Zip Wireless Activity Tracker, Lime

To be honest I have steered away from "fitness trackers" in the past as I was a little leery of wearing a wireless device 24/7 but this little gadget is the perfect compromise! I finally caved in for two reasons - one my job requires a lot of drive time and though I work out each morning, I was really curious as to how much actual activity I was getting in each day and how many calories I burn. And two, I participate in a Vitality program through work which gives discounts of healthy insurance and prizes - Amazon gift certificates for me - when my fitness and health is logged; so now I can get additional points with this little gadget; and seeing how much activity I do is pretty interesting! Set up was quick and a breeze - worth noting there are no actual instructions as such in the box, just the website to set this up! It is small enough to wear under clothes (sometimes I keep it in my purse during the day -still works the same) and does more than I thought! Not only does it track steps, but through the app on my phone I can also input other workouts I do such as swimming , what I have eaten (though you have to get a little creative on this as it is not as comprehensive as something like My Fitness Plan which has many more food types to choose from), how much water I have had, and it will tell me calories in verses calories out! If you are looking to lose weight, you can input a goal and it will tell you how many calories you are allowed each day verses how much you have burned via exercise and the steps you have taken. This little gizmo syncs whenever it is close to my phone and for those that have something like a Vitality or other health account, I was able to input my Fit Bit account information and earn points within 24 hours of my activity ! It really is interesting seeing how many steps you take! Day one I had no problem hitting 12000 as I had a tough workout including the elliptical and treadmill, both of which really rack up the steps total; but day two began with swimming which though I can log for calorie burn, does not count towards steps, and that combined with a long drive time, meant hitting 5000 was hard! Now I am really incentivized to do more activity in the evening to get my step count up! Great device, really good for tracking overall fitness , comes with all you need including a great little cover with a grip that means this things stays put (even in a very hot, humid yoga class - trust me I tried)! Wish I had purchased this sooner!!

Here's a point of frustration with the fitbit Zip. I does not come with a clear set of instructions on how to get it up and running. You must have the tracker out of the holder in order for the dongle to connect and get the "magic number" for syncing it with fitbit online stuff. Also, be advised you can sync it up with myfitnesspal.com and keep your food log track on the fitbit stuff. I had the tracker in the belt clip when I first tried to get it to sync with the fitbit site and it drove me nutty until I figured out it had to be out of the holder/clip. Once I got the number to enter on my computer the unit has functioned flawlessly. Unlike most cheap pedometers this one works in any position on your body. It tells you the time of day, steps taken, distance and calories burned. update: 1-8-16 My fitbit zip has been stashed in a chest of drawers for about 8 months or more. The cheesy silicone case unraveled in short order with the metal clip pushing through the end area of the clip. You would like to think the case would provide the customer some reasonable time frame before it self destructs. The other thing I find galling is the replacement cost of this little piece of silicone. It is a ridiculous amount of money for something that has an inherent failure. I still think the zip is a nifty piece of hardware but the silicone case is just WRONG! I suffered a fair amount of frustration with the initial software installation due to the lack of clear instructions in the package. I am an old school guy who likes to read and follow printed instructions on a piece of paper. I tend to think most of the issues people have with this pedometer is due to the lack of a decent set of instructions in the box. OR..they could make it clear that you need to have the unit out of the belt clip to make the initial settings and get the number for getting it to sync. Last, I really like the sync with myfitnesspal.com it makes keeping your food log a breeze. The food log on fitbit can be a pain to use if you have been using myfitnesspal food log. Great little device. If you are worried about batteries, then order some more on Amazon for a couple bucks. They generally have a 10 year life sitting on the shelf. Update: May 23, 2014.. I love the feedback report I get from fitbit sent to my email inbox. It gives me all the numbers for the week. And I can't say enough about how it syncs with myfitnesspal.com. I still think a lot of the complaints are due to the lack of a simple "quick start" printed instructions included in the box. I now have one more item to keep me looking around the house. I can add this device to the search for my car keys, glasses, wallet etc. So far no quality issues to complain about and am really pleased with the fitbit zip.

