If you know me then most of you know I usually have this activity monitor glued to my arm, yes its my BodyMedia Fit Link, however after a lovely love/hate relationship of 3 years, it’s started to fall apart on me. The sync button has broken and you can see the internal mechanics now, its not always syncing and keeps loosing bluetooth connection. Struggles now to sync with the phone – but will wearing it currently.
So I’ve been looking at replacements – however the market seems to have so many options. So what to choose?!
Back when I bought my Bodymedia Fit Link from the US, it was what I wanted, something to monitor how many calories I burn using 3 axis accelerometer, skin temperature, heat flux and galvanic skin response giving a 96% accurate reading, it syncs via bluetooth straight to my iPhone and holds data for up to 2 weeks before needing to sync. You can check out my full review on this here.
The reasons I would not replace for the same is the following:
- Monthly subscription only a few $$s a month, but most now come with free subscriptions.
- You have to wear it on your arm and is big and bulky
- I had to buy it from the US as the UK version (www.kifit.co.uk) doesn’t sync to the iPhone and is rather expensive with a subscription of £10 a month!
So looking a new solution!
Here are my current contenders:
The Jawbone Up24
Here are some of the Jawbone UP24 features:
- Shows Activity and Inactivity
- Sleep activity (sleep time & Quality)
- Water resistant – but not for swimming
- Syncs via Bluetooth to the iPhone
- Does not sync to the PC directly
- Syncs to PC
- Steps
- Nutrition ( calories)
- Distance
- Battery lasts 7 days
- 80 minute charge time
- Mood ( not sure how this bit works)
- Available in small, medium and large
- Myfitnesspal and other apps Integration
- Available to purchase here in the UK
- £129
Fitbit Flex
- Shows Activity and Inactivity
- Sleep activity (sleep time & Quality)
- Water resistant – but not for swimming
- Syncs via Bluetooth to the iPhone
- Syncs to PC
- Steps
- Nutrition ( calories)
- Distance
- Battery lasts 5 days
- Available to purchase here in the UK
- Comes with 2 band sizes (Small and large)
- Myfitnesspal and other apps Integration
- Shows activity reached on the band
- £79
Basis B1
- Shows Activity and Inactivity
- Heart rate
- Skin temperature
- Galvanic skin response
- Sleep activity (sleep time & Quality)
- Water resistant – but not for swimming
- Syncs via Bluetooth to the Iphone
- Steps
- Distance
- Battery lasts 4 days
- Not available in the UK
- Comes with adjustable watch style band
- $199
Nike FuelBand
- Shows Activity and Inactivity
- Proprietary Unit Measurements
- Water resistant – but not for swimming
- Syncs via Bluetooth to the Iphone
- Syncs to PC
- Steps
- Distance
- Battery lasts 4 days
- Available in small, medium and large
- Dispays realtime progress
- Available in the Uk for purchase
- £129
So as you can see – a lot of research has been done on these bad boys…and the one I really like is the Basis B1 – however as its unavailable in the UK I’m thinking I don’t want the hassle I went thru to get my BodyMedia Fit Link. So my currently I’m leaning toward the Jawbone Up24 as I like the style and Bodymedia has just acquired the company also – should this make a difference probably not but its had some pretty good reviews. Price wise – they are all pretty similar with the Fitbit being the cheapest.
I will add that I’ve had 2 friends (Suzie Jacobs is one of them!) recommend the Fitbit Flex to me, so I might even get convinced!
I will keep you updated with what I will choose!
