Review smart pedometer Withings Pulse

First Withings showed Pulse in January 2013 at CES, but the device will appear on sale in the summer, and got up and did Russia closer to the end of the year. As a fan and a longtime user of pedometers FitBit, in particular, now I model One, I did not expect any major breakthrough freshman.Thought it was just another pedometer that created the wave of popularity of such devices. My opinion was erroneous, as Withings take into account the experience of predecessors and the same FitBit, managed to create, if not ideal, something close to this unit. In the story about the Pulse I will compare it with the FitBit One, these pedometers functionally very similar, and such a comparison is not unreasonable, especially since I use every day and One can say everything about what I personally it lacks.

Package Includes:

• Pedometer


• USB-cable


• Silicone Case with Clip


• Holder on hand


• Instruction

Let’s start with the box – in Withings did not jump over your head and let out a package that is indistinguishable from those offered by most other companies – cardboard, transparent window visible pedometer.

When you first turn must charge a pedometer, and then I got a pleasant surprise: unlike the One, in Pulse usual microUSB-socket. You can use any cable to charge both the network and the computer. No data synchronization through this connector, no, he only charging pedometer. In One unique cable that should definitely not lose, otherwise you’ll have to fork over a lump sum. Pulse In this issue resolved once and for all – and the only right decision, a universal connector.

The second point – is the lack of Bluetooth-dongle as in One. In Withings rightly considered that most of the computers, not to mention tablets and smartphones, today has this feature. So why produce unwanted entity?

Firmware update, data synchronization – all done via Bluetooth. Just press a single button on the pedometer and hold for 3 seconds to activate Bluetooth. This may be the pairing mode (the first time), and can be forced synchronization. This user has no synchronization settings (clock frequency), pedometer is doing this operation every 6 hours. Or you can do it yourself.

The first step is to install the program on your Health Mate smartphone or tablet. Mating takes place without any problems, you are offered to have an account in the service, and then you can save all your data in the cloud. When you first connect it checks for updates, and if they are, the device is automatically updated – it takes the strength of a couple of minutes.

If One data synchronization occurs almost instantaneously, here it is not fast – the average is 25-30 seconds if the accumulated data for the week, the synchronization may take up to six minutes. Often this happens in the background and does not irritate.

Pedometer size slightly larger than the FitBit One, but given that you’ll be carrying it in the pocket of jeans for lighters and other stuff, it does not matter – there it fits like a glove. On clothing in this clip pedometer also does not cause any discomfort.

Official photos display shows bright, it is the technology OLED, has only one illumination color – blue. Resolution small screen – 128h32 points, it is enough to show all the necessary information.

In the life of the screen dim, as if shining through the film. Gradually get used to this, consider a display brightness can not be a serious drawback – not ideal, certainly, but not a drawback.

With a single button, you can scroll the pedometer readings, they are fixated on a circle. Time, battery level, and the user name.

One look in the battery level is only possible on the smartphone or web interface, then it all clear and have nowhere to climb further. The next screen shows the number of steps, as well as your goal (default is 10 000 steps a day, but it can be changed). Next – calories, there is nothing to comment on. Then, the height to which you went during the day – in stairwells One considered that somewhat more speculative immediately – honest meters. I think that the right to life is both approaches – in One such method of counting trying to encourage more walking on the stairs, that is under a certain logic. Let me remind you that most pedometers do not measure height, and these two – a pleasant exception.

Finally, there is a screen with two characters: heart and moon. In the first case, clicking on the icon (touch screen!), You activate the heart rate measurement, the sensor is located on the back of the pedometer, it is enough to put a finger. This can be regarded as an additional option and little demand, there is no permanent measurements, you get data only when recollect it. Slowness measurement also makes this option is not very interesting. Icon on the moon, you activate sleep mode control, ie can get data about how much sleep. For me, this mode is outdated, so I do not use it.

On all screens where there is data, you can browse and watch their previous measurements (up to 14 days). The screen shows the number of days (minus days from the current one). Everything is clear, and this option is very interesting as it allows at midnight to see how much you’ve gone for the day – One does not have to always have to look at the smartphone, which is inconvenient.

Technical aspects of the work remains to note – it is stated as two weeks. In my case, pedometer with constant force synchronization worked for about 7-8 days, but in a more quiet mode it obviously live longer – there is a clear gain in One, who lives an average of 5-7 days. And oh, it’s no indication on the device itself.

Health Mate program and service network

In fact, Withings completely copied the idea FitBit, but did many things more interesting and richer – you have a network page where logs are maintained your pedometer has a social component, you can compete with different people. For the achievement of certain goals are rewarded with badges.

Go into details not see the point, but note that this service – one of the best on a par with the FitBit. Of the undoubted advantages – there are additional fields, the ability to connect a scale that will automatically transmit data measurements. Cool, and do not require time-consuming.

Android smartphones or iPhone software is identical and works like a clock, and here at FitBit there is some problems, supported by a limited number of Android-devices. The screenshots of the program, it is very convenient representation of the data, many analysts – in a word, it is a product of the latest generation.

The bottom line

Frankly, I had a pet, and it’s Pulse. Abandon One will not, too many steps you’ve walked accumulated too many friends uses this pedometer, and we compete with them. But deliberate on how to wear the pedometer even two, although I understand that it is stupid. But nothing I can do, Pulse love.

In the U.S., the cost of Pulse – $ 100, that is similar to the FitBit One, prices in Russia from 4500 to 9900 (!) Rubles. In my view, it makes sense to order a pedometer in the U.S., where he stands adequately. No serious disadvantages of the model no, it’s one of the best decisions of those that are present in the market. We heartily recommend it to everyone, especially those who did not get hooked on One from FitBit.

Review smart pedometer Withings Pulse