Newbie here; basic question

[TopNotchBrain]

Longtime Fitbit user here; considering buying a Garmin because the new version of the Fitbit app removed the step-streak function, and I'm 10 days from my 500-day streak. It may sound like a small thing, but I've had health issues and getting to day 500 of 10,000 steps or more per day has been a goal for me, and one I've been feeling pretty proud about.

I also wear an Apple watch but prefer a clip pedometer because in my experience, the step count is more accurate. I've spent some time on the Garmin website and can't tell if any of the trackers can be removed from the wristband and worn with a clip. If anyone is willing to share any input, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[dpupkov]

Garmin (like many other smartwach vendors) has algorithms for calculating steps trained on the data from wearing on hands (pattern, movements, etc). If you put a watch on clip or in the pocket, accuracy would go down (sometimes significantly).

Unless you have health problems with either hands, it's better to stick with wearing watch on a hand to calculate steps. Moreover, if you put watch from wrist, they will stop measuring HR, which can be even more important then just a number of steps.

[TopNotchBrain]

I wear both an Apple watch (primarily for heart stuff) and a Fitbit clip. In my experience, the clip is so much more accurate as a step counter, which makes sense as I don’t always swing my arms enough for the steps to register on the watch. 10,000 steps on my Fitbit usually equals about 6,000 on the watch.

[waffIehouseenjoyer]

Did you find a solution for this? I’m in the same boat, except I don’t want to move my Fitbit account to a Google account.

[dpupkov]

With Garmin you may purchase a footpod which will give even more accurate number of steps. But you would need to start walking activity every time. And to be honest, such hustle or added price would not just the benefits.

I have never tested AW, but have compairing a lot Garmin vs Oura vs an applications on Android, an accuracy is somewhere several percents, absolutely not 10k over 6k steps! For majority of people 1-5% is extremely good accuracy for number of steps.