Activity tracker/Wearable technology
cmorehar
Posts: 18 Member
Looking for some advice...
I cannot decide between the Fitbit charge 2 and the Garmin vivosport activity tracker.
The heart rate monitor is a must. I would prefer something that is waterproof, like the Garmin is, but not the Fitbit. The other big thing is whichever has the best programs to upload the data to on a website like MFP to review.
Any help is appreciated, thanks
I cannot decide between the Fitbit charge 2 and the Garmin vivosport activity tracker.
The heart rate monitor is a must. I would prefer something that is waterproof, like the Garmin is, but not the Fitbit. The other big thing is whichever has the best programs to upload the data to on a website like MFP to review.
Any help is appreciated, thanks
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Replies
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Garmin tends to have better data reporting... so if data is a priority, then I'd go Garmin. But in either case, you won't get much of that data uploaded to MFP - MFP just doesn't track that kind of detail.3
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1) In terms of device quality, Garmin > Fitbit (IMO).
2) It's been years since I used Fitbit's app/software, but Garmin Connect shows you a lot of data and it's easy to interface it with MFP. I believe Fitbit is more popular for the social side of things, if you're into that. Garmin connect offers groups/challenges, but I'm not sure how much they're used because it's not my thing and I've never even messed with it.2 -
Thanks a lot
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I switched from Fitbit to Garmin and have been very happy.2
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I went with the Garmin Vivosport. I liked the Garmin Connect feature, specs, and design better0
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I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR and it seems more accurate than my son's FB Blaze and my wife's Charge. I like the software much better...the reporting and data are more thorough and imo easier to navigate. The HR monitor is spot on with the Precor machines I use at the gym. For my weight workouts, I wear a chest strap as the wrist HRM alone isn't accurate while lifting...probably due to the wrist flexion and shifting. People here seem to have the same issues with all wrist HR monitors. The strap syncs with the watch flawlessly. As far as calorie count goes, it usually gives me about 100kc less per workout than the Precor machines and the MFP estimates....which is probably pretty accurate. It also syncs well with MFP, I haven't had any issues.1
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I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR and it seems more accurate than my son's FB Blaze and my wife's Charge. I like the software much better...the reporting and data are more thorough and imo easier to navigate. The HR monitor is spot on with the Precor machines I use at the gym. For my weight workouts, I wear a chest strap as the wrist HRM alone isn't accurate while lifting...probably due to the wrist flexion and shifting. People here seem to have the same issues with all wrist HR monitors. The strap syncs with the watch flawlessly. As far as calorie count goes, it usually gives me about 100kc less per workout than the Precor machines and the MFP estimates....which is probably pretty accurate. It also syncs well with MFP, I haven't had any issues.
Thanks a lot for that insight. Today I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill, but my Garmin Vivosport said I did 1.94, which obviously doesn't add up. Do you know any possibilities for why this is? I readjusted my avg. mile pace in my settings just now, so maybe that will help.0 -
I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR and it seems more accurate than my son's FB Blaze and my wife's Charge. I like the software much better...the reporting and data are more thorough and imo easier to navigate. The HR monitor is spot on with the Precor machines I use at the gym. For my weight workouts, I wear a chest strap as the wrist HRM alone isn't accurate while lifting...probably due to the wrist flexion and shifting. People here seem to have the same issues with all wrist HR monitors. The strap syncs with the watch flawlessly. As far as calorie count goes, it usually gives me about 100kc less per workout than the Precor machines and the MFP estimates....which is probably pretty accurate. It also syncs well with MFP, I haven't had any issues.
Thanks a lot for that insight. Today I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill, but my Garmin Vivosport said I did 1.94, which obviously doesn't add up. Do you know any possibilities for why this is? I readjusted my avg. mile pace in my settings just now, so maybe that will help.
Several possibilities. all of which are probably contributing.
1. Treadmills aren't always accurate for distance
2. With any tracker, you'll need to train it for your stride/cadence.
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Not only above about treadmill distance - but in addition you'd want the walking pace to be average daily pace.
