Fitbit (and other!) activity monitor track-all

gore wrote:

I have to hope that there will be interoperability improvements as the hardware becomes commoditized. I'd love to have a device that could just spit out my data, and I could send it to whatever service provider I wanted.

Well, if you're a hardware company, like Fitbit, that's why you don't support Apple Health. It's even easier to just switch devices, then.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
gore wrote:

I have to hope that there will be interoperability improvements as the hardware becomes commoditized. I'd love to have a device that could just spit out my data, and I could send it to whatever service provider I wanted.

Well, if you're a hardware company, like Fitbit, that's why you don't support Apple Health. It's even easier to just switch devices, then.

That's certainly true for now, but I have a suspicion the margins on the hardware are going to end up razor thin really quickly as competition increases. As these devices mature there will be fewer differentiating features, and the ability for users to access the data and decide themselves where it goes will itself become a powerful selling point.

Take the MS Band for example; I read somewhere that they eventually want to provide direct access to the device data to developers (without first going through the MS backend). It only takes a couple of major players going that route to force at least some degree of interoperability, because consumers are going to realize the value of being able to directly compare their data with their friends using different devices.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
gore wrote:

I have to hope that there will be interoperability improvements as the hardware becomes commoditized. I'd love to have a device that could just spit out my data, and I could send it to whatever service provider I wanted.

Well, if you're a hardware company, like Fitbit, that's why you don't support Apple Health. It's even easier to just switch devices, then.

Fitbit does talk to myfitnesspal which then does talk to Apple health.

Yellek wrote:
Kurrelgyre wrote:
gore wrote:

I have to hope that there will be interoperability improvements as the hardware becomes commoditized. I'd love to have a device that could just spit out my data, and I could send it to whatever service provider I wanted.

Well, if you're a hardware company, like Fitbit, that's why you don't support Apple Health. It's even easier to just switch devices, then.

Fitbit does talk to myfitnesspal which then does talk to Apple health.

It looks like it will also talk to MapMyRun; at least there is a web page that says it does.

And a feedback question. Looking at the Fitbit Charge HR. Is the GPS in the Surge worth the $100 upcharge? I'm mainly walking and hiking (and diving, but I don't think any of them really work for that; I go skiing rarely enough that it doesn't matter). Also, any feedback on the Basis Peak? (Same question about GPS applies there.)

tanstaafl wrote:
Yellek wrote:
Kurrelgyre wrote:
gore wrote:

I have to hope that there will be interoperability improvements as the hardware becomes commoditized. I'd love to have a device that could just spit out my data, and I could send it to whatever service provider I wanted.

Well, if you're a hardware company, like Fitbit, that's why you don't support Apple Health. It's even easier to just switch devices, then.

Fitbit does talk to myfitnesspal which then does talk to Apple health.

It looks like it will also talk to MapMyRun; at least there is a web page that says it does.

Yep, it works with MapMyWalk which is basically the same thing.

Yellek wrote:

MapMyWalk

Thanks! That sounds like it's just the right pace (sorry! (not really!)) for me. Downloaded & set up an account; will give it a shot as soon as my Charge HR arrives.

Hello, just got the Samsung Gear Fit for xmas from the family. Like it so far.

Yellek wrote:

Yep, it works with MapMyWalk which is basically the same thing.

I probably should have qualified. There is an entire series of "MapMy..." apps. I started with MapMyRun but since I really don't do that I use either MapMyWalk or MapMyHike. (There's also a MapMyRide (bikers) and MapMyFitness (general).) I think they're all just re-skinned versions of the same app.

They're sponsored by (if not owned by) UnderArmor, so if you have an account for one you have one for all of them.

tanstaafl wrote:

And a feedback question. Looking at the Fitbit Charge HR. Is the GPS in the Surge worth the $100 upcharge? I'm mainly walking and hiking (and diving, but I don't think any of them really work for that; I go skiing rarely enough that it doesn't matter). Also, any feedback on the Basis Peak? (Same question about GPS applies there.)

If you're concerned about pace, map info and elevation change in conjunction with HR and you like having that data handy, then yes. I dig that stuff and having one device instead of two (run gps watch and Fitbit) plus a chest strap (for HR) is awesome.

tanstaafl wrote:

And a feedback question. Looking at the Fitbit Charge HR. Is the GPS in the Surge worth the $100 upcharge? I'm mainly walking and hiking (and diving, but I don't think any of them really work for that; I go skiing rarely enough that it doesn't matter). Also, any feedback on the Basis Peak? (Same question about GPS applies there.)

