Fitbit Ultra review

Matthew James Sharpe 3 hours ago
Hmm, I just use Runkeeper and MyFitnessPal - Runkeeper does a great job of logging activity, and its free for Android and iPhone, and MyFitnessPal does a great job of tracking vital statistics, goals, nutrition and calories, and is free for Android and IPhone - both also have great websites that are also free.  And of course those are just two of many options.  Sounds like since this thing requires a fair amount of manual interaction, it just isn't worth the cost and having to carry another device around with you everywhere when just your phone will do mostly the same thing, and keep you entertained as you run.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Fibrex 4 hours ago
Dana, your awesome. For every well written reviews gets posted, without noticing the author, I immediately think is you.  Awesome review even though I don't know of this device, COOL.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
DanaWollman MOD 3 hours ago in reply to Fibrex
Aw, thanks!
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Jim Cramer 5 hours ago
I love mine, just ordered the new one. Pedometers are huge, this thing is tiny. That alone is worth it to me.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Bobby Ortega 6 hours ago
I'm not too sure about the fitbit, but that sure was an Ultra review.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Knight 6 hours ago
For those who say the FitBit is overpriced, including the reviewer, similar items (like the BodyBugg) are well over twice the cost.  And the point of this device is to help people become more fit, make lifestyle changes and lose weight.  I've lost almost 20 lbs myself since January of 2010 and I've been inspired to make changes and start competing in running, cycling and mountain bike racing.

The review is mostly good, but overly critical, I think.  Yes, there are things I'd change, but the people that are going to buy this device are doing so for a specific reason: to be healthier, not just to have "one more gadget".
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
Rey Peralta 7 hours ago
I understand the comments from the reviewer but as a recent owner of the Fitbit I have to say that I love it. It makes loosing weight kinda' like a video game. Everyday is an opportunity to get a new high score. I know it's not accurate for mileage but it gives you a fairly good idea of your activity level on a daily basis, which is way better than not know anything at all.

Sure it would be way better as a $50 device but still a winner in my book.
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
hawaiiinsomniac 7 hours ago
Perfect for stalking your significant other..
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Brandon Shin 7 hours ago in reply to hawaiiinsomniac
It doesn't have GPS.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
hawaiiinsomniac 7 hours ago in reply to Brandon Shin
oh damn... lol why is it so expensive then?!  lol
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
3cflow 7 hours ago
It should pack an mp3 player for 100 bones.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
xxyyGuest 9 hours ago
Good review,
however I have some comments.
- you don't need to enter the time you go to sleep and you wake up on the web site. You just need, when you go sleeping, yo do a long push on the button until the device says START. When you wake up you need to do another long push and STOP will appear on the screen. When you sync on the computer, all the informations about sleeping will appear on you account.
- you can also measure a specific activity (cardio, elliptic, running) on a specific moment of the day by doing the same.
- for the accuracy of the device, you need to set up you "running stride" and "walking stride". Easy to do, you need to walk/run a known distance and do some maths as explained on the manual of the fitbit. Then you put those measure on your profile and the device is really accurate.
I agree on the fact that that product is quite expensive,  but I'm using everyday and I can't go without.
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
Vlad 9 hours ago
I have one, I love it. I wish there was a software update to the first gen, so I don't have to buy a whole new device.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
In_Black 9 hours ago
too bad that it doesn't track cycling.
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
xzaviers 10 hours ago
I've been using a FitBit since May 2010 and here's my 2 cents on Engadgets review.

The nylon velcro wrist band never felt annoying to on my arm. In fact it is quite soft! The velcro strap did wear out very fast from removing it all of the time. I replace it with one of those sweat writs bands. Works like a charm.

The battery will last around a week, all depending on how much you are working out! If you are walking around battery life is 5-7 days. Exercising might be 4/5-7 days.

I don't know why Engadget would try to charge the battery when sitting at your desk? It only takes 5-15 minutes for a full battery charge!

The stop watch on the FitBit Ultra sounds pretty cool. I have always wonder how long my activities were while walking around.

There are men whom use the FitBit device, so Engadget, we wouldn't strap it to our bra! I've found the best place to have the device is on the wrist. That works for me!

While sitting down the device will not register you as sleeping unless you start the timer on it. and still that all depends on what you are doing. I don't know how the device knows when you are sleeping however it is one of the cooler features! Their are nights when I go to bed and take a long time to fall asleep, the device seems to record it very well!

Not too sure about how Engadget rackup an extra 5 miles without doing anything. I know if I walk up a flight of stars and then check the device it counts them correctly. If I run down the street it counts the steps correctly. I have counted the steps for a few blocks and then check the device and yup, it's spot on! I once was at a concert and I was applauding, the device counted my claps as steps. Maybe Engadget was experiencing something like that?

The websie is cool and annoying. I don't think anybody wants to update what they ate on a website all of the time. Just too annoying.

Fitbit does claim to own your data and has the right to do whatever they want to do with it. Read their policies.

