GH Institute

All Podometers

• 
  Review of Silva Exercise 4 Life pedometer

  Features

  H3.6cm x W4.6cm x D2.5cm. Records steps and distance (miles or km). Carry strap. Belt clip. Six-step filter.

  Comments

  Good points: A tiny device with excellent step accuracy on all tests. The filter stops any accidental readings, by only registering when six continuous steps have been taken. Ideal for a novice, this model just records steps and distance in either miles or kilometres.

  Rating: 81/100

  Price: £14.95

  Stockist: 01506 406277 - http://www.silva.ltd.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

  
  

• 
  Review of Omron Walking Style One pedometer

  Features

  H5.4cm x D2.5cm round. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (km), calories, fat burned and current time. Belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven day memory. Battery-saving mode.

  Comments

  Good points: Records a good deal of useful information. Split screen shows the current time in addition to any other mode selected. Useful battery saving feature which switches off after five minutes of inactivity. Close to full marks for step accuracy, no readings are taken until it has been used continuously for four seconds. Readings for seven days are held and can easily be scrolled through using one of the two control buttons.

  Drawbacks: Readings cannot be reset manually but revert to zero the next day.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price: £19.95

  Stockist: 0800 3286512 - http://www.omron-healthcare.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Silva Ex3 Plus pedometer

  Features

  H3.0cm x W5.4cm x D1.2cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories, and current time. Timer. Neck strap. Ten-second filter. Seven- day memory. Step barometer.

  Comments

  Good points: Worth the extra if you want a more sophisticated device. It can be slipped into a pocket or hung round a neck and it can take readings hanging in any direction provided it doesn't swing. The screen is surprisingly large and clear for such a compact model and the digits switch round so you can read them from either side. Generally accurate counting.

  Drawbacks: Slightly over-counted on one test. The step barometer, is designed to show you your daily average, but is a bit of a gimmick in our opinion.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price: £29.95

  Stockist: 01506 406277 - http://www.silva.ltd.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer

  Features

  H4.0cm x W5.0cm x D2.2cm. Records steps, distance (miles), calories. Carry strap. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: A simple to use and compact model. Useful calorie chart is displayed on the inside of the lid. The clear screen can be viewed while still attached to waistband or belt.

  Drawbacks: The distance preference for miles or kilometres must be nominated when purchasing. It slightly over-counted on two of the tests. The belt clip is stiff to use and the lid quite stiff to open. Lack of filter means it takes readings if knocked or shaken.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price: £19.99

  Stockist: 0845 868 1886 - http://www.digiwalker.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Omron Walking Style II pedometer

  Features

  H6.6cm x W5.0cm x D2.0cm. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (km), calories, fat burned, current time. Carry strap. Removable belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven-day memory.

  Comments

  Good points: A versatile model which can be attached to a belt or kept in a pocket. It can take readings in any position. The clear split screen can show two modes at a time.  Readings for seven days are held and can be scrolled through easily. More accurate for longer periods of walking.

  Drawbacks: Slight over-reading on short journeys. Readings cannot be reset manually but revert to zero the next day.

  Rating: 66/100

  Price: £24.99

  Stockist: 0800 328 6512 - http://www.omron-healthcare.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer

  Features

  H4.7cm x W6.0cm x D2.8cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories, current time. Timer. Wrist strap. Belt clip. Seven-day memory.

  Comments

  Good points: Bulkier than some models tested. The screen can be read while still attached to the belt. The split screen shows two modes of information at a time. It has a useful calorie counting chart inside the lid.

  Drawbacks: The distance preference for miles or kilometres must be nominated when purchasing. Inaccurate readings for two of the tests. Lack of filter means it takes readings if knocked or shaken. The belt clip is stiff to use. The lid is stiff to open. The instructions don't say how or where to attach the wrist strap.

  Rating: 64/100

  Price: £23.99

  Stockist: 0845 868 1886 - http://www.digiwalker.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Timex T5E011 pedometer

  Features

  H4.0cm x W6.3cm x D3.0cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: A slim-line model which clips easily on to a belt or waistband and the large screen can be read while still attached to waist. A very clear screen with large digits which are really easy to reset.

  Drawbacks: Over-recorded steps on all tests and lack of filter means it easily reads steps when knocked or jogged.

  Rating: 59/100

  Price: £9.99

  Stockist: 0208 326 6900 - http://www.timex.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Tanita PD637 pedometer

  Features

  H4.7cm x W7.0cm x 3.0cm. Records steps, distance (km), calories. Step pacer. Timer. Belt clip. Protective lid.

  Comments

  Good points: Records lots of useful information and has a pacer function to set a rhythm for fast walking or jogging. It has a clear screen and the lid contains a useful quick reference guide. It can be viewed while still attached to the waist.

  Drawbacks: Rather bulky. The lack of filter means it easily counts steps when knocked or shaken. Step recording was inaccurate for all tests, consistently over-counting by an average of eight steps.

  Rating: 48/100

  Price: £12.95

  Stockist: 0845 049 049 - http://www.johnlewis.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Fitbug pedometer

  Features

  H6.6cm x W5.0cm x D2.0cm. Records steps, aerobic steps, distance (kms), calories, fat burned and current time. Belt clip. Four-second filter. Seven-day memory. Battery-saving mode.

  Comments

  Good points: Differs from others by the use of a subscription based website to show you your weekly progress. Feedback is given by email and text. Relatively easy to set up and acts as a useful guide when aiming for the recommended 10,000 steps a day.

  Drawbacks: the pedometer supplied is more accurate over longer distances. The website could be more user friendly

  Rating: 47/100

  Price: £7

  Stockist: 0870 228 4949 - http://www.fitbug.com

  GHI Test Report - February 2009

• 
  Review of Gaiam Walking Fit Kit pedometer

  Features

  H7.2cm x W5.6 x D3.1cm. Records steps, distance (miles or km), calories and current time. Timer. Belt clip. Panic alarm. LED torch. Walking workout CD.

  Comments

  Good points: More useful as a panic alarm.

  Drawbacks: Bulky. Over-counted by an average of 15 steps each time. It has too many controls to make it simple to use and the lack of filter means it easily records steps when it is even lightly knocked.

  Rating: 37/100

  Price: £17.95

  Stockist: 0845 049 049 - http://www.johnlewis.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - February 2009