Step Count Issues

[E D B]

I read from some where else that Band 2 only counts steps when you walk more than about 10 steps at a time. I tried in at home, it appears every time I walked 12 steps or more, every single step is counted; if I walk less than that number, it is not counted. It is pretty consistent.
I guess this is Microsoft's philosophy of tracking exercise. A few steps of walking at a time does not bring meaningful contribution to one's fitness, so Band 2, as a fitness tracker, does not count it.
If this is true, I think it makes sense to me. I am OK with this philosophy.
Again, if this is true, it reflects again the historical problem of Microsoft that it often has good features and thorough planning in a product, but lack of communication/explanation causes huge misunderstanding.

On the other hand, Apple does it very well, sometimes too well, a tiny feature got blown up as revolution.

 

[DroidUser42]

I read from some where else that Band 2 only counts steps when you walk more than about 10 steps at a time. I tried in at home, it appears every time I walked 12 steps or more, every single step is counted; if I walk less than that number, it is not counted. It is pretty consistent.

Ah, that may have been what I observed. It may be a fitness decision, or it might be just how they distinguish between steps and other types of motion.

I guess this is Microsoft's philosophy of tracking exercise. A few steps of walking at a time does not bring meaningful contribution to one's fitness, so Band 2, as a fitness tracker, does not count it.
If this is true, I think it makes sense to me. I am OK with this philosophy.
Again, if this is true, it reflects again the historical problem of Microsoft that it often has good features and thorough planning in a product, but lack of communication/explanation causes huge misunderstanding.

Agree and AGREE.

 

[devbent]

Hi Neville,

If you go for a run with your band, we will use the GPS to get a much better measurement of your stride length. Your stride length is then used to give more accuracy distance measurements during daily use.

 

[Captain_Eric]

Hi Neville,

If you go for a run with your band, we will use the GPS to get a much better measurement of your stride length. Your stride length is then used to give more accuracy distance measurements during daily use.

Thanks for the post. Stride length for a run is bigger than for walking ie steps. Do you accommodate that?

 

[devbent]

I believe we do, but I am not sure of the details. Next time I meet up with our algo team I'll ask them for some more info on the math!

 

[balefire]

I read from some where else that Band 2 only counts steps when you walk more than about 10 steps at a time. I tried in at home, it appears every time I walked 12 steps or more, every single step is counted; if I walk less than that number, it is not counted. It is pretty consistent.
I guess this is Microsoft's philosophy of tracking exercise. A few steps of walking at a time does not bring meaningful contribution to one's fitness, so Band 2, as a fitness tracker, does not count it.
If this is true, I think it makes sense to me. I am OK with this philosophy.
Again, if this is true, it reflects again the historical problem of Microsoft that it often has good features and thorough planning in a product, but lack of communication/explanation causes huge misunderstanding.

On the other hand, Apple does it very well, sometimes too well, a tiny feature got blown up as revolution.

Very helpful and completely explains the difference between the fitbit charge hr and my band 2 which I am wearing simultaneously. Fitbit counts every little bit and even rounds up occasionally. Band 2 misses any short steps...

Of note, I also wore both mine and my wife's band simultaneously on the same arm and they were close but not the same by about 3 percent.

Has anyone compared band 1 and band 2. I don't recall these problems with my original band 1...

 

[jimmib]

I have compared my band with an app on my phone....I use "mapmywalk" also when I walk as it gives me a weekly,monthly and yearly total...when I have the GPS activated on my my band they are exactly the same, but when I don't have the gps on there is about 15 steps different....close enough for me....I am going to find an app to use for totals next year....wish the Mapmywalk app would work or they would come out with a walk tile that will keep track for us....any suggestions?

 

[rlbeetle]

I have used the Fitbit One since it came out. I can carry it in my shirt pocket or clipped to my belt and it will count steps.

 

[gwinegarden]

Maybe we should strap it on our ankles.

 

[infinidim]

Maybe we should strap it on our ankles.

Great idea but won't that invalidate the warrantee (according to Microsoft)

 

[jlzimmerman]

I'm having a slightly different issue with step counted. I'm getting steps counted before I even get out of bed.

