.KEYWORD stepkeeper
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE Step it up with a Visor module that tracks fitness goals
.OTHER
.SUMMARY Whether you walk for exercise, for fun, or simply as a means to get from here to there, a pedometer can be a handy tool to help you track your travels. Here, Vikki Lipset reviews Hagiwara Sys-Com’s Step Keeper, a cool new module for your Handspring Visor.
.AUTHOR Vikki Lipset
Whether you walk for exercise, for fun, or simply as a means to get from here to there, a pedometer can be a handy tool to help you track your travels. If you own a Handspring Visor, consider the Step Keeper from Hagiwara Sys-Com (at http://www.hscus.com/stepKeeper.htm). This springboard module counts your steps, calculates distances walked and calories burned, and keeps records of it all on your handheld.
.H1 Getting started
The Step Keeper, pictured in Figure A, is simple to operate.
.FIGPAIR A The Step Keeper fits into the Springboard expansion slot of the Handspring Visor.
Just slip it into the included vinyl carrying case (pictured in Figure B), clip it on your waistband, and start walking.
.FIGPAIR B The included carrying case clips to your waistband and holds the Step Keeper while you walk.
You’ll hear the soft clicking of the pendulum inside the module keeping track of your steps, but otherwise the 1-ounce module is unobtrusive. When you finish your walk, insert the Step Keeper into your Visor (this also recharges the battery).
The built-in software will translate the number of steps into miles (or kilometers) and estimate the number of calories you consumed, as shown in Figure C.
.FIG C The Step Keeper’s software uses the number of steps counted by the pedometer to calculate the distance walked.
It also lets you track your progress by storing records for up to 90 days. You can even view your activity in graph form: a bar graph over seven days, as shown in Figure D, or a line graph of 30 days.
.FIG D Chart your progress in a seven-day bar graph.
It’s important to transfer data from the Step Keeper to your handheld soon after you return from your walk, as the module will only hold data for about two days without being recharged.
Before you "download" your steps to your Visor for the first time, you’ll need to enter some initial settings, including your height, weight, and walking goal–the number of steps you are aiming to walk each day. Unfortunately, you don’t have the option to enter your goal in terms of distance (as a rough guide, it took me about 2600 steps to walk one mile). You’ll also need to determine your stride length. This is calculated by dividing a measured distance by the number of steps it takes you to walk it. For example, if you covered 15 feet in five steps, your stride length would be three. The more accurately you calculate your stride length, the more accurately the Step Keeper converts your steps to distances.
.H1 Results
I found the Step Keeper to be very accurate when walking on relatively flat surfaces. I had less luck when I tried to use it while hiking or running. It didn’t catch most of my steps and calculated only a fraction of the actual distance I covered. To be fair, the instructions do indicate that the product is designed for walking on flat ground and that it may not work well when walking on a steep slope or while doing intensive exercise. They also say it may not perform well when walking slowly, walking with sandals, walking in a crowded area, or while riding in a train or car or while bicycling.
The Step Keeper’s biggest drawback is that its software is stored on the module instead of on your Visor, so you can’t access it unless the module is inserted in your handheld. It would be nice to be able to look at old records without having to first plug in the module. Also, since the module draws its power from the handheld, this can be a drain on your Visor’s battery. Unfortunately, there’s no desktop software included with the Step Keeper, either. You can, however, export records to the Memo Pad and then transfer them to your computer when you synchronize.
.H1 The bottom line
If walking is part of your regular fitness routine and you own a Handspring Visor, the Step Keeper is an intriguing option. However, at $49.95, the Step Keeper is more expensive than many standalone pedometers. The record-keeping and graphing abilities are nice features, but whether or not they justify the higher price is a decision only you can make.
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on Step Keeper, visit http://www.hscus.com/stepKeeper.htm.
For more information about Palm computers, visit http://www.palm.com.
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.BIO Vikki Lipset is a freelance writer who lives in Norwich, VT. She was formerly associate editor at Access Magazine. Comments can be sent to vllipset@yahoo.com.
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