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Is the step counter too sensitive?

kingdave82
over 9 years ago
I'm not overly fussed about by step count for the day - I'm a runner so know I get plenty of exercise, but the step counter is something of a "nice to know" on the days when I might not be out on the roads, but does it actually work?

I know that none of these step counters are 100% accurate, but for my watch to go from approx 1000 steps for the day to 8000 in the space of 2 hours when all I was doing was driving seems way off the mark!

It looks as though mine is counting any micro movement as a step rather than the type of movement done. I would've thought a step would have a certain type of swing to it that the watch could register, not just the changes on my gear stick (which I didn't do 7000 times!) or the vibrations of the car as it moved.

I've also noticed that when wearing in bed to track sleep, when I wake up and before I've even got out of bed it has often already registered 500 steps. Now, my partner sleeps like a feather and would know if I had been sleep walking, so this doesn't seem to be the issue here either.

Is anyone else having similar experiences?
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    That's what makes the "what is a step?" logic really complex. This time of year, I'll walk a few miles every morning, with my hands in my coat pockets (it's cold!) but still get a very reasonable step count for that.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I was then told that's just how the watch counts steps and the Forerunner series is really built for runners and most runners care very little about their steps and much more about the additional statistical features of the watch.


    this excuse is getting tired and annoying. if you offer a feature then make sure it works properly, regardless of who your main target market is.

    if runners care so little about a step counter, and you cant even make one thats accurate, then why the hell put it in a running watch?
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I noticed the same thing while driving yesterday: steps kept increasing in the hundreds just through the vibrations of the steering wheel.
    It seems like a low-pass filter implemented in software could do the job as the vibrations of a car are much higher in frequency than those you would get through walking or even running.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I don't get any extraneous steps counted while driving and I think if anybody would it would be me because of the length of the throw between gears in my truck. I have to make some big arm movements to get from one gear to the next and being left handed my watch is on my right wrist.

    I don't have any problems with steps being counted while walking the dog or while walking with my hands in my pockets either.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I found that I do get extra steps counted when driving. Maybe a couple hundred during a 30 min drive but I also get missed steps when walking short distances like from room to room in my house etc. I feel over the long term it kinda balances out.

    I also noticed that the step counter doesnt show all steps it's registered immediately and sometimes they're kinda counted but not updated but then after a short walk I'll notice more steps counted than actually taken - these may have been accumulated a little earlier but not shown.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I just switched from a Vivofit to the 230... my experience is that the 230 is less sensitive, as I'm consistently getting lower step counts. I've also observed that Fitbits seem to be more sensitive than Garmins in this regard.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Today I wore the Garmin 235, Fitbit HR and a Pedometer supplied by the GCC (Global Corporate Challenge) which I have found in the past to be pretty accurate.

    Results:

    Garmin 10810 Steps (3216 calories OR 3962 in GC??)
    Fitbit 17188 steps (4042 calories)
    Pedometer 15203 steps.

    In terms of steps I believe the pedometer is more accurate that the Fitbit as it is kept in the pocket and is less prone to false readings from arm swings.

    The Garmin definitely seems to be too low. Two activities recorded. An indoor run which contributed 3196 steps and an "Other" activity (Gym work) which contributed no steps?? I was obviously walking around in the Gym a fair bit, so I'm not sure if those steps are still counted or lost?
    Lets just say I'm not too confident in what the Garmin is telling me in terms of steps or calories, especially as the watch and GC have 2 different readings. Also half of my HR data is missing for the day.Looks like a call to support tomorrow :-( .....
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Today I wore the Garmin 235, Fitbit HR and a Pedometer supplied by the GCC (Global Corporate Challenge) which I have found in the past to be pretty accurate.

    Results:

    Garmin 10810 Steps (3216 calories OR 3962 in GC??)
    Fitbit 17188 steps (4042 calories)
    Pedometer 15203 steps.

    In terms of steps I believe the pedometer is more accurate that the Fitbit as it is kept in the pocket and is less prone to false readings from arm swings.

    The Garmin definitely seems to be too low. Two activities recorded. An indoor run which contributed 3196 steps and an "Other" activity (Gym work) which contributed no steps?? I was obviously walking around in the Gym a fair bit, so I'm not sure if those steps are still counted or lost?
    Lets just say I'm not too confident in what the Garmin is telling me in terms of steps or calories, especially as the watch and GC have 2 different readings. Also half of my HR data is missing for the day.Looks like a call to support tomorrow :-( .....


    Interesting. I did a comparison of the step counts with different devices myself early after receiving my FR:

    https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?336443-FR235-HRM-and-Sleep-Data-Comparison&p=768109#post768109

    In that comparison the FR was rather on the high side of step counts. Though I can't really say how accurate the iPhone apps or the 1$ pedometer is :rolleyes:
  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Not really, but sometimes it depends on the device itself. After all, not all pedometers are created equal. If you're looking for step trackers that track steps accurately, I recommend you to check this link here right now. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to gcan100

    actually mine(vivosport) is counting steps ~ 600 steps from entering the bathroom and finished brushing my teeth(enter 960 steps, counting steps while brushing....)that's kind of dissapointing since this is a gps tracker...