From Tommy Thompson to Ronald McDonald™, everyone seems to be step counting these days. But what separates the tools from the trinkets? Let's look inside popular pedometers and find out.  
Pedometers can be broken down into a few basic pieces. Those pieces determine ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, and COST











 
Cost Analysis

It is difficult to do a precise cost analysis of a device such as a pedometer, for the true bulk pricing of the components fluctuates rapidly. Imagine the cost to a company like McDonalds™ or any other low-end step counter retailer that sells a device for $10 or less. The manufacturer must first pay an engineering team to design the specifics of the device. The engineers must put together a unit containing a battery, LCD, microprocessor, counting mechanism, and plastics, as well as pay assembly and quality control labor and packaging and shipping charges to get the product overseas. Consider then that a give-away type pedometer that hits the retail market at $10 or less must cost the manufacturer a few pennies. You may conclude that the engineers spend more effort making the product inexpensive rather that going the extra mile to make the device accurate, reliable, and a pleasure to use.

Cover

The cover serves several purposes. The major purpose is to keep the user from inadvertently hitting the reset button. It also allows the user to open the pedometer and read the LCD normally while wearing the device. The cover also protects the LCD and buttons from dirt, sweat, and damage.

Clip

Clip designs and materials vary. Good strong plastics clips cost the manufacturer more, but a broken clip generally renders the pedometer useless. Metal clips are popular in Japan, but few pedometers in the United States have metal clips. The metal clips will not break but may bend if enough pressure is applied. The metal clip has a smooth surface that makes the pedometer easier to put on, but may cause them to slide on certain materials. Most retailers of higher quality pedometers include a strap that connects the pedometer and then clips to a belt loop or pocket to help keep the pedometer from falling off if bumped.

(White paper inserted behind clips for illustrative purposes)

Buttons

Button placement and design is a detail that makes the pedometer easier to use and less frustrating. Better pedometers will place the reset button on the left side of the pedometer, for most users will be using their right-hand thumb to press the buttons, and this keeps the user from accidental resets. Some pedometers have a delayed reset button that requires pressure for a few seconds before it resets. Others have a recessed button that can be difficult to push. Both are generally only necessary if the button is poorly placed or easy to bump while wearing. 

JSC Engineering LLC is an Electrical Engineering Consultant Group specializing in product design & performance testing.

© 2008 JSC Engineering, LLC. Direct reprint requests to webmaster@pedometers.com.