BodyBugg/BodyMedia vs. Fitbit HELP!

StormyGal8

So, I took the plunge a few months ago and bought a Fitbit. I have to say, I was disappointed. Not in the performance of the Fitbit, but in what it actually was.
When I bought it, I was sort of under the impression that it was like a BodyBugg or a BodyMedia type device. It counted calories burned dependent on exertion, and all that jazz. When it got here, I was a little disappointed to find it was just a pedometer on crack. But I gave it a fair shot anyway.
I didn't realize that driving would have such an effect on it. I commute 40mins each way when I drive to work. This is problematic for me, since I have to remember to take account for that movement before and after I drive. I find it impracticle.

I am considering selling my FitBit and buying something like a BodyBugg or a BodyMedia, but I don't really know much about either except that I have to buy my subscription to the site. I can deal with that.

Can anyone fill in the gaps for me? I didn't do my research last time, and ended up with something I didn't want, so this time I am trying to do some research to make sure that if I get one, I am getting what I want!

lenartn

I was wondering the same thing.

mz_asher

I have the bodybugg which was great tool before I got pregnant. What I didn't like about it was that I had to wear 24/7 to be accurate. Now that I have a baby I don't like to wear and don't want to for subscription when I use mfp. I'm actually in the process of potenily getting a fitbit. Since I don't like wearing the body bugg I bought a heart rate monitor instead to use for my workouts. Hope that helps. Do you have a particular questions that you want to know?

StormyGal8

I have the bodybugg which was great tool before I got pregnant. What I didn't like about it was that I had to wear 24/7 to be accurate. Now that I have a baby I don't like to wear and don't want to for subscription when I use mfp. I'm actually in the process of potenily getting a fitbit. Since I don't like wearing the body bugg I bought a heart rate monitor instead to use for my workouts. Hope that helps. Do you have a particular questions that you want to know?

LOL wanna swap??

I just wondered if it was messed up by driving etc!

SmartAlec03211988

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

Barbellerella

I've owned both. The fitbit is just as accurate in my opinion. Like I said I've used both and the daily burn was really similar between the two. I love my Fitbit WAY more and its much more motivating to me, and cheaper. The Bodybugg was so obnoxious I returned it.

StormyGal8

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

Barbellerella

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

StormyGal8

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

Are you sure? It's a well noted issue with a lot of FitBit users. I also have the Ultra, and I happen to own a Jeep as well (a Compass), I drive a LOT of highway, and a little bit of dirt road...on a good day I get about 1500 steps added on, on a bad day, in excess of 3000 steps. The FitBit board is full of people with the same complaint. If you lived in a city and didn't spend a lot of time on the road, the amount of steps added would likely be negligible, but on a long commute, it makes a fairly significant difference.

sgreen328

I have the body media fit and I love it. I only take mine off long enough to shower and to check it during the day. I have never had it measure my car rides as steps. In fact I have been considering an upgrade to the ultra so that I don't have to take it off to see my progress throughout the day.

StormyGal8

Also, does anyone have any input on the GoWearFit in this mix?

Just trying to find a solution that will better suit my needs than the FitBit does. Lower cost is always nice, lol.

Barbellerella

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

Are you sure? It's a well noted issue with a lot of FitBit users. I also have the Ultra, and I happen to own a Jeep as well (a Compass), I drive a LOT of highway, and a little bit of dirt road...on a good day I get about 1500 steps added on, on a bad day, in excess of 3000 steps. The FitBit board is full of people with the same complaint. If you lived in a city and didn't spend a lot of time on the road, the amount of steps added would likely be negligible, but on a long commute, it makes a fairly significant difference.

Nope! i have a commander and a Wrangler. I drive CONSTANTLY all over town. i look at it before I leave and when I get out of the car, no change. For realsy.

shewearsfunnyhat

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

Are you sure? It's a well noted issue with a lot of FitBit users. I also have the Ultra, and I happen to own a Jeep as well (a Compass), I drive a LOT of highway, and a little bit of dirt road...on a good day I get about 1500 steps added on, on a bad day, in excess of 3000 steps. The FitBit board is full of people with the same complaint. If you lived in a city and didn't spend a lot of time on the road, the amount of steps added would likely be negligible, but on a long commute, it makes a fairly significant difference.

