Microsoft Band and MFP

mmerry5 wrote: »

I currently have the Fitbit Flex and love all the info it provides, but now I am looking to upgrade. I'm thinking about the new Fitbit ChargeHR or the SURGE both of which are not out yet, but "coming soon." Now I'm thinking about the Microsoft Band. I'm a female with small wrists so wondering about the size for all these devices. I think the Surge looks the biggest, but that is the one that is most comparable to the Microsoft Band.

Anyone have any insight or opinions on any of these options? Though unfortunately no one will have actually tried the new Fitbits. What made you choose the MS Band over the Fitbits or other options?

Does the GPS feature for the MS Band show your distance/time right on the screen as you are running? I currently use MapMyRun so that I hear when I've reached each mile marker. Wondering if it shows that info on the MS Band as you go?

I had a Fitbit Force, that is basically the Charge, but with a band that doesn't break people out. I have really enjoyed all the functionality of the Force until the last few weeks. I received a firmware update and it totally messed up the band. Not only did my steps progression go down about 25% a day, they also decided to take off the active minutes tracking on the device, which I used all the time for my actual cardio exercises I did. They have stated they were looking into fixing some of these things, but when talking to customer service, they said one thing and their help forums stated another.

At that point I decided to use the recall program, so I am returning the Force, and have taken the plunge to the Microsoft Band. I received mine on Monday. I'll list some positives and negatives I have found so far:

Positives

-Love all of the integration with your notifications you receive from phone to band itself, a real game-changer in my opinion. As an aside, I do have a Windows Phone.

-I really enjoy the exercise functionality, where you can really get a feel of what your doing and how it is calculating many things at once.

-The sleep functionality gives a lot of info as well, just not sure of accuracy as of yet, since I've only had a few days.

-I am overall happy with this replacing the Force, especially after the latest update that seemed to change things for the worst.

Negatives

-MFP integration is lacking as far as the steps count not syncing. Like stated above it does a great job with the exercising and syncing, but unless you exercised EVERY day, I feel like the lack of step integration is a bit disappointing right now.

-Some are saying the HRM is not completely accurate, but I think that this thing also learns about YOU when doing things. My HRM was showing up to 182 when doing the MOSSA Fight workout on Monday. I did a different HIIT workout yesterday and it showed me peaking at around 164, so it is possible it is finding your baselines as it gets more data as well.


Overall, I did wear the Force and the MS Band on Monday, and can say that the Band was counting more steps, like I figured. I am really into the breakdown that the Microsoft Health App has when it comes to the Sleep and Exercise Recording, and as a person who owns many things Microsoft, I believe with further firmware updates this thing could be amazing.

Raynne413 wrote: »

Unfortunately, I am returning my Microsoft band. Even with the small, it is just huge on my wrist. The idea of trying to do kickboxing with it on scares me. LOL If I had it tight enough so that it wasn't moving around, it seemed to press just right on the tendons and veins to partially cut off circulation. I'm sad because I was SO excited about it and really interested in the features.

The calories burned seemed off to me though. I put the band around 8:30, took two 10 minute walks (one of which I tracked as exercise and it said I burned 74 calories) and at 10:30, it said I had only burned around 240 calories for the DAY.

I'm really excited about it too. What I decided to do is buy a FitBit ChargeHR, and when that inevitably breaks buy a V2 of the Microsoft Band.

I've been reading up on it, but I'm leaning towards the Fitbit Surge. Just based on the descirptions/pictures/features I think that's the best option for me.

I'm waiting for the Surge to be released and see real world comparisons between that and the MS Band.

I'm an UP24 at the moment. I do miss the active heart rate monitoring I got with Polar chest band. I rreally like that I only have to charge every 14 days

Seems UP has a new devise with hrm and charge lasts 7 days. I plan to check that out.

I really like the idea of the new MS Band. For those that have it how long does it take to charge? Souunds like it will be everyday if you use the gps at all? If you have to charge it everyday and want to wear it to sleep seems like that could become a problem?

