Nowadays many of us have jobs where we sit at a desk, after driving to work. This means we do a lot of sitting and not much physical activity. It has become more apparent this is not a healthy lifestyle. Because of this more people than ever are looking at ways to help them be more active.

One way is to use a pedometer to encourage us to walk more as it tracks and monitors your steps each day. This can help to keep you focused on doing more so as to reach certain target levels. Many people have found this to be an effective approach to improving their level of physical activity.

The Omron HJ-720ITC is a pedometer and software solution to help with this by measuring your steps each day and also store the data so you can see your performance over a period of time. Which sounds good, but does it deliver? Read on to find out…

Specifications

• Type of Device: Pedometer (with extra activity tracking)
• Release Year: 2004
• Size: 7 x 4.5 x 2 inches
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Wireless Internet Data Upload? No
• Battery Life: 6 months

The Pros

Data Tracking: This pedometer measures more than the number of steps you take each day. It measures number of minutes spent walking, distance covered and aerobic steps. This is all useful information to know as you track your progress in getting in or staying in shape. You can set personal targets in a number of areas and not just how many steps you took for a more rounded approach to fitness.

Large Display: Customers like this feature as it makes it easy to read when you are on the move. Small displays can be hard to read especially for anyone with poor sight. They have also achieved this without making it too bulky to wear comfortably.

7 Days Data Stored: As well as keeping track of your daily activity it also stores your data for 7 days for ease of access. This is great for seeing your progress over a week. You can compare one day to the next and see how much you have achieved in a week quickly and easily. Many people find this can help them with their motivation.

Belt Holder And Security Strap: This device works best when it is on your waist and the belt holder makes it easy to do this. But many people don’t like this and would prefer to put it in a bag or pocket. The readings you get from doing this are still reasonably accurate.
In addition to the belt, you get a security strap which can help prevent it being dropped and being damaged in the process.

Software: In addition to tracking your daily activity and storing your data for 7 days you can use the software it comes with to transfer the data to computer and look through it at your pleasure. You can keep the data for as long as you want to. This means you can see how you are getting on over an extended period of time.

Our research shows that most customers like this feature and the fact that you can export it into excel means you can make your own graphs and chart to be able to visually represent your data. Many find the ability to track progress very motivational and it helps to keep them on track. It helps also in setting realistic targets and goals and measuring your progress in reaching them.

Accuracy: It seems most people who use this device find it reliable in its readings of the steps you have taken during the day and also the distance you have traveled. You may have to make some tweaks to the settings to allow for your length of stride, but once you’ve done that it provides pretty accurate readings.

Auto Reset: This is a nice feature. The device re-sets the step counter automatically at midnight. This means you start with a clean slate each day and don’t end up with too many steps being recorded because you forgot to re-set it. Therefore you won’t need to be trying to figure out how many steps to take off or add on if you re-set during the day.

Pricing: You can find similar devices that cost up two rime the price of this device and they don’t come with that much more. This device is great for the average person to help them keep their activity levels up during the day and help with their overall level of fitness. It probably isn’t for the serious athlete who may want a whole lot more information. For anyone else it will provide most if not all that they need.

The Cons

Missing Steps: This device picks up most types of activity but there are some things it doesn’t pick up that well. The  most frustrating one being where you walk just a few steps and then stop to do something (like you might do when moving around your home). The device does not record these steps. It only does this if you do this for a minute or so. It is designed this way so that it doesn’t mistake a small movement for steps. Which is great but it does mean that if you do a lot of this activity your data won’t reflect this properly.

Instruction Manual: The manual that comes with the device is confusing. It doesn’t explain how to use all the functions and how to set it up clearly. Most people do find they can work it all out but it all would have been a lot easier if the manual had been clearer in the first place.

Software Issues: Most people like the software. However, in a few cases the software has stopped working correctly after only a few weeks. They are unable to upload their data to the computer, thereby reducing the usefulness of the device – as one of the great features is the ability to track results over an extended time.

Should You Buy The Omron HJ-720ITC?

Overall, the Omron HJ-720ITC is a good purchase that gives accurate readings. In a minority of cases there might be a problem with software, but for most this shouldn’t be an issue. At this price, you really can’t go wrong.

The Omron HJ-720ITC makes a good purchase and provides accurate information. But a small number of customers have reported issues with the software but most have no issues with it. It makes a good purchase at a very good price.

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