24-7 fitness watch is immense but motivates well

             

The Basis B1 Band from Basis Science puts a new spin on the personal health monitor. It may be more expensive than similar products, but it's also way more capable, and its watch-style design is very handy, and it syncs with iPhones and various Android handsets wirelessly.The Basis Band measures how long and how well you sleep and it also keeps an eye on heart rate, skin temperature, and perspiration. It uses this information to record sleep data and is the first device of its kind to do so automatically. Also the Basis Band pushes users to adopt "healthy habits" such as burning more calories by taking walks throughout the day. All this makes the Basis is one of the best personal fitness trackers available.

At first glance the Basis looks like a standard, even basic digital watch. It's not exactly thin, either; its monochrome LCD screen is small, and there's only one obvious button, which is located on the right edge.

Flip the watch over, however, and you'll begin to realize that this is no ordinary timepiece. On the bottom of the device are six stud-shaped sensors and two green LED lights. The Basis uses these to measure your heart rate by estimating blood flow through your skin. The four silver circles in each corner of the watch face are capacitive buttons. The two buttons on the right cycle up and down through views of steps, calories, and heart rate data. The key in the top-left corner activates the Basis Band's backlight, and tapping the bottom-left button pulls up the date.

It turns out that these fancy touch-sensitive controls aren't just for show. They help you operate the watch in wet environs without fear of moisture entering the Basis' chassis. The Basis Band is splash-resistant, so taking it out in the rain or keeping it on in the shower isn't a problem.On the left edge of the watch are four metal contacts. They connect to the Basis Band's wired charging cradle, which in turn plugs into USB ports. The original Basis B1 Band model shipped with a stock plastic strap (black or white). To add a bit more oomph to the Basis Band's visual impact, Basis Science also offers artist-designed wrist straps to replace this rather plain band. For example the company once sold upgrades such as the Cityscape band ($34.95) which starts with a white background but is stenciled with a stylized cartoon street scene.

You’ll be glad to learn, however, that in January 2014 Basis began bundling the premium Carbon Steel strap with its tracker. Called the Basis Carbon Steel Edition, the fresh package costs the same $199 that the original Basis B1 band did, while its predecessor drops to $179 and will be sold until supplies are exhausted.