Done with FitBit--alternatives?
Replies
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Love my Garmin Vivofit. The battery has lasted for nearly 2 years now, no problems. It does sync with MFP as well, and WW app. And it's way cheaper than Fitbit...
Garmin is the best option out there. You can simply wear it, and there are several design options. But it also syncs with MFP for calorie tracking, has great report read outs, and outdoor GPS is excellent with your runs and other activities. I have an older 310XT and a vivosmart HR I wear every day. If you are hardcore working out, get one that is NOT touch screen as sweat will prevent you from changing screens during your activity.
Does Garmin have multi sport options to check calories burned during exercises or it is for walking/ running only? Thanks
How would you like to deal with the transitions between sports...?0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »Love my Garmin Vivofit. The battery has lasted for nearly 2 years now, no problems. It does sync with MFP as well, and WW app. And it's way cheaper than Fitbit...
Garmin is the best option out there. You can simply wear it, and there are several design options. But it also syncs with MFP for calorie tracking, has great report read outs, and outdoor GPS is excellent with your runs and other activities. I have an older 310XT and a vivosmart HR I wear every day. If you are hardcore working out, get one that is NOT touch screen as sweat will prevent you from changing screens during your activity.
Does Garmin have multi sport options to check calories burned during exercises or it is for walking/ running only? Thanks
Depends on the model but most at a minimum can be paired with a chest strap. The Vivoactive you can download apps for other sports and comes with indoor/outdoor bike, walk and swim.
Thanks, I'm mostly going to use it for cardio ( Insanity ) and runs. I was looking for Garmin vivoactive hr+.0 -
Does Garmin have multi sport options to check calories burned during exercises or it is for walking/ running only? Thanks
Yes it does have multi sport! There are several options of watches with more/less features. If you want to calculate calorie expense, make sure you have HR or get an HR strap that will sync. Honestly I found that amazon has the best table to compare the vivo models. My vivosmart HR is built for swimming as well, so it counts my laps. If you are a serious multi-sport enthusiast, look at the 'XT' or 'Fenix' line. And yes, with the vivosmart I can also read email, texts, and control music.
Thanks for you reply!
I like Fenix but it is too expensive for me. 1 -
I got a Forerunner 235, refurbished from Garmin on Amazon for $206. Love it.0
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Same here...so done with Fitbit. I've had zero luck with the ones I've owned. For the money, they should work better than they do. I'm investing in a Garmin next!1
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SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!1 -
Wow... Was going to look for a fitbit.
Happy to have seen this thread0 -
i have the garmin vivosmart hr+ and i would totally recommend it. the outdoor gps is so quick and good. tracks my walks and runs really well. uses hr to calculate calories burnt which i love and syncs really well with mfp :-)2
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+1 for Garmin VivoSmart HR+
Love mine, use it mostly for running, seems to be accurate in calorie burn & as stated, syncs well with MFP.1 -
I was using Garmin devices but fell out of love with them because of poor step tracking accuracy.
Walking is my main activity, but most of it I do at a sustained walking speed of 4-4.5mph.
At speeds above 3.5mph the Garmin devices I've used begin dropping steps, getting worse as you go faster.
Typically at 4.2mph only 55% of steps get recorded. That means over the course of an activity you "lose" almost half of your steps and the resulting data collected is garbage.
This affects both the Garmin Forerunner 35 and VivoactiveHR and may affect their other models too.
Therefore if you do a lot of walking at a faster pace I'd recommend steering well clear of Garmin products.
Garmin are aware of the issue but in the several months that I was dealing with them they failed to come up with a fix despite more than one software update.
I'm now using the Samsung Gearfit2. It's got all the functionality the OP is looking for and does a good job of tracking steps accurately. You can even store music on it and playback to Bluetooth headphones (no need to bring your phone when you head out for exercise).2 -
Check out Polar too! I have no idea why they're not as popular in the States as they are here (Europe), since they're great.
I love my M400. A360 is the smaller than m-line, A370 newer than A360 with better sleep tracking etc, both have HR from wrist. Also, new M430 with wrist HR (M400 needs strap). And then there's also M200 (wrist HR).
Polar has multisport capabilities and all are waterproof, though not all of them can read HR in water. M-line also has GPS, A360 doesn't, A370 gets it from phone.0 -
I know you said you're done with FitBit - I've had them all and had problems with them all.
