Customer Reviews

Fit Solutions CW-701 Yamax Digiwalker Pedometer

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Yamax is considered by many to be the "Gold Standard" of pedometers. It is, in fact, the pedometer against which all others are tested.

I tested this pedometer against the following:

Yamax Digi-Walker SW-701
Omron HJ-112
Yamax Power Walker Series PZ-271 Lite

In summary, it was a great improvement over the SW-701 and more accurate than the Omron HJ-112. It was far less accurate than the PZ-271 Lite. It is, however, highly accurate for dedicated walks --- when you strap it on, go for a walk and take it off. Worn all day, however, it over counts steps.

If you want a pedometer for in-place walking, this would be a good one to use as it counts all movement. So, if you do something like Leslie Sansone's videos, you might want to use this. For that it would be fairly accurate where the accelerometer would under count in this case. But you would want a more accurate pedometer to wear the rest of the day.

It should be noted that in tests I've done with the Omron HJ-112, I've found the Omron very inaccurate --- it under counts by up to 15% and possibly more with more scientific testing.

My tests are unscientific. They're done at slow and normal speed -- also at aerobic speed of up to 105 steps per minute. They're done inside, outside, up and down stairs and worn all day. They are also worn correctly and positions changed daily. Strides are all set correctly and the same on each unit.

I have used a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-701 for three years. I recently tested that unit against the upgrade, CW-701 and also the Yamax PZ-271 Lite of the Power Walker series.

The CW-701 uses a coil spring. So when you shake it, it makes a noise, which is normal. That also means it makes a slight noise as you walk. And it means it records many movements other than actual steps. (More on that later.)

It has a different feel than its predecessor. The clip is metal, which is better. But on the other hand, it is difficult to attach it to your belt or clothing as it's an extremely tight clasp. Also, it's a bit harder to open at first. But you quickly adapt to it. Like all Yamax pedometers, it's made well, very durable. The time, for some reason, is 24-hour military time. And, like all Yamax pedometers, you set the stride in quarters rather than tenths, which would be better in my opinion.

In testing the CW-701 against the SW-701, I noticed a considerable difference in results. The SW-701 under counted while the other two were within one step of each other. It should be noted that all the units are set at the same stride and placed correctly. They're worn at the same time, under the same conditions.

Here are some of the things that can make a pedometer over count according to [...], which sells the Digi-Walker.

"Things that will cause pedometers and accelerometers to over count, i.e., meet the required vertical acceleration g force threshold:

* Any shaking or jostling of the device in a vertical direction that meets the g force threshold of the device. That includes taking the device off and putting the device on your waistband, taking your pants down to go to the bathroom, picking the device up and off of your dresser, etc.
* Any movement in a vertical direction while driving or riding in or on a car, tractor, lawn mower, bicycle or horse, etc. You and whatever you are in or on become one. Therefore, whatever your means of transportation does in terms of movement you and your device do it too.
* A flimsy waistband. Something firm works best--a firm waistband, a belt, an elastic waistband if it has a drawstring"

I notice the Yamax SW-701 and CW-701 both count from 4 to 7 steps when I pull my pants down and back up. Just opening and closing the case of the CW-701 causes it to count 1 step. Almost any movement will cause it to count steps. Taking it off and putting it on will cause it to count, for example.

Battery life in all Yamax pedometers is astounding. Comparing them to Omron, you'll notice a big difference. The Omron battery will need to be changed about every six months or more. The Yamax can go years without being changed. Yamax says battery life is two years. I'm sure that's quite true as I can't recall needing one in the three years I've had mine.

The PZ-271 has an alligator clip, which I really like. It easily snaps onto any fabric and hangs on. It's the best clip I've found on a pedometer to date.

Here's what Yamax has to say about the PZ-271, which is an accelerometer and makes no noise when you walk with it.

"1D accelerometer sensor has Electronic Walking-Cognitive (EWC sensor) function that improve measurement walking data more precisely. If you walk one step, display does not show number 1. Because EWC Sensor distinguish just vibrations occurred by non-walking action like sitting and standing from actual walking activity. If you walk continuously more than 5 steps, the steps you took will be added to the number of steps totally you have taken and display total data at once because of EWC sensor."

All the above pedometers count steps and distance. They track calories and have a clock (24-hour) and they all have memory. Surprisingly, however, the PZ-271, which is in the Power Walker series, does not track speed. Moreover, unlike many other accelerometers, it can't be dropped into a pocket.

