Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Health Management Software
|
List Price: Our Price: $35.88 You Save: $24.11 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Buy 3rd Party: from $25.00 (click here) Category: Health Care See more product details |
|---|
Customer Reviews of Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Health Management Software
Customer Review: Nice pedometer, iffy software
Summary: 4 Stars
My friend bought me this pedometer after she accidentally washed hers in the machine and discovered that after a battery change it still worked. She figured it was tough enough for me. I have been through several SportBrain models (not bad, cool download features, but not durable) a couple of WeightWatchers pedometers (cheap, don't even last a month) and a few generic ones.
This pedometer works great! I like that I can keep it in a pocket. That solves one of the biggest durability issues: dropping it. It also keeps it drier than ones you wear on a waistband so it survives sweaty bike rides and summer walks without clouding up like the other brands often did.
My only issue is the software. I installed the application and downloaded all my data. No problems. A month later it worked fine too. Yesterday, it said the data doesn't match the version or some such nonsense. The computer I used is running XP with all the updates. After rebooting and even reinstalling the software I finally wiped every trace of Omron and installed again and got it to work. It will not import my old CSV files because they, too, are the wrong version. My friend had the same experience. One day it just stops downloading data and says something about the wrong version. Now in both cases, we were the only ones using the software so I have to believe it is a bug. Omron hasn't updated anything since 2008ish? They need to provide a more stable version if they want to keep selling this product.
I like the pedometer. I would still buy it, I just want the download function to work better.
Customer Review: Poor Choice for reliability and service
Summary: 1 Stars
There are a lot of 5-star reviews for this pedometer, but our experience with it was entirely unsatisfactory. On the basis of my wife's and my experience this pedometer is a poor choice for reliability and service.
On April 23, 2008, I purchased one for my wife and one for myself. My wife's unit simply quit working on October 17, 2008. (The unit display disappears as if the battery is dead, although the battery is good.) Oh yes, it was "under warranty." You pack and pay the postage to return the unit, of course, but you also pay a $5.00 "return postage and handling fee." Omron simply replaced the unit with a new one, of course. Aside from the crummy "return postage and handling fee," well and good, I suppose.
On August 18, 2009, my unit quit working in just the same manner as my wife's unit earlier. But, of course, my unit is no longer under warranty. Needless to say, I will not buy another Omron pedometer. (Frankly, the Health Management software is not worth the effort. If you walk regularly, it adds nothing to what you simply know. If you don't walk regularly, you don't need the software at all.)
The only question, of course, is how much longer my wife's second unit will continue to work (doubtless until sometime after October 22, the expiration of a year after the replacement unit was sent to her). Had I known then what I know now, I would have done some further research on recommended pedometers and put the five bucks towards the purchase of another brand of pedometer. In any case, we're done with Omron.
Customer Review: A pedometer minus frustrations!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always wanted to do the pedometer thing, but I've only had the cheapie ones so far... the ones McDonald's gave out as adult happy meal toys, and others of a similar nature that just had a weighted switch inside. If you didn't step enough or just right, it wouldn't register, and worse, those tend to have a button to zero them like a tripometer... all too easy to hit by mistake and lose a day's worth of steps.
Not so with the Omron. It keeps a running tally of up to seven days in memory, and you can download these into the provided software.
The best part for me is that it can be kept in a pocket, and has a "leash" that can be clipped to my clothing, so not only is it harder to lose, but it doesn't get in the way, and the orientation of the device isn't important, the steps still register.
The only real complaint I have is about the software. It is written for Windows ONLY. I mostly use Macs and Linux machines, though I do have access to a Windows computer, it's not as convenient. The software IS neat in that it can upload to Microsoft's Healtvault (hmm, maybe that's why it's Windows-only?), but I didn't find it very convenient or intuitive to use. First it uploaded and counted steps twice and I had to zero out the values for several days, then when I re-uploaded, it only counted the current day's steps. Frustrating.
Still, this is by far the best pedometer I've used or seen. No, it doesn't talk to you like some do, but I never liked that feature anyway.
Cheers,
Chris
Customer Review: A wonderful tool to help motivation to walk
Summary: 5 Stars
For years I have been on myself that I need to exercise more. I need to get to the gym more. I need to move more. And it has not gotten far beyond the "I need to"s. I have found that for me having a good pedometer has been a great tool to enhance my motivation. I started with simple goals and buildt up. In the process of building more steps I have come to enjoy the beauty of my neighborhood, actually take those breaks from my desk, and build reminders every day to get up and walk.
I have been able to sustain this longer than my typical bursts of going to the gym.
I have had other pedometers but this is by far the best. Some reasons include:
1. Easy to read display even in bright sun light
2. Resets at mid-night which means all I have to do in the morning is drop it in my pocket
3. I really like the tracking software
- I can see progress from month to month at a quick glace
- I can see where throughout the day I took my steps
- It even keeps track of the 5 top step days
- Can manually enter in blood pressure readings so those too can be tracked
4. The aerobic step feature is great in that I often will take my 10 minute break as a quick walk and by doing these repeated 10 minutes burst of steps by the end of the day I've accumulated 30-60 minutes of "aerobic" steps.
I have found that this great pedometer coupled with this software have been a great inspiration to keep working every day to "get in those steps".
Customer Review: walked many miles
Summary: 5 Stars
Omron, hands down makes the best pedometer. About three years ago I purchased their model 112. I wore it intermittantly at first. But then I started to wear it more regularly. For the past year and a half I have worn their pedometer almost everyday. When the 720ITC came out I had to have one because the computer interface could replace my tracking in a spreadsheet. I used it for about 6 months and the battery died. I installed a new battery, it worked correctly (measuring steps, etc) but it wouldn't upload to my PC. I called Omron and they told me to send it back to them with $5 for shipping and handling. Before I sent it back I purchased second one, because I didn't want to be without. Once I received the new one I sent the broken one back to Omron and they replaced it, no questions asked. Now I have two. But that's ok. I'll keep it as a spare or give it as a gift.
- If you have a gut that hangs over your belt the pedometer will get knocked off your belt from time to time while bending over. - damhik - Now that I have lost some weight it isn't a problem any more.
- It does work on an eliptical machine.
- I have found the step (regular and aerobic) tracking to be very accurate.
- Mileage - is only going to be as accurate as your setting. It will give you a good average. But if I'm walking at a more brisk pace (longer strides) I will have gone farther than the reading. I don't think that is a bad thing.
- I have ignored the calorie stats.
Overall I am very happy with mine.