But, I have the Blaze now and I love it. Replaceable band and six months in with no battery issues.
I hope I didn't just jinx myself. 0 -
i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
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gradchica27 wrote: »I'm on my third Charge HR and now it's battery won't hold a charge for over 8 hrs. Average lifespan has been 6 mo before they broke (other two had the plastic thing that holds the charger cable on rip off). I'm done. I like the product when it works, but I'm tired of the high death toll.
Anyone have another tracker they love? I would like HR, gps would be nice, and must sync well with MFP of course. My main activities are lifting, walking/general cardio, occasionally biking. I'd prefer something under $200-250. Reading online reviews is just making me nuts. Thanks!
I have a Garmin Vivofit2. Over a year old and haven't needed to change the batteries yet AND I can swim with it on.0 -
Garmin all the way for me since my 2 Charge HR's were a bust. I have the Forerunner 35 watch. Bought it last September and I absolutely love it. It's also waterproof so I don't have to worry about that anymore and the battery doesn't need to be recharged nearly as often as my Fitbit. Lots of bells and whistles on the phone app and great information including HR, steps, sleep, active minutes, different sports, etc, etc. Cost around $200.
Edited to add that it does sync well with MFP although it sometimes gives me more calories burned than I deserve.....LOL0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
@rainbowbow does it have multisport/downloadable apps. And yes I'm being lazy asking you instead of looking it up!0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
@rainbowbow does it have multisport/downloadable apps. And yes I'm being lazy asking you instead of looking it up!
Has multi sport, does have downloadable new watch faces not sure about which apps you're looking for but it connects to garmin's app.
It tracks steps all day, sleep metrics, has smart notifications and phone call from your phone via Bluetooth, has weather information, and more.
Not sure what you're really looking for.0 -
WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.2 -
rainbowbow wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
@rainbowbow does it have multisport/downloadable apps. And yes I'm being lazy asking you instead of looking it up!
Has multi sport, does have downloadable new watch faces not sure about which apps you're looking for but it connects to garmin's app.
It tracks steps all day, sleep metrics, has smart notifications and phone call from your phone via Bluetooth, has weather information, and more.
Not sure what you're really looking for.
Just basically looking for similar functionality to my Vivoactive, primary replacement I was considering was the Vivoactive HR but it's a bit bulky and ugly. So another less ugly option is nice to look at, even just for comparisons sake.0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
@rainbowbow does it have multisport/downloadable apps. And yes I'm being lazy asking you instead of looking it up!
Has multi sport, does have downloadable new watch faces not sure about which apps you're looking for but it connects to garmin's app.
It tracks steps all day, sleep metrics, has smart notifications and phone call from your phone via Bluetooth, has weather information, and more.
Not sure what you're really looking for.
Just basically looking for similar functionality to my Vivoactive, primary replacement I was considering was the Vivoactive HR but it's a bit bulky and ugly. So another less ugly option is nice to look at, even just for comparisons sake.
Yeah, TBH I thought the others looked ugly too that's why I went with this one.
I did try the Fenix which, In my opinion, is one of the most elegant looking fitness watches, but I found that it's too big on my wrist and looks like a mans watch. My boyfriend went with that one and I saved lots of money by going with the forerunner so it all worked out.
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rainbowbow wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »i have this one (230 that i pair with a seperate garmin HR strap). It does everything i need and more, including smart notification which i didn't think i'd want (but like). It also looks like a watch, not a "calorie counter" which IMO can look cheap and plasticey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUhsao9mPA
@rainbowbow does it have multisport/downloadable apps. And yes I'm being lazy asking you instead of looking it up!
Has multi sport, does have downloadable new watch faces not sure about which apps you're looking for but it connects to garmin's app.
It tracks steps all day, sleep metrics, has smart notifications and phone call from your phone via Bluetooth, has weather information, and more.
Not sure what you're really looking for.
Just basically looking for similar functionality to my Vivoactive, primary replacement I was considering was the Vivoactive HR but it's a bit bulky and ugly. So another less ugly option is nice to look at, even just for comparisons sake.
Yeah, TBH I thought the others looked ugly too that's why I went with this one.
