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Fitness tracking device help, please!

daliaxh
daliaxh Posts: 8 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I used to use the Fitbit, but between the clips breaking, the device popping out and breaking, and then finally, (gulp) the Fitbit ending up in the laundry, I gave up. I switched to Garmin Vivofit, which I liked a lot at the time, but syncing it is a growing problem (as in it won't), customer service has no answers, and the FAQ page doesn't even mention it. What else are others using, and do you recommend it?

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited September 2015
    I use the Fitbit Surge and while I love it, I think a lot of people would be fine with just the ChargeHR. The Surge and ChargeHR have normal watch like buckles. So if you liked the Fitbit in general, than you might want to consider one of these 2 models.

    As for your issues with Garmin, I tried the VivoFit and that was one of the things that caused me to give it up after only 50 days of use. I gave them 50 days, because I started using them during the holiday season and wanted to see if they would get things straighten it out. They didn't so I went back to Fitbit.

    There is also Jawbone and Polor Loop (I think that's what Polar calls their activity tracker) that you might want to consider.

    edit: I should add that all the issues I had revolved around Garmin Connect having issues. I can work around a tracker not syncing to MFP, but when I couldn't view the data from my device that is where I draw the line.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Fitbit will replace a broken tracker. If you get a Flex, Charge HR or Surge, you (hopefully) won't have to worry about putting it in the laundry. Fitbit challenges are great motivation—and fun.

    But be forewarned that MFP has occasional problems syncing with Fitbit, too. You can learn more in the Fitbit Users group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users
  • kallemann67
    kallemann67 Posts: 92 Member
    I just started with the Garmin 920XT. Only day 2 on it so nothing much to report. I spent two months reading through all the various watch options on forums and you tube vids. I came to the conclusion that it's not going to be 'perfect' but hopefully close!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    daliaxh wrote: »
    I switched to Garmin Vivofit, which I liked a lot at the time, but syncing it is a growing problem (as in it won't)

    What symptoms are you seeing? The only time I have sync issues with my VivoSmart are when phone signal is weak or I'm in a WiFi coverage area but not logged in to that WiFi gateway.

    I have seen some comments on here about some phones struggling to maintain a bluetooth relationship so it may be that you need to pair your VivoFit and your phone again.
  • daliaxh
    daliaxh Posts: 8 Member
    The phone app doesn't work at all, so I'm not even talking about that. Vivofit (not Vivosmart) has an ANT stick that plugs into the USB port. Garminconnect.com says it's not connected. So I have zero way of transmitting data on the device onto anything--my phone or my laptop.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    I had to reinstall the Garmin Connect software after I upgraded my laptop to Windows 10. Make sure your Garmin Connect software is up to date.

    My Forerunner uses an ANT+ stick, hence using that as well as the phone app.
  • daliaxh
    daliaxh Posts: 8 Member
    Yes, thanks, MeanderingMammal. The software is up to date. So I'm forced to agree with everyone who reviewed the app in the Appstore that it's just a poorly designed product.

    Shadow2Soul, I am intrigued by the Fitbit Surge. Very pricy, but very much what I'm looking for.

    Editorgrrl, I don't know if there are devices that play well with MFP 100% of the time. I had to disable syncing for my Vivofit because it deducted calories burned from exercise, leaving me with a smaller allowance on days when I exercised. What a huge blip in functionality! Not that I eat my calories, but it was difficult to tell how much I'd burned.

    Thank you everyone for helping me!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    daliaxh wrote: »
    I had to disable syncing for my Vivofit because it deducted calories burned from exercise, leaving me with a smaller allowance on days when I exercised. What a huge blip in functionality!

    When you connect an activity tracker and enable negative calorie adjustments, you lose calories whenever you burn fewer calories than your MFP activity level (sedentary, lightly active, etc.).

    You can click on the adjustment in your diary to see the math MFP used to calculate it.

    Do not log step-based activity. Log non-step exercise (like swimming or biking) either in the tracker or in MFP—never both. Exercise logged in MFP overwrites your tracker burn (which is TDEE) during that time.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited September 2015
    daliaxh wrote: »
    Yes, thanks, MeanderingMammal. The software is up to date. So I'm forced to agree with everyone who reviewed the app in the Appstore that it's just a poorly designed product.

