Which are consider the best fitness trackers and why?
in terms of
- price
- value for money?
- Software features
- battery life?
Which tracker can prompt/alert you to move every 1 hr etc?
Also do u find that you move or exercise more when you wearing them?
Best fitness trackers
tyler.durden on 22/01/2016 - 12:38
Last edited 22/01/2016 - 12:40
Last edited 22/01/2016 - 12:40
Comments
can u post a link?
how is the software and other features as mention in the OP?
was it this?
Other things to consider:
- What it measures: movement ("steps"), heart rate, temperature
- Supported activity types: Walking, running, cycling, swimming, gym machines, team sports…
- How well it stays on
- Waterproof, how many meters
- Accuracy
- Where you wear it (wrist, waist, pocket, lanyard)
- Data export
- Display (led lights, lcd screen, eink), responsiveness
- Extra features (watch, notifications, mp3 player)
- Battery type (recharge, coin battery)
- Requires app/how good is app
- What it looks like (let's be honest, most look only slightly better than a hospital band)
I have a Misfit Shine sitting in a drawer somewhere. It was good for ~6 months, but then it started having problems connecting to the app reliably and chewing through batteries so I don't use it anymore.
If I got something else I'd probably get something with a heart rate monitor. Problem is most of that type are huge and look like a horrible sport watch. So maybe I'll see what the Apple Watch 2 is like? :/
also I heard that HR is not that accurate..
ppl are suing fitbit cos that issue.
What is the purpose of HR?
I mean when u are going to look at your risk to see what your HR is?
Is it to get in the correct HR for fat burning?Can't you just tell that you are out of breath is a good indicator that you are working hard enough?
The Shine claims to do running and cycling, but because it can't know the incline it judges racing along the flat as way more exercise than struggling up the hill. I think heart rate is a more direct measure of "exercise", rather than just movement.
If you're in some kind of step counting comp then get a pedometer and stick it on your waistband, but your phone can probably do that in your pocket, you don't need a whole device.
They seem to have issues accurately tracking the higher heart rates, but I think they still provide some value by giving a true resting heart rate, which I use to track how I am doing overall.
I received the Fitbit Surge for my birthday which I love except for the fact it's so bulky, but just a quick comment, the main thing that gets me moving is that a good bunch of my friends have a fitbit and we have weekly/weekend challenges to see who gets the most steps. We also have a facebook group where we chat. The Surge has a GPS tracker and is supposed to track your heartrate for certain activities, sometimes it guesses I'm doing an activity when I'm just walking to the train station; and don't use the GPS much except once when I went on a super long hike and charged it midway through the day. Battery life is decent.
For me FitBit was the best choice mainly because the majority of my friends have it. Why does this matter? Because the whole social aspect of a fitness tracker can actually be really motivating. Friends can help you set goals.
I don't see a point in measuring myself with wildly inaccurate devices and then making decisions about my exercise regime based on the inaccurate data.
Some research shows no increase in physical activity levels.
Which tracker can prompt/alert you to move every 1 hr etc?
I assume you're asking this due to reading that sitting down equals death in the fantasy land of news where thousands of websites all repeated each other and made up a truth. Ignore it, it was made up because fear sells attention. Other research shows making small movements every hour vs. exercising for 1 hour gives the results you'd expect.
My own opinion is that fitness trackers are ineffective at best. They may also contribute to a neurosy some people have where they constantly monitor themselves pointlessly using inaccurate measuring devices which often appear to exist mainly to spy on the user - and health data is gold to advertisers because that's where desperate people are. Since the device contains a computer it has come to be regarded as sort of magical item where really it deserves no such reputation.
I have a Garmin Vivo Fit 2 which I personally love. The biggest thing I like about the Vivo Fit is the always on screen. The Vivo Fit uses what is reminiscent of an LCD from an old watch. It’s probably similar technology. The reason I like the always on screen is because at any time during the day, I can glance down and see how many steps that I have done (or the time or any of the others functions that it supports).
This is really important for me, as it is a constant reminder of my progress. The Vivo Fit also has a neat red line that increase, and beeps, at you when you have not been active for an hour. It then increases in smaller increments every 15 minutes then on after up to 2 hours. This helps me in the office and makes sure I get my steps up.The battery life on the Vivo Fit is great, lasting up to a year. Before using the Vivo Fit, I used a Fitbit Flex. My biggest grip with the Fitbit Flex was the fact that the battery ran out every 5 days or so and you had to tap it to get an indication of how many steps you have done. In the case of the Fitbit, it is just a set of lights. I found myself ignoring it. Even the Fitbit charge you have to press a button to display your steps.
The Vivo Fit is pretty comfortable to wear, if not a little big around the clasp. But the clap has a pretty neat locking function that stops it from accidently falling off. You can also change the band, unlike the Fitbit charge. So far it has been water proof and I wear it in the shower every day. I take it off to do the dishes.Garmin does a Vivo Fit 2 HR (Hear Rate) but the battery only last 5 days. In my opinion, I find no benefit from measuring heart rate. At the end of the day, the statistics don’t really mean anything to me nor does it give you a goal. Sure heart rate probably helps to predicate how many calories you have done, but I would rather the compromise of only charging it once a year. Also, I don’t trust how accurate it is. You can use an ANT+ heart rate chest ban with the Vivi Fit if you really want.