I did try the Fenix which, In my opinion, is one of the most elegant looking fitness watches, but I found that it's too big on my wrist and looks like a mans watch. My boyfriend went with that one and I saved lots of money by going with the forerunner so it all worked out.
The Fenix isn't in my price range but the rose gold trim one is rather nice but like you, I rather suspect it would be huge on my wrist, the Vivoactive is hardly discreet as it is!
Depending on what my budget ends up being it will be VA or Forerunner, with the Forerunner probably the preference at this point.0 -
I would go with a FR over a VA.0
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NorthCascades wrote: »I would go with a FR over a VA.
I'd agree with that. The VAHR is an entry level device, with all the compromises that brings.
Personally I use a ForeRunner 735XT, but broadly the form factor of everything from 230 upwards is about the same.0 -
NorthCascades wrote: »WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.
Except that you don't have to carry around a honking huge phone 24/7 when you have a slim wristband instead. (also the $150 ones have the semi-useless HRM. Most without are less than $100)0 -
I recently got rid of my fitbit charge HR because I had to replace three of them.
I also wanted a fitness watch that looked like a watch and not a clunky piece of rubber on my wrist. I purchased a Withings (now Nokia) Steel HR. I'm still getting used to the app (and they recently changed it because they were purchased by Nokia just after I bought mine), but all in all, it's a decent fitness tracker and is compatible with myfitnesspal. It doesn't have gps, but I never had a tracker with gps so I wouldn't know the difference.
Edited to add: the battery life is exceptional--it lasts about a month and charges to 100% in under 30 minutes.
This is great for general fitness! I like mine and it looks quite nice too.
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NorthCascades wrote: »WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.
Except that you don't have to carry around a honking huge phone 24/7 when you have a slim wristband instead. (also the $150 ones have the semi-useless HRM. Most without are less than $100)
Sure, there are two different things going on though:
It's convenient to be able to set your phone down and still track your movement and calories. Especially for runners! That convenience has value, a lot of people are willing to pay for it.
You can get the same functionality from free apps running on a $30 prepaid phone. (You can even take your HR using the camera.). To me, that suggests these devices are wildly overpriced. I mean, the hardware and software don't justify a fraction of the price these things go for.
Whether it's a good or a bad value is a matter of opinion. That's how I look at it.0 -
NorthCascades wrote: »WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.
Except that you don't have to carry around a honking huge phone 24/7 when you have a slim wristband instead. (also the $150 ones have the semi-useless HRM. Most without are less than $100)
Don't forget they also don't use data... or rely on G3/G4....
unlike the free apps0 -
Right now I'm using a gear fit 2 after two fitbits that wouldn't hold a charge as soon as the warranty period ended. It has some nice features including being able to change the watch face.1
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stanmann571 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.
Except that you don't have to carry around a honking huge phone 24/7 when you have a slim wristband instead. (also the $150 ones have the semi-useless HRM. Most without are less than $100)
Don't forget they also don't use data... or rely on G3/G4....
unlike the free apps
But the apps don't have gaudy bands, and display in a screen that isn't terrible. We were talking about what it must cost to build one given the price of the components, versus the cost they sell for.0 -
NorthCascades wrote: »stanmann571 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »SmithsonianEmpress wrote: »
I have charge 2. After reading all of this I really think I should return it while I can
FitBit has a great app and community compared to all the others, but yeah people do go through a lot of devices. But guess what? Doesn't matter; theyre dirt cheap on sale and customer service is one of the best out there. I've had 2 replacements in 6 years, longgg after my warranty and they replaced it no questions asked. Heck, me and my friends even told them we had a Fitbit Blaze that stopped working after a month and they replaced it without a receipt or without making us ship ours to them. By the way, we never actually owned a FitBit Blaze; we were just poor, selfish jerks looking for free stuff, and it worked. YOLO!
We're talking about $150 devices that replicate the functionality of free apps.
Except that you don't have to carry around a honking huge phone 24/7 when you have a slim wristband instead. (also the $150 ones have the semi-useless HRM. Most without are less than $100)
Don't forget they also don't use data... or rely on G3/G4....
unlike the free apps
But the apps don't have gaudy bands, and display in a screen that isn't terrible. We were talking about what it must cost to build one given the price of the components, versus the cost they sell for.
HUH??? what are you talking about... There's nothing gaudy about the band on my Vivoactive and nothing terrible about the screen.0
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