What's the single most frustrating thing about the Microsoft Band for you?

[jacob103]

I just turn the band off when I'm driving. Saves battery and saves me from being distracted from the road. It's bad enough I have a Lumia Icon to use when I listen to music in the car.

 

[astondg]

I've had the same steps while driving problem with my Fitbit One, an iPhone 5 & a Galaxy S5 (using their built in step tracking) so this isn't unique to the Band.

I haven't tried any of the wrist worn Fitbits or other step trackers to see if they fair better but it wouldn't surprise me if they all counted steps while driving to some degree.

 

[kenjancef]

I've had the same steps while driving problem with my Fitbit One, an iPhone 5 & a Galaxy S5 (using their built in step tracking) so this isn't unique to the Band.

I haven't tried any of the wrist worn Fitbits or other step trackers to see if they fair better but it wouldn't surprise me if they all counted steps while driving to some degree.

Well I'll be getting the Watch tomorrow afternoon, so I'll see how that fares...

 

[kenjancef]

I've had the same steps while driving problem with my Fitbit One, an iPhone 5 & a Galaxy S5 (using their built in step tracking) so this isn't unique to the Band.

I haven't tried any of the wrist worn Fitbits or other step trackers to see if they fair better but it wouldn't surprise me if they all counted steps while driving to some degree.

Ok... well, I hate to say it, but after a very quick test, it seems that with my first driving trip home from work with the Apple Watch, I started out with 422 steps when I left work, and after a 40 minute ride home, with about 85% of the trip highway driving, I came home with 440 steps... and I made sure to drive the way I usually do, with my left hand on the wheel for almost all of the drive, and the Watch was on my left wrist. The Band would have most certainly racked up at least 400-500 steps or more on the same trip.

I will do a better test on Monday, doing it to work, then home from work, just to see what happens...

 

[hotphil]

People are understanding how these things measure steps, yes? It's surely completely understandable that they're not 100% and that a few steps inaccuracy here or there e.g. when driving, is totally fine? This really does all fit in the same kind of territory as indicated battery percentage/time left - it's not going to be perfect.

 

[gadgetrants]

Ok... well, I hate to say it, but after a very quick test, it seems that with my first driving trip home from work with the Apple Watch, I started out with 422 steps when I left work, and after a 40 minute ride home, with about 85% of the trip highway driving, I came home with 440 steps... and I made sure to drive the way I usually do, with my left hand on the wheel for almost all of the drive, and the Watch was on my left wrist. The Band would have most certainly racked up at least 400-500 steps or more on the same trip.

I will do a better test on Monday, doing it to work, then home from work, just to see what happens...

I liked all of that story...except for the part where you said "Apple Watch." Boooo! :shocked:

People are understanding how these things measure steps, yes? It's surely completely understandable that they're not 100% and that a few steps inaccuracy here or there e.g. when driving, is totally fine? This really does all fit in the same kind of territory as indicated battery percentage/time left - it's not going to be perfect.

You might have missed the part where it's 100's (if not 1000's) of steps that accrue while driving. :wink:

​-Matt

 

[kenjancef]

I liked all of that story...except for the part where you said "Apple Watch." Boooo! :shocked:

​-Matt

Yea, I know... lol...

But in a way the Watch almost makes sense for an iPhone user, as the Band is a better fit for a Windows Phone user. There are things I wish the Watch had that the Band does, and vice-versa. But I am going to try the Watch for a while to see what it's like. I'm not ready to totally abandon the Band yet.... we'll see....

 

[hotphil]

I liked all of that story...except for the part where you said "Apple Watch." Boooo! :shocked:


You might have missed the part where it's 100's (if not 1000's) of steps that accrue while driving. :wink:

​-Matt

100's? Wow! Man the hoses! Call out the guard!

Wearing a step tracker whilst driving gives inaccurate reading scandal!

Drivegate.