I just received my Fitbit Zip. I have not used other pedometers or similar devices so I cannot compare it to them as far as features and accuracy, but I can say that the Fitbit was very easy to "assemble" and set up. The assembly was a matter of inserting the included battery then slipping the Fitbit into the included clip case. The set up required that I insert the USB dongle into a USB port on my computer then set up an account on the Fitbit site and allow for the syncing of the device with my account on that site. The online set up and sync process took about 5 minutes total, if that. Now that I have an account, the ongoing sync process is automated as long as I am within range of the dongle (i.e., within 20' according the Fitbit documentation). So far the Fitbit is registering my steps taken and is displaying the time and other info as expected. I cannot vouch for the accuracy but just seeing the number of steps is motivating. If there is a way to reset the tracking for the day, I'd like to know because I carried the Fitbit to work in my work bag and set it up later in the morning so it had accrued a step number based on movement. There may be a way to reset it, I just haven't found that info online yet. Will look later. NOTE: When I opened the Fitbit package I saw a black piece of plastic that didn't make sense to me. What is this for, I wondered? I set it aside and grabbed the battery. I turned the Fitbit over and noticed a slot such as the kind a person might use a coin to open. So I tried using the battery to do it, which is similar to a coin. Not the right fit, that didn't work. Next I grabbed a flathead screwdriver and attempted to carefully turn the slot. Well, the screwdriver slipped and the plastic was scratched. I was bummed. Totally my own fault. Next I discovered that the odd looking piece of black plastic was, in fact, the "key" to open the back door of the Fitbit to reveal the battery enclosure! That's what I get for not being more patient. I do wish there was something more obvious on the packaging (like big red letters under the formed area where that black plastic was stored) to let me know that "hey, use this thing to open the Fitbit battery enclosure!") but it really was my own fault. I'm writing about it here so that others don't make the mistake I made. The device is fine, I just hate "dinging up" something that is so shiny and new and cute out of my own stupidity!

I'm enjoying the Zip & find it does focus me on moving (& moving a lot!) It's easy to use, light, & is most accurate when I'm walking distances. There are some 'but"s: it stopped recording in less than 2 weeks the promised replacement has yet to arrive (was to be a few business days) now it's recording again but some days fails to log the entire number of steps/distance it takes forever to sync, even though it's positioned 18 inches from the dongle 3 days ago it registered "low battery" & refused to sync; 2 days ago the warning went away & it's again syncing. I'm wondering if the problem is the fairly tacky design of the battery-to-contact area? I'm not sure I'd buy another Zip or upgrade to another FitBit. On sale, for $40, it's been a fun, erratic, pedometer that has given me incomplete data, days of missing data, and some days of helpful information.

If you are ready to feel motivated, go ahead and snatch one of these things up! You won't regret it one bit. Worth every penny for the way it keeps me going! It absolutely motivates me to get my steps every day. I have only had a handful of days where I don't get 10K+ steps (from sickness or whatever). But good grief... If you're still in "Lazy Life" mode, steer clear of this! When this little guy is sticking his tongue out at you after you've been lazy all day, you tend to feel like scum. You feel like the slacker you are. You want to make him happy, and you feel like a failure for making him sad. On the other hand... Watch closely on the days when you are rocking it! As you scroll through, you'll see these fun monster faces and extra faces. My friend hasn't seen them... and she's had hers longer. Go figure? If I get a day with 14K+ steps, I will have some fun picture- but it only shows up once, you don't see it if you scroll through again. I love this little thing. I wear it in my bra... it's easier that way. I love that it tracks my calories burned as well as my steps. I love waking up and seeing that I've already burned close to 500 calories just by sleeping. ;) Get yourself one of these... but only if you're ready! UPDATE: I've had the Fitbit for almost 3 months now. It worked GREAT for 2 months! I started to get a "low battery" icon at 2 months, so I replaced the battery. Well, a week later, the second battery died. Then the third one only lasted 5 days. SOOOO... I'm disappointed. BUT! The Fitbit customer support was great, and they sent me a new Fitbit for free- with free shipping! I really, really, REALLY hope this one lasts more than 2 months! On a positive note, this little gadget has kept me MOVING for 3 months. I never get below 10K steps anymore (unless I've been swimming that day as my exercise, and sometimes not even then). I usually get 13K-18K. Sometimes more! I really think this thing makes me want to move. I don't just stand and wash dishes anymore, I bounce in place while I do dishes or sort laundry. It's really motivated me to be an active person! I usually suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder after Daylight Savings (life in the Northwest), but staying active makes me much more positive! Very grateful I took a chance and ordered this in the first place!

