let me ask - does the accuracy really matter?

When I was teaching PE, my students wore pedometers that clipped on their waistband. It’s placed straight up from the front of the leg.

Actually, the iphone step counter is supposed to be pretty accurate. The key of course would be keeping it on him all day, which he may not want to do.

This may be helpful.

https://www.verywellfit.com/best-pedometers-4159148

I’m happy with my older Fitbit. I only use it to count steps, although it probably could do other stuff.

https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/home

I'm happy with my fitbit

Fitbit, I gave my 86 YO mom the same model I have.

Mtn, maybe not But he loves to check his steps on his phone and my mom thinks he would like a watch . i have the fitbit versa 3 but he doesnt need that much tech. He carries his iphone all day long innfact his hearing aid is tied into it. i

ftr, my iphone is usually at least a quarter mile less than my fitbit .

local, which one did you get for your mom? my parents are going to paris next week so i have to order asap

Jo, my mother has a Charge2 which is no longer made. I suggest comparing the Inspire 3 and Charge 5, but for my own mom, if she lost hers(again) I would get Inspire 3, it has the least bells and whistles.

I don't think using a smartphone as a step counter is accurate at all. I've had many iPhones and a Pixel, and over the years they were always wildly off compared to my Fitbit. For reference, I would test them out on the same exact 5 mile walking route over and over again and took notes because I'm a nerd (I was trying to see if I could give up using the fitbit, to no avail). On those walks, the fitbit would always give me roughly the same count day after day, and the phones would give me a rather large variation each day.

My apple watch has been more accurate. Or at least "close enough" so I could stop obsessing over it and give up my old fitbit.

@jojoco - would your dad wear a fitbit that clips to his waistband? The "Inspire" can be clipped on. I wore my old fitbit like that for many years and I loved that it's not noticeable under clothes. It is less convenient to check your step count though. But it would be more accurate than using a phone, and a good solution if he doesn't want to wear it on his wrist.

There are also Fossil smart watches that are really nice looking, but IDK how accurate they actually are.

Since he does use his phone, the Fitbit charge is pretty popular. Otherwise, I'd just suggest a simple non smart pedometer from New Lifestyles New Lifestyles Yamax Digiwalker, which we used with kids and in research.

I just got THIS one, a Rohs. I like it better than my Fitbit. It charges quickly, one hour. It has heart rate, steps, blood pressure, blood oxygen level....large numbers are easy to read. If you just want a pedometer....?

Just a pedometer....$2

thanks for all the suggestions. Because I am not sure anymore that he would wear something on his wrist, I ended up ordering a simple pedometer that he can wear on his waist or in his pocket. It has a simple reset button, nothing more. I also think the number of steps vs. distance will be more encouraging for him. We'll see if he likes it.