Best Fitbit or Fitbit type doodad
Discussion
Hi all, I would like to take advantage of you accumulated knowledge of push irons, as a dedicated, semi professional fat git I've never felt the urge to use one since childhood, however the girlfriend does and is going on a trip with a friend to cycle the way of the roses in a few weeks. Now to try and look supportive I offered to get her a gift to help the out with the trip. After my inititial offer of a car or motorbike rather than the medieval method of transport that she seems to like so much was met with an icy glare I decided (she decided) that a Fitbit type fracker would be a good idea. So which is the best for a cyclist and all round quite active type? There seems to be quite a few different types available and all this this talk of bpms and distance just makes me hungry.
Fitbit is being sued in a class action law suit in America as their HR monitors are wildly inaccurate. Not a good advert.
For cycling I would like for an entry level GPS bike computer, like the Garmin Edge 25:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-25-gps-cycle-c...
I believe Aldi or Lidl were selling the older version of these quite cheap. It doesn't do HR but that is of little use for a casual ride.
For cycling I would like for an entry level GPS bike computer, like the Garmin Edge 25:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-edge-25-gps-cycle-c...
I believe Aldi or Lidl were selling the older version of these quite cheap. It doesn't do HR but that is of little use for a casual ride.
I bought my wife a Fitbit and I reckon the number of "steps" it counts is completely fictional.
For cycling, you have three options:
1. GPS tracking - can be achieved with a phone, dedicated cycling product like a Garmin, or something else with GPS like a GPS-equipped head-cam or even the top-of-the-range Fitbit
2. Heart rate measurement - nothing as accurate as a proper HRM or as questionable as a Fitbit
3. Power meter
Personally, I am happy enough measuring only my distance, and allowing Endomondo (other apps are available) to calc the calories burned based on the distance, my weight, and the elevation I've climbed. The GPS tracking is accurate enough in this regard.
For cycling, you have three options:
1. GPS tracking - can be achieved with a phone, dedicated cycling product like a Garmin, or something else with GPS like a GPS-equipped head-cam or even the top-of-the-range Fitbit
2. Heart rate measurement - nothing as accurate as a proper HRM or as questionable as a Fitbit
3. Power meter
Personally, I am happy enough measuring only my distance, and allowing Endomondo (other apps are available) to calc the calories burned based on the distance, my weight, and the elevation I've climbed. The GPS tracking is accurate enough in this regard.
I've a Garmin Vivosmart HR which broadcasts my heart rate to my Garmin Edge 510. It's woefully inaccurate compared to a strap. Usually under-records by around 15-20bpm even when it's 'working'.
I'd love it to be true but pedalling along at mid 20s mph (can't do this for long) the Garmin has me at around 125bpm when it's probably nearer 150. Also drops out a lot and has it reading around 90bpm which even an easy ride would be well over.
Step read is okay but after a while what is the point? Best thing is does is let me know when I get an email/message.
I'd love it to be true but pedalling along at mid 20s mph (can't do this for long) the Garmin has me at around 125bpm when it's probably nearer 150. Also drops out a lot and has it reading around 90bpm which even an easy ride would be well over.
Step read is okay but after a while what is the point? Best thing is does is let me know when I get an email/message.
Edited by Gren on Thursday 2nd June 16:59
My Mrs has a standard Fitbit and while it works on as a pedometer and sleep tracker it doesn't register a lot when cycling. If your don't mind spending a few quid some of the newer Garmin watches do all the pedometer stuff, can link to a foot pod to measure cadence, connect to your phone as a smart watch, and of course have all the GPS capability. I assume other brands are doing similar with thier GPS watches too.
My fat git to someone who can see their shoes device has been a TomTom Spark. I honestly attribute the device for getting me moving and giving me trend stats that has motivated me.
The biggest sale to the Spark is the speed at which it gets GPS (plus accuracy), the fact that it stores music so no need to take your phone with you and is a broad multi sport device at a reasonable price.
Biggest detractor is the phone software UI not being as good as Fitbit or Garmin and the step count misreadings HOWEVER these issues with TomTom algorithms blights all that other brands and as I say I use it as a indicator and not a factual statement that I've taken 9980 steps that day.
If I had more money I'd probably would have spent another 80 quid on the Garmin as it seems a slightly more advance device but overal I'm happy.
What I'd say about all wrist GPS/ activity trackers they are geared for walking / running and although Garmin gives you access to more data than their rivals my mates who have high end devices like the Garmin Fenix also have a Garmin 510 / 810 etc.
The biggest sale to the Spark is the speed at which it gets GPS (plus accuracy), the fact that it stores music so no need to take your phone with you and is a broad multi sport device at a reasonable price.
Biggest detractor is the phone software UI not being as good as Fitbit or Garmin and the step count misreadings HOWEVER these issues with TomTom algorithms blights all that other brands and as I say I use it as a indicator and not a factual statement that I've taken 9980 steps that day.
