Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Health Management Software

I base this review in comparison to an earlier "pedometer" I had; my son did not want his iPod Nano (3rd Gen.?) anymore, a few years ago so he actually gave it to me (sweet - it was even one that he had gotten with his own money!). Anyhow, when this occurred, I checked through it and found there was a pedometer app on there. And this became my addiction; just had to have this pedometer everywhere I went and strive to get to 15,000 steps a day. I could just take my little charger/usb connector and connect it to the computer each night to charge and also download all of my steps to Nike.com. Loved it. Kept my motivation up to walk or run or just get those steps up every day. This was pretty much all I used the Nano for except to get good music on long car drives - lol!! (You can also get radio stations on it - very usefull little gadget.)Regardless, a few weeks ago it just died. Screen blank, no matter where I plugged it in, it would not work. I tried to reset it as I have many times before. No joy. I was not happy. In the few days I was not wearing it, I saw my motivation to walk or use my stairmaster drop. And, to top it off, I missed it and felt naked without it - lol!So I opted to search Amazon and found this one.This is a cool product, a little bulky for me; I am used to a thin counter that I'd just slip in my pocket each day. But I have both put this in my pocket and used the handy-dandy clip thing and that works. Do not want to put it in my purse because I do not have that with me at all times and I want to count my steps throughout the day, not just when I am exercising. I, again, saw my motivation to get moving step up and this is the important thing anyhow.On the software, I was expecting to be able to plug it into the computer and it would automatically download the software. This is not the case so I actually haven't taken the time to download it but it was not like the iPod Nano, where you plug it in and are instantly asked to connect to Nike.com, etc. so you can track our progress and steps but you actually have to find a website, etc. I haven't had the time to do so as of yet.Anyhow, it is good for motivating one to get moving, this is what I need.I do recommend it for anyone who does not always have an iPod Nano - LOL!Update (17 Jan 2013):Do not use this when you are shoveling snow!!! Had major snow-fall and was out shoveling and made the mistake of not putting this in a pocket; used the clip instead. When I was done, I noticed it was GONE. Went to search for it. No such luck in a foot and a half of snow.Anyhow, should have known better. Just be careful with the clip.Getting a less-expensive and smaller one now so I can put it comfortably in my pocket. Being relatively thin, when I wore this on the clip, or in my pocket, it stuck out... lol! Maybe it's for the better that I lost it.Update 7 March 2013:I found it!!! It was right next to my porch, buried in snow since I lost it on 17 Jan. And we've had several snow falls and extremely cold weather (0 - 32 F). And, being next to my porch, where we do not yet have the gutters installed, having just replaced our roof, as the snow was melting there was also a lot of water and frozen mix falling right on it. Well, the snow and ice FINALLY melted, and there it was! And, it still works!!! I just had to wash it off a little and it it's like it is brand new! So, if you lose it shoveling snow, and it is buried for a few months, it will still work. Now that's a quality product!I think I will find the lanyard that goes with it and hook it to my belt that way and with the clip. Then won't have to have it sticking out from pocket (bulky) and if the clip falls off, it will not be lost.

This is actually the 2nd Omron HJ-720ITC pedometer that I've purchased or received. I liked the first one I got back in October so much that I purchased this one as a gift for my wife.In August of last year, I decided it was time to lose weight so I started watching what I ate and started to exercise. I run on the Elliptical Trainer pretty much every morning and then I walk during my lunch breaks at work. I've dropped 45 pounds and I've pretty much hit my target weight as of the end of November.So how's this the best fitness device? Well, the Omron pedometer let me set goals on my computer and then upload my walking routine regularly (I upload nearly daily; although it saves over a month of data so daily isn't required). I set my goals high enough that to meet them I have to make a concerted effort to exercise, it wasn't just going to happen with normal daily activity. I've missed an occassional day since then, but I've found that it really bothers me when I perform the upload and see the missed day.Since reaching my original goal weight, I've found myself less motivated when I've been tired, but knowing that if I don't get my steps in, I'll pull down my average on the computer keeps me motivated.The device is very well built, sturdy, and with basic water resistance (i.e. rubber seals over the USB interface). The holster works extremely well. I've never had it slip out of the holster accidentally. I have had the holster slip off my belt a time or two from sitting and bumping it. I would have liked the holster to be a little longer as it doesn't quite cover my belt which is why it has slipped off when pressed against. However, it also has a clip that I snap onto either my pocket or belt that has never failed. So even when the holster has been knocked off my belt, the pedometer never falls to the ground since it is held by the clip and string.It collects the number of steps, number of aerobic steps (defined as more than 60 steps per minute for more than 10 minutes at a time), amount of aerobic walking time, number of calories burned, distance traveled, and amount of fat burned. The first five are viewable on the LCD and the fat burned I think is calculated by the upload software. It keeps 7 days viewable on the LCD, and keeps a total of 42 days available for upload. All stats are then shown in software indefinitely. The software shows a daily walking report compared against your goals. It also has Weekly Steps both totals and daily average across the week, Monthly Steps again, totals for the month and daily average for the month, Yearly Steps both as a total and daily average for the year, and then Total Steps since purchasing the pedometer and daily average (I'm at 1,645,311 steps, 1,096,970 aerobic steps, 7,792 minutes of aerobic walking, 94,769 calories, 934 miles, and 6,035 grams of fat burned since I started using it on October 29, 2007).I've found the pedometer to be incredibly accurate in counting steps. I'm not sure what technology is used, but it works. It is also the quietest pedometer I've ever used.I highly recommend this pedometer and state unequivically, it is the best physical fitness device I've ever purchased.Bill Olsen

What I like the most about this pedometer is that I can just keep it in my pocket. Not only that I can keep it in my pocket, but that it keeps an accurate count while it's in my pocket. The automatic reset at midnight is handy, so I don't need to worry about forgetting to reset the pedometer and inflating my counts for the next day. The other features are nice, but incidental.Aerobic steps: I haven't figured out exactly what constitute an aerobic step, but it seems to be fairly accurate, counting the steps when I'm out for a walk as opposed to when I'm just walking around.Calories burned: It's a nice gesture. But it's probably inaccurate. There are so many other factors when calculating the number of calories burned.Distance: It's a nice estimate of how far you've gone in a day. But since it calculates distance based on your average stride length, if you're going out on a walk, your stride will probably have elongated, and whatever distance the pedometer give you will probably be on the conservative side.Software: I suppose it's nice having the software track everything for you, but there's a certain satisfaction from filling in your own chart, which is quite easy since the pedometer itself will display your counts for up to a week. That being said, the software is easy to use and decently designed.Overall: It's a very good pedometer. I would recommend it if you like a lot of frills to play with. But I bought the pedometer at a discount. I don't think I would have gotten it otherwise. The HJ-112 is cheaper and can also be placed in your pocket. It doesn't have all the other features, but I don't find those critical to a pedometer.