Need some input, Fitbit vs. HRM.....

Ok, so I have been selling a bunch of my old stuff and finally have the money to get myself one of these. I have been reading and researching and I still can't decide which one I want more.

For the FitBit I like that it tracks your steps, stairs, calories, sleep etc and that it will sync right to my MFP account. BUT after reading all these studies about how people who where SMO don't burn as many calories as people who never where, I am struggling with the idea that the "estimated" calories burned from something like the FitBit might not be giving me accurate information about what is really going on with my body.

So that is where the HRM comes in, with the HRM I will get a more accurate picture of my BMR and what I am burning above and beyond that when I exercise, it will give me a better picture of what is going on with me as an individual. Cons, I am not really excited about wearing the chest strap all the time, it does not give any other information other then calories burned and heart rate.

So if you could pick one (or if you have) why did you pick it and if you use one, why do you love it/hate it?

I was constantly adjusting chest straps and thats a pain in the butt.   I actually changed to the Body Bugg and loved it!!  I actually just stopped using it recently and got accurate results even after surgery.  

a little more info for you

Quick Side-by-Side Comparison

  Fitbit Bodybugg SP

Form factor	Tiny clip that can clip onto your clothes.	The device is a bit bigger than the fitbit and must be worn on an arm band.
Metrics Tracked	Calories burned Steps taken Distance travelled Physical activity duration and intensity Time till sleep Number of time awaken during sleep Actual sleep time	Calories burned Steps taken Physical activity duration and intensity Distance travelled
Sensors	3-dimensional motion sensor	motion sensor skin temperature sensor skin perspiration sensor air temperature sensor
Accuracy	Only accurate if you perform activities that don't compromise the motion sensor.	Only accurate if you perform activities that don't compromise the motion sensor. More accurate than the fitbit at determining calorie expenditure due to the 4 sensors.
Synchronization	Automatically syncs wirelessly with the fitbit base.	User must manually trigger sync through the bodybugg application, which sync through USB or wireless (optional wireless transceiver accessory - $50).
On device display	Simple display that shows today's data: steps taken, activity level, calories burned, and miles walked.	None. You can sync to your android phone or iPhone via bluetooth to view live data or you can purchase an optional wrist display accessory which shows stats similar to the Fitbit.
Battery life	2 weeks till depletion on full day and night wear	2 weeks till depletion on day wear only (since it doesn't track sleep)
Web management interface subscription price	Free. Optional premium upgrade available for $49.99 per year.	Free for 6 months. Subscription renewals cost: $9.95/month $49.95/6-months $79.95/12-months
Web management food tracker	Dead simple and super fast to log food (especially when logging common foods). Food database is pretty complete and also supports custom foods.	Has receipes, menus, and planning help. Dead simple to log food. Food database is pretty complete and also supports custom foods.
Waterproofness	Water repellant (cannot be submerged in water)	Water repellant (cannot be submerged in water)
Price	$99.95	$199.00 + accessories cost + recurring subscription cost

Read more: Fitbit vs Bodybugg SP Side-by-Side Review
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I have a fit bit and it is great.. I got it last year and i think they have a newer model.. so you will get that one.. lucky you

I love my Polar FT7, but I don't wear it all the time, just when I exercise.  The chest strap is comfortable, though.  I don't mind it at all.  I don't know that ANY device is going to give you an accurate BMR, because they all use formulas to calculate your calories burned based on your heartrate.  I do like my HRM because I feel it gives me the MOST accurate calorie burn for exercise, which gives me some idea about where my calorie consumption should be. 

Honestly, when I get closer to my goal, I'm going to spring for a BodPod reading and metabolic testing to see where my BMR actually falls.  I don't see the point in doing it before goal, though, because it will change as my weight and caloric deficit changes.

I think the two devices are designed for two different things, so it depends on what you really want to get from it.  The FitBit is more to track what's going on 24 hours a day, and the HRM is designed to provide data from exercise sessions.

I have the fitbit. Had it for a week and I don't really believe the calories burned are right either but It is less noticeable by coworkers etc. It is my business not theirs.
I do not have the $49 membership yet but may add it. I do like it sync's with MFP but I dont like the feature that automatically ups my calorie intake (free calories) due to the amt of physical activity I have done for the day.

Overall I am happy with my fitbit and could not see buying the BodyBug more specifically due to the additional cost of the membership being required.

Hope this helps you make your decision and good luck on your weight loss.

I messaged you my thoughts on MFP, but one thing to add: the strap on the Polar is cloth, some of them are plastic. I think the plastic ones might be more uncomfortable.

I put the strap on this morning when I left home and left it on for about 5 1/2 hours. Total times I adjusted or fiddled with it: zero. It stayed in place and while I was more conscious of it when I was sitting down it wasn't uncomfortable.

The strap had been my main worry too.

 Thanks everyone, I am still undecided, but need to make a decision ASAP before the hubs takes my money away b/c i am driving him crazy with my back and forth LOL

 Just bought the fitbit on Wednesday. So far I really like it. Syncs to my loseit and easy to use.  Nice guide and shows you where you are activity wise everyday.  

I recently got a FitBit, I had been wearing an Omron pedometer which tracks "aerobic minutes" besides total steps based on a minimum pace/time.

For me, it's about keeping myself accountable with regard to my activity level, not the calories burned.  The information both of these tools provide gives me that accountability in a manner that is comfortable to wear and unobtrusive under clothing.  I disregard the calorie information that it calculates because I know it's not accurate, but at this point, I know how much I can consume and maintain.  I really like the sleep feature on the FitBit, although not 100% accurate, it's astonishing the information it provides..........I'm already identifying sleep patterns which are less than ideal and need to be changed.  Also, because the FitBit tracks stairs, I have noticed that I make more of an effort to add more flights of stairs everyday!

However you decide, it is just another tool.  In order to be effective, you'll have to use it regularly and use the information it provides to change/modify your behavior.  What information is most useful to your lifestyle?  Make a choice and then get going using that tool!  Good luck!