Soccer/football Tracker Review: Zepp, Catapult PLAYR and other Tracker

Zepp is known to be one of the world’s leaders in sports wearable products that can provide three-dimensional insights and visuals. Their products are very interactive. 

Their prowess is evident across different sports such as tennis, golfing, baseball, or basketball. The company has made significant progress, and to take over more games, they have decided to cater for the larger world and tackle one of the world’s most popular sporting activities, soccer. They have a specially designed tracker known as the Zepp Play Soccer Tracker. 

Professional soccer players might have all the training equipment that they may need at their disposal, but amateurs might not have that luxury. Technological advancements, such as this Zepp play soccer tracker, are of the utmost advantage to them. They can be able to quantify their performances, build on, and improve on several of their shortcomings. 

This ZEPP Play Soccer Tracker Review will look at the following 

Unlike some of the other professional athlete sensors, the Zepp play soccer tracker does help you train and improve using tutorial videos or expert tips. It is specially designed to help you train using raw data, therefore having a clear picture of what skills you have perfected and highlighting what you need to improve on. You are, therefore, able to examine yourself, look through your data [such as charts], and draw your conclusions on what you are supposed to work on.

It also has a video recording feature that can provide a suitable and separate dimension for you, making it perfect for parents and guardians who want to preserve memories for their kids. Professionals can also use this feature to keep their accomplishments in highlights.  

The Zepp tracker uses a 3-axis accelerometer accompanied by a 3-axis gyroscope to provide the statistics needed. It is also waterproof and sweat resistant and can, therefore, function with light exposure to water.

One of the several concerns among most soccer players is whether this tracker is comfortable enough to be worn for an extended period. These concerns are addressed. The sensor is tiny and lightweight. You will not even notice that you are wearing it. However, it would have been better if there were two sensors. This could make the data collection far more accurate and actionable.  

This sensor comes with two types of sleeve sizes, small/medium, and medium/large. The sleeve is designed to be worn on one of your legs’ calf, most preferably the most dominant one. 

The tracker weighs so little. You will not feel any unease while wearing it. Even though fitting the small tracker into the pocket might be a little bit of struggle, once it is in, it feels secure and has no danger of falling out while you are playing. 

The sensor draws its power from a lithium-ion battery. The battery is rechargeable and can go up to forty hours without needing another recharge. The battery can withstand more than thirty-five hours while on standby mode. 

It also has a proprietary charger which can plug into any USB type of power source, making sure you do not necessarily have to be next to a socket any time it needs a recharge. 

To add on that, it has a red ring on the bottom, which will automatically turn green when full charge is achieved. The smartphone app that is connected to the tracker has built-in functionality to track your statistics from one or both legs. However, for you to do this (get stats from both legs), you will need to buy an additional sensor. 

When you first purchase this tracker, you will not find any thick instