The New Balance VIA Panic Pedometer is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but its functionality is enormous. The VIA Panic gets its name from its shrill siren alarm that activates with the pull of a short loop attached to a pin. This ear-piercing panic alarm will hopefully scare off any would-be attacker.

The VIA Panic comes with an extremely detailed instruction manual printed as a 2x3-inch booklet, so it's handy to take with you. We recommend reading the entire booklet and familiarizing yourself with the different functions of this pedometer. This will save you the frustration of figuring out the various controls on your own, as the VIA Panic is not terribly intuitive to operate.

The wonderful extra-large LCD display utilizes black numerals against a pale gray background. A crescent-shaped MODE button located to the right of the display lets you toggle through the various functions. The VIA Panic operates on two small lithium batteries that should last for quite a while, and replacements are readily available wherever batteries are sold.

The default display setting is a clock, with either a 12-hour or 24-hour time format, as well as a step counter. The next setting shows your distance traveled in miles, and it includes a chronograph (stopwatch) function. Pressing MODE a third time shows you the total calories burned, as well as total distance in miles. The final setting displays projected calorie consumption and the actual calories consumed during the day, provided you enter this information. For the most accurate results, you must enter your weight and stride length.

During our first test, the VIA Panic did not appear to be recording the correct number of steps, but a simple adjustment to the motion-sensitivity switch corrected the problem. The placement of the pedometer on your clothing is crucial for an accurate step determination, and attaching it to your belt or waistband is recommended. The VIA Panic has a molded clip that sticks out more than we liked and can be uncomfortable when you are sitting. Of course, you can always remove the pedometer while sitting since it is not recording steps at that time.

The VIA Panic has a clever flip-up design to let you easily view the screen, although this often requires the use of both hands. In addition, it is easy to accidentally hit the SET button, requiring you to press the MODE button to return to the basic display.

If you are looking for a feature-filled pedometer that will give you a detailed breakdown of your workout, as well as a measure of security, consider the capable New Balance VIA Panic.


Pros: Records multiple data points, also acts as a chronograph, panic alarm
Cons: Molded clip can be uncomfortable, easy to hit the wrong button, placement on your body is crucial for accurate results

Warranty
2 years, limited