Polar's Fitness Watch Tracks Every Move You Make
OK, so it might not track every move- it’s only a watch after all- but Polar’s new FA20 Activity Computer is meant to measure the active motion you make and help you determine your activity level. You input your age, gender, height, and weight, and it will track your calories burned, distance, steps, and more. Basically, if you need a reminder of how little you truly leave your computer desk, the FA20 can tell you. With a simple click, you can see how active you actually were for the day.
It has all of the normal watch features- alarm with snooze, water resistance to 30 meters, a backlight- but the real draw here is the fitness information, and especially the ability to track levels over time. You can sync the watch to a computer, which is nice, though you’ll need the optional FlowLink adapter. The FA20 is nice and light, and fairly attractive- it isn’t too bulky, and the band feels durable. Best of all, it’s fairly simple to use.
Cute graphics indicate your current activity, but that means it is easy to tell when the watch is mistaken about what you are actually doing. We found multiple instances where there were inaccuracies. Small ones, such as it thinking we were running for a while after we had stopped weren’t a big deal; bigger ones such as incorrect distances when walking or running, sometimes off by 20%, were more problematic.
Overall the Polar FA20 is great, especially for those who don’t want to bother with a pedometer. It might not be as accurate, and is more expensive at around $100, but it is easier to wear all of the time, and less likely to fall off or get lost. Available online and in stores.