I dont have that problem with the fitbit zip.

sgreen328

Also, does anyone have any input on the GoWearFit in this mix?

Just trying to find a solution that will better suit my needs than the FitBit does. Lower cost is always nice, lol.

The Go Wear Fit is the same as the Body Media Fit. You can often find these used or at a serious discount because they are the old style, but they are still compatible with BMF's website. Another thing to consider between Body Bugg and Body Media is the monthly cost difference and Body Media makes the Body Bugg.

AdrianGordon

Not sure what you're driving, but I drive a Jeep Wrangler, a Honda CVCC and a Nissan Frontier pickup truck, all over some pretty bad road, and it doesn't impact my Fitbit at all. The thing continues to count calories as if I'm sitting still. I can go miles over back country roads that are like washboards without adding a single step to the Fitbit step count. Driving the lawn tractor is a different story. It adds steps as if it were running at basically the rate that the engine turns, but not with the cars or the truck.

AdrianGordon

Absolutely agree. I have checked my fitbit countless times at the start of a drive in my Jeep Wrangler over bad roads and good and the worst I've ever seen is three or four steps over a fifteen or twenty mile drive. My bet even on that is that the difference is a function of my moving in the seat or using the clutch.

athryn

I've had a Fitbit One since January, and never have had it record much of anything when I've been driving, and I do a lot of varied driving, as I go to trailheads and stuff for hiking.

longtimeterp

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

ditto on the wrangler and fitbit...ocassionally ill get a few steps, but i drive pretty agressive in a lifted jeep with 35" mud tires and it doesnt throw it off by much...my scooter on the other hand, makes the fitbit go nuts lol

jeep wave!

longtimeterp

Absolutely agree. I have checked my fitbit countless times at the start of a drive in my Jeep Wrangler over bad roads and good and the worst I've ever seen is three or four steps over a fifteen or twenty mile drive. My bet even on that is that the difference is a function of my moving in the seat or using the clutch.

love it, another wrangler owner with a fitbit...jeep wave!

foleyshirley

I would highly recommend the BoyMedia Fit.

Only suggest taking it off in the car, because it will record driving as moderate activity.

See, to me this is an easy solution. Take it off, and it stops recording your information (I am assuming anyway). FitBit doesn't have that option. I have tried EVERYTHING to stop it from inputting data while I drive, but sadly had no luck. My driving can offset my actual steps by 3000 or more steps, and I have been congratulated for making 50 floor climbed...except there are no stairs at my home or my work! Driving long distances messes up the FitBit!

See I don't have that problem.. I have the FitBit Ultra, and a Jeep Wrangler which is obviously bouncy. I have never had a problem with it adding steps while im in the car..

I have the bodymedia fit and a fitbit zip. Neither one give me steps in the car.

kristafb

I did a little test with my FItbit One & my POlar F4 HRM today while running on the treadmill. I was amazed that the fitbit was as acurate as it was. There was little difference between calories burned on either device, less than 20 calorie difference. ALso I've never had any issue while driving but I live less than 10k from work so don't do a lot of driving myself.

SmartAlec03211988

I don't know why mine does it. I will just be a passenger in a car and it'll record steps, and even moderate and/or vigorous activity. Clearly sitting pretty still in a chair isn't going to be either of those. My normal burn is somewhere around 2200 but I accidentally wore it ALL day (as in, in the car) and at midnight it recorded 3900 calories burned with almost 5 hours of activity (3 hours moderate, 2 vigorous).

:S

rockerbabyy

ive had my bodymedia fit for about 3 months now, and have never had issues with it logging steps while im driving - it seems to be pretty accurate for me except when im on the elliptical. i guess thats a known "issue" though

haymancm

Recently, I bought the Fitbit Zip. It may not log the steps while in the car, but it does measure calories burned. I have to make the effort for the steps to actually happen.

Resa52

My Fitbit Ultra does that when I ride/drive a car with poor suspension. In newer vehicles, it doesn't count a thing.

The way to counteract your steps if your fitbit IS logging them is to go into your fitbit dashboard and log an activity. Activity should be driving and it will have you post a start and end time and it will automatically take away the steps and the flights if any where registered between those times.