Looking to improve your lifestyle? UK MNers needed to try The Orb from Fitbug - worth £50 NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

We have been asked by the team at fitbug.com to find 50 UK MNers to try The Orb fitness tracker. We're looking for Mumsnetters who are keen to track their fitness levels everyday, those who are embarking on a new fitness plan (maybe trying to lose post baby weight), and those who just want to try out this product.

Fitbug says: "The system sets you personal targets each week for steps and food, helping you improve your lifestyle at a rate you can gradually adjust to, so it’s not a hardcore exercise regime or a diet that you do for a short time, but a way of improving your habits for the long term."

See here for a brief overview.

The Orb is iOS and Android compatible - but check the list of compatible Android handsets here: www.fitbug.com/connect

If selected, you'll be sent The Orb to try for a few weeks and so long as you add feedback as required you will be able to keep the product. There are no ongoing costs to worry about. You will also be able to download the Fitbug app and get more info on the Fitliving site: www.fitbug.com/uk/fitliving

In addition, all MNers who are selected will be given access to one-to-one support at Fitbug for their new gadget, should they need it.

If selected, you will be sent the Orb at the middle of August, and asked to try it for around a month. We're looking for feedback on a thread on Mumsnet twice: once on first impressions, on opening/ first use - on set up/ why you wanted to take part, etc. and then at the end of the month on your overall experiences with it, what you liked about it etc. The second feedback will be early - mid September. Please only apply if you're able to take part and add feedback at these times.
Please also note that Fitbug may use your feedback comments on their website and social media channels, as well as elsewhere.

If you'd like to take part, please add your details here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/JJS297S
We will be in touch with selected MNers ASAP. If you're not selected, please keep an eye out for the feedback thread, as there will be an extra chance to win Fitbug products.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

It's still pretty poor as the update process goes....

If I wasn't reasonably tech aware I'd have given up and written it off as a product....

I had logged a support request too and have closed it....

I think their update process needs some work

I haven't got as far as up boxing yet . Reading this it looks as though I may need to set some time aside tomorrow.

Up boxing? Unboxing

Interesting, I successfully tracked my sleep last night and it got the disturbed times i.e when lo woke bang on!!

I'm not convinced by the sleep tracking. I was up quite a bit last night, but it only registered a few minutes awake. Unless you are tossing and turning it doesn't actually know if you are awake or asleep!

I haven't had the technical issues, but I'm still not entirely happy with it atm, will see how it goes.

It isn't streaming automatically, only when I push the button to sync it.

It is very slow updating to MFP, and I can't edit my base calorie level - it is underestimating what I need to maintain! I have high muscle tone, so need quite a bit more than it worked out yesterday. I did sit on my backside most of yesterday though (200 mile drive) and only managed 8k steps so will be interesting to see what it says today, which will be more of a typical day. There really needs to be a sync option somewhere to push the data as required.

I'm def not going near the update after reading the comments on here.

I'm having massive problems with my sleep tracking. As this was one of the points I was most interested in, it's disappointing. The first night, I thought it was my footsteps when I went for a wee (but don't remember it flashing). Last night, it definitely flashed when DS2 got up for a wee in the night, so I reactivated sleep mode when I went back to bed. It definitely reactivated, lights flashed etc, but it hasn't logged my sleep.

I think the sleep should be deactivated by user, not orb. This way is far too inaccurate.

Have reported my post where I said its not working on Nexus7 and could do with a dongle for pc.

Have tried same as affafantoosh, and now have the app showing as working but cant get the orb to link, tried uninstalling & re-installing, nothing happening.

Will wait for answer on dongle.

I've had a couple of speedy replies from Customer Services and followed their instructions but it's still not pairing my Irb with my account. Just waiting for another reply from them to see what to do next.

I'm not being ungratefu, I know I'm lucky to test it, but I'm glad I didn't pay £50 for it as it would've been flung out of a window by now.

I'm having trouble adding nutrition info. why can't you do everything on the app, why do you also need to go on to the website? or have I got it all wrong?

I received mine on Friday but had a busy weekend so am just setting it up today. I am a fat, unfit 50+ technophobe so we'll see how I go but I am really hopeful this will give me the kick in the pants I need to get healthier, thinner and fitter. Thanks MN.

Well so far mine is going swimmingly! (Hope that's not tempting fate!)
I have added my breakfast into nutrition with no problems and have just uploaded my activity, which is very little as I have been sitting at my kitchen table catching up with stuff on my computer.

My plan is to carry on this week as normal to see exactly why I am so fat and unfit then start changing things next week. I go on holiday in 3 weeks so am hoping to see some changes even by then

I feel rather lost atm, which is very unusual for me! There are different figures all over the dashboard.

Apparently after doing 30,000 steps (a gym class, 8 miles on my bike, and usual housework, shopping, etc) I need have burned 2374 today so far.

But on MFP, it still shows as a negative of 970 for exercise :S

Oh and the app says I have burned 1691!!

Isn't that supposed to be for condoms...

I'm hoping to get details abotu the one to one support soon. I love the concept and will be very happy if I can get it working properly!

MichelleMumsnet I've emailed you directly, I've cocked up

MichelleMumsnet I've emailed you too.

Sleep function didn't work last night. Orb didn't flash at all, then flashed incessantly. I fell asleep.

Have not added nutrition for yesterday/today yet as I dont have access to/time for laptop every day.

My firmware won't upgrade. Been trying all afternoon and it's still firmly stuck at 0%

Will have to email customer services later.