Fitness tracking device

[TheTashkentTerror]

Hi All,

Possibly not the best place to ask as it doesn't relate specifically to cycling, but l'll ask anyway:

 

I'm thinking of getting a fitness tracking device for a significant other. Just from passing comments (and knowing her), I know that the main requirements would be a step counter and heart rate monitor. Other features like sleep tracking would be good too. GPS is actually not a necessity at all and neither are things like training zones. Basically she's not a fitness fanatic but enjoys hiking and the odd parkrun. 

 

There are lots of options out there but I've started looking at fitbit first. The fitbit Charge 2 seems really popular, although reviews seem to be a bit hit and miss. The fitbit Alta is also an option. However I hear that local SA support is poor and it is not compatible with that many phones. Has anyone had any experiences with these, good or bad?

 

Thanks

[fanievb]

budget?

[Lurch the stalker]

I won a Fitbit Blaze in January this year.

 

I'm connecting to an iPhone.

 

About a month ago they released a firmware update and it bricked the device (well, some of the features died, not a complete bricking)

 

I contacted their support, had a some back and forth troubleshooting with them, and they sent me a new device. (As I said above, I won the device, so I had no proof of purchase or anything and it was not an issue)

It was shipped from the Netherlands inside of a week.

[dewaldsss]

Would like to see all the recommendations on this.

 

I am looking at the Wahoo trackr X.

Heart rate monitor, step counter and it can even count push-ups, squads, sit-ups all those things. This seems very handy in the gym.

you can use the device and download all data to your phone after a workout.

Very easy to use, I bought a sigma GPS device and wasn't very user friendly, also only compatible wit a Android device, returned and got the wahoo elemnt and very happy.

Have a look at the trackr X, retails around R1500

[TheTashkentTerror]

budget?

I'm pretty flexible, but ranging from R1-R3K. Basically a R3K device may have loads of fancy features but I wouldn't want it if it was problematic. I'd much rather get the device that does 2 things properly. 

 

Oh and the one other criterion, which is pretty important, is that it is Discovery Vitality "compatible". ie: can be used to earn points. I think this rules out Wahoo trackr unfortunately. 

[fanievb]

I'm pretty flexible, but ranging from R1-R3K. Basically a R3K device may have loads of fancy features but I wouldn't want it if it was problematic. I'd much rather get the device that does 2 things properly. 

 

Oh and the one other criterion, which is pretty important, is that it is Discovery Vitality "compatible". ie: can be used to earn points. I think this rules out Wahoo trackr unfortunately. 

https://shop.navworld.co.za/garmin/sports-and-fitness/garmin-fitness-activity-tracking/garmin-vivosport-slate-large.html 

 

edit: or https://sport.takealot.com/sport-garmin-vivoactive-hr-regular-black/PLID41696023?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl5KMu8CB2AIVwjLTCh1rQQRrEAQYASABEgKP3fD_BwE

[Vetplant]

The current Stuff Magazine lists winners in various categories, include fitness trackers/smart watches. Get yourself a copy.

 

The Garmin products place very high on these lists. 

 

Pick you budget and go for the Garmin that falls within it.

 

Your main contenders are:

Garmin Vivoactive HR - Currently R2999 on Takealot

(https://sport.takealot.com/sport-garmin-vivoactive-hr-regular-black/PLID41696023?gclid=CjwKCAiA9rjRBRAeEiwA2SV4ZXcIrxmY93pL3C2oKk7eBqyiVDgo2F_nhtfJEtJiqqsiGH_RypZofRoCew0QAvD_BwE)

 

Garmin Forerunner 35 - R2789 on Takealot

 

Garmin Vivoactive 3 - Closer to R5999, so outside your budget, but worth it if you want to spend a bit more.

 

Garmin Fenix 3 and 5 are both brilliant products, but cost substantially more.

[Long Wheel Base]

We(myself and my wife) have the garmin vivofit 3. Use them purely for steps for momentum multiply. You can link a HRM to them but it doesn't come with one. Tracks sleep. The garmin connect app is pretty cool to check how well or not you slept.

[DirtyFrank]

If she always carries her phone with her why not get a heartrate monitor strap and use a phone app. We use Polar beat and Flow apps app with polar H7 / H10 strap and it works perfectly and integrates well with Vitality. Much more accurate than wrist devices and all phones have their own step counting software built in nowadays. Straps cost between R950 and R1250.

[peds]

Garmin Forerunner 35. Can’t go wrong with that, just bought my wife one. Has wrist hr can track steps, running cycling and cardio. Also has the smart notifications for smartphones.

[_freak_]

I bought a TomTom device for both my wife and myself earlier this year, only for the Vitality aspect of it, compared to the Fitbit I think it was more value for money. 

Bought both brand new(second hand) for R1000

 

https://sport.takealot.com/sport-tomtom-touch-cardio-body-composition-fitness-tracker-black-small/PLID42378674?gclid=CjwKCAiA9rjRBRAeEiwA2SV4ZbkJoPA-p4sJNKsOkRPYPay2WPMjcnac6vYCIpn1nIz98EPuPMG1WhoCvLwQAvD_BwE

[2wieltjies]

Fitbit Blaze popular. Wife have one she loves hers. She uses many for steps and training on the Kickr. Also smart watch function handy.

 

I had polar v800, now Garmin Fenix 3

 

I like my Garmin way more than Polar.

 

http://www.fitbit.co.za/compare-products/

[thisismyotherbike]

Perhaps a little over the top for your requirements, but an awesome activity tracker that you can get at a very reasonable price at the moment:

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-v%C3%ADvoactive-GPS-Smartwatch-Stainless/dp/B074KHR3LZ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512992602&sr=8-5&keywords=vivoactive+3

 

Something much simpler but also a great deal:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00CF5P51C/dcr07-20

[Frosty]

Haven’t seen a reply about budget, but if HR is compulsory, then I suggest looking at a unit with wrist HR and that can also connect via a mobile app.

 

To add GPS to the list doesn’t add much to the cost, so perhaps consider that too.

 

Try this link to see the popular items side-by-side:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/s/activity-tracker-comparison-chart

 

 

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