Another fitness tracker band post..I'm so confused!

mtgrzz

So, I've always wanted one. Finally getting one for Christmas and automatically ordered the Jawbone UP3 but now I'm wondering if I need to look at others after searching on this forum. I have really confused myself!

I am a petite girl so I guess I need to take that into consideration. My price point is under $200. My main exercises are walking and machine exercises at that gym (the elipitical) and I don't believe any of them will measure steps on the machines, which I'm fine with. What I'm looking for is:

- sleep monitor (would prefer it to just realize when I'm sleeping)
- calories burned
- suggestions on making strides to achieve goals
- Reminders to move,
- Constant heart rate monitor- I know the UP3 only does resting right now but I'm ok with that since they say it will do the other.


The ones I am looking at now are:

Jawbone UP3
Microsoft Band
Basis Peak

Suggestions please!

mtgrzz

Garmin Vivosmart is also on the list

Raynne413

Why not wait on the Fitbit Charge HR? It will have constant heart rate. I tried the Microsoft band, it was just way too big and too uncomfortable on my wrists (I have pretty small wrists).

mtgrzz

I forgot about that one! That's in the mix too then but not sure I really want caller ID. I had read reviews about people not liking fitbit because they quit after a couple months? I know this will be a newer one but that worries me.

Raynne413

I had my Fitbit One for two years before it quit working, and when it did, after a bit of trouble shooting, they just sent me a completely new one. Their customer service is outstanding. I just did the pre-order for the FitBit Charge HR, got it Monday, and I'm liking it so far.

cindytw

I love Fitbit products, the interface and the seamless syncing with MFP. I want the new Charge HR when it is available, I have a One right now. I like it, but I lose them a lot.

mtgrzz

Good to know. I have read that Jawbone Customer Service is lacking. When is Charge HR supposed to be available?

mtgrzz

Now I'm wondering if I really need the HR portion lol. I didn't care about it at first but when I pre-ordered the UP3 I thought it was a nice touch. Fitbit Charge looks nice too.

cindytw

Yah if you don't care about the HR part, Go ahead and order the CHarge. I love the interface! It gives you big green Smileys for meeting your goals, stupid yet motivating! Also I hear the sleep tracking is the most detailed, which I am concerned with.

zipa78

mtgrzz wrote: »

Now I'm wondering if I really need the HR portion lol.

No, you don't. And if you need it, get one that works with a dedicated HRM belt. Optical wrist readings are iffy at best, and if you live somewhere where the climate dictates long sleeves for exercising outdoors, you either keep the band under your sleeve where you can't see it during the exercise or on top of it where it can't measure from your wrist.

sheldonklein

If you don't care about the HR, they are clearing out the last generation of monitors at terrific prices. As far as I can tell, the only thing the new generation has is HRM and, in some cases, smart watch functions.

mtgrzz

So, cindy, do you find it pretty accurate. It has an alarm and you don't have to manually push a button for sleep? Does it track all activity (I don't know that any of them do) but curious since I use an elliptical a lot.

mtgrzz

NM, I see from their website it is automatic. So it lets you set goals, etc and notifies you when you need to get moving. Eventhough it's big I kind of like all the features of the Peak.

ehuschka

One thing about the Fitbit that I love, you can input your stride length to make distance more accurate for your steps.
I'm 5'3" but usually walk with my husband who's 6'. I take longer strides then most!

(Also, on the elliptical, my steps end up about half a mile short... it tends to get most of them)

mtgrzz

Thanks! I may be canceling my UP3. I kind of beginning to like the charge and it's cheaper! Still kind of like the peak though. But..the UP3 may be totally out of the question. I didn't think I'd care about any sort of display but I may!

mtgrzz

I read several reviews that the Fitbit Charge and Myfitness pal don't sync correctly and results in it being logged as food vs exercise and that the screen scratches easily?

ehuschka

Unfortunately, I don't have the Charge. Right now I have the Flex, but want to upgrade once the HR versions come out.

IamMCM

I have the Basis Peak, but HRM was one of my requirements and I didn't want to wait for the newest Fitbit. It has all of your requirements other than the reminders to move, but it does let you set up "habits" (goals). I'm normally a Fitbit fan, but I really like my Peak.

PikaKnight

Raynne413 wrote: »

Why not wait on the Fitbit Charge HR? It will have constant heart rate. I tried the Microsoft band, it was just way too big and too uncomfortable on my wrists (I have pretty small wrists).

Actually, I'd highly suggest anyone interested in the Charge HR or Surge sign up for Fitbit's forums and read the threads on them.

They allowed a limited release of them and the feedback for the Charge HR is not looking that great.

The steps are exaggerated, the HR seems a bit intermittent, the battery life is short, the auto-sleep function doesn't seem to really work, chargers not being shipped with the product, etc.

Also, a heads up - the wrist measurements on the website are not right. If you have wrists larger than 6", you'll want to go with the large and not the small.

mtgrzz

Thanks everyone! I decided I'm keeping my pre-order for the UP3 because in reading some things I like the fact of the future updates. But, I'm going to continue to research the other two in case I change my mind since the UP3 won't ship until Dec.22 and they have a 60 day money back guarantee.

Thanks for the heads up PikaKnight!

