I have a Fitbit for walking around and tracking sleep, and a Polar FT80 as my science lab on my wrist. The FT80 is on the fritz, and I never liked it's web/app. I was really happy with what information the polar FT80 gave me, but I am looking for something where the data is not locked up inside a proprietary system. I'm also looking for something with better features, like perhaps dual heart rate monitoring (strap gets you accuracy, without the strap is doable but less accurate) and I'm really looking for something that has a developer focus for exporting your data to other platforms.
As an avid self-tracker/QS devotee, I have evaluated pretty much every fitness tracking device out there, and while each has its pros and cons, I have been happily using a Basis (http://www.mybasis.com/) as it has the most comprehensive set of features out there (heart rate, GSR, calorie expenditure, sleep and activity tracking).
However, I was frustrated that they didn't provide a public API or a way to download my data, so I wrote a script that will download your data - http://www.quantifiedbob.com/2013/04/liberating-your-data-from-the-basis-b1-band/ .
Note that all devices will have accuracy issues, whether it's tracking steps or heart rate. And I have yet to find an accurate way to get heart rate variability other than via a chest strap, such as the ones made by Polar.
Another one to check out is BodyMedia (recently acquired by Jawbone), which is considered fairly accurate but you need to wear it around your upper arm - http://www.bodymedia.com/
Answered 10 years ago
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