Customer Reviews

Oregon Scientific PE829A Talking Pedometer with FM Radio

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently purchased this item and just want to say that it is great! I was worried that for the price, I wasn't going to get an accurate count or that the radio would be lousy, but I am happy to say I was wrong! The radio is strong (though it cuts out, which i think is because it has an internal antenna) and easy to use, and the count (so far) is accurate within 2 steps. I highly recommend this product!

The pedometer and radio work fine but the multiple function keys are confusing making it hard to set up. You need to hold down the mode key for 2 seconds to activate the + and - functions. Also the radio could use a better antena as the station looses it's signal.

For the longest time, I'd been very hesitant to purchase this device, and had decided to stick with the more kiddie /cheapie type basic talking pedometers, for example the heart shaped ones made by many different companies, Ultmost, Bally Total Fitness, Sharper Image, Park Avenue, Etc, because I could find nothing but negative, mostly one star reviews on it on the computer.
However, I found one on E-bay for a starting bid of only $5.99, and decided to give it a try.
I just got it in the mail today, and come to find out, through a little research, the unit with all negative reviews was a completely different model, the PE829, to be specific.
I'm glad that I found this site that has mostly positive reviews of this pedometer.
I love the vast array of features on this unit, from the cool British accented voice, to the different ways of measuring your exercise routine, Daily, Weekly, and a Target Number of steps, and I also really like the fact that in order to be accurate, the unit must have a complete profile of you, how much you weigh, your step length, and your age, rather than just your step length and weight, like the cheaper pedometers.
The radio seems to have decent sound quality, and I find that I can reduce it cutting out, if i adjust the pedometers position a bit from time to time when exercising.
one really great thing I also have to point out about the radio is that it has a good amount of bass for an auto scan type radio.
Most auto scans sound hissy, tinny, and have little to no bass.
However, this isn't the case with the PE829A.
I'm not sure about battery life as I haven't used the unit long enough to consume the battery quickly yet, just walked for several hours this evening), but I had the radio playing almost the whole time, and so far, the batteries are still full, so I don't think it's as bad as other reviewers have claimed.
All in all, i think that from now on, we will stick with these Oregon Scientific PE829A Digital Talking Pedometer Fm Radios, instead of getting the cheapie kiddie/giveaway type units like heart shape ones and other commonly seen units.

I liked this prodcut after I finally got it set, which was not easy. It worked great for one week and then the batteries run down. I had to get a new set of batteries every week. I tried using it for six weeks and used four set of batteries. Unfortunally too long to return it. I would not recommend this product.

I purchased this because it was featured in Prevention magazine. It made the "top 10 list" of pedometers. I ended up getting it on Amazon for half of the price the article quoted (not sure how old article was). After testing it out, i ordered another for a back-up and one as a gift for my sister! The steps/mileage counter is pretty accurate. The only complaint I have is the reception for radio is not the best (I assume because antennea is internal?). The voice feature is pretty cool! I'm very satisfied with this purchase!