StaciMarie1974

Check out the Polar Loop. Water proof, can be paired w/ a HRM for cardio/improved accuracy. You set an activity goal and it gives you suggestions for what to do to meet it. Such as walk x minutes or run y minutes. Personally would not trust wrist based HRM especially on a brand new product. Generally speaking, I would not want to be in the first wave of customers for a brand new product...

mtgrzz

I am not that concerned with the HRM to do a chest strap. Sometimes I like being the guinea pig

PikaKnight

StaciMarie1974 wrote: »

Check out the Polar Loop. Water proof, can be paired w/ a HRM for cardio/improved accuracy. You set an activity goal and it gives you suggestions for what to do to meet it. Such as walk x minutes or run y minutes. Personally would not trust wrist based HRM especially on a brand new product. Generally speaking, I would not want to be in the first wave of customers for a brand new product...

Well, that's why I am leaning more towards the Up3 as they are using the same bioimpedence sensors from Bodymedia. I had the Link and I loved it but am giving it up since Bodymedia is basically dead.

Kasuad

Problem I have with the UP3 is there are no reviews on it for heart rate other than what it "should" be able to do. I've purchased stuff because of what it should be able to do or will be patched to before. Usually doesn't work out in my favor. Not to mention it is only releasing with app support for iPhones, with support for android later in 2015.

Fitbit Surge and Charge HR are on their way to retailers now or they should have it by the 14th of December. I had a pre-order with REI with expected delivery to me on the 19th, but Amazon just started taking orders

http://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Surge-Fitness-Superwatch-Black/dp/B00N2BWF6Q/ref=sr_1_25?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1418434823&sr=1-25&pebp=1418434820773


And will have it to me by the 16th, so I cancelled REI and went with Amazon. I don't see the Charge HR on Amazon, but my understanding is both is releasing at the same time.

SnuggleSmacks

The Up3 pre-orders come with 60 days money back, so if you find that it's not accurate, you'll only be out the cost of shipping. It's the only one so far with bioimpedence instead of light pulses for heart rate readings. If you have dark skin, small wrists or if there's really bright ambient light or very warm weather, the light pulses don't work so well. Also, you have to wear these bands very tight when exercising, as any jiggling of the band against your skin will also throw it off. The Up3 tech works with a looser band, as it only has to make contact, not block out light. It's also much smaller than the others, and can be worn swimming.

mtgrzz

I just saw somewhere that now it will be mid January for the UP3, which worries me. I guess that just means I have more time to research. I have been reading the Charge HR reviews and so far it seems more negative than positive. I'm really hoping the UP3 ships sooner than later.

Kasuad

mtgrzz wrote: »

I just saw somewhere that now it will be mid January for the UP3, which worries me. I guess that just means I have more time to research. I have been reading the Charge HR reviews and so far it seems more negative than positive. I'm really hoping the UP3 ships sooner than later.

A lot of the negative reports I read from people are more user fault than product.

Like band size. They tell you exactly what the sizing is, people don't read and order what they think will fit, it doesn't fit, but somehow it's the products fault that their 5.5" to 6.3" size band does not fit the users 7" wrist.

Or why does it not have a back-light? It does, you just need to hit a button.

Or how come my steps are way off? Did you try going through and calibrating it to your stride for walking and running? Cause it's actually pretty accurate when you do that.

Honestly, I think you'll see plenty of negative reviews for all these type products. The only ones you won't see negative reviews on are for the trackers that haven't made it into the hands of people yet. Many of the problems are user error though or user related that specifically applies to them.

mtgrzz

Thanks! I'll look more into it

PikaKnight

Kasuad wrote: »

mtgrzz wrote: »

I just saw somewhere that now it will be mid January for the UP3, which worries me. I guess that just means I have more time to research. I have been reading the Charge HR reviews and so far it seems more negative than positive. I'm really hoping the UP3 ships sooner than later.

A lot of the negative reports I read from people are more user fault than product.

Like band size. They tell you exactly what the sizing is, people don't read and order what they think will fit, it doesn't fit, but somehow it's the products fault that their 5.5" to 6.3" size band does not fit the users 7" wrist.

Or why does it not have a back-light? It does, you just need to hit a button.

Or how come my steps are way off? Did you try going through and calibrating it to your stride for walking and running? Cause it's actually pretty accurate when you do that.

Honestly, I think you'll see plenty of negative reviews for all these type products. The only ones you won't see negative reviews on are for the trackers that haven't made it into the hands of people yet. Many of the problems are user error though or user related that specifically applies to them.

For the band size - that's false. There were several users on the Fitbit forums with 6", 6.1" and 6.3" wrists complaining about the sizing being incorrect. I didn't come across anyone with a 7" wrist complaining about not fitting into the small. In fact, there were those around that measurement that were saying to go with the XL versus the Large.

Again, for the steps - users are documenting the changes they made or didn't make and still, the steps are around 1000 off. Some of the users have even taken to creating a 2nd account so they can wear their older fitbits to compare (so far I've seen a flex and a Fitbit One comparison).

mdove3411

Following.
Which ones actually read across the screen?

Kasuad

mdove3411 wrote: »

Following.
Which ones actually read across the screen?

Charge HR has a smaller screen, Surge has a the bigger screen. Microsoft Band as a long rectangular screen, Basis Peak has a square screen.

I think of the new ones coming out that are over $100, the Jawbone UP3 is the only one that does not have a screen.

Pikaknight, I wasn't using any direct examples of people not paying attention to what they ordered for size and then blaming fitment issues on the product. but that does exist. I think people should read the low ball reviews and infer for themselves if the reviewers opinion/experience should be taken serious or thrown out and not just see 1 star vrs 5 stars. Kinda off-topic, but I read a review on Amazon before for a pop-corn popper. A reviewer rated it one star and slammed it as junk because it does a very poor job of roasting her coffee beans and even burned the coffee beans. It's a popcorn popper.

I should be getting my Surge today. I am really wanting to like it. If I don't and have problems with it, I'll report back in a few days and give warning.