Microsoft Wearable device

[Polariz]

andycambo said:

Agreed about the water proofing. My Garmin 310XT is waterproof because it's designed for using in triathlons but I still don't go in the shower with it... I'd imagine waterproofing would bump up the price by quite a bit.

I keep hearing about these fitbits but do any of them have a GPS chip? GPS tracking opens the possibility of getting more precise data.

I've tried to find decent review videos about the band being used as an actually fitness advice but all I've been able to find are videos of people playing with it on a table.

I would love to hear / read about any real world fitness reviews.

I believe the Fitbit Surge has GPS and it's priced around £179-199. It's also much more of a Smartwatch with proper text and call notifications (No email though I'm told). It seems like a nice device, and I guess the main comparison between the Microsoft Band and the Surge here is that the Band is a much more capable Smartwatch (notifications, alerts, touch screen keyboard input, Cortana etc) but the battery life is 48 hours. The Surge is probably closer to 5-6 days but oviously it's a lot more basic.

[SeanyD]

andycambo said:

I believe Currys and PC World have them in stock. The bands are adjustable so you may get one to fit.

Not quite, I ordered one yesterday morning at Currys, and despite the website telling me they were in stock to pick up at our local store, it turns out the store only really have demo's, and have to wait 3 to 5 days for actual customer stock.

[Russ35]

I've just called into my local Currys in Blackpool and 70% of the store is boarded up as it is having work done. So need to find another outlet that sells them, as next nearest Currys is Preston.

[clonmult]

Polariz said:

clonmult said:

I'd ignore the FitBit charge, spend £20 more on the Charge HR.

Agreed, I bought my Charge when the HR wasn't yet released - but didn't feel comfortable putting a recommendation for the HR as I hadn't tried it with WP. You seem to indicate that it works ok, so yeah, go I would go with the HR over the standard Charge.

You can only recommend what you know; the HR is brilliant, and having a WP client was the selling point. Had to buy it from Argos at the time, PC World didn't have any of the larger ones in stock.

These optical HRMs do have limitations, they're fine for running, but anything involving real arm work, such as weight training, crossfit, rowing, some cycling won't return good accuracy (I expect the same from the Apple Watch), its a fundamental failing of the optical technology.

When just sitting down, it typically reads the same as my Polar FT1, so it can be accurate. Worth knowing the limits of the technology.

[Oakey]

I was looking at the charge hr over the charge as the continuous heart monitor seemed to make it a little more worthwhile.

The sleep tracking doesn't show heart data though like the Band, does it?

Seems like something that could easily be added at software level?

[dxg]

The HR records heart data throughout the 24 hours. Heart data during sleep is used calculate your resting heart rate. You can plot heart rate through the day, but only from within the app. Even if you pay the upgrade to get the ability to download your data, the HR data is not included. Quite a few people are annoyed at that, me included, and fitbit are remaining very quiet on why this is the case...

I personally bought mine in the expectation that I would be able to access my heart rate raw data at at least five minute (1 minute preferred) intervals. I can't.

It's a nice device, but the HR bugs me, as does the rather flaky firmware and android app. I bought mine because the UP3 was stuck in development limbo. But it seems to finally be available to buy. Might be worth considering...

[Oakey]

Seems a bit odd, is there a theory as to why they're holding this information back?

[Richyboy]

Anyone use one with IOS?

[clonmult]

Richyboy said:

Anyone use one with IOS?

From what I know its pretty much the same.

[andycambo]

I found a piece of information that said whilst having the GPS on the band will only last 4 hours. I think this is the killer blow for me as if I'm work all day and then want to go for a run it's possible I won't have enough battery power to track it and therefore I might as well use my Garmin.

What's the best non-GPS fitness band that's compatible with Windows phones?

[clonmult]

andycambo said:

I found a piece of information that said whilst having the GPS on the band will only last 4 hours. I think this is the killer blow for me as if I'm work all day and then want to go for a run it's possible I won't have enough battery power to track it and therefore I might as well use my Garmin.

What's the best non-GPS fitness band that's compatible with Windows phones?

Fitbit Charge HR. It does HR, sleep, steps, calories. Cracking device. Typically lasts about 4 days on one charge.

[bimjim]

andycambo said:

I found a piece of information that said whilst having the GPS on the band will only last 4 hours. I think this is the killer blow for me as if I'm work all day and then want to go for a run it's possible I won't have enough battery power to track it and therefore I might as well use my Garmin.

What's the best non-GPS fitness band that's compatible with Windows phones?

I've got one... The GPS is only on when you want it to be. I currently have it set so that it tracks my morning and evening bike rides, you could do the same for a run.

I fully charged it yesterday lunchtime and have worn it at all times since (apart from in the shower), about an hour of cycling with the GPS on in that time - Battery currently on around 65%.

[andycambo]

bimjim said:

I've got one... The GPS is only on when you want it to be. I currently have it set so that it tracks my morning and evening bike rides, you could do the same for a run.

I fully charged it yesterday lunchtime and have worn it at all times since (apart from in the shower), about an hour of cycling with the GPS on in that time - Battery currently on around 65%.

Thanks for the info. That doesn't sound too bad but sometimes I could be running for 2 to 4 hours so battery life is a concern. If it used a micro USB charger it wouldn't be an issue because I have them at the office and at home but I don't really want to be carry another type of charger around with me, just in case.

I guess I was looking to replace my Garmin and have a device that's always ready to go. Maybe the next generation will improve on battery life.

[jimmyjimjim]

The surge is meant to last 5 hours on GPS (it's not on by default, as others have said, too).

I've used the GPS on the Surge for an hour at a time, and I'd say the 5 hour mark is probably pretty accurate - charge it, run, charge it again.

The fitbit forums seem to be in rough agreement.

[andycambo]

jimmyjimjim said:

The surge is meant to last 5 hours on GPS (it's not on by default, as others have said, too).

I've used the GPS on the Surge for an hour at a time, and I'd say the 5 hour mark is probably pretty accurate - charge it, run, charge it again.

The fitbit forums seem to be in rough agreement.

Thanks. I don't why I'm expecting more than 4+ hours. My dedicated Garmin can manage 8 hours and that only has one job to do (plus HR if I'm wearing the chest strap) so 4 or 5 hours isn't that bad.

I think I'll just have to go on see one and have a play.

[Oakey]

Haha, of course nowhere has any large HR's in stock. Story of my life.

As a skinny fker I may just get into a small, just, but if I put any weight back on I guess I'll have to give it the OH and eventually order a large.