Yamax Digiwalker CW-701 Pedometer

The CW-701 is the update to the highly-accurate SW-701. Beyond step counting, it displays distance, calories burned, clock and activity time. Yamax beefed up the mechanism with a long-lasting spring coil and heavy coated pendulum, which they claim improves accuracy 2.5% over the SW models. The belt clip is now in study metal. But the biggest change is in the display, with two lines to show multiple data. It now has a 7-day daily memory for steps, distance, calories, and activity time. It keeps a 2-week total for each as well. This is a great upgrade.

The Yamax Digiwalker CW-701 is a good update for the highly-accurate Yamax line. Pedometers work by counting steps, and how well they do that depends on the mechanism. Yamax improved its coiled spring mechanism and pendulum for greater durability and accuracy. Cheap pedometers use cheaper mechanisms, while Yamax is worth the asking price. I found the CW-701 to be accurate for counting steps if you wear it on your waistband in a spot where it isn't tilted.

Pedometers estimate distance and calories burned by user input of their stride length and weight. You will need to measure your stride length with the included instructions. Set your stride length in increments of 0.25 feet. The calorie calculation may vary from what you see by other methods, as it has no adjustment for speed. Calorie burn is most dependent on weight, so be accurate -- the more you weigh, they more you burn when walking.

The Yamax pedometers are small and lightweight to wear comfortably all day. Use the included security strap to make sure you don't lose it. The new metal belt clip is a big improvement over the SW series' plastic clips. The case protects the buttons from being accidentally pushed, but it also means you must open the case to view your data.

The dual-line data display gives you easier access to your numbers than in the SW versions, where you had to push a button to see each kind of reading. The numbers are big enough for aging eyes, but not as gigantic as in some pedometers.

I love having a pedometer with a 7-day memory, as I am often tardy in recording my steps and other data. This feature alone makes the CW-701 a big improvement over the SW-701. With these upgrades, Yamax should retain its position as the leader in quality pedometers.