Activity tracker recommendations please...

What are you tracking?

I have the Polar V800, it's a bit pricey, but hey it's my money (LOL) I like the Polar's because I do mostly cardio, I'm able to sync with the equipment to let my heart rate adjust the level/resistance/incline with out having to hold on to the handles.Its waterproof to 100 ft and will read your heart rate while swimming also has GPS. You have to use a chest strap, which is not a problem for me, I only need my heart rate when I'm exercising. Gives me a Vo2 test so I go by the calories it says I burn.

Most won't buy it because of the price $399 with HRM sensor. I would recommend it or the Polar A300 (water proof, heart rate underwater) M400 ( GPS water proof, sports profiles, no underwater heart rate)

The only thing it does not do that I wish it did is more of an app problem, it doesn't sync with MFP on android system, only works with IOS

I've owned 3 polar products, Loop, FT80 and V800 have been very satisfied with all.

I have been using a Fitbit Flex and until recently would recommend it. I love the Fitbit but have run into problems with the battery that seem to be an inherent flaw. I hear that Fitbit is pretty good about replacing faulty trackers so we will see how things play out over the next few days. I really miss my tracker though.

I have the Garmin Vivofit 2 which works very well with my goals and MFP. I posted my thoughts on it in this thread: community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10207476/garmin-vivofit2#latest

@arv51862 You don't need to be familiar with the devices, just tell us what sort of "active" things you like to do or are planning on getting into. Then it'll be easily possible to match you up with the right sort of device, if any, that makes sense for your situation.

It goes without saying that just because a lot of people have them it doesn't mean they are always a good idea.

There appears to be three main types of tracker on the market, a very basic description that might help you is

a) wristband "fitbit" style tracker that you wear on your person all day and it tracks your daily activity, calorie burn etc. Not entirely sure what the benefit of these are, perhaps someone else can help you there.

b)Tracker apps. Endomondo and Strava spring to mind. These track activities, you switch them on when you start your activity, walking, cycling, running normally and they track distance travelled, time, calorie burn. These are useful as it gives you something to measure your performance, track improvement which keeps things interesting and motivates. Both are free but for me Strava has the edge as it records your personal best times and compares you against others, friends and general public which is nice to see.

c)GPS style trackers, Garmin etc. These are the more high tech end of the scale and have a cost associated with that BUT you start to get more real time information like heart rate and mph/kph during your activity plus you can download route's onto these types of device to follow on cycles.

As others have said, it really depends on what you are looking to get out of these tools. Hope this helps.

Cheers

This might help you:

Comparison Chart