Wellness

[ChynnaBlue]

On 1/7/2014 momtodogs said:

Does anyone know if you have to have a smart phone to access the info compiled? I don't have a smart phone but I do have a MacBook Air, thanks!

I was unable to tell from the information and help on the website. You can try contacting them. I've posted something on Twitter, but I think they're gone for the day.

[makeup addict]

I think it works for computers not just smartphones. It says it syncs with computers on their site. I don't have a smartphone, but plan in using my iPad with my fitness pal app.

[PamelaSuein72]

The Fitbit works on quite a few smartphones now. I have a Droid Razr Maxx HD and it works beautifully on my phone. But it also work on my Windows computer....using Vista. I have my Dongle inserted into one of my USB ports on my computer and when I'm within 20 feet of my computer, the Dongle automatically syncs with my wristband.

[Mom2Dogs]

Thanks everyone!

[mima]

These look cool, however I have a concern. If it is on your wrist and you are shoveling food in your mouth, doesn't that count as exercise?

Or I am typing a lot of the day, wouldn't that rack up steps?

I don't see how this can be accurate. Or does it have a GPS to actually track distance traveled? Sorry if that is a dumb question. But with technology, it could have.

I have not seen the presentations. I did read reviews both here and on Amazon.

I'm interested, maybe.

[makeup addict]

Hi, I got this from the Fitbit site. I ordered the zip; I'm plan on wearing it on my bra or clipped to my pants.

This info is about the flex version:

<h4>Is Flex accurate?</h4>

Fitbit is dedicated to developing the most accurate wrist-based activity trackers on the market. Our team has spent more than a year and performed multiple internal studies to rigorously test the accuracy of Flex. Through our testing, we have confirmed that Flex is one of the most accurate wireless tracking devices designed specifically for your wrist.

While accuracy counts, we believe tracking your health & fitness trends are what lead to big results. We want to make people more aware of their everyday activities and to motivate them to do more. To that end, we feel you should not worry if you miss or get a few extra steps here or there. What matters most is seeing your progress over time so you can achieve your health and fitness goals.

<h4>Why is my Flex step count different than my count on other Fitbit products?</h4>

Flex has been tested extensively against our clip-based devices like the Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip. That said, because Flex is specifically designed for your wrist, if you move your body a lot and not your arms (or vice versa), you may get a slight difference in activity than you would see on your clip-based trackers. Additionally, since you’re more likely to wear Flex 24/7, you may count a few more steps.

This is no different than any wrist-based tracker on the market. For most people, there may be no difference at all between clip and wrist based trackers or it may be within a few percentage points difference. That said, if you have a lifestyle where you move your hands a lot such as playing the drums everyday, you may see a few extra steps on your Flex as we do want to give you credit for this activity.

<h4>Why do I get extra steps sometimes?</h4>

Flex is a motion sensor on your wrist. There are many instances where your hands may be moving, but your body may not be, such as playing the drums, cooking, or even burping a baby. Flex may count some extra steps here and there to give you credit when it thinks you are active.

Don’t forget, it’s the trends that matter the most in achieving your health and fitness goals.

<h4>Will Flex count steps when I’m pushing a stroller or a shopping cart?</h4>

Flex will count your steps when you are pushing a stroller or a shopping cart as we do want to give you credit for this activity. That said, because your hands are not moving, your step count may be a bit lower during this activity.

<h4>Will my Flex pick up steps when I’m in the car or riding a vehicle somewhere?</h4>

Flex is a smart device that has been designed to not pick up your steps in these activities. It has been tested against driving, buses, trains, and other public transportation and should not give you extra steps when you’re traveling. That said, sometimes you’ll hit a bumpy road and may get a step or two. These should not make a big difference in your overall stats.

<h4>Will Flex count steps when I’m working at a desk?</h4>

Flex has been tested against activities like typing, writing, and using your computer. Generally, Flex will not pick up steps when you’re working at your desk. If it does pick up a few, these should not make a big difference in your overall stats. If you wear Flex on your dominant hand (e.g., the hand you write with), we recommend that you double check your device settings (see below).

<h4>How can I make my Flex tracking more accurate?</h4>

You can improve the accuracy of your Flex by changing the Dominant Hand setting on your Device Settings page (http://www.fitbit.com/settings/device), which can be found under the gear icon in the upper right corner of your Dashboard. Changing this setting to "Dominant" will decrease sensitivity of step counting and should reduce over counting of steps when your body is not moving. Using the "Non Dominant" setting will increase the sensitivity of step counting, and can be used if your Flex is not counting enough steps. You can also add other personal settings such as stride length on your settings page to make Flex more personalized for you.

[BesottedwithEskies]

On 1/7/2014 ChynnaBlue said:

On 1/7/2014 momtodogs said:

Does anyone know if you have to have a smart phone to access the info compiled? I don't have a smart phone but I do have a MacBook Air, thanks!

I was unable to tell from the information and help on the website. You can try contacting them. I've posted something on Twitter, but I think they're gone for the day.

US you plug a tiny device into a port on your laptop or computer and it syncs - at least the Force does. Would recommend getting the Force because of the additional information it gives you.

[mima]

The more I read on these, I want one. I can't decide between the flex or the fitbit one. I think it would be easier to have it on all the time, however it would be nice to see your progress during the day. It won't sync with my phone. It might with my Kindle Fire HDX since I found that the KF HDX has Bluetooth 4.0. Anyone know?

[MSA2004]

I have a Fit Bit One that my husband bought me for Christmas. I like it so far. I charged it up as soon as I got it and popped it onto my bra. It's fun to look down at it and see that I have walked 8,017 steps! I love that it counts all of the steps for me. I will go and sync it to myfitnesspal too. That should prove interesting!

I would think that you can sync it with the Kindle Fire HDX, since it is a tablet, but I am not positive. I sync'd mine with my Galaxy S3 phone & my iPad. No problem. NOTE: Kindle's do not use the "standard" Android operating system, so that may present a challenge. Try it and see.

[mima]

Thanks MSA. I went ahead and ordered the flex and now I'm thinking I should have ordered the One instead.

I am so torn. I don't want to have to remember to take it out of my pocket or whatever and remember to put it on all the time. I also don't want to have to put it in a wrist holder/band at night. I liked the idea of having it on all the time and that it is waterproof. However, I know I will want to SEE my progress in numbers. I didn't want the Force because it isn't waterproof and you would have to take it off and on all the time.

It is already on its way, so I guess I'll try it for a week or so. If I don't like it, I'll send it back and get the One.

Thanks for your reply.