In summary, I found the Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer to be inaccurate because it adds steps for nearly every movement of the body or the unit itself. If I was rating it for merely walking or jogging, it would be accurate. But one can't rate it like that when it's worn all day like many people wear a pedometer. If you just use it to walk or run from point A to point B, I recommend it. Otherwise, I do not. You would be better off with an accelerometer and even then, there are differences in the pedometers.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson

I got on my treadmill with this pedometer as well as my Omron HJ-720ITC. Frankly, I expected the Omron to have greater accuracy, but as it turned out, the CW-701 had it beat. I highly recommend this pedometer for its precision, memory, clock, calorie burn measurement, etc. You will not go wrong. If and when you pick up speed during your activity this will continue to measure your movement with the same dependable accuracy as if you were walking. It's also lighter weight and less obtrusive than the Omron.

I think the CW-701 Yamax Digiwalker Pedometer is great. I can keep track of the steps I take each day for a week. It totals the week and you can see how much you did for the whole week and compare to the week befor.

After about 2 months of daily use I can say that I am still very happy with this pedometer. It is very accurate and well built. I expect to enjoy it for a long time.

Yamax is considered by many to be the "Gold Standard" of pedometers. It is, in fact, the pedometer against which all others are tested.

I tested this pedometer against the following:

Yamax Digi-Walker SW-701
Omron HJ-112
Yamax Power Walker Series PZ-271 Lite

In summary, it was a great improvement over the SW-701 and more accurate than the Omron HJ-112. It was far less accurate than the PZ-271 Lite. It is, however, highly accurate for dedicated walks --- when you strap it on, go for a walk and take it off. Worn all day, however, it over counts steps.

If you want a pedometer for in-place walking, this would be a good one to use as it counts all movement. So, if you do something like Leslie Sansone's videos, you might want to use this. For that it would be fairly accurate where the accelerometer would under count in this case. But you would want a more accurate pedometer to wear the rest of the day.

It should be noted that in tests I've done with the Omron HJ-112, I've found the Omron very inaccurate --- it under counts by up to 15% and possibly more with more scientific testing.

My tests are unscientific. They're done at slow and normal speed -- also at aerobic speed of up to 105 steps per minute. They're done inside, outside, up and down stairs and worn all day. They are also worn correctly and positions changed daily. Strides are all set correctly and the same on each unit.

I have used a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-701 for three years. I recently tested that unit against the upgrade, CW-701 and also the Yamax PZ-271 Lite of the Power Walker series.

The CW-701 uses a coil spring. So when you shake it, it makes a noise, which is normal. That also means it makes a slight noise as you walk. And it means it records many movements other than actual steps. (More on that later.)

It has a different feel than its predecessor. The clip is metal, which is better. But on the other hand, it is difficult to attach it to your belt or clothing as it's an extremely tight clasp. Also, it's a bit harder to open at first. But you quickly adapt to it. Like all Yamax pedometers, it's made well, very durable. The time, for some reason, is 24-hour military time. And, like all Yamax pedometers, you set the stride in quarters rather than tenths, which would be better in my opinion.

In testing the CW-701 against the SW-701, I noticed a considerable difference in results. The SW-701 under counted while the other two were within one step of each other. It should be noted that all the units are set at the same stride and placed correctly. They're worn at the same time, under the same conditions.

Here are some of the things that can make a pedometer over count according to new-[...], which sells the Digi-Walker.

"Things that will cause pedometers and accelerometers to over count, i.e., meet the required vertical acceleration g force threshold:

* Any shaking or jostling of the device in a vertical direction that meets the g force threshold of the device. That includes taking the device off and putting the device on your waistband, taking your pants down to go to the bathroom, picking the device up and off of your dresser, etc.
* Any movement in a vertical direction while driving or riding in or on a car, tractor, lawn mower, bicycle or horse, etc. You and whatever you are in or on become one. Therefore, whatever your means of transportation does in terms of movement you and your device do it too.
* A flimsy waistband. Something firm works best--a firm waistband, a belt, an elastic waistband if it has a drawstring"

I notice the Yamax SW-701 and CW-701 both count from 4 to 7 steps when I pull my pants down and back up. Just opening and closing the case of the CW-701 causes it to count 1 step. Almost any movement will cause it to count steps. Taking it off and putting it on will cause it to count, for example. Unfortunately, I discovered that it too counts junk steps. For example, just putting on my pants to which the unit is attached put 13 steps on the counter. With an accelerometer, that shouldn't happen.

