Omron Pocket Pedometer HJ-112

In trying to live a healthier lifestyle, I was curious about how much walking I do every day, and researched pedometers. I asked for this for Christmas last year and received it as a gift. I was… additionally pleased when a Consumer Reports shortly thereafter listed it as a best buy. I chose this unit over the less expensive models because of its two axis accelerometer vs. a single axis for the less expensive models. This means that you can carry it in a larger variety of orientations and still have it work correctly. I see now that Omron offers a three-axis model Omron HJ-303 GoSmart Tri-Axis Pocket Pedometer. I do not think this was available a year ago, or I would have likely asked for it instead. The only orientation in which the the HJ-112 will not work is with its body oriented parallel to the ground - unfortunately the orientation in which you would hold it to read it, so you either must stop reading or lose some steps while looking at it. I've also seen pedometers that clip to your shoelaces. I think that would be handy - when you have your shoes on, you have your pedometer, and it's out of the way. The fact that the HJ-112 won't work in this orientation precludes using it in this way, but its size would likely render it a bit unwieldy on the shoe. Anyway, with the two-axis accelerometer, you can pretty much toss this in a purse, backpack or pocket, and have it work, while a single-axis model typically needs to be attached solely to the hip. The accuracy on counting steps is amazing. As an engineer, I wonder how the algorithms work that determine the number of steps. Clearly, it has to collect data for a few steps to determine the cadence, and then it starts counting. Do not worry however, it adds in those first steps so you don't miss anything. The biggest disappointment has been the battery life. It has no power switch, so is effectively on all of the time. I don't know if it uses more power when counting steps or now. I wore it religiously for a few months after getting it, but after a while, mostly used it only when hiking. The original battery lasted about eight or nine months. Changing the battery loses your time, and step length settings, and requires a small jeweler's screwdriver to remove the battery. I don't know why the designers felt this necessary. The unit does some with a flat metal screwdriver. Of course, nine months and a move across the country later, I don't know where that is. I was able to confuse the HJ-112 by bike riding with it. I did this experiment a year ago, so don't remember the exact outcome, but it seemed to either double or half the number of "steps" taken while pedalling. Just be aware if you are getting on and off a bike. Omron now has the Hj-113 Pocket Pedometer. I cannot tell from the specs how it really differs from the HJ-112 except that it has one fewer button. In my opinion, many consumer electronic devices suffer from too few buttons, requiring difficult-to-remember sequences and multiple functions. I don't know if that the case with the HJ-113. They look awfully similar, so I doubt you can go wrong with either. My druthers? Other than longer battery life, I can always wish it to be smaller, but I don't know if that's possible with the two-axis sensor design. It's size is one reason I quit carrying it regularly. Although it'll work in a pocket, the buttons are easily pushed, and I'm concerned about it getting scratched up with change, pens, pocketknives and various other pocket residents, so I typically wear it with its clip-on, snap-in cradle, and clip the lanyard to the edge of pocket, because it can, and on rare occasions, does, get knocked out of its cradle. When hiking, I just clip it to the shoulder strap on my daypack and it works wonderfully. Of course, my other druther would be a three-axis model, but Omron now covers that. At this point, however, I don't feel that it adds enough advantage to upgrade. The other Omron product worth mentioning is the Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software which you need to step up to if you feel you need one that can download data to a computer.

expand

collapse

I purchased this pedometer after watching my friend's work very well for almost 2 years. No joke! I have these in the past, but they were the of the electronic variety and those types weren't the most… accurate. I like this model because it works no matter where you put it, on your belt, in your pocket, or in your purse, it works. It counts steps, and once you calibrate the model it also tells you how far you walked, and then it will tell you how many aerobic steps you have taken. This pedometer is packed full of features, a clock, it logs your steps for the past seven days along with everything you need to accurately log your steps. I can't say enough good things about this pedometer. Looking for a reliable pedometer that is easy to use, look no further!

expand

collapse