OmronHJ-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.

After trying several pedometers, this is my favorite. I started with cheaper coil-spring mechanism models, but they were rarely accurate, and I never liked having to place them on my belt. Even small ones seemed to get in the way. Then I had two Omron HJ-112s, the first of which failed when I wore it into the swimming pool (you know you're a pedometer addict when you wear it in your swimsuit just to get a few extra steps!), and the second one I lost. I bought the HJ-720ITC as an upgrade so that I could record my data to the computer. I love being able to track my steps, aerobic and non-aerobic, and I wear it when I run as well. I don't know how accurate it is while running, but it's certainly not too far off the right count.One thing I found with the HJ-112 is that the little plastic clip that attaches to your clothing breaks pretty easily. I imagine the same is true for the HJ-720. The clip attaches to the end of the lanyard as an extra safety precaution to make sure the pedometer doesn't fall off, but now I just leave the case and clip at home. I put it the pedometer in my pocket (it fits nicely in the little fifth pocket in all my jeans) where it remains snug, and so far no drops.One other very slight drawback is the software. It works fine (I'm running Vista), but it only downloads data for the pedometer and Omron's blood pressure meter. It would be nice if it downloaded data from an Omron heart rate monitor as well. That would make it more workout friendly, but it's really designed as health management software, not fitness management software.I'm really happy with this new pedometer, and I just have to remember not to take it swimming!

Who am I? At the time I write this, I'm a 37 year old professional male who is married with a couple of small children and more than a few spare pounds. Why did I buy a pedometer? I've had some cheap ones and busted a few that have fallen to the ground while I was exercising, and I was looking for a better built more functional device. Having software and being able to track and graph my progress was a plus. Bar graphs aren't going to make me less fat, but for me, seeing a pie chart - as opposed to eating an entire pie - can make a difference in motivating me to do better.The design -It's a little oval looking thing, rather sleek in appearance, that's black, purple, and grey. Eh. it's fine. It's better than those rectangular things that look like they came in a Kiddie Meal at your local fast food establishment. Would multiple fashion colors make a difference? Fashion colors ALWAYS make a difference for a device that people might see on or about your person when you are exercising. Since mine resides in my pocket (I'm very private with my step counting, thank you very much) the color is irrelevant.It's not particularly weighty. It will stay on if you clip it, but once you start moving, this may change (see more about that below).PRO: Doesn't have to be hooked to your belt. Look, we've all seen how great some buff guy or girl looks with this sleek little pedometer conveniently clipped to their brand name athletic shorts with just enough tanned belly peaking from under the form fitting athletic top that doesn't exactly hide their taut abs but rather enhances the look. REALITY CHECK: you've got belly fat and this pedometer isn't going to rest flatly up against you. It's going to be angled by your belly and it's going to shift during exercise because you and I jiggle when we walk/jog. GOOD NEWS: put the pedometer in your pocket and fughet about it.....works just fine. We put it in a back pack and walked along the beach and it worked fine. I carried it in my hand once, and it worked just fine. I thought about tying it to my shoe to see if it would work, but I didn't because that would be highly annoying while exercising, and if it flew off it might break, and then that would be stupid. But, I bet it would work just fine. I have worn it on my waistline, but let me tell you something, ok? Do you want to be one of "those people?" You know who I'm talking about... they wear their gadgets on the outside purportedly for the convenience - but in some cases so the rest of us will say, "Hey there, friend, what are you sporting there today?" Maybe you think it's easier to just look down and view your steps periodically, but I say, if you can't get pulling something out of your pocket down, perhaps we should work on the ol hand eye coordination thing first. I, frankly, cannot see it over my fattness, so, I keep it in my pocket. Also, once, when it was on my belt area, it popped off and I feared I had broken it. Fortunately, it landed on carpet, and did not break, but I learned to respect the dignity of my device by placing it in my pocket instead of on my pantwaist. It seems happier in my pocket, and I'm good with that. Also, no one comes up and asks me how many steps I've taken today or if they can look at it, or why the heck am I wearing a pedometer. If you WANT the attention, wear it on the outside and take it all in. (That's just not for me).ANOTHER PRO: It seems to be accurate. Now, if you're an exercise enthusiast that is training for the WORLD MASTER EXERCISE CHAMPIONSHIPOF VERY SERIOUS EXERCISE PEOPLE and you demand a product that will precisely measure every flipping thing you do, I can't help you. If your goal is 8000 steps a day, this little thing is going to give you a darn good idea whether you got there. There's nothing wrong with demanding higher performance. If that's your thing, you should. I submit that this pedometer is about as good as it gets, though... so short of counting your strides in your head or hiring a minion to run along side and count your steps for you, this pedometer should be just fine. I have nothing against very fit people and would like to be one. And I don't believe that fit people demand perfection from their pedometers. But there are perfectionists in this world that will find flaw with the fact that they looked at it, it said 1239 steps, they walked five steps, and they got shorted a step. If you're losing one in five steps, then it's not set right by stride, in all liklihood. My point is.... it's as accurate as I think most people need it to be.ANOTHER PRO: If you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, it's easy to set up. If you don't read the instructions, we might read about your horrible experience here. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.OH LOOK ANOTHER PRO: The software is kind of neat. You can download your activity and view graphs and charts showing your steps and if you met your goals and whether it was aerobic enough (how does it know?) It does, fairly accurately too. I think it's based upon continuous movement.CON: Ok, so you left the pedometer on the nightstand and then ran around in the yard for 1/2 hour with the kids. WHOOPS, it didn't measure your steps, obviously. Well, there's no altering the information in the computer when you download the information. I suppose this limits cheating, but darnit it, once you've had the thing on for a while you get pretty good at knowing how many steps you took. And again, for casual usage it would be nice if you could adjust the steps on the computer so that you don't have a little frowny face staring at you because you came up 127 steps short.ANOTHER CON: This isn't so much a bad thing as a limitation you have to undertand. If you pivot in the kitchen and take two steps to put something in the oven, there's a chance that your movement won't inspire the device to count your steps. If this is a flaw in your mind because EVERY STEP MUST COUNT OR ELSE, then you will have a few disappointment in your life with this pedometer. To that, I say, if you're relying on your kitchen pivots to meet your steps goals, let's consider a session with a professional who can give you a few pointers.Overall, the product works well, and in the low $30s is priced right. Buying this at $50 is a stretch, so don't.I think you will be surprised by your activity level, if you're anything like me.... and for that I thank you, little pedometer.