Before I returned mine, I intended to charge it when I was in the shower, and then when I was sitting at my desk (office job). I ready that you can get up to 80% pretty quickly, but the last 20% took another hour.

empireman85 wrote: »

I'm an UP24 at the moment. I do miss the active heart rate monitoring I got with Polar chest band. I rreally like that I only have to charge every 14 days

Seems UP has a new devise with hrm and charge lasts 7 days. I plan to check that out.

I really like the idea of the new MS Band. For those that have it how long does it take to charge? Sounds like it will be everyday if you use the gps at all? If you have to charge it everyday and want to wear it to sleep seems like that could become a problem?

I almost ran mine out from yesterday morning after my workout (7am) until this morning after my workout). The low battery warning went off during my last exercise and when I got home and connected the charger, it looked like about 10% was left.

But, I wore it all yesterday, tracked my sleep, spent an hour at the gym, all while bombarding the Band with (no joke) probably 500+ email alerts (work mainly), and a similar number of text and notification center alerts.

Charging is exceptional. From almost nothing, you can fast charge the Band to 80% in 30 minutes or so. To go from 80%-100% takes at least an hour, but I've not timed it. The past two days I charged it while showering after the gym, and by the time I'm done and dressed I'm about at 80%. I let it charge to 100% while having coffee or when I sit down to work (home office). Given you can get it to 80% in almost no time, I don't foresee keeping it charged to be an issue. If you were low, and needed to go forma run, workout, a few minutes on the charger while you get ready and you'd be good to go. Nowadays, with phones and tablets not going much more than a day with good use, the habit is pretty ingrained.

I will say the band did feel a bit awkward at first, but I think that's more because I don't ever wear a watch, and having anything on my wrist is new. After 3 days, its now starting to fade into the background, in a good way. I also have no problem wearing it on my left wrist while sitting at a desk using a keyboard all day.

The new Fitbit Charge (and I assume the two not yet released) auto-recognize sleep, too.

GobbyLittleGit wrote: »

sm4astan wrote: »

Mishootka wrote: »

sm4astan wrote: »

Only thing I can't find is how to turn on Negative Adjustments. The FAQ says it should be on the Settings > Diary page, but there is nothing there. I wonder if it was removed because it was not working right?

To turn on negative adjustments go to the MFP website -> Settings -> Diary settings -> Calorie adjustments -> and check the Enable Negative Adjustments checkbox.

There is no calorie adjustments section on that page for me.

Nor me.

Are you guys looking at the web browser MFP page or the MFP mobile app? It's in the browser one.

Does anyone know if one should be wearing the Band on one's dominant or non-dominant wrist? I am guessing non-dominant, like Fitbit.

zillie77 wrote: »

Does anyone know if one should be wearing the Band on one's dominant or non-dominant wrist? I am guessing non-dominant, like Fitbit.

I wear it on my left (non-dominant). I have not problem using a keyboard with it this way, but on my right wrist it gets in the way of using a computer mouse.

got it, love it! Myfitness Pal is great for watching the intake and The Band is ideal for watching how you use it. integrates well with MFP with my iphone and the information it gives is great and detailed. Really cool to look at your sleep patterns and see the spikes in your work outs

Went to the Microsoft store today. I really liked the looks and features of the Band, but I have really tiny wrists. The display actually overhangs the side of my wrist. I was sort of bummed that it just seems too big for me. I loved the way the band connects. So easy. I really liked it overall, but it looked so funny and was just a bit uncomfortable on my wrist. I still have to check out the Fitbit Charge and see how that one is. I am thinking maybe the Charge HR, but that doesn't have the GPS function. Hoping that the size of that will not be a problem. I haven't actually seen one in person yet.

It's been well over 2 years since the OP, and my Microsoft Band has NEVER synced with MFP. My Fitbit has died, and I don't want to replace it, even though that has always synced. I don't really know how to manually add my exercise as I don't count moving around my house doing my daily stuff as exercise, even though my MS Band always records it. Absolutely WORTHLESS part of MFP. Glad I don't pay for MFP.

ETA: Now that Microsoft is no longer making or supporting the MS Band the point is moot, but it was extremely annoying that MFP never fixed this issue, especially since my Band still works just fine.