GoWear fit Display Device

UPDATE: 3/2015- After using this for many years, I still think this is a very good product for its purpose. However, I've discovered that the product appears to be in the process of being quietly killed. After the acquisition by Jawbone, I had high hopes that there would be some resources available to fix some of the ongoing, nagging problems. In fact, when I spoke with support about the armband strap breaking problem I'd seen, they said the same thing- we are hoping that Jawbone will help us finally get that solved. The armband strap is the stretchy velcro and plastic part that holds this on your arm. Without it, you can't use the device. You have always had to buy these direct from Bodymedia, with relatively slow and expensive shipping- so I'd been pleased to discover that they shipping had become more reasonable. When my wife's strap broke recently, however, I called support to try to get it replaced. They said that they had decided not to do any retail sales themselves any longer. Since nobody else carries these straps, that means that a part which is expected to wear out will end the usefulness of your device- and history has shown that these usually only last a few months. I said to the rep that this means that you are killing the device, dropping support for it. She said, "No, we'll still support it"- but there's nothing to support if you can't use the device. At the time, I was upset, but hoped I would be able to find these straps elsewhere. I can't. A call to the Bodymedia support number just now went to a "fast busy" signal. Apparently,, they are continuing to shut down support. NOTE: What this means is that if you buy a Bodymedia device, you can expect it to not last long, and be unable to get support for it VERY SOON. I personally think that it's a despicable way for Jawbone to act- to kill the service while pretending to continue support for it. WATCH OUT.ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had wanted to get the gowear fit for quite some time, since I expected the constant display of information would greatly help me to be motivated. It certainly has, and I've been able to get myself to make a million little choices that have added up to a lot of success. So far, I've lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, just through the constant feedback of this display device. I have been psyched, and able to picture this taking me all the way to my goal of losing about 100 pounds. The display device beeps reminders when I meet my daily goals for steps, calories burned, moderate activity, and vigorous activity. This adds a simple reminder to my day-to work a little harder, cut out calories, and add a little exercise. For me, this whole program isn't too much effort, and it's fun to see each goal reached throughout the day. The constant, small reminders based on information that I see as quite accurate are the best motivator I've found. Now, the one problem- the display device is a separate piece from the "watchband". It twists into place, and is clearly supposed to lock with a slight "snap" in its final position. In the two weeks I've owned this, it has fallen out of the band three times. Since you still feel the band, you don't feel it fall- you only discover that it has fallen out when you happen to look down. That moment is pretty scary, since it could be anywhere, and it's $80 to replace. The first time it fell out, I thought that I must not have locked it in place properly. I decided to be extremely careful, and start checking that it was fully rotated into place every time I look at it. Look at the display, grab it and rotate to the fully-locked position, again and again. I noticed that it often was slightly twisted towards the "unlocked" position, and thought that my constant re-locking of it every time I looked at it would take care of that. The second time it fell out, I figured out that it was going to be an ongoing problem. I decided to be even more careful while I figured out how to "glue" it into place in a non-destructive way. It fell out again before I could achieve that. This time, I couldn't find it. So now, I have a system that is not nearly as useful, and I need to buy another $80 display device. I would suggest that if you purchase this device, work out a way to "glue" this in place that won't cause harm- I was thinking a little bit of silicon seal might be strong enough, but removable. I've yet to verify this with GoWear.Overall, the GoWear system can be very effective, especially when combined with this display device. Be careful to do something to insure you don't lose the display, and go get healthy!<UPDATE>I got ahold of GoWear, and they said it seemed likely that it was a defect, and gave me a return label to return the "watch band" part-and they will ship me a new display device and band. Outrageously good customer service from the manufacturer, effective ongoing reminders- if you want to improve your fitness, go get this system now. If you're having any problem, call GoWear and give them a chance to fix it.

I have had my GoWear Fit (GWF) and display for 2 weeks and all the great reviews are correct. I am not going to list all the positives, because I totally agree with all of them.I do have a few comments for you to be aware of:1. I almost lost my display today. That would have been a really expensive shock/disappointment. I was not using the wristband since it is pretty big and clunky for all day, and I have a pretty Chico's watch I prefer to wear. So it has a clip feature, to clip it on your clothes (the face comes off the wristband). I had mine clipped on different shirts for 2 weeks, and it was fine. Today I had it clipped on a silk sweater and it slid off. I thought I had lost it somewhere on my way to work. This display is NOT inexpensive!!! I was UPSET!! Luckily, it must have fallen off in the bathroom, and I found it slipping down my pants leg.I am going to construct some chain and safety pin set-up so I can double-clip it onto my shirt, so I don't lose it. Maybe they will improve the display clip feature, but I suggest you think about this. Alternatively, you can just leave it in your purse in a safe place, and look at it from time to time.2. The velcro armband is sometimes uncomfortable, and I do not have skin allergies. I loosen it and it still works, but in the future, maybe they'll design an armband of cloth instead of elastic and velcro... I don't know if this will become a nuisance. It is something you really wear all day and night every day and night.3. Suggestion: Amazon.com had a sale where you could buy the GoWear Fit and get the display for an additional $19.99 which was a GREAT price! You can see that now the display is $69.99 (too expensive). So if you can wait and watch; put it in your cart and wait a month and see if there is a sale.I am really really happy with this. I have had a very hard time losing weight, and even though my calories were low: 1350, I didn't realize how inactive I was during the day other than my 1-hour of weights or cardio. (Some days I only move/burn 1600 calories)... not enough of a deficit. This gets me moving during the day! It's terrific!