Another edit: I've had 4 Zips. Three went kaput and I just lost the 4th, which was a warranty replacement. I like the device. I thought about replacing it, but I've already sunk over $150 on Zips that die far too young and get lost far too easily. I'm going to resist sinking even more money into this bottomless pit. The devices are too expensive to have a 6 month lifespan and/or fall off so easily. I've nearly lost them multiple times previously, just was lucky enough to feel it falling. I have no idea where the missing bright pink Zip is (2 green and 2 pink). I was not at home so it's gone forever. Had to amend my review from 4 star. I think this is actually my 3rd Zip. After a year, it's going kaput. I put in a new battery 2 weeks ago and already I'm getting a low battery signal. The first battery lasted about 4 months, then each successive battery dies more quickly. The Zip works well, but doesn't have any durability. I don't think a year, sometimes 6 months, is a good lifespan for a product of this sort, especially as it literally seems to disintegrate the longer it's in use. And I have heard the same from other Zip owners. It's great but starts eating batteries and then dies. My husband bought me a Fitbit Alta. I prefer the clip on style of the Zip, but it's just too expensive and annoying to keep replacing it. I definitely do not recommend this fitness tracker if you want one that will last longer than a year. Edited to add: I contacted Fitbit and they are replacing the Zip - only the tracker, not the dongle or the clip case. I'm not expecting this new Zip to have any greater durability than the others, but at least I didn't have to spend more money for replacing it. I'm liking the Alta, but find wearing it as a bracelet isn't as comfortable as my good old Zip. I usually wear both of them but lately the Zip has been spacing out, losing thousands of steps and generally being about as useful as a cabbage. Expect to see another update if new Zip is better/worse/same as old Zip. *************** original review It's my second Zip - after a year of carrying it in a pocket or my bra, I think my body heat warped the case. Neither my daughter nor I could fit the battery cover on after changing out the battery. Nonetheless, I find carrying a pedometer to be quite motivating to get in the exercise I need. I take off my watch, any bracelets and all rings save my wedding band when I'm in my house, so I wasn't interested in the bracelet version. I carry the Zip in a pocket, clip it to a bra strap, sometimes drop it into my bra or bathing suit. The Zip has survived many an accidental pool dunking or machine washing. The acid green color makes it easier to find. Apologies for the random arrangement of my review - multitasking here.

I really like this gadget. I took one star off for one reason. I installed the application on my windows 8 laptop. While I love how it tracks my steps, converts it to miles and shows my calories- the one thing I can't stand is at night I don't wear it to sleep (I have nothing to clip it onto if you catch my drift) and it still counts calories? So every night at midnight it resets automatically (which I love) but when I wake up, it says I have burned on average 440-460 calories. So at the end of the day, If it says I have burned 2,000 calories, I automatically subtract 500 (I round up... makes me work harder) because I know I really didn't burn that. I wrote to their support, but they were not much help (boo!). They had no solution for this and basically said to wear it since you burn calories when you sleep. I am not real pleased with this answer and did think about sending it back. But I do like it, it's nice product overall. I love how easy it was to install on my laptop. I also like the weekly report they send you. Also, if you are a fan of myfitnesspal (I installed this app on my Android phone) you can lync them up together. You can personalize it (the fitbit dashboard) to your liking to show your weight, water intake etc imported directly from myfitnesspal. I hope this helps someone. I was a little intimidated to buy this not because I thought the product would be bad, but because all the reviews I read were people talking about using this in conjunction with their Iphones. I wondered how it would be with a laptop. Not everyone has or wants an Iphone and it seems like some many products are geared towards those folks. Please don't be intimidated if you simply want to use this on your pc or laptop. Good luck and keep on walking!

If for no other reason than it forced me to see WHY I had gained weight, this little Fitbit has me sticking to a program. When you see how many calories you consume, and how many you burn, for some reason it sinks in that there are no gimmicks. You eat less and burn more and you will lose weight! You put in your current weight goal weight, and they show you 4 programs to choose from depending on how hard you want to work to lose the weight. And they also give you an approximate date by which you could reach your goal. I chose the second to hardest program because I wanted to lose 25 pounds by the end of June and I was starting March 1st. The amount of calories you can have seems to change throughout the day which I guess is based on activity level. As of today which is a little over 2 weeks since I started, I have lost 6.6 pounds. The amount of calories I eat a day seems very low but I have to believe that is because most days my activity level is low. And I love that you are supposed to walk 10,000 steps a day. The closest I have gotten was 9300, but it makes me aware of the choices I have to make to be successful. I have tried Weight Watchers, many times, and have always eventually gained back more weight than I had lost. I do think their program is a good one, but I needed to try something different. This is similar to Weight Watchers in that you have to log in your foods, but the Fitbit goes by calories instead of the points that WW uses. The product is small and easy to wear and not lose. I had previously lost 2 pedometers by comparison. My only complaint is that as of now, it is not compatible with my Droid Bionic phone so I have to wait until I get to my computer to log things in.