Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I got this pedometer when I noticed that my old one (an old mechanical version, with a spring in it) was under-counting my steps. I read the reviews, and was a little nervous about accuracy due to the programming not to count until 10-15 steps were achieved, but I thought that might not make such a difference so I ordered it anyway. Bottom line: If you want to count straight line steps with purposeful motion, this pedometer is just fine. If you want to count all the steps you take, including those with small children, older folks, between the counters in the kitchen, and so on, then this pedometer really dramatically under-counts your activity. Here's a little test I did, wearing this pedometer at one hip and my old pedometer on the other. 1) Normal steps around my kitchen, from counter to counter while emptying the dishwasher and putting things away, etc. Steps actually counted by this pedometer: 39% (old unit - 57%) 2) Brisk, purposeful walking on a flat surface. Steps counted: 98.3% (old unit - 63%) 3) Lateral stepping (the sort of side to side that you might do in an aerobic class). Steps counted: 11% (old unit - 71%) 4) Slow steps with some pauses (think walking with a small child). Steps counted: 7% (old unit - 55%) The real problem with this unit is not just the 10-step delay, but also the fact that any pause at all, even for a fraction of a second, causes the unit to stop counting again, and then you have to reach the 10-step delay again. So if your steps are slow, or if you pause to pick something up, put something down, talk to your kid, or whatever, then this meter won't be counting your activity for long periods. I have small kids, so I am often moving slowly. This meter wants to call that "incidental motion." I call that "walking" and I want those steps counted. This monitor has some nice features including a 7 day memory, automatic reset at midnight, and an auto-off display that saves battery life. It is small enough to be tucked into a pocket very easily, and it doesn't matter which way it faces. It is very accurate if you are moving briskly without pauses. If you want to count pretty brisk steps in your life and you aren't often slowed down or pausing, then you will probably find the accuracy acceptable. If you, like me, take a lot of your steps at someone else's pace and want to count them all, you will be sorely disappointed with the accuracy of this model.