OZO Fitness SC2 Digital Review

The Ozo is a necessary, yet comprehensive and self-contained daily pedometer. After testing products and surveying the market for years, we have found that users are split pretty evenly between those who want a full-service app-based data management device and those who prefer an autonomous unit that does not require a smartphone or computer.

The Fitness SC2 is our second highest rated self-contained pedometer. For those who don't want the hassle and expense of a device that requires a smartphone app, and who don't demand extensive data tracking, the SC2 is a top choice. In addition to garnering top scores compared to other autonomous units — the SC2 does so on a budget.

Performance Comparison

The Fitness SC2 is one of the highest scoring devices that does not require a smartphone app. Other products may have beat the SC2 overall, but they fetch a higher price point or require syncing with a smartphone for viewing and managing data.

Depth of Data

There are two main types of data that a pedometer collects. First, there is the “native” data gathered and interpreted by the device. The timing electronics, accelerometer, and associated algorithms can be used to report and deduce time, steps, distance, sleep quality, breathing rate, calories consumed, and walking/running speed, among other things. Next, the apps of some devices collect user-entered information to correspond with the native information. The SC2 lacks an app and thus collects no user-entered data. While the SC2 tracks only simple data related to steps taken, distance covered, miles or kilometers per hour, time, and rough estimates of calories burnt. In the case of the SC2 the device's simplicity is the key to its success.

None of the other non-app based pedometers in our test collect as much information as the SC2. The Top Pick CSX Simple Walking 3D, for instance, only reports an accumulated step count. The 3D TriSport, our 2018 winner for the Best Buy award, tracks only distance, steps, time active, and active calories — foregoing speed tracking. Similarly, the Omron Alvita adds a few more tidbits, like distance and time, but doesn't calculate speed or calories.

If you are looking for a device that tracks a more extensive array of data, the app-paired products track more robust sets of information. Notably, the Editor's Choice Fitbit Flex 2 can track swimming and cycling distance, in addition to steps, sleep, food/water intake, and menstruation. Similarly, the Top Pick Bellabeat Leaf manages an astounding array of health information, from step count to menstruation, and much in between. The depth of data on the latter products is due to their pairing with smartphone apps.

Data Management

To assess data management, we look at three main elements. First, we consider whether the product requires pairing with a smartphone app or if data is managed solely on a self-contained device. Then, if the data is managed on an autonomous unit, we determine how much data can be stored on the device. The SC2 is an autonomous unit that doesn't require a smartphone app. However, the device does maintain a record of step counts from the past seven days. If you wish to track your step progress over a longer period than a week, then you will have to record your activity manually. If you're only looking to monitor daily movement, then this may be all you need for motivation and for tracking daily activity.

The data management systems on self-contained pedometers cover quite the spectrum. At the simplest end of the spectrum, the Top Pick CSX Simple Walking 3D simply records daily steps. At the complex end of the spectrum are the devices that typically pair with a smartphone app — these devices often store, track, and monitor health information beyond just simple activity tracking. Somewhere in-between, are devices that capture and display extensive information on the device itself, such as the Ozo Fitness.

Accuracy

Step count accuracy of a Pedometer is a tricky thing. To get an accurate step count requires good instrumentation and excellent algorithmic interpretation of said data. Thankfully most products do a good job with this, and many come close to delivering perfect scores on repeatable and repeated testing. However, it is worth discussing, at least briefly, how important accuracy is or isn't. For personal use, comparing one day's action to the next, accuracy isn't that important. In our experience, a given pedometer is “off” in a predictable and reliable fashion. The Ozo Fitness counts more steps than you take by an average of 9.2%. However, it does so fairly consistently. This means that a comparison of data from one day to the next reflects comparative activity amounts fairly well, even though you see 109% of what you've done.

If absolute accuracy matters to you, you will do better with a different device. All the remaining products are closer to actual step counts in their readouts. Notably, our Top Pick CSX Simple Walking 3D is similar in price to the Ozo, but is much more accurate with only a 0.4% error rate, compared to the SC2's 9.2%.

Ease of Use

It is in ease of use that the SC2 and other self-contained devices shine. The Fitness SC2 and other stand-alone devices have instrumentation, storage, and data viewing features all on the same piece of equipment.

The other products require a smartphone app for at least some of the attributes of the product. In setup and use, the SC2 is great. You can see all the data captured by the device on the easy-to-read screen, and click through the fields with an intuitive set of buttons. Our only issue with the SC2 was that when one of our testers carried the device in their pocket, the data was erroneously cleared. All of his step-data from that day was lost due to an inadvertent clicking of the device's master reset button - this happened because there is no button-lock on the SC2. This problem seems to be exacerbated by bending over &/or squatting while the device is in one's pocket. As long as you are aware of this problem, it can be avoided by either wearing the device on a lanyard or attached to your shoe. Additionally, the SC2 features a large & very readable screen with large buttons, that will make the device accessible for a variety of users.

Only the ultra-simple 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter and nearly identical Top Pick CSX Simple Walking 3D are easier to use than the Ozo. These two simply count steps and require minimal interaction, however in their ease of use, they capture fewer data. Given that the SC2 has a few more features the ease of use is complicated but only slightly. If you want a simple device that captures more than just steps, but that is a self-contained unit, and can tolerate the possibility of losing your steps for the day, then the Ozo Fitness is the pedometer for you.

Portability

The Fitness SC2 is a little bulkier than the average pedometer in our review. Thankfully it comes equipped with a fairly secure waistband clip, and Ozo suggests using the SC2 in one's pocket. In any of the carried configurations, the Ozo is indeed bulkier than other devices, but this does not impede movement or portability.

In many dimensions, the Ozo Fitness is similar to the CSX Simple Walking 3D. However, with the pocket clip of the SC2 it is a little thicker. While the SC2 is thicker than the Best Buy Award winner, the 3D TriSport — it is less long, making it slightly more portable.

Best Applications

The SC2 is a great value and is tailored to someone looking for basic data collection on a large, readable screen. The ideal user of the Fitness SC2 is concerned with his or her daily movement, but doesn't want to compare data with other users nor want to track extensive health data over the long-haul. Anyone who wants more sophisticated data management will need an app-based device. If the SC2 is still too complicated for you, then the Top Pick CSX Simple Walking 3D is the absolute simplest sort of step counter.

Value

Available for just tens of dollars, and providing functionality that exceeds that of many others we have tried, the Ozo Fitness is a great value. As compared to the other self-contained, comprehensive step counters we tested and have used in the past, the SC2 is the least expensive and among the most reliable.

Conclusion

This model is a classic, full-function pedometer in a sturdy and reliable package. You get all this at a great price.