Besides that it's not bad of a device. Small, lightweight, you never notice it, you never take it off unless to shower or sex. On FitBit's website there is the option to measure how many calories you have burned while having sex! So yea, that device does a lot!

Hope this helps.
REPORT
+  6
REPLY
 
getDange 8 hours ago in reply to xzaviers
"There are men whom use the FitBit device, so Engadget, we wouldn't strap it to our bra!"
Do not you worry. They are about to start marketing the malepack that comes with a complimentary Bro.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
ranhalt 9 hours ago in reply to xzaviers
You've never heard of the manzier?
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Daniel Kristensen 9 hours ago in reply to ranhalt
Get it right, it is a Bro. :P
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
getDange 8 hours ago in reply to Daniel Kristensen
i got beat
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
DanaWollman MOD 10 hours ago in reply to xzaviers
"I don't know why Engadget would try to charge the battery when sitting at your desk?"

Because I'm at my least active when I'm sitting at my desk, and don't mind un-clipping the Fitbit for a little while. If I'm going to use a Fitbit, I want to make the most out of it and have it on my person as often as possible.

"There are men whom use the FitBit device, so Engadget, we wouldn't strap it to our bra!"

Oh, c'mon. I said "bra or pants pocket" in the review. Pants pockets are gender-neutral. You've got a pocket, right? Maybe several pockets? Besides, even Fitbit suggests that female users might want to clip to their bra, so it's a usage scenario worth pointing out.
REPORT
+  3
REPLY
 
Autoexec.bat 11 hours ago
I loved my Fitbit until it came unclipped from my boxers and fell into a urinal. It did not survive.
REPORT
+  3
REPLY
 
Chairman Meow 11 hours ago
For all you American fatties
REPORT
+  22
REPLY
 
Todd Sherman 12 hours ago
Was hoping for a redesign with no moving parts - the clip isn't durable enough imho.
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
xzaviers 11 hours ago in reply to Todd Sherman
I have a FitBit since May 2010 and there are no moving parts on the device? bty, the button doesn't count.
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
warrengonline 13 hours ago
Okay, I'm utterly shocked and a little upset now..  WHERE were these people for Personal Trainer: Walking for the Nintendo DS?

http://www.shopnbc.com/product...

It took 40,000 of us (with a kid that was cheating) 4 MONTHS!!  Got that FOUR months to get to the stinking Moon!  Although I did walk more than I ran during that ownership period.

My co-workers loved the tracking part, but absolutely thought I was crazy for having it for a Nintendo DS.  It made walking fun for me, for a moment.

FitBit looks and sounds nice....  But I'll pass for now.  Thanks!
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
rondoncarr 13 hours ago
How about for the truly unmotivated they can come up with the "fitb*tch" it'll read your vitals and bad eating habits, then through an appropriately placed speaker whine at you until you get you lazy butt off the sofa and do something about it.  It would be like the bitter spouse or resentful in-law you never had...
REPORT
+  3
REPLY
 
Carlos Vijande 13 hours ago
You guys really need an iPhone to review soon, I feel bad for you having to review this...
REPORT
+  10
REPLY
 
Fibrex 4 hours ago in reply to Carlos Vijande
nothing much, mate. Just a bunch of talk of the exterior design for about 80% of the talk and from 7.2 HSPA to 14?.. That's all
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Mr Ulster 13 hours ago
Engadget review a bit harsh, me thinks. Yes, if this was just another pedometer device, $100 is too much. But it's the potential of available APIs that distinguish this. For example, this will integrate with RunKeeper accounts:

http://blog.runkeeper.com/fitn...

And can contribute to RunKeeper's "Health Graph" programme:

http://blog.runkeeper.com/new-...

There are other fitness devices that have their own speciality; it's the inter-communication that opens up exciting opportunities for wellness monitoring.

I was planning on purchasing a Fitbit anyway, and am now pleased there is an updated model. I'm at least thankful for Engadget's announcement, if not its particularly critical review.
REPORT
+  1
REPLY
 
pixlas 13 hours ago
Hmm in Swedish this is kind of dirty.... Straight translation would be: Fitbit == a piece of c unt
REPORT
+  3
REPLY
 
Opposition_parties 13 hours ago in reply to pixlas
Well, you will get some if you try and get fit, I Suppose.
REPORT
+  3
REPLY
 
Santiago Zubieta 13 hours ago
For a second I thought I read "Flip Ultra" and my eyes got a bright from the innermost part, then I remember that Flips were dead.. and re-read the title..
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
JAH KAMREN 13 hours ago
So let me get this strait ... People rather spend 100 on a gadget that records what you do and eat? All you guys failed already ... If you guys have laziness in recording your stuff on your own then what makes u think you will keep your consistentcy working out?
REPORT
+
REPLY
 
Alexander Buskin 13 hours ago
Мяу
REPORT
+  2
REPLY
 
wickywills 14 hours ago
Really neat gadget, way overpriced though.