Yes I wear 3 trackers. not Counting my Phone (which has Google Fit)
I’ve been using fitbit for a while. Since 2011 I’ve lost 3 Fitbit Ones, a Fitbit Flex and now I’m on a Fitbit Charge HR.
I’ve been using the Jawbone’s UP2 Band since 2014 xmass.
I’ve been given the Basis as a Present by friend :D.
And I have a lot to say about these trackers.
| Fitbit Charge HR | Jawbone Up2 | Basis B1 | |
| Company | Fibit (2007) | Jawbone (1999) | Basis Science (2011) |
| Location | Dominant Wrist |
Non-Dominant |
Non-Dominant |
| Cost (BNEW) | $150USD | $99USD | $250USD |
| Use | 2015 June (6 Months) | 2014 Dec (1 year) | 2015 Dec (1 month) |
| Pedometer | Fairly Accurate compared to the Star Trac treadmill | 10% less steps than Fitbit | 30% Less than Fitibit |
| Sleep Detection |
Fair, detecting when I sleep and when I wake up without having to be pressed in the latest update. |
Noticeably more sensitive than Fitbit and able to “match” how I feel about the sleep to how “fitful” the sleep was. BUT it has problems detecting sleep if I deviate like when the holiday kept me up late. |
Can’t detect my sleep. |
| Battery Life |
Charge every 2-3 days Emails when low |
Charge every 4-5 days. Emails when Low. |
Charge every 3-4 days |
| Hear Rate | Pretty Satisfying. | NA |
Has more variance than the Fitbit. |
| App User Interface |
Usable but does not follow the new “Google” standard of having options as a lower right hand thumb access button. Data is takes getting used to for me. |
Uses the Google format and its fairly good. I dont have a problem understanding. My main source of annoyance is the slow loading that happens when I open it. It doesnt sync in the background so it only syncs when I open the software. I had 9 days of unable to update because I was not able to open it long enough. |
Hard to use since it only displays information and doesn’t really let me log or alter the information. |
| Syncing |
Best for me is Sync All day. Eats more battery but keeps the data more up to date. |
Needs time to sync, in 5-10 minutes. Pretty inconvenient. It doesnt sync in the background unlike Fibit. |
Cannot Sync with my Zenfone 2. Needs laptop to Sync. So I barely sync it. It runs out of space quickly. |
| Activity Capture |
Lately it can detect my workouts. But lately its been recording my drives as Bike rides. Looking forward |
Was the first to notice my work outs without me having to input it. Unfortunately it cannot detect an 8 min HIIT. |
Because it syncs poorly and doesnt let me alter the information it does what ever it wants with no input or correction from me. |
| Input |
I can input the basic things: calories, activities, sleep, etc.. |
I can input the basic AND mood. | Can’t input much. Only “goals” but thats that. |
| Sickness or Injury |
I cannot log my injuries or sicknesses. A way to explain the diminishing of performance. |
I cannot log my injuries or sicknesses. A way to explain the diminishing of performance. |
I cannot log my injuries or sicknesses. A way to explain the diminishing of performance. |
| Water Resistant | Nope | Nope | Nope |
| Main Complaint |
I wish I can interact more with the App. Device a way to “comment” or input or journalize my condition. Let me Journalize Citing the data. Currently I journalize how I feel and how my limbs work. Trying to see any leading indicators for injury. Track how things improve or degrade over time. |
I will need to get UP3 to be able to have information I can work with. |
I cannot Sync and Cannot input. I cannot interact with the information or do anything or much with it. |
| Praise |
Accessible Heart Rate information. Allowing me to gather so much of my habits all these years (since 2011) and quantify them to know if I’m moving forward and by how much degree. |
Being able to capture my sleep and my mood. A way to track my condition. As well as good recommendations and trying to offer ideas on improvement in a positive tone. Its long battery life makes it the least hassle. |
Its many easy to use device user interface compared to the others. |
Parting Words.
With the Data and Comparisons I’m more armed about whats happening to me and my condition. With the information I can quickly assess and more objectively decide. I’m not plagued by fears about the ambiguity of my condition, and I have the data that gives me confidence and arms me with the awareness of my limits and conditions.
Health has so many distractions and Obfuscations. Its nice to be able to quantify and not leave it to my “imagination” or speculation.
I cannot wait till they make the devices allow us to track our symptoms and have technology to quickly make sense of these subtle but persistent symptoms to be able to see the kind of injuries before they happen and to be able to test our limits without serious consequences by accident.
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