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- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes91
- First reviewApril 18, 2012
- Last reviewMay 7, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
- Review comment count2
- Helpfulness votes4
- First review commentFebruary 9, 2013
- Last review commentMay 7, 2013
- Featured review comments0
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Ucla74's Reviews
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker Wristband: Slim, stylish and always by your side. Track your activity throughout the day and monitor the quality of your sleep at night. LED lights on the device show you how your day is measuring up against your personal goals, motivating you to achieve a more active lifestyle.
Customer Rating
5
Busting some myths about the Fitbit Flex
on May 7, 2013
Posted by: Ucla74
from Rapid City SD
Age:55-64
Gender:Male
First things first: If you fasten/unfasten the clasp a few times (it took me 3 times), the holes in the band will loosen up and the Flex is very easy to take off/put on from that point forward. The very first review of the Flex on Amazon made that point quite clearly.
Second, there is a reason there's no manual: generally, people don't read them. That's why you need to go to the website to initialize your Flex, and, hopefully, read the other instructions. FOR EXAMPLE: If your results are really inaccurate, you may need to change the default from Non-Dominant wrist (sensitive calibration) to Dominant wrist (less sensitive). [My experience: I'm using it on my non-dominant wrist, and I spend much of the day on the computer. I'm right-handed, and that's the hand I use for mouse/touchpad. My Flex is on my left (non-dominant) hand, and my results are well within my expectations for other movement.]
Third, MEASURE YOUR STRIDE. If you walk, as I do, try this: Put a pencil or other straight object on the ground, just behind your heels. Walk 10 steps, bringing your heels together on the last step. Put another object behind your heels. Measure the distance in inches between the two straightedges and divide by ten. Bingo: You just got a fairly accurate stride. If you are a runner, run a known, accurately measured distance, **counting your steps.** Divide the distance by steps and convert to inches.
No, the Flex doesn't have an altimeter, so it can't measure "flights of stairs." (Neither can the One, actually: it measures 10' changes in elevation.) But nothing in the Flex's literature should have given you any impression that it has an altimeter. So not having something it never purported to have, is not a problem with the device.
If you do even the most basic research, you'll know the Flex only syncs via Bluetooth to a very, very few Samsung devices (two or three, I believe) and iPhones/iPads. On the other hand, it doesn't suck your Android's battery if you can't sync via Bluetooth. It takes _maybe_ two seconds to sync to my computer via the USB device, and by the time I look at my phone or tablet, the updated info is in both the Fitbit app *and* MyFitnessPal. (If you really want to sync to your phone or tablet, there are cables available to accept the Flex's USB dongle, and plug into a micro-USB port.)
Before getting my Flex, I was using the Android app CardioTrainer. I'm still using CardioTrainer, because (a) it's on my phone and (b) I get to listen to music while I walk. The step counts between the Flex and CardioTrainer are within 1 percent of each other (using the same stride length, and having the phone in a back pocket).
No, of course the Flex isn't a heart-rate monitor. So no, of course it's not going to *precisely* tell you how many calories you've burned. But the algorithm should be useful for the vast majority of people. If need or want pinpoint accuracy, then yes, you need a heart-rate monitor.
Bottom line: For what it is intended to do, the Flex is as close to perfect as I could ask for. Everything I expected it to do, it does, and very, very well.
What's great about it: Simple to use, good value, very accurate
What's not so great: Nothing, yet.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+83points
88of 93voted this as helpful.
Keep in touch with friends and family with this Samsung Galaxy Nexus mobile phone that features 4G speed for quick and easy data transfer. The 4.7" high-definition Super AMOLED touch screen provides a clear view and simple navigation. Requires a voice plan and a data package. Early termination fee of $350.Verizon Edge option available. Learn more ›
Customer Rating
5
Best Verizon Android Smartphone Available
on April 18, 2012
Posted by: Ucla74
from Rapid City SD
This is the best smartphone currently available for Verizon, without a doubt. It's easily (and safely) rooted and ROM'd, if that's what you want to do (doing so may void your warranty). Screen size is great, but phone might be a bit large for those with small hands. I got the extra-capacity battery, and recommend it to any users, especially since Verizon is broadening their 4G availability this month (April). The camera isn't any better than the so-so camera on my old Droid X, but then, I really don't buy a phone for the camera (if you do, get an iPhone). Sound quality is outstanding, for both calls and music, and the included earbuds are very good. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
What's great about it: Excellent sound quality, both calls and music, with speaker or earbuds.
What's not so great: Camera isn't so great, especially in low-light situations; 4G is a battery hog.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Ucla74's Review Comments
Surf the Internet and navigate your laptop with ease with this Logitech K400 920-003070 wireless touch keyboard that features a built-in multitouch touchpad for simple Web browsing. Plug-and-play design allows immediate use.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5It is not compatible with my computer.
By Anonymous
from McMinnville OR
I have followed all of the instructions but have not been able to have the software operate on my computer and therefore the keyboard is useless.
Ucla74
Rapid City SD
Why isn't it compatible?
February 9, 2013
Would be nice to know some specs on your computer, so others can get an idea whether or not the keyboard might work for them. For all we know, you might be using a Mac or a Linux machine.
+4points
4of 4voted this comment as helpful.
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker Wristband: Slim, stylish and always by your side. Track your activity throughout the day and monitor the quality of your sleep at night. LED lights on the device show you how your day is measuring up against your personal goals, motivating you to achieve a more active lifestyle.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Returning it!
By wsdk
from San Antonio, TX
I bought this because I need to see how active I actually am, not simply to meet some goals I have set. I will be returning the Flex tomorrow and going back to the One. I need decent accuracy, not motivation to hit (or go well over due to losing steps) some random number.
I just walked around the house and again it counted zero steps. If it was missing a few steps here and there, fine, but being off by hundreds is completely unacceptable.
Today i took 3 walks that were each 500 steps by me counting each individual step.
The first I used my left, non dominant hand, flex wearing hand as I usually would while walking. Some swinging but also other natural movements like taking a drink, scratching my forehead etc. The flex skipped 135 steps out of that 500.
The second walk I tried to concentrate on swinging my arm as I walked, not an overly exaggerated swing but a little less natural. The flex skipped 100+ steps.
The third walk I walked naturally, not using my arm for anything at all other than a natural swing. The flex again skipped 100+ steps.
The first I used my left, non dominant hand, flex wearing hand as I usually would while walking. Some swinging but also other natural movements like taking a drink, scratching my forehead etc. The flex skipped 135 steps out of that 500.
The second walk I tried to concentrate on swinging my arm as I walked, not an overly exaggerated swing but a little less natural. The flex skipped 100+ steps.
The third walk I walked naturally, not using my arm for anything at all other than a natural swing. The flex again skipped 100+ steps.
Ucla74
Rapid City SD
Did you ever actually measure your stride?
May 7, 2013
That is, over at least 10 steps, walking normally. I suspect either you did not, or you have a faulty device.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
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