
Music can also only be transferred through a FitBit desktop app, although the music is transferred wirelessly, which offers slightly more convenience.
When working out the Ionic provides powerful fitness tracking, with the user able to choose whether heart-rate, pace or timing is displayed continuously throughout a workout.
When not exercising, the Ionic offers a crisp display on its full-colour screen, continuously displaying time, step count, calorie burn and heart-rate.
Despite the device offering all-day heart-rate reading, the Ionic has a great battery life, lasting between 3 and 4 days, depending on workout tracking.
In comparison to other smartwatches available on the market, the Ionic does not prime itself on being a link to a smartphone.
Getting push notifications from a smartphone such as incoming calls and messages is an inconvenient process, and as tedious as loading music on the device.
Other smartwatches allow push notifications from smartphones instantly when paired, but with the Ionic it is not that easy.
The Ionic is a fitness product and one of the best available now for athletes, for those looking for a smartwatch, the Ionic is not a great device for a sedentary lifestyle, but encourages fitness.
The FitBit Ionic retails for around R5 000.
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