Looking for advice on activity trackers

MummyKate85

Hi all, im new to the forum so I am not sure if this is the right section to ask in, I apologise if it is'nt.

I am looking at buying an activity tracker - I can't afford alot at the moment so was looking for recommendations for something, maybe an entry level device that I can get to grips with and upgrade later in the year when my finances recover from Christmas lol.

I am currently looking at the Jawbone Up Move, Nuband Active+, Fitbit zip and a Sony smartband. I am leaning more towards to Fitbit Zip at the moment as it seems to be the only one that measures distance walked rather than just steps taken. I might be wrong though? I am new to the activity tracker world so I am feeling a bit confused by everything so advice/help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

dougii

My wife and I both wear Fitbit Flex ane are fairly happy with them. I debated the Jawbone but liked the Fitbit better. Now that I am using a Garmin watch for my running I will most likely switch over to the Garmin activity tracker when my Fitbit dies. I have heard that the Garmin product is really quite nice considering its relatively inexpensive price.

MeanderingMammal

MummyKate85 wrote: »

I am looking at buying an activity tracker - I can't afford alot at the moment so was looking for recommendations for something, maybe an entry level device that I can get to grips with and upgrade later in the year when my finances recover from Christmas lol.

What do you want to achieve from using it?

There are a wide range of options, all with different strengths and weaknesses.

MummyKate85

Thanks for the replies, I would like one just to measure the distance I walk really rather than just counting steps like pedometers do.

MeanderingMammal

MummyKate85 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I would like one just to measure the distance I walk really rather than just counting steps like pedometers do.

Those are two different things. An overgrown pedometer like a fitbit will approximate distance based on number of steps and average step length. A GPS tracker will actually trace where you go and give you a distance.

In both cases that's nothing more than an interesting metric until you do something with it.

Personally I don't see the point in the fitbit type toy, but I'm pretty active anyway and pedometers wouldn't give me useful data.

MummyKate85

I understand that its just a metric unit, but to me its more than that. Seeing that I have walked 1.6 miles, helps me keep going until 2 miles, and then i'll push myself to 3, 4 ect. Furthest I have ever walked is 8.something miles. Having something that shows me how far I have walked really helps me keep going, if that makes any sense at all? It makes sense in my head, but im not the best with words lol. I am not very fit and still overweight, so walking is my starting point with exercise at the moment.

I do currently use the mapmywalk app for seeing how far I have walked, but it drains the battery on my phone so I would like a stand alone device that measures distance walked like the app does.

LivingtheLeanDream

I have a Fitbit Flex which I LOVE but its not working right now and am waiting on a replacement...so as not to miss out on workouts/steps logged I downloaded a few great apps. As long as you're happy to carry your phone on your person they work great - MapMyFitness is one, and Moves is another. They calculate calories and MapMyFitness syncs with MFP - they're FREE :-D

ps all the Fitbits will measure distance. Don't know about other trackers you mentioned but I'm sure they're all similar.

The free apps also measure distance.

brianpperkins

Fitbits are pedometers ... they can estimate distance traveled based on what you input as your stride length but they do not actually measure distance. Some of the newer activity trackers include GPS functionality. They are more costly than the first generation, but, that pays for more capabilities.

When you use mapmywalk, do you leave the screen on? If so, simply turning the screen off while walking can extend battery life.

MummyKate85

No I turn dont leave the screen on but it still seems to drain my battery. I get really annoyed when im mid walk and my phone dies lol. Maybe I need a better phone lol

WarmDontBurn

My phone is the exact same -- I have the fitbit one

erichunley

I have written a few reviews on different trackers like the Fitbit Charge and Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart as well as the Polar M400 watch on my site http://hamptonrunner.com/reviews

MeanderingMammal

MummyKate85 wrote: »

I am not very fit and still overweight, so walking is my starting point with exercise at the moment.

OK, so if you're looking for active feedback then a Vivofit might do the trick.

grundylady

I really loved my fitbit one. Although pocket pedometers never worked as well for me, something about the way I move I guess. I would walk with my hubby and he would register half again more steps then me. (not just the one but 3 different pocket pedometers I tried. The One did better then the cheap ones.)
I just got a new fit it Charge wrist band and I love love love it. It records more accurately, and Kept all my history from the One in my fitbit app on he phone.

grundylady

One other thing 're: GPS vs pedometers, the GPS trackers won't record your miles on a treadmill, because your location never changes.

The fitbit app on my phone will track GPS location if you tell it to . (I think it integrates with map my run) but that won't help your battery life.

WalkingAlong

I would get a Fitbit Zip or Misfit Flash. The Flash is wrist-worn, if that matters to you. I'm not sure Misfit has a pc app, it might just be a phone app. It also doesn't have much of a display (blinking lights) but the app should estimate distance. A lot of people lose or wash their Zips, so a wrist model might be easier to keep a long time and remember to wear.

lbibclc

I have had the Misfit flash for about two weeks. It is waterproof, you can wear in on your wrist or clipping it on, it will track sleep and other activities like swimming and biking. There is no pc website. There is a phone\tablet app. There is not much of a display with the app. You can not adjust the sleep time. When I sit down to read for an hour before bed the misfit thinks I am sleeping. It doesn't sync well with the myfitnesspal site. It transfers the steps but doesn't let me look at an exercise report, it thinks I still have a fitbit even though I deleted it from myfitnesspal. But I got the Misfit on sale at Target for 25.00. I will probably get the fitbit charge HR when it comes out.