Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have had the Garmin for almost two months. I wanted to really get used to the tracker and understand the app before reviewing. I did through research before buying the tracker and it came down to this and the Fitbit. Here is my review with pros and cons. First off, here is some info about me. I am in my early 40's, have a desk job and am adamant about getting more exercise in my life. I am not an athlete, or fit, but am moving in that direction. I would say I am just an average person trying to be healthy, loose weight and get in shape. I am very happy with my purchase and feel that I made the right choice for me. I saw some negative reviews about the User Interface (UI) as well as syncing. I am semi tech savvy and I found the UI to be easy to use. I did have to take a little time to learn everything, but it was not hard at all. I know the fitbit UI is simple and easy.....but...the fitbit also does not have the have all of the same features as the Garmin. To me the fitbit is more of just a step tracking device. I have to say that this device has many many more features than I am taking advantage of currently. It definitely can accommodate people that are beginners, or just want to keep track of steps to advanced athletes training for an event. This appeals to me because it can grow with my fitness level. It can track steps, swimming, running as well as show you data over time. Syncing is not hard as long as you follow these steps. 1. Make sure your bluetooth is turned off. 2. Open the app. 3. Turn on bluetooth and then Sync. Easy peasy...do the steps differently and you WILL have syncing problems. Once I figured out those steps I have NEVER had a problem. I get frustrated when people leave negative reviews based on user error not device or program error. The following Pros and Cons are my opinions only and I am not covering all the features. There are enough reviews that cover every single feature. I am just pointing out what I like and don't like. Pros for me: Basically the first two features were the main selling point for me. * Waterproof: This was one of two reasons why I bought this. I am hard on my devices, I tend to loose them (I have gone through a few trackers that are not wrist type) and ruin them by getting them wet with everyday activities. Waterproof is a HUGE HUGE selling point for me. I never have to take it off, which means I never forget to put it back on. * Battery life: this was the other HUGE main selling point. I hate always having to charge my devices, I have enough tech to keep track of, I don't want to worry about my fitness tracker too. This battery can last up to a whole YEAR. At this point even if I get 6 months out of it I am still thrilled. * Move reminder: Being that I have a desk job, I love that it reminds me with a beep to get up and move. I can hear the beep clearly, and I have been to many rock concerts in my life. However, no one else seems to notice the beep. * Locking band: I like that the band is secure, as well as easy to get off....if needed. I do loose trackers so I wanted something that was secure. * Steps taken as well as steps needed: I like that I can see how many steps i have taken, or I can see how many steps I still need. I prefer to look at steps needed. * Sets new goals each day: The program sets you new step goals each day realizing that 10,000 steps may be difficult to reach every day. * Activity min: It recommends that you get in 150 activity min each week and keeps track of your activity min. This has been a good motivator for me because I was previously only getting in on a good week 120 min of exercise so now I am exercising more and slowly loosing weight. Cons: *Intensity Min: The device can also track intensity min, which means it tracks when you are exercising hard. The intensity min count for double activity mins. Meaning if you exercise harder you can exercise less and still meet your goal, makes sense. Unfortunately, you have to be exercising hard for 10 min straight at a time. Great for others, but, I usually do some type of interval on the treadmill of walking and running. You also need a heart rate monitor for this feature. Because of my type of exercise I do not do 10 min straight, so my intensity min never count. I wish the feature would count accumulative and not consecutive. Someday maybe I will be running for 10 min straight and then will appreciate this feature. * Band is not very attractive. I am a woman and like jewelry and accessories. I find the band to not be very pretty when compared to the fitbit Ulta. However, I do like that if I want I can change the band and there are other accessories available that can make the band look more like jewelry or can hid the band. * Community: There are not nearly as many users of the Garmin device compared to fitbit. I do not have any friends that I can compete with, its just me. I know with the fitbit the community is huge and it is easy to find someone you know. With garmin you can join a competition with other users, but I don't know them so it is not as fun to me. I like competing against people I know. If I have any problems with this device I will update this review.