Not exercise level pace, not grocery store shuffle pace, but the average of what the day is likely to be.
Because the device is adjusting dynamic distance for each step up and down based on impact seen, but the less adjustment the better.
If you start out with exercise level pace, the less accuracy potential down for the slower movements of the day.
And since that is likely the majority of your daily movement calorie burn, you want the majority right, not a short walk for exercise.
Effect you saw is actually backwards to that - like pace is wrong.
Use a high school track, just know if the line markings are metric or 1/4 mile.1 -
So what you're saying is if I'm walking on the treadmill inside that it is best not to use the walking exercise feature?
I found a way to override the default stride length and enter a personalized custom stride length in the user settings on Garmin Connect.Not only above about treadmill distance - but in addition you'd want the walking pace to be average daily pace.
Not exercise level pace, not grocery store shuffle pace, but the average of what the day is likely to be.
Because the device is adjusting dynamic distance for each step up and down based on impact seen, but the less adjustment the better.
If you start out with exercise level pace, the less accuracy potential down for the slower movements of the day.
And since that is likely the majority of your daily movement calorie burn, you want the majority right, not a short walk for exercise.
Effect you saw is actually backwards to that - like pace is wrong.
Use a high school track, just know if the line markings are metric or 1/4 mile.
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I love my FitBit Charge 2!! I got it for $100 (instead of $150) on an Amazon special.
HR: it matches the heart rate on the Precor elliptical I use, and you get a continuous monitor so long as you are wearing it. The most accurate thing you can use is a chest strap if that’s what you are looking at.
It syncs easily to MFP. Is it perfect? Nope. Every now and then it says I walked waaaay more than I know it did. Do I use it as gospel? Nope. I use it to make sure I hit my daily step goals and active minutes. I use the heart rate monitor to make sure I push myself adequately. I love doing the step challenges both solo and with my friends. I also love that I can change the strap because those rubber straps are the worst!
If you want to swim, you have to get the Garmin because the Charge is not meant for the pool. If you have the cash, go high-end. If you want bang for your buck, it looks like the Charge 2 has more features for less than the Garmin.0 -
So what you're saying is if I'm walking on the treadmill inside that it is best not to use the walking exercise feature?
I found a way to override the default stride length and enter a personalized custom stride length in the user settings on Garmin Connect.Not only above about treadmill distance - but in addition you'd want the walking pace to be average daily pace.
Not exercise level pace, not grocery store shuffle pace, but the average of what the day is likely to be.
Because the device is adjusting dynamic distance for each step up and down based on impact seen, but the less adjustment the better.
If you start out with exercise level pace, the less accuracy potential down for the slower movements of the day.
And since that is likely the majority of your daily movement calorie burn, you want the majority right, not a short walk for exercise.
Effect you saw is actually backwards to that - like pace is wrong.
Use a high school track, just know if the line markings are metric or 1/4 mile.
You can still use the device to track the distance and give calorie burn for the walk.
Just know that if you have the stride length right for the 15 hrs of your day moving, it may read a tad short for the maybe 1 hr of exercise pace walk. So a small % shy there, but more accurate estimate for vast majority of the day.
In fact, once you get the stride length right based on a known distance (1/2 mile minimum best), then by all means use it over an uncalibrated treadmill.
It's just very tough to walk 1/2 mile on a track, where your whole mental picture is picking up the pace - but instead trying to keep slow as avg daily pace.
It just feels wrong.0 -
Also have noticed that the amount of actual stairs climbed vs the what the Garmin says is off 4 so far today0
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Thanks0
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Maybe I'm a bit contrarian here in this crowd of Fitbits and Garmins but I'm very happy with my Polar 360. It tracks steps and activity percentages, can monitor heart rate by itself or though a chest strap, has settings to track a large variety of workout types....oh, and it tells time accurately!
I've used mine for about 8 months now and couldn't be more pleased.0 -
I love my garmin vivosport. Really like the technology and it's a bonus being able to wear in pool. No complaints.0
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