Or just put it on the passenger seat whilst driving.​​​​
​​

 

[kenjancef]

People are understanding how these things measure steps, yes? It's surely completely understandable that they're not 100% and that a few steps inaccuracy here or there e.g. when driving, is totally fine? This really does all fit in the same kind of territory as indicated battery percentage/time left - it's not going to be perfect.

Here or there? The first time I noticed that the step count increased in the car I saw my step count increase by almost 1000 steps! I would hardly call that "here or there". I know these things can't be perfect, and they never will, but that kind of discrepancy is too huge to ignore. As I said, I will do some better testing next week, this was my first 1/2 day with the Watch, so I'll see how it plays out.

 

[hotphil]

If you only walk 500 steps a day and you're getting 1000 non-steps recorded, that's clearly more significant than if you walk a decent amount of steps a day and get 1000 added.
Either way, there's no real problem there.

 

[DroidUser42]

The single most frustrating thing? The lack of any feedback from Microsoft on where they're going with this. Sure, some things can and will be addressed in updates, but can we get some feedback on what will be fixed?

Granted, Apple doesn't always say what they will do as well, but I think they have a track record that gives users a sense of predictability.

I'd just like some sense that I haven't bought the Zune of the fitness world.

 

[hotphil]

Zune of the fitness world.

I hope it doesn't become that too.​

 

[Teeceman]

Apologise now as I see you wanted a single frustrating thing, but I have three I have to list.
No auto sleep or nap function.
No auto wake up function (at the lightest sleep time).
No proper recurring alarm function.

 

[raydwatts]

For me it's the fact that runs are not being tracked due to it almost never getting a GPS lock. I ran a 5k this morning and when I looked for it there was nothing. I may have to start using my Garmin again for running.

 

[littlebib]

For me it's the fact that runs are not being tracked due to it almost never getting a GPS lock. I ran a 5k this morning and when I looked for it there was nothing. I may have to start using my Garmin again for running.

That's interesting because I find that my band gets a GPS signal faster than my Garmin nearly 100% of the time. I say "nearly 100%", but honestly, I can't remember a single time when it didn't.

Dumb question for sure, but are you sure that you had the GPS turned on in the run app?

 

[Nate Silver]

For me it's the fact that runs are not being tracked due to it almost never getting a GPS lock. I ran a 5k this morning and when I looked for it there was nothing. I may have to start using my Garmin again for running.

I made the mistake once of starting my run before it had a GPS lock, and it was the first outdoor run of the spring. It never did get a lock. The next time I went out I waited until it got a lock, and let it 'soak' for a couple of minutes before starting. Took awhile, but now it locks almost immediately.

 

[gadgetrants]

For me it's the fact that runs are not being tracked due to it almost never getting a GPS lock. I ran a 5k this morning and when I looked for it there was nothing. I may have to start using my Garmin again for running.

Sounds like you might have a gimpy sensor. FWIW I get a quick lock about 75% of the time (sometimes when I'm still inside the house!) -- and the remaining 25% it takes about 1-2 minutes. Not as fast as my cell phone but infinitely better than my previous 3 phones!

-Matt

 

[raydwatts]

Dumb question for sure, but are you sure that you had the GPS turned on in the run app?

yes the GPS is on, it just shows several reminders during the run saying it cannot get a lock do you want to continue, I tap yes when I stopped it there was no run recorded. Q do you wait for it to lock? And then start running? like Nate suggests. Or just run as that would affect the time recorded.

 

[raydwatts]

Actually guys. Just tried in my house and it locked within a minute. I guess I was starting the timer before it locked and because I was moving it was playing catch-up all the time.

 

[gadgetrants]

Actually guys. Just tried in my house and it locked within a minute. I guess I was starting the timer before it locked and because I was moving it was playing catch-up all the time.

So then the trick is to start ALL RUNS in your house. I suggest basic stretches on the couch, with a beer in one hand and a bacon double-cheeseburger in the other.

-Matt