If I had more money I'd probably would have spent another 80 quid on the Garmin as it seems a slightly more advance device but overal I'm happy.
What I'd say about all wrist GPS/ activity trackers they are geared for walking / running and although Garmin gives you access to more data than their rivals my mates who have high end devices like the Garmin Fenix also have a Garmin 510 / 810 etc.
You can get a long way with strava on your phone to record your rides. It's free, which doesn't help with your gift buying, but I do think it's a good way to start tracking activities and getting used to what it's all about. Once you understand what you want to get out of it, its easier to choose a device later which works well for you.
The mifit devices by xiaomi are so cheap to be practically disposable and offer almost all the fitbit functionality so are also a good first try option too.
The mifit devices by xiaomi are so cheap to be practically disposable and offer almost all the fitbit functionality so are also a good first try option too.
One thought, do her mates use devices like this? Fitbit seem to have the social/gaming/competition aspect of this sewn up pretty well, my Mrs is permanently competing with her mates over who's done the most steps. For GPS tracking most devices will upload to Strava and let the competition happen there, but I'm not aware of a similar site for step counters to compare with people using other devices.
I have a Fitbit Charge HR, my work mate also has one and we're constantly comparing stats - turns out my sleep patterns are pretty dreadful! (I've always struggle with sleeping)
I think the key point to remember with wrist based units is that their algorithms are only going to be a guide - I don't see how any device could possibly count steps with 100% accuracy from the movement of the wrist?! I've always been fairly happy that the idea is to motivate you to move more rather than produce a bone-fide training data?! For that I use a HR strap with cycle computer / phone.
To be fair to my Fitbit, it seems to be cock-on with heart rate when compared to my Garmin strap and when checked against a manual HR reading. (A proper old school HR count taken at the wrist etc. with a stop watch etc.)
I think the key point to remember with wrist based units is that their algorithms are only going to be a guide - I don't see how any device could possibly count steps with 100% accuracy from the movement of the wrist?! I've always been fairly happy that the idea is to motivate you to move more rather than produce a bone-fide training data?! For that I use a HR strap with cycle computer / phone.
To be fair to my Fitbit, it seems to be cock-on with heart rate when compared to my Garmin strap and when checked against a manual HR reading. (A proper old school HR count taken at the wrist etc. with a stop watch etc.)
I have a charge HR and so do about 8 of my colleagues, as our fitbits are linked it does make us walk a bit more to try to get the steps in but most of us don't go out of our way.
There is a lawsuit with the fitbit but I think it's underestimating hearbeats when working out which wouldn't bother me, it's pretty accurate most of the time.
There is a lawsuit with the fitbit but I think it's underestimating hearbeats when working out which wouldn't bother me, it's pretty accurate most of the time.
Someone I follow on Strava has a Fitbit Surge and almost every ride comes up with issues with speed, HR etc. No idea whether it's due to the actual recording or porting across but I wouldn't even consider one.
I've got a TomTom Runner 2 Cardio (the Spark under it's UK name) and as with others I got it for running but use it for cycling. The HR is accurate (once you've warmed up), GPS is quick to load and GPS plotting has been consistent. And you can add external HRM and speed/cadence sensors to it, something I'll probably do later in the year - mount the watch to the handlebars, use an external HRM and effectively use it as a cycle computer. But for now I'm happy with it being less visible whilst riding, sitting on my wrist clocking up the stats that I can pore through after.
If she wants phone notifications and turn-by-turn navigation then I'd go the Garmin route - TomTom have been promising a software update for the Runner2/Spark with the former for awhile but keep putting the release back.
I've got a TomTom Runner 2 Cardio (the Spark under it's UK name) and as with others I got it for running but use it for cycling. The HR is accurate (once you've warmed up), GPS is quick to load and GPS plotting has been consistent. And you can add external HRM and speed/cadence sensors to it, something I'll probably do later in the year - mount the watch to the handlebars, use an external HRM and effectively use it as a cycle computer. But for now I'm happy with it being less visible whilst riding, sitting on my wrist clocking up the stats that I can pore through after.
If she wants phone notifications and turn-by-turn navigation then I'd go the Garmin route - TomTom have been promising a software update for the Runner2/Spark with the former for awhile but keep putting the release back.
I've just bought a Garmin Vivoactive and I'm pleased with it so far. I bought the non HR version so I'll pair it to my Garmin HR strap for running which should be as accurate as when I use the strap with my Edge 1000 for cycling.
The basic smartwatch features are handy i.e. showing messages and emails and having all activities for GPS tracking available in a watch is good. Really easy to use and syncs through my phone.
The basic smartwatch features are handy i.e. showing messages and emails and having all activities for GPS tracking available in a watch is good. Really easy to use and syncs through my phone.
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