Justdoingtheunstuck's Journal, 10 October 2014

I have a fitbit that I use just primarily to track my walking. I find that the Fat Secret app and site are more useful to me. I would like to get the new Apple watch when it comes out, but I just don't see me spending the money on it at the moment.  

Have you checked out the Jawbone Up? it's a pretty much just like Fitbit. & basically does same thing Fitbit does. 

I wish I had an easy answer for you. I've been thrashing around, trying to find the ideal activity tracker. I used several apps for smart phones: Runtastic pedometer and Strava for bikes. The first standalone activity tracker I got at the beginning of this year, the Smart Health pedometer and watch, which also measures your heart rate, which sells for $23 on Amazon. I then got a Misfit Shine for $20 on an Amazon lightning deal (normally sells for $80). Sadly, it didn't synch with any smart phone I had because it uses Bluetooth 4.0. Now that I have a tablet that uses Bluetooth 4.0. I may dust it off. My next stab was the Striiv smart pedometer for $30, which I still use. The Striiv is a midpoint device between pedometers and full-blown activity trackers. It measures steps, stairs, and activity, and keeps stats for a week and a month. It doesn't have to be synched with a smart phone, but to unlock all its features, it has to be synched with a PC or Mac. I can't say there's any other device that appeals to me enough to shell out $100 right now. Fitbit and UP each has their loyal fans. I'm waiting for prices to go down and features to go up, or for smart phones to eat the activity tracker category the way they ate GPS, mp3 players, and point-and-shoot cameras. The Apple watch is too big and too expensive for me, aside from requiring an iPhone. 

I forgot to mention two sources of disappointment with the Striiv smart pedometer and the SmartHealth pedometer watch. Neither agree: today, the Striiv shows twice as many steps as the SmartHealth. Using the Sunny Air Walk Trainer doesn't register many steps with either. I can exercise for a half hour on the trainer and it won't move the needle much on either. I don't know whether that's due to the unique action of the trainer and whether they would work better with a treadmill. 

@ChrisComedy depends where you're shopping really. There's some good deals online if you can find them. For eg: I got my Jawbone Up2 (old model) for $36 from a Chinese site similar to eBay called AliExpress: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/A-WEEK-PROMOTION-New-100-original-smart-Jawbone-UP-sports-Bracelet-for-iphone-Android-Jawbone-UP2/2049286611.html 

Ebivr, that's a good price. Unfortunately, FatSecret cuts off links in comments. Woot has good deals on refurbs, but they don't feature activity trackers very often. Amazon's Warehouse Deals has deep discounts on open-box, like-new, and pre-owned products.  

thank you for the feedback, it always helps to get feedback from someone who has really put them to the test. I will definitely be looking into these. I looked into the jawbone up a while back. It seems like it is the closest to the fitbit force that I have been using. Generally, I am not opposed to spending a good chunk of money on something that I know will do what I need it to. My main dilemma has been like you pointed out Chris, high in price low on features. It is hard to find one device that will do it all. I love the idea of a heart rate monitor but I can't seem to find one with decent reviews, and most don't include features that I have gotten used to (counting steps, stairs, sleep tracking etc.) and I am not a fan of wearing an armful of trackers. I have the new iphone and it has added very minimal tracking but not much more than steps, and as I am one of the rare humans who is not attached at the hip to my cell phone I don't trust it to be an accurate depiction of my activity. here's hoping that the technology continues to improve quickly! 

@ChrisComedy, ahh! That's annoying about the links on here. Oh! btw sorry, I didn't mean it was a refurb or a 2nd. They sell everything new but just not always the latest models, like they have loads of Up2's but not many Up24's. Thanks for the info on Woot, will check them out! @Justdoingtheunstuck, yeah I know what you mean about missing features. Wish I could get a tracker with heart monitor included too. They've missed a gap in the market there not including that. 

Justdoingtheunstuck, you may want to look at Polar heart rate monitors. Those get decent reviews. The problem with Swiss Army knife trackers is that they aren't as accurate, detailed, or fine-grained as dedicated, single-function trackers. The SmartHealth pedometer watch was useful to me because it showed my heart rate went up considerably when using the Air Walk Trainer so I knew I was getting a cardio benefit. Obviously, it's not as accurate as a more expensive monitor, but good enough. As Seth Godin says, some measurement is better than no measurement. 

ebivr, I've added AliExpress to my bargain bookmarks. Amazon owns Woot, but the prices on their deals are a third to half that of Amazon. Not everything they sell is a refurb. I get the feeling it's manufacturers burning off excess inventory, discontinued models, etc. A lot of what they sell is junque, knickknacks, and doodads, but occasionally something useful will surface. Woot reminds me of the endcaps with discontinued items and open-box specials at the end of Target aisles: lots of trash, but the occasional treasure if you're willing to sift. 

Justdoingtheunstuck, if you know you're going to use them, it makes sense to make a substantial investment in tools. I'm more of a gadget dabbler so I usually attack it from the low end to make sure I have a serious interest. You used the Fitbit for a year, but studies show activity trackers have a high rate of abandonment. I suspect the same holds true for exercise equipment. When I used to volunteer for political campaigns, it was an eye opener to see how many treadmills and stationary cycles wound up in garages. Fitness trackers are probably an impulse purchase for some people, just as people buy diet books as a substitute for actually dieting. On the other hand, studies show they do benefit people who use them. Some analysts question whether activity trackers will last as a category. There have also been issues raised about their reliability. 

If you are a serious user you will stick with a fitness tracker. Three people in my family bought the bodybugg, which became BodyMedia and most recently was merged into Jawbone. I am the only one still using mine. I think I will use it until it dies. After that, I will probably not buy a new one. I know how much I need to walk. I can log food here. 

Sparkpeople have a fitness tracker. It might help hi if you are looking for a new one.  

According to The Verge, Fitbit is coming out with a new fitness tracker that includes a heart monitor. 

Which version of Fitbit were you using? I have a FBone and love it. 

Chris, I just saw that article, I will admit that I am tempted to try that new fitbit when it is available; based on past experience I am a bit skeptical. The addition of a HR monitor certainly helps sway me. Ctiss - I was/am currently using the fitbit Force. I am on my second one now because my first one (and also my wifes) fell apart and the model was eventually recalled. It has been a HUGE help to me however this experience makes me hesitate to stay with them.  

The Wirecutter says the Garmin VivoFit is the best tracker. Unlike the Jawbone Up24, it has a display. I like the fact that it alerts you when you've been sedentary for too long. The disposable battery isn't ecological, but it does last for a year. If I could afford it, I'd get the VivoFit, but since I can't, I'll stay on the sidelines for a while longer. 

Draglist, were you able to find the Fitbit you lost?