This happened this morning when I first woke up. Is anybody else having this issue?


Clearly, I did not walk 144 steps from my bed to the bathroom.

 

[gwinegarden]

I have seen that, too. Might have to do with arm movement. I can't get too concerned about 100 steps plus or minus.

 

[DroidUser42]

The Band could be fooled my most any repetitive motion. Perhaps just idly flopping your arm around. I think I've set mine off doing "air drums".

 

[Snoops8]

I read from some where else that Band 2 only counts steps when you walk more than about 10 steps at a time. I tried in at home, it appears every time I walked 12 steps or more, every single step is counted; if I walk less than that number, it is not counted. It is pretty consistent.
I guess this is Microsoft's philosophy of tracking exercise. A few steps of walking at a time does not bring meaningful contribution to one's fitness, so Band 2, as a fitness tracker, does not count it.
If this is true, I think it makes sense to me. I am OK with this philosophy.
Again, if this is true, it reflects again the historical problem of Microsoft that it often has good features and thorough planning in a product, but lack of communication/explanation causes huge misunderstanding.

On the other hand, Apple does it very well, sometimes too well, a tiny feature got blown up as revolution.

If it's true that it only counts steps after ten are generated, then that is fairly in line with what I've seen. Walking with my hands in my pocket it seems to count all my steps. When I run it counts all my steps. However, when I walk around in a short circle and sit down to see if it did anything, the band never seems to register a thing. IF this is true though, I wish Microsoft would have explained the algorithm. When I first got the band I thought it just wasn't working because it seemed to count all my steps erratically.

 

[jsooney]

I'm having a slightly different issue with step counted. I'm getting steps counted before I even get out of bed.

This happened this morning when I first woke up. Is anybody else having this issue?

Clearly, I did not walk 144 steps from my bed to the bathroom.

Maybe you're sleepwalking.

 

[zei20t]

after reading this thread, i thought id do my own test using my Band2 and the fitbit charge that it replaced.

all setup, both latest firmwares etc.

fitbit registered 5 steps before id even left the lounge.

already the band is registering lower, perhaps around 20%. but being as this is the first day, and i remember the fitbit needed to 'settle in' after first using it.

im not doing this to criticise either product, or to disprove step counts. this is just an interesting test.

that said, i have noticed the band doesn't register what my wife calls 'pottering around the house' whereas the fitbit will register pretty much any step in any direction.

 

[infinidim]

after reading this thread, i thought id do my own test using my Band2 and the fitbit charge that it replaced.

all setup, both latest firmwares etc.

fitbit registered 5 steps before id even left the lounge.

already the band is registering lower, perhaps around 20%. but being as this is the first day, and i remember the fitbit needed to 'settle in' after first using it.

im not doing this to criticise either product, or to disprove step counts. this is just an interesting test.

that said, i have noticed the band doesn't register what my wife calls 'pottering around the house' whereas the fitbit will register pretty much any step in any direction.

I have been doing the same and comparing some devices with my Band 2. My wife has a Fitbit Charge HR and have seen exactly he same as you when it come to "pottering around the house " type steps. My wife also paints pictures as well and I have found that while she is walking around while painting it also counts every step.

My experience as I have stated before is that the Band 2 counts between 20 and 25% less steps. This also can be because of an issue I have seen when it starts counting steps after you have been sitting down. Sometimes it actually doesn't add the steps between getting up and sitting down if it is only a short while.

Regards

Infinidim

 

[zei20t]

pretty much what im seeing also.

the fitbit was so generous when i was setting it up, i took 5 steps without leaving the lounge

I have changed the setting of the fitbit so it thinks its on my primary hand (whereas its not), thinking it may adjust the sensitivity. But this hasnt affected it much at all.

my band2 is calibrated via GPS. TBH, im more inclined to believe the band. and my opinion is that 'pottering around' shouldnt be counting. but if it gets you up moving, theres nothing negative about it really.

 

[ajj3085]

The Band could be fooled my most any repetitive motion. Perhaps just idly flopping your arm around. I think I've set mine off doing "air drums".

Shaking my protein drink counts as steps.

 

[zei20t]

perhaps you had a 6am w@nk?