Battery life in all Yamax pedometers is astounding. Comparing them to Omron, you'll notice a big difference. The Omron battery will need to be changed about every six months or more. The Yamax can go years without being changed. Yamax says battery life is two years. I'm sure that's quite true as I can't recall needing one in the three years I've had mine.

The PZ-271 has an alligator clip, which I really like. It easily snaps onto any fabric and hangs on. It's the best clip I've found on a pedometer to date.

Here's what Yamax has to say about the PZ-271, which is an accelerometer and makes no noise when you walk with it.

"1D accelerometer sensor has Electronic Walking-Cognitive (EWC sensor) function that improve measurement walking data more precisely. If you walk one step, display does not show number 1. Because EWC Sensor distinguish just vibrations occurred by non-walking action like sitting and standing from actual walking activity. If you walk continuously more than 5 steps, the steps you took will be added to the number of steps totally you have taken and display total data at once because of EWC sensor."

All the above pedometers count steps and distance. They track calories and have a clock (24-hour) and they all have memory. Surprisingly, however, the PZ-271, which is in the Power Walker series, does not track speed. Moreover, unlike many other accelerometers, it can't be dropped into a pocket.

In summary, I found the Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer to be inaccurate because it adds steps for nearly every movement of the body or the unit itself. If I was rating it for merely walking or jogging, it would be accurate. But one can't rate it like that when it's worn all day like many people wear a pedometer. If you just use it to walk or run from point A to point B, I recommend it. Otherwise, I do not. You would be better off with an accelerometer and even then, there are differences in the pedometers.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson

I've been using Yamax pedometers since 2001 and have been happy with them. Previously, I owned the SW-651. I decided to purchase the CW-701 due to the fact that it has a metal clip and is supposed to be more accurate than the SW series. I am happy with this pedometer because I haven't had a problem with the clip or hinge breaking like I did with the SW-651. The clip is a little snug making it difficult to place on your waist band but that also helps prevent it from slipping off when you wear it. I find if I lift the bottom of the clip with my thumb, it is much easier to place on a thicker waist band. A safety leash that clips to your belt loop, waist band or pocket is a wise investment to prevent losing the pedometer in case it slips off your waist band.

In order to get an accurate step count, the instructions state to position it on your waist band or belt between your hip and belly button. Then you are supposed to take 20 steps. If it doesn't read between 19 and 21 steps, you are to reposition it on your waist band and repeat the test until it does. After that, you should place it in that same spot every time you wear it. Also, it must be vertical and can't be tilted. If you have a belly roll that causes your waist band to not be vertical than an accelerometer type pedometer would be better for you. I find I get the most accurate measurements when I clip it to the coin pocket of my jeans.

I also like the fact that it has a 7 day memory and resets your steps at midnight everyday. That way I don't have to remember to reset and record my steps nightly in my log. I just need to remember to do it at least once a week. It also tells you the cumulative steps for the previous and current week. I wish that the stride could be set to .05 increments like the SW-651 rather than .25 increments.

I highly recommend this product. I also recommend purchasing a safety leash for it.

This is a great pedometer. I love the metal clip on it and that it resets itself at midnight each night.

I bought this after reading several positive reviews. The pedometer seems to be working OK after spending more time than I thought necessary to get accurate readings. The modes are helpful and it resets daily and keeps a good history of steps and distance. I would not buy this again, not because it doesn't work after finally getting it setup correctly, but it doesn't work any better than the pedometer I got free for my health insurance company.

Not only does this pedometer do everything it said it would, it survived going through the laundry on my tennis shorts! Came out with the tether still attached and still functional! Now that's quality!Fit Solutions CW-701 Yamax Digiwalker Pedometer

I'm very pleased with this pedometer. It's rugged, easy to read while still on your belt, and the memory and auto-reset feature at midnight are great. It's a fairly unobtrusive black oval box that clips to my belt, so I don't mind wearing anywhere I go. The controls and display are inside, and the belt clip is metal, so it can take a lot of abuse without being damaged or falling off. The 24hr clock display is nice if you don't wear a watch all the time, and the programmable stride length gives you a pretty accurate estimate of your distance.

If you want a pedometer to wear on your belt, I highly recommend this one. If you want one for your pocket or purse, then I'd recommend the Omron HJ-303 GoSmart Tri-Axis Pocket Pedometer (which can be worn on the belt as well).