A GPS in a watch or phone is really the only accurate way to measure the distance you cover--runners have hung onto their ancient MotoACTV watches purely because it had a built-in GPS along with its other fitness functions, and that was neither svelte nor light. Doesn't the Surge have a shorter battery life than the Charge HR by a couple of days? I know the GPS eats into the Microsoft Band's already short battery life.

The Surge also does notifications, but for the life of me I can't figure out why it's limited to just incoming calls and text. Microsoft lets you just turn on everything from the iOS Notification Center for their Band, and the Pebble's pretty much always worked that way.

The Charge does phone and text notifications too.

The Surge can view/control your phone's audio player...

Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't thought about tracking elevation changes, that's useful to know when hiking. And better map integration is always useful. I'll think about it. Thanks.

Hemidal wrote:

Is she wearing it on her dominant hand and is it set for non-dominant? I always found the Flex (and now my Surge) pretty good at not picking up driving. Does she tap her hands on the steering wheel like Neil Peart?

I know I get "steps" when I play guitar, only reason I asked about potential nervous habits while driving.

She took it back. Tried wearing it on both hands. We looked for any setting or such that would stop it from this crazy behavior. Nothing. So back to Best Buy it went.

I skimmed through the thread so I'm sorry if this has been asked before: how well do these devices track activity through a weightlifting routine?

They're really all based around being pedometers, but ones with heart rate monitors will be able to guess the calories burnt based when lifting, depending on how accurate they are and the other information you give them.

Mine bases it off my weight and HR during the activity. I like data, but I don't use it to figure out if I can eat an extra portion or anything. Just getting a better idea of exertion level and recovery rate.

My wife and I just ordered the Charge HR. Too bad we won't see them for like two months. Oh well, looking forward to trying them it out.

Staples is having a deal. If you spend $50 or more on a fitness tracker, you get a free month of Weight Watchers and/or a free month at Planet Fitness.

For those who haven't commuted to a tracker yet: Lumoid will send you give trackers to try out for a week. It will cost you $20 I you choose not to buy one from them.

mindset.threat wrote:

I skimmed through the thread so I'm sorry if this has been asked before: how well do these devices track activity through a weightlifting routine?

The Amiigo is supposed to be able to do that. I was looking for devices with a built-in oximeter and came across it. It's a crowdfunded device, and pre-orders are still being fulfilled. The idea is sound, and if it worked, it would be great. However, looking at reviews of their Android app, there are a LOT of angry people because it has gone through many delays and more than one case of faulty hardware. They did end up getting private investors as well, which has pros and cons. I'm think I'm just going to keep my eye on it for now.

So the Fastfoxes are shipping. It's very similar to the Misfit Flash, but there's only a wristband for mounting, a single LED (so it can't replace a watch), and the corresponding smartphone apps needs some polish.

Well, I've joined the club...

IMAGE(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/tanstaaflWDM/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01/CameraZOOM-20150127190453563_zpsgad8cx5y.jpg)

You can start making fun of my progress as soon as I find the Gamers who Fit group...

I have a Fitbit Charge HR on order. It's currently 2-3 weeks backordered according to the description when I ordered it. One big reason I ended up choosing the Fitbit is because it links directly into the sparkpeople.com site that I use. I am looking forward to its arrival!

(If there is a GWJ fitbit group somewhere though, let us all know!)

Oh, I didn't want the Surge, not only because of the price, but also because I don't use a smartphone so have no use for any of those features.

Well I'll be. There is one.

bekkilyn wrote:

Oh, I didn't want the Surge, not only because of the price, but also because I don't use a smartphone so have no use for any of those features.

I got mine from REI; I wanted to actually see what they looked and felt like before getting one. The Surge was just bigger than I liked; I would have kept taking it off when I wasn't using it which would defeat part of the reason for using it. The person I talked to there also pointed out that if I always had my phone with me (which I do) then it would capture my GPS track. The GPS in the Surge is mainly for people who want the track when they aren't carrying their phone.

Great if you don't need audio coaching or prompting for intervals. But I do need those things.

I'm really thinking about getting one of these. Is the only major difference between the charge and charge HR the heart rate thing?

The band on the Charge HR is a soft material, the same as the Surge's, and also uses the same watch-style buckle as the Surge. The non-HR uses a clasp more like that of the Flex and Force, but I can't say what the band feels like.

IMAGE(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_original/aizmmpg3oqr48jq2mjen.jpg)
Charge on the left, Charge HR on the right.

Kurrelgyre wrote:

Well I'll be. There is one.

Yay, thank you! I just joined!

Will be purchasing one tomorrow. I need some guilt and peer pressure.