Which is best?

AllTheNoms

Polar, Fitbit, Nike Fuel band, etc.?

randomtai

Depends on what your needs are.

8sep2014

I don't know which is best, but I have a Fitbit. I just wanted to know how much I was moving in a day and this does that. It syncs with MFP, so my workouts are tracked more accurately. The Fitbit doesn't measure cycling or rowing, the two things I have to do for cardio while I'm dealing with plantar fasciitis, but pairing it with MFP allows a more accurate accounting of steps and calories burned. It doesn't measure heart rate, but I'm not a numbers person, so that would be too much information for me! I'm sweating...a lot...so I know I'm getting a good workout!

AllTheNoms

Depends on what your needs are.

I want to track:
- Activity and calories expenditures;
- Replace the functionality of my Garmin nav watch (not interested in wearing two devices for a workout);
- Have seen that some track sleep patterns which I am interested in;
- Step counts

I don't even know what features are offered on the various devices on the market, but am interested in whatever product provides the most features at the best overall quality.

randomtai

Depends on what your needs are.

I want to track:
- Activity and calories expenditures;
- Replace the functionality of my Garmin nav watch (not interested in wearing two devices for a workout);
- Have seen that some track sleep patterns which I am interested in;
- Step counts

I don't even know what features are offered on the various devices on the market, but am interested in whatever product provides the most features at the best overall quality.

I currently wear a BodyMedia FIT, and I absolutely love it. However, Jawbone has bought the company a little while back and since then the support has been abysmal and it looks like they might be trying to phase it out.

The next tracker I am looking at is the Garmin Vivofit/Vivosmart. I have head good things about that one since it has a detachable HRM. It also comes in purple.

lmr0528

Definitely depends on what you need to stay on track. I have a Polar FT60. I don't care so much about the daily activity as I do about what I'm actually accomplishing when I'm working out. I run and I like to keep track of my heart rate while I'm running. The all day trackers are cool but just not for me. I tried out a Fitbit Force when it first came out. It was interesting to see all the information but got so turned off of Fitbit because of the recall on the Force's... didn't like how the company handled it.

dazwan

If you use MFP, then get something that syncs with MFP automatically, thats the only real advice I have.

I'm keen to try the Polar Loop, but the only thing that puts me off at the moment is STILL no syncing with MFP. This does multi sports, even connects to HRM, only downside is lack of MFP integration.

I had a Jawbone UP (2nd gen), that was brilliant... whilst it worked. I went through 2 in the space of 6 months (both died prematurely) before giving up on it. Customer service needed a lot chasing up (basically they didn't do anything until I started badmouthing them all over the place), enough so, that I never bothered to get the 2nd replaced after it died because I just couldn't put up with the hassle of going through the returns process and bugging various employees to find out where my device was.

lemurcat12

Definitely depends on what you need to stay on track. I have a Polar FT60. I don't care so much about the daily activity as I do about what I'm actually accomplishing when I'm working out. I run and I like to keep track of my heart rate while I'm running. The all day trackers are cool but just not for me. I tried out a Fitbit Force when it first came out. It was interesting to see all the information but got so turned off of Fitbit because of the recall on the Force's... didn't like how the company handled it.

Yep, it depends on what would be helpful to you.

I haven't tried any of the full service devices, but for me the Fitbit works well because I like to track daily activity and it motivates me to walk when I might not. I also like the sleep tracker, although it hasn't yet been as good at motivating me to sleep more. It does make me more aware of the connection between good sleep and energy, good workouts, and weight loss, though.

I don't yet care about monitoring my heart rate when working out. I tried it and found it distracting and the HRM itself a hassle to have to put on before a workout (I am sure this is just me). I think this is because I'm used to measuring cardio by just the perceived intensity method. What is indispensable for me (well, I'm sure I could manage without it if it didn't exist) are the apps that measure distance and speed--MapMyRide, Runkeeper, etc. Love those. I'm also using Runkeeper for a training program.

AllTheNoms

It sounds like I should stick with my Garmin Forerunner for working out since it tracks pace, distance, etc. very well and then add a Fitbit for the non-workout activities so I can get a little more inspired about walking and track sleep.

Thanks for the input everyone!