CSX Simple Walking 3D Review

The Simple Walking 3D stands out for its simplicity, in a field of ever more complicated products. In general, most consumers accept the additional complications of products because of the advantages of data storage and comprehensive information collected. However, many are looking for the absolute most straightforward step counter. For those, this pedometer is the perfect product. It counts steps, and nothing more.

It doesn't sync with your smartphone, it doesn't distract you with other games or numbers, nor does it confuse one day's progress with another. It simply counts steps, until you reset the count to zero. You get to decide when to reset, you get to choose what is an appropriate goal, and you get to keep track of your progress toward that goal, on a long-term basis. The display is large and clear and turns off for battery preservation when not in use. Simple products deserve simple reviews. If you are a spartan step counter, the CSX is for you.

Performance Comparison

Data Management

If all the products we reviewed were like the CSX, we wouldn't even have “data management” as a category. The CSX doesn't manage data as much as it simply counts. It starts with one step and keeps going until you reset it. There is precious little data to manage. Users of the Simple Walking 3D will choose it for its simplicity. All you want to know is How many steps have I done today? Or this week, or this month? Nothing more, nothing less.

For those that want to watch long-term trends or share their progress with their social networks, the app-enabled devices like the Fitbit Flex 2, Bellabeat, or FitBit Zip Wireless are better choices. If you don't want to use a smartphone but do want to watch at least a few days of data at a time, the other Best Buy winner Ozo Fitness SC2 will do exactly that for you, right on the device. The Omron Altiva Optimized captures and saves the most recent seven days of information, deleting the oldest as it adds a new day.

Depth of Data

The CSX and its look-alike 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter have the simplest suite of data collected in our entire review. They count steps and only steps. As a contrast with our other Top Picks, the Fitbit Flex 2, Bellabeat LEAF and Spire, the CSX is ridiculously simple. The Bellabeat records steps, distance, sleep, breathing, and, via user entered fields in the app, mood, and other unique information. The CSX only captures steps.

The Simple Walking is one of the simplest electronic products one could purchase. It is an accelerometer, a battery, and a large easy-to-read screen. The step count is clear and uncluttered. This is not for everyone, but it may be for you.

Accuracy

We noted above that the CSX and 3DFitBud products are very similar. They could be the same, except in branding, housing color, and tested accuracy. In our objective, head-to-head testing, however, the CSX was much more accurate. Over a 0.25-mile track lap, repeated, we found only 00.4 percent error. That means that for our lead tester taking exactly 500 steps in one iteration and 498 in another, over that 400 meters, the CSX recorded 500 and 502 respectively. With variation in both walking stride and stepping rhythms, this accuracy is remarkable. In years of testing pedometers and fitness trackers, no device has been as accurate in this test as the CSX Simple. When looking at products for our simplicity Top Pick, the and 3DFitBud are remarkably similar, except in accuracy. It is in terms of accuracy that the CSX edges ahead.

Ease of Use

There could not be an easier pedometer to use. Setup is as simple as pulling a protective plastic strip from the battery compartment and begin walking. It takes more time to open the package than it does to get working. And then there is only one button on the entire device. That button simply resets the step count to zero. Press and hold (we never inadvertently reset the step count during weeks of testing) the reset button for this zeroing, and you are good to go for the duration. The on-device screen of the CSX is also the largest in our test. It is easily readable to the naked eye, and the LCD display works with or without glasses and is visible in broad daylight as well as in lower light situations. Even polarized sunglasses do not compromise the view of this proven and efficient screen design.

Portability

There are larger products in our test, and there are smaller products. The CSX is so small as to be virtually invisible in your pocket. All these small products are eminently portable. The size of the CSX is well worth the large display.

The one drawback to the CSX is its lack of a clip. If you want to keep your pockets entirely uncluttered or wear clothing without pockets, you cannot easily clip on the CSX. In these cases, you must wear it around your neck or wrist with a lanyard. This is less ideal than the diverse carry options of the Bellabeat Leaf or the secure clip of the 3D TriSport.

Best Applications

It's a great choice for someone new to step counting and someone who doesn't want to be tied to a smartphone or a user's manual. We've said it already and will say it again — this is the absolute simplest pedometer we've ever used. A patient, self-motivated person will find the basic step count to be all he or she needs to monitor and inspire healthful movement. The CSX will do exactly what many need, and nothing more.

Value

For simplicity and accuracy, there is no better value. In absolute terms, there is no better deal in our test. This is one of the least expensive product we reviewed this time around. For another $7 you can get quite a bit more data captured and stored in the Ozo Fitness SC2, which earned this product our Best Buy Award. The CSX is a specialized product for the niche user, all at an excellent price.

Conclusion