    Sorry, meant Garmin Express. The App store refers to the phone app, not the Express software.

    Express is at 4.1.8.0 on this laptop
    My phone is an Android on version 2.13.2.1

    That said, I don't have any problems with either and haven't had for some time. There were a few snags when Garmin changed the platform last October.

    I have noted that the auto-update doesn't work very well.

    I'm a bit perplexed that you're having problems with two different pieces of software; the phone app and the laptop software. Have you been able to get it to work at all since you got it? May be a defective unit?
  • daliaxh
    daliaxh Posts: 8 Member
    Yes, it was working just fine until 2 days ago. I've had the vivofit for most of 2015 (possibly earlier), but this hadn't happened until now. My software is up to date with version 4.2 on my laptop. I'm blaming the ANT stick. Yes, the App Store reviews trashed the mobile App, and each complaint rings true for me as well. But that the ANT stick has refused to be recognized is another issue, and it's why my data won't upload from the device.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Been using a Garmin Vivoactive since the beginning of June. No syncing issues. Love it. I'm on my phone so I can't search the link easily and post it, but PC Mag did a great review of fitness trackers this year. Search their website for it--it might help you.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Psychgrrl wrote: »
    PC Mag did a great review of fitness trackers this year.

    This one?
    "Best Fitness Trackers for 2015"
    http://mobile.pcmag.com/reviews/55853-best-fitness-trackers-for-2015
    Our three Editors' Choices—the Fitbit Surge, Basis Peak, and Mio Fuse—all have an optical heart rate monitor that reads your heart rate through the skin of your wrist.

    Several trackers on this list are water-resistant enough to go into the pool or shower, including the Garmin Vivoactive, which includes swim-tracking features for laps and strokes.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    daliaxh wrote: »
    Yes, it was working just fine until 2 days ago. I've had the vivofit for most of 2015 (possibly earlier), but this hadn't happened until now. My software is up to date with version 4.2 on my laptop. I'm blaming the ANT stick. Yes, the App Store reviews trashed the mobile App, and each complaint rings true for me as well. But that the ANT stick has refused to be recognized is another issue, and it's why my data won't upload from the device.

    You could be right. Older ANT+ sticks did have a reliability issue but I haven't seen the same about newer ones. The snag is replacing them is expensive.

    If your laptop isnt recognising it have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers?
  • MesoLean
    MesoLean Posts: 2 Member
    editorgrrl wrote: »
    Psychgrrl wrote: »
    PC Mag did a great review of fitness trackers this year.

    This one?
    "Best Fitness Trackers for 2015"
    http://mobile.pcmag.com/reviews/55853-best-fitness-trackers-for-2015
    Our three Editors' Choices—the Fitbit Surge, Basis Peak, and Mio Fuse—all have an optical heart rate monitor that reads your heart rate through the skin of your wrist.

    Several trackers on this list are water-resistant enough to go into the pool or shower, including the Garmin Vivoactive, which includes swim-tracking features for laps and strokes.

    @editorgrrl , do you know if the Mio Fuse can sync to MFP?
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    ayodejiogunsola wrote: »
    Do you know if the Mio Fuse can sync to MFP?

    @ayodejiogunsola I checked the Apps tab—it's not there: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/apps?app_category=activity_trackers
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited September 2015
    I don't think mio does.

    I have a vivo smart and is been a week. Other than figuring it where to tap it to turn it in and changing the hrm battery is been great. No syncing issues, waterproof. And is not obvious. It almost looks like a wristband people that for causes. I like it a lot
  • MesoLean
    MesoLean Posts: 2 Member
    edited September 2015
    editorgrrl wrote: »
    ayodejiogunsola wrote: »
    Do you know if the Mio Fuse can sync to MFP?

    @ayodejiogunsola I checked the Apps tab—it's not there: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/apps?app_category=activity_trackers

    @editorgrrl, thanks for the reply. I checked Mio's site and looks like there is a workaround (http://www.mioglobal.com/en-us/compatibility/apps.htm) - they have other apps that can work for the Fuse other than their propriety app Mio Go, like MapMyFitness, which one can then pair with MFP. I know can be a pain to do a 2-step hop but at least there is a workaround. I will be getting the Mio Fuse then.
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