I had a strange feeling of déjà vu when I pulled the SYNC Burn Fitness Band activity tracker out of its packaging a few days ago. I quickly realized it was almost an exact replica of the Smart Health LifeTrak Core C200 activity tracker that I reviewed back in June. Are they exactly the same only different? 😉 Let’s find out.
Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.
I came to learn that the SYNC Burn Fitness Band is made by the EB Sport Group who markets their products under various other names. Although I couldn’t find anyplace that links Smart Health and the EB Sport Group, they are obviously the same watch right down to the band style, buttons, display and 1yr battery life.
The SYNC Burn Fitness Band features a reversed LCD display, with activity screens that you can toggle through to view your total steps for the day, distance and calories burned.
Calories burned are calculated using your personal data info: gender, age, weight and height, along with your heart rate. The SYNC Burn can calculate your heart rate without requiring a chest strap or any other accessories. All you have to do is press and hold your thumb or finger on the center button for a few seconds while the watch is on your wrist. An ECG accurate heart rate is recorded and then used to figure the calories burned for the activities you’ve done throughout the day. According to the instructions, the more you record your heart rate, the better the watch will be at calculating the calories burn rate. Especially during workouts.
Is there anything different about the SYNC Burn Fitness Band verses the Smart Health LifeTrak Core C200 activity tracker? Yes, one thing. The SYNC Burn has built in Bluetooth that allows you to sync your activity data to an iOS device using an application called MapMyFitness. As of this writing, the Android version of this app is not compatible with this watch – which is disappointing.
Syncing isn’t automatic, you have to initiate it using the lower side button on the watch and also in the app. It’s nice being able to see your activity data on a larger display and save it for future reference.
Included in the SYNC Burn packaging is a coupon for a free 6 month membership to the MapMyFitness premium features.
You can purchase the Smart Health LifeTrak Core C200 watch for around $59, which is $30 cheaper than the SYNC Burn, which can be found through Amazon for $89.99. Is the addition of Bluetooth syncing worth the extra money? In my opinion no. If I was going to spend $89 on an fitness band or activity tracker, I’d put a few more dollars with it and get the Withings Pulse instead. For $99.95 you get a smaller and more comfortable to wear tracker (I really hate the band on the SYNC Burn and Smart Health LifeTrak Core C200 watches), that syncs with iOS and Android, and also tracks your sleep and stairs.
The SYNC Burn Fitness Band activity tracker isn’t a bad product, it works just fine. But since it lags behind in features and comfort, it’s tough to recommend it.
Product Information
| Price: | $129.99 |
| Manufacturer: | EB Sport Group |
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Ok, my first impression is that it is kind of BIG!!!
@Larry I’m not wearing it today and my wrist feels so much better. Those big chunky watches always make my wrist “knuckle” sore 🙂
I’ve been testing the Misfit Shine activity tracker this week too. It’s on my right wrist and I don’t even notice it’s there at all. It’s the most comfortable wrist worn activity tracker to date.
@Julie- been lovin’ my misfit shine for almost 2-months now. I find their tracking (algorithms) very close to my nike+ fuelband and their data is very similar. I’ve been wearing it conveniently inside of my jean’s coin-pocket 🙂
@anson I have the misfit shine on right now. Don’t even know it’s on my wrist even when I’m sleeping. I like it quite a bit, but I do wish it showed a step count instead of points… and I wish there was an android app. But I’ll save the details for the review 🙂
@Julie- I don’t think its possible to show steps with the limited number of LEDs they have on display… although the clock-feature is a nice bonus 🙂
The strong magentic leash/connector is addictive to play with… and have had the Shine unintentionally ripped out of my pocket when walking by my fridge!!!
@anson I know the LEDs on the device itself can’t show the step count, but they could be shown in the app. 🙂
@Julie… steps DO show up… along with calories, and km/miles travelled.
You just have to tap the big circle thing that show your points 😉
@anson Ha! Well that wasn’t obvious to me. Thanks for the tip!
As of May 2014, this device is useless, and has been for 6 months. They continue to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers by not updating their website. As of today the instructions are still posted on their site as the current applicable instructions, including how to pair with “Map My Walk”. (http://syncactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SYNC-Elite-IM-WV3734IS01SYN.pdf) Stay away from companies that directly defraud customers.