As for the software, this is where the Vivo Fit falls down. The software is pretty clunky and shit compared to the Fitbit software, which is a dream to use. Don’t get me wrong, it does everything you need, it just could do with a little bit more polish.
how much it cost? where did u buy it?
and hr version price?
i read jawbone has best app, but hardware not as good
They are about $140 at JB https://www.jbhifi.com.au/ipods-docks-fitness/garmin/garmin-…
or 169 with the chest Heart Rate Monitor.
Sorry, the other one is a vivo smart HR. They are about $200.
I would not worry to much about the software honestly. You should care more about the hardware.
Actually software is very important.
If u got a shitty software, the data collected is inaccurate or not very useful.
The jawbone app has life coaching as well.
In terms of steps, the software is just receiving what the physical device is feeding it and then displaying it as pretty graphics. More or less the device collects the data, stores it for a few hours on the device and syncs it to the phone. I believe there is very little, if any, computation done in the software. Even if there is, the hardware would be a bigger point of failure. Just my opinion.
Does this tracker have silent alarm or auto sync?
From some review I read, it doesn't
except for certain milestones it would synchttp://www.cnet.com/au/products/garmin-vivofit-2/2/
BTW, you can click reply instead of starting a new comment
Ops ahah.
No silent alarm, or at least i have not found one. As for the auto sync, i don't look at the app too often to tell. I know it sycs from time to time. You don't want it to sync too often, then it drains your phone.
Did you find one ?
I saw Vivofit 2 on sale for $96
But did not buy it.Vivosmart hr is better but only 5 days battery life
And cost $226.It looks better with more functions but too expensive now.
I just bought Mi band 1s for $29.
Very cheap price and has hr.
30 day battery life.
Silent alarm
Alarm notificationUsing this as test run till other bands get more cheaper.
Or better cheaper bands come out.
Or if this good enough then no need.This should let me hold out till better and cheaper bands come out
Personally I think many trackers are overpriced.
@tyler.durden: I am curious to see how you go with the battery life on your phone. My friend has one, and it drained her phone very quickly.Granted she was using an Iphone4s and I am not sure if they have Bluetooth 4.0LE
You mean the mi band 1s?
Yeah I am using android phone.
Still not received item.
It was pretty cheap with HR hardware so not too bad for the price.
==
It will be a good starter tracker to see how it goes.Only wished it had a display so u can see steps etc without needing the phone.
Probably xaomi will come up with a future tracker with LCD or smart watch.
Either way this tracker has define the new low price for fitness tracker.
I want to get other better trackers but the price is overpriced/expensive.
$226 for vivosmart HR is too expensive and overpriced.I like the vivofit2 with 1 year battery, but the hardware features is less than vivosmart Hr, which I really like.
Great to read the tread. I read a few reviews that said its not worth paying the extra fir the Mi Band heart rate feature. It's not very accurate. I'm going to get the original with 2015 upgrade for everyday wear.
I've had my Tomtom for 2 years now with the external heart rate monitor. It has been fantastic. Worth paying the extra. I wouldn't wear it everyday though. It cost me around $269 from Harvey Norman. The new ones look flash. The app and website are great. Easy Bluetooth connection to the iPad. When I charge it through the docker on my laptop it automatically connect to the site & downloads all the data. Including heart rate, kj, pace, speed, heart rate zones, etc. it also has an in built gps with the running feature where you can race yourself.
Tomtom make all the Nike watches toodo u have the link for the tomtom device and hrm that you bought?
So u are ditching it to get a miband?
why?The HRM is not as good as chest strap, but from some video comparisions it is not bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOWni7I1Etg
Also I doubt fitbit charge HR is anymore accurate than the miband 1s, since they are getting sued for inaccurate HR data.
These optical HRM are not accurate period compared to chest straps.
There's a video about this..
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/how-accurate-are-wristband-heart…
==
I think paying above $200 for a fitness tracker is overprice, considering that there are smart watches and mobile phones in the $300 to $400 price range.
I don't believe those parts inside a fitbit is worth all that much that they should charge $200 for it.
You should see how much they are charging for the replacement bands for a fitbit alta.
$99 for just a leather strap without the device.==
If Xaomi can produce a fitness band for less than $50 with HRM (I got mine for $29) , then no way would I be considering other brands priced at above $200.
I am just waiting till they start releasing trackers with display then it would give fitbit and others more competition.
The only point of these bands is to track how many steps and exercise you do, your sleep hrs and maybe heart rate if you are into that as well.
If a company can make a band that does that and sell it for $30, then that is amazing, considering how much fitbit and others are charging to do something similar.
BTW I read that Xaomi band is quite popular around the world due to the extremely low price
It is like the third or second most bought fitness tracker behind fitbit.
And also they are quite popular in china.I think eventually they would probably sell more than fitbit due to the very low price.
This is the newest versions of the Tomtom
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/connected-fitness-health/fitn…
$178 at Harvey NormanI use this one at the gym. Very accurate heart rate reads on the device
I was thinking about the mi band for everyday wear
That looks more like a sports watch than fitness band
So it looks quite big to wear 24/7
how does the chest strap feel when u are wearing it?
I think it would be cumbersome to remember to put on the strap.
I only where the heart rate monitor when I got to the gym. Well I'm a chick and I tuck it under my bra lol it's very comfortable and compact. It doesn't get I the way
Yeah it's not something I would wear everyday
I got one from Xiaomi about 20$ and the battery lasts a month. They have colored LED and non colored LED, so choose wisely.