Fitbit-type gadget - a question

Forums › Health and fitness › Fitbit-type gadget - a question

geekIT

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#240728 22-Sep-2018 10:43

I'm thinking of purchasing one of these gizmos.

All I want it for is to monitor my pulse rate. I don't need to watch movies, check my bank balance or visit dating websites.

Just my pulse, to make sure it's not so high I might blow a gasket.

However, looking at the product online, I'm getting the impression that the thing needs to be coupled with a cellphone to work.

Is this correct?

Or are they standalone?

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#2094930 22-Sep-2018 12:13

I recently bought a MiBand3 a few weeks ago.

It is app based so tracks heart beat over the day and data is viewable in the app.

It can manually check heart beat on the watch, but you still need the app for it to function, I'm pretty sure most other devices are the same.

geekIT

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#2094932 22-Sep-2018 12:23

I assume the 'app' is on your phone or tablet. Does the watch need to be constantly near the phone\tablet for the app to work? Or can it connect and summarize the next time it's within range?

As I said, all I want is to be able to quickly and easily check my pulse while I'm exercising.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that some of these gizmos may not need a nearby phone, but they require you to wear a chest strap.

I don't want to have to bother with that either.

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freitasm

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#2094986 22-Sep-2018 16:50

Fitbit and other trackers (not smartwatches) use the smartphone to transfer the data to their service. You see daily instant data on the device itself but you see historical data on their websites or mobile app.

labs23

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#2095014 22-Sep-2018 19:36

You can also look into Garmin's devices. I used to have a Fitbit.

sidefx

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#2095019 22-Sep-2018 20:04

I believe the chest band HRMs are a lot more accurate than wrist based ones.

Most of the "smartwatch" type ones will function fine when not near a smartphone - they just need to be near to sync data. You really want to sync them IMO as they are useful for seeing trends over time.

Many require you to charge frequently too. If you want something that looks good, can be used as a watch too and doesn't require charging a Nokia steel HR may be worth considering.

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#2095030 22-Sep-2018 21:41

I use an Alta HR for this to track heart rate during the day and night. I check mine periodically against a manual count and a chest monitor and it is usually 3-6 beats above reality. Close but not perfect.

ANglEAUT

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#2095233 23-Sep-2018 20:37

geekIT: ... some of these gizmos may not need a nearby phone, but they require you to wear a chest strap. I don't want to have to bother with that either....

You've got to wear something and from your original description it very much sounded like you didn't want any device that requires an app. Considering that Fitbit and their like are all wristbands, a chest strap did sound like the answer.

geekIT: ... As I said, all I want is to be able to quickly and easily check my pulse while I'm exercising...

I have a Fitbit Charge (eol) & I believe the Alta is the next iteration of this. One or two taps on the display and I get my heart rate.

geekIT: ... Does the watch need to be constantly near the phone\tablet for the app to work? Or can it connect and summarize the next time it's within range?...

That's how most of these devices work. The phone / tablet does not have to be in close proximity for the wristband to function, e.g. when you are doing a swim or run or .... They will try and sync the data when you open the app on the phone/tablet, but they can function 'for days' without connectivity to the app. I sync once a day in the evenings to make sure I capture the days data. I charge my device twice a week. As stated above, the app is only required for initial setup & historical data.

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geekIT

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#2095485 24-Sep-2018 13:30

Ok. So I don't need a chest strap or a phone or an app because I can get a pulse readout (which is all I really want) from a wrist-mounted device?

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freitasm

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#2095487 24-Sep-2018 13:32

A wrist-mounted device will likely need a smartphone - most of those can only set time from the phone.

geekIT

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#2095586 24-Sep-2018 15:10

freitasm: wrist-mounted device will likely need a smartphone - most of those can only set time from the phone.

LOL. I'll rephrase, then.

Ok. So I don't need a chest strap or a phone or an app (or to tell the time) because I can get a pulse readout (which is all I really want) from a wrist-mounted device?

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wratterus

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#2095587 24-Sep-2018 15:11

Wife has a Mi Band which does that all on the device itself, you can look at more detailed info from the phone app if you want to.

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#2095609 24-Sep-2018 16:03

geekIT:

freitasm: wrist-mounted device will likely need a smartphone - most of those can only set time from the phone.

LOL. I'll rephrase, then.

Ok. So I don't need a chest strap or a phone or an app (or to tell the time) because I can get a pulse readout (which is all I really want) from a wrist-mounted device?

Not quite - most of them simply won't operate out of the box without first syncing to a tablet or smart phone or computer.

Fitbits ship (or at least used to ship) with a USB dongle for the computer so you could set it up via the computer, use the device on your person for a week or so and simply sync it weekly, as it'll store all of the last few days' info onboard.

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MikeAqua

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#2095637 24-Sep-2018 16:42

Have a look at the Polar heart monitors. They have the simple functionality you seek, without being a smart device. Most of them use wireless chest bands - in my experience these are better than wrist mounted pulse sensors, which can lose the pulse signal during vigorous exercise.

I have a Polar T31 chest band which sends my pulse to the exercise equipment in my gym. Works faultlessly.
https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Coded-Heart-Rate-Transmitter/dp/B000ARDPPU

Unlike my Samsung S3 smart watch, which can lose the pulse when running >10km/hr.

Mike

ANglEAUT

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#2095841 24-Sep-2018 22:29

geekIT: Ok. So I don't need a chest strap or a phone or an app because I can get a pulse readout (which is all I really want) from a wrist-mounted device?

Correct, there are wrist band devices (with a display) that will show you your heartbeat on the device itself while you are out & about or sitting still at your desk.

You will need an app / phone / usb dongle to do the initial set up & regular sync'ing. This sync'ing does not have to be continuous. You do not need the phone & app to see the current counters of the device on devices like the Fitbit Alta / Charge HR.

I hope this is now as clear as mud.

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Deals647483

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#2127303 15-Nov-2018 17:04

Adding to this

I don't know what Fitbit thingy you're getting.

But if you're getting one from xiaomi or Huawei (both very good and I'm not knocking them).

You will need to initially sync it with your phone (just once during account set up) for it to be in English or else it'll be in Chinese.

So you'll need to use the phone for that,

The phone also compiles the information the watch gathers and displays it to you betterish?

Edit: without the phone you can still see your heart rate and steps but the sleep information will not be as detailed, just how long you've slept

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