Looking for opinion/reviews for a new to buy WATERPROOF activity tracker

BWBTrish
BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking into buying a new activity tracker.

HRM (a must)
Steps (a wish)
Waterproof (a must)
sleep monitoring ( optional)

I looked in some like Moov, the Polar 300A

So i have the FT7 and pretty happy with it. But it doesn't count/track my steps or sleep.
This is the reason before buying a new FT7 to also look into other devices

What is your experience with trackers who have these kinda specifications?

Replies

  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    A300 with H7 sensor is a good choice. I have the V800 I've worn it while diving, haven't used the heart rate monitoring underwater yet.
  • XavierNusum
    XavierNusum Posts: 720 Member
    If you want something simple, the Polar Loop is great, plus the Loop 2 is coming out that vibrates and get's phone notifications with iPhone. It would use the same HRM and strap as the A300.

    I have been wearing the original Loop since Jan 15 and love it, but I'm thinking of upgrading to the A300 or Loop 2
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »
    A300 with H7 sensor is a good choice. I have the V800 I've worn it while diving, haven't used the heart rate monitoring underwater yet.
    The problem in water is that the strap flips over on push off in the pool. I got tired of taping and trying find a way to keep it flat. Wearing a neoprene wet suit vest is not something I'd want to do swimming 4 miles in the morning unless the pool was always 73 degrees.
    Works fine above water.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    Not really interested in all kind of fancy options lol

    just HRM, waterproof and would like it to do steps too.
    I swim a lot so it has to be waterproof.
    The Loop is waterproof?

    Have to google that one too i think lol
  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    The loop is water proof, but doesn't track heart rate while swimming, only the A300 and V800
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    I am looking into buying a new activity tracker.

    What do you want to achieve from owning one?

    Is swimming your primary exercise?

  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    I am looking into buying a new activity tracker.

    What do you want to achieve from owning one?

    Is swimming your primary exercise?

    Um... hello?!
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    Not really interested in all kind of fancy options lol

    just HRM, waterproof and would like it to do steps too.
    I swim a lot so it has to be waterproof.
    The Loop is waterproof?

    Have to google that one too i think lol

    :huh:

    In for ideas too.
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    I was logging in to ask this very question!
    In for ideas!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited July 2015
    Lasmartchika wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    I am looking into buying a new activity tracker.

    What do you want to achieve from owning one?

    Is swimming your primary exercise?

    Um... hello?!
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    Not really interested in all kind of fancy options lol

    just HRM, waterproof and would like it to do steps too.
    I swim a lot so it has to be waterproof.
    The Loop is waterproof?

    Have to google that one too i think lol

    :huh:

    In for ideas too.

    So wanting a thing isn't the same as what the thing does.

    Is it about calorie expenditure, is it about analysing how the heart is operating whilst training, is it about tracking fitness improvement over time? Lots of reasons why one might want one of these devices.

    Whilst the originator identifies doing a lot of swimming the most appropriate tool for someoe who principally swims will be a different tool than for someone who swims, runs and cycles. It may be that the best answer is actually two different devices that are used in different contexts.

    Personally I have an activity tracker for routine day to day use, and a triathlon watch for when I run, cycle and swim. For someone who principally swims then there are dedicated swimming watches that'll give a much better estimate of effort than an HRM will. Equally few HRMs actually work in water.

    I'd also observe that the way these threads normally go is lots of people piling in saying something along the lines of I have one of these, therefore this is the answer you need without any reflection of what the questioners actual needs are.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    The use is for swimming ( daily 60 to 70 minutes) and some walking
    I normally keep track of my heart rate and burned calories with my Polar FT7

    So i was looking into the Moov and indeed more towards a tracker for swimming but still i want my steps tracked too.
    I did this till now with a separated step counter and wanted to see if there was an option to combine what i want/need
    And how people their experiences are with these trackers.
  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    Now I don't know how much you want to spend, or this may be too bulky for you, but I have a polar V800, and they just added open water swimming to their sports profile. I haven't used mine for swimming yet, but it does well with cardio, the only draw back is when holding handles it may or may not register steps, but that's just about with any arm based activity monitor. Here's the link, you can get one around $300 on amazon.

    http://www.polar.com/us-en/products/maximize_performance/running_multisport/V800
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited July 2015
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    So i was looking into the Moov and indeed more towards a tracker for swimming but still i want my steps tracked too.

    Personally I would go for either a Garmin VivoActive, or a 920XT, depending on your budget. They'll both track your swimming distance and establish calorie expenditure from that. When I do use an HRM in the pool I'd struggle to keep my HR in the mid aerobic range (130-150bpm) for 60-70 minutes, so distance is just the more reliable measure to extrapolate from.

    Both of those have activity tracking capability as well.

    Your other option would be to pair a Garmin Swim with a VivoFit or VivoSmart.

    I'm unconvinced of the value of step counting. On run days I'm blowing my step target out of the water, but I still need to track my running and cycling to get a reliable indication of ow much to refuel by.

    As far as Polar stuff is concerned, I'd used Polar in the past for several years, but moved to Garmin about 14 months ago as their GPS tracking and cycling/ running capabilities are far superior.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    Thank you will google them all :)
  • uvachic1215
    uvachic1215 Posts: 12 Member
    https://moov.cc/getmoov/681D43363D
  • kw0728
    kw0728 Posts: 7 Member
    GARMIN VIVIOFIT2!!!

    this one is waterproof, comes with and without HRM, interchangeable bands, reminders to move if you become inactive, logs sleep, and steps, etc. the best part about it is the battery lasts 1+ year.
  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
    edited August 2015
    Misfit Flash or the pricier Shine (which has more/better band options).
    Edit: Just saw your HRM requirement, Misfits do not have a HRM.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited August 2015
    I'm looking at the vivosmart bundled with the hrm
    I believe it too matches all your requests
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    In for the ideas. I don't think I need HRM, but I would like waterproof. I couldn't wear anything at the Tough Mudder I just finished, because it would not have survived. I don't want bulky. It has to sync with my iToys.
  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    In for the ideas. I don't think I need HRM, but I would like waterproof. I couldn't wear anything at the Tough Mudder I just finished, because it would not have survived. I don't want bulky. It has to sync with my iToys.
    You may like a Misfit then. It has a clip option, necklace, or you can just put it in your pocket and I've put it in my sock. Misfit sells a fancy shirt and socks that have pockets built in too.

  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    I was considering the Garmin Forerunner 225, which is water resistant to 50 meters, and has an optical wrist HRM. I have been using a Mio optical HRM unit for a few years now, and cannot imagine having to revert to a chest strap HRM again, so I don't consider anything that requires it for HR measurements.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    I decided to go with a Moov Now https://moov.cc/getmoov/76E74379B3 since I already have a Bluetooth Smart HRM strap, and use my phone to record pretty much all my workouts already. It would just give further information.
  • barbiidny
    barbiidny Posts: 1 Member
    New to these tracking devices and to actually trying to lose a few pounds. I haven't owned a scale in at LEAST 20 years! Anyway I've been using the Garmin Vivosmart for a few days and like it. The step count is accurate. It's waterproof. And it's not big and bulky!
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