Review on Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer: Enhanced Fitness Tracking with Health Management Software by Donald Shah

I am overweight and walking is my only exercise right now. At first I didn't feel the need to count steps, but I thought a pedometer would be a good motivator. The first pedometer I chose was Omron but not this one. I was pretty happy with that; However, he took a bath. Twice - the first time for 5 miles; the second dies completely. I needed a replacement, the little pedometers I've gotten for free over the years aren't that accurate but worked well enough in a pinch. After reading reviews and product descriptions, the main reason I chose this little device was the software. Being able to track my steps without having to write them down every night was comforting. At this point I should mention that I use my second step. This is a bit odd and simple given how far software has come in the last 20 years - at first glance I would date the software to the mid to late 90's. I also found it to be something like a pill for first use. After that, it was easy, if annoying, having to search for the download/upload button. How did the first HJ-720ITFFP die? I don't know what it was. I take the pedometer out of my pocket when I go to the ladies' room and give it back when I'm done - there's no point in counting a single step. Well one afternoon I forgot to put it back in my pocket and when I got back someone else found it and seemed to like it so much I kept it because it was never given away. . Harramf. I decided to replace it in kind rather than switch to another pedometer - this one was perfect for my needs. And yes, I still take it out of my pocket, but much more carefully. Again, the setup was very easy. I'm not sure where I heard about MS HealthVault, but since I was starting from scratch I did a search. ([.]) I'm not going to go into all the specifics of MS HealthVault for various reasons, not the least of which is that I haven't covered all of them yet. But back to the pedometer. HealthVault allows you to sync various health data directly to your account and it is one of the pedometers that you can link. I settled on the repository and chose it as the place to collect my health and fitness data. (Sorry, I've only uploaded information about my pedometer, but it's my bill.) It's relatively easy: set up an account; Select your device(s). Then do a Mambo download. dead easy. There's just one downside: Omron still wants the data to load into its software - the little blinking light won't go away until you do. Last night in a fit of anger I removed the battery from the pedometer hoping that would stop the flash. nope When the battery was put back in, despite setting it up again, the data was still in the pedometer and wanted to upload. :::sigh::: So I loaded the data into the Omron software. And I noticed something. The data uploaded to the Omron software allows you to track your progress; Load it into a CSV file (comma separated document that can be instantly converted to a spreadsheet) and view bar charts etc. HealthVault is just an information store. At least as far as I can tell it doesn't allow you to track progress etc. So I recommend MS HealthVault, but I still find Omron's software much more useful in the area of progress tracking. There is an area. What I don't like is the pedometer: it records aerobic steps. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Sometimes counts steps that aren't aerobic per se. Weight Watchers want both aerobic and non-aerobic steps. Right now, my only aerobic steps are walking to and from the bus stop. I know roughly how many steps it is (3/4 mile) and use that number to score. I clip it to my belt loop and put the pedometer in my pocket. There have been many occasions where the pedometer has slipped out of the small pocket I put it in and I was relieved to see it dangling from the belt loop. In terms of my progress, I'm not where I would like to be. but at least I know I've improved and will continue to do so.