JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jun 30, 2015 14:33:50 GMT -8
Anyone else here using a Fitbit or similar style activity monitor? I've been using a Charge HR for about two weeks now and would like to compare notes with others on trying to make the device more accurate and helpful.
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Post by msdoolittle on Jul 13, 2015 9:26:58 GMT -8
I just got one, Jim! So far, loving it.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 13, 2015 16:27:02 GMT -8
What kind of Fitbit did you get?
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Post by msdoolittle on Jul 14, 2015 5:27:42 GMT -8
I ended up with the Charge HR.
So far, I really like it. I haven't had a chance to really use the HR part of it, yet. I'm planning to start running my neighborhood, which is pretty hilly. I'm working up to it right now.
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greno
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Post by greno on Jul 14, 2015 12:53:48 GMT -8
I have had a fitbit one for a little over a year. It does motivate you to get out and go if you "friend" some people and see how many steps you do in a day. I don't use mine for calorie determination as I could eat donuts all day based on an average day of steps. My experience with the fitbit app is that is not very good at that. I lost 70 pounds, 3 years ago and it is tough to stay around 225. My wife bought me this to keep me moving as I have gotten very bored with walking treadmills, my neighborhood, etc. I do enjoy buying 40 pounds of grocerys and walking home two miles in 90 degree temps and do this at least once a week.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 22, 2015 4:45:22 GMT -8
So here are my thoughts after a few weeks of wearing the Charge HR.
- it is an effective heart rate monitor, if not a particularly easy one to use. You still have to hit the button at least twice to see the rate on a fairly small display.
- it does a very poor job of monitoring heart rate during short bursts of high intensity exercise. Pushups cause my pulse to jump up quickly. The monitor usually has no idea what my heart rate is at that point.
- it is a very good step counter, if you swing your arm. I found that while carrying items or pushing something like a stroller, it wasn't counting anything.
- As I've complained elsewhere, two major upgrades would really help. The watch needs to either solar charge or maybe by motion. Second is that it's a delicate device. A rubberized frame around the display would help. Basically I want it built like my G-Shock.
- I walk a lot more while I'm wearing the device than I otherwise might. I WILL get over 10k steps. Competing with friends does help and I find it very useful for a type A personality like me to have a little competition.
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Aug 2, 2015 12:41:22 GMT -8
I've used the FitBit One for about a year and a half, off and on. My mother gave it to me as a birthday present, one of the few gifts from her that I've appreciated, lol. I don't religiously monitor it, but it's nice to see at the end of the day how many steps I've taken and how generally-active I've been (floors walked up, etc). I just clip it into one of my pants pockets and forget about it the rest of the day. Mine doesn't do heartrate, and I'm fine with that. Keeps a charge for about a week, I just plug it in periodically when I'm asleep. It can monitor sleep as well if I use the wrist strap, but I don't bother with that any more.
I don't like the flimsiness of the little clip-cases for the One. It has a little plastic cap on the end of the clip (the only part that isn't rubber) that breaks and pops off too easily... I've gone through three of them so far. C'est la vie.
I find it's motivating to look online every once in a while to see how active friends/acquaintances have been... if I'm lagging or being too desk-bound, it's a reminder to get out and move more, even on office-bound days. I've logged 15-18000 steps on several weekend days, when I've been particularly active. I usually average 8-10K on a given day. It helps that I regularly bike to work and only start my car once every few days, which I realize is not feasible for everyone's situation, but it's something I appreciate being able to do.
- Mike
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 5, 2016 9:17:13 GMT -8
I've just started running again and I'm seriously considering the Fitbit Charge HR. However, the Microsoft Band 2 looks good also other than the horrible battery life. Now that you good people have been using yours for a months since the last time this thread was active do you have thoughts/advice/counsel regarding your fitbit or band? Would the extra $100 ever be worth getting the Surge?
Oh yeah...how does the Charge do in recognizing steps? I have lots of steps at work if I choose to use them.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jan 5, 2016 16:26:19 GMT -8
Steps as in stairs or counting steps taken? The Surge is a nice product, but I don't need it and my charge HR does fine for counting steps and heart rate.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 5, 2016 16:31:09 GMT -8
Steps as in stairs or counting steps taken? Thanks for the qualifying question. I meant steps as in stairs. I know the Band 2 can determine this by it's barometer but I'm just not sure that either the Band 2 or the Surge is worth the extra $100 extra for the gps tracking. What kind of battery life do you get with your Charge HR?
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jan 6, 2016 9:17:54 GMT -8
I charge my fitbit every other day and it's never died on me. Trying to get a third day out of the battery didn't work.
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VAN
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Post by VAN on Jan 6, 2016 13:39:06 GMT -8
I just got a fitbit flex (with HR) during the holidays and was told they would last 5 days charged. Nope, 2 at best. But so far other then the battery, I really like it. I get most of my steps in during the morning hours and then sit in the office/desk job and then wrap up with a few more.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 6, 2016 19:23:48 GMT -8
Well I just ordered one tonight because BestBuy didn't have the size/color I wanted. Suppose to be here on friday.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 7, 2016 8:55:09 GMT -8
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 11, 2016 5:28:48 GMT -8
Well I'm glad that you guys liked your Fitbits but mine went back to the store. It counted steps as I typed which is not a good thing for me since I spend a large amount of time at a keyboard. It also just didn't seem to know how to count steps. One time I took 3 steps and it counted 12. Other times it didn't count any when it should have. I thought about trying the Microsoft Band 2 but I simply lost confidence in them altogether.
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