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FitBit pros and cons??

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  • jdekft
    jdekft Posts: 4 Member
    sarahthes wrote: »
    jdekft wrote: »
    Does anyone have problems with wrist located trackers erroneously adding steps when not walking? I have a Jawbone Up that clips at the waist but I'm looking to upgrade. At work, I move files and do a lot of paperwork and I'm worried about over estimating of steps taken. Thoughts?

    The only non-exercise activity it has logged as steps has been folding laundry. So now I just take it off when I'm folding. I get 10-17K most days and it's accurate. The majority are from purposeful movement, I.e. running or walking for exercise. I am basically a lump the rest of the time.

    Which device do you have? I am having to replace my UP, as it fell off my pocket today and is lost. Luckily, it wasn't working all that great anyway.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    creatureofchaos wrote: »
    I don't understand the point of a FitBit - wouldn't your cell phone track your steps the same way if you keep it in your pocket? My iPhone does, and then syncs the steps with MFP. I've thought about getting a FitBZit because I like gadgets but it seems like a waste.

    It is a personal preference. I may be in the minority these days, but I definitely don't like to carry my phone everywhere with me, and I hate trying to use a phone when running. Watches are so much easier when working out.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    I'd never buy a fitbit because they don't make one that is useful for swimming. I don't care what else it does.
    The dudes that track swimming well are expensive. But i finally broke down and bought the new Garmin Fenix 5X. The display is large enough to read without keeping a pair of readers poolside.
    It has features for hiking like topographical maps on board.
    Only used it for swimming so far and wear it as a watch through the day. I'll check the hiking feature when I get home from this month long business "adventure" in China. (12th month long trip in 3.5 years)

    I use a Flex 2 and it registers swimming. Not to the same degree of an HRM, but I use a Polar chest mounted HRM for that.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    @fishgutzy this is where you are mistaken. I have two fitbits...one specifically for when I am in the water...the Flex is waterproof for swimming boating etc.

    But the flex has no display. It can't tell the user anything during the swim.
    I swim too long to track laps in my head.
    The pool where i swim in my China trips is 22m vs 25 yd at home. Fenix5X lets me set a custom length.
    Display big enough that I don't need my glasses to see it.
    For anyone who swims a lot, I'd recommend it.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    creatureofchaos wrote: »
    I don't understand the point of a FitBit - wouldn't your cell phone track your steps the same way if you keep it in your pocket? My iPhone does, and then syncs the steps with MFP. I've thought about getting a FitBZit because I like gadgets but it seems like a waste.

    There's no way I'm carrying my phone around with me for every minute of every day. Besides I'd have to stop and charge it too many times. Phone counting steps = a big hassle for me.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    @fishgutzy this is where you are mistaken. I have two fitbits...one specifically for when I am in the water...the Flex is waterproof for swimming boating etc.

    But the flex has no display. It can't tell the user anything during the swim.
    I swim too long to track laps in my head.
    The pool where i swim in my China trips is 22m vs 25 yd at home. Fenix5X lets me set a custom length.
    Display big enough that I don't need my glasses to see it.
    For anyone who swims a lot, I'd recommend it.

    Well if you are using it to track that is different but your quote was Fitbit didn't make one useful for swimming...and it does.

    not to be picky....

    I get where you are coming from tho...for me if I am swimming I do it for a set time not laps...so for me it is a good thing.

  • yskaldir
    yskaldir Posts: 202 Member
    It's fine as long as you understand its limitations. For example calories burned and steps count tends to be 20% too high for me.

    On the other hand it does pretty well as a watch, and I can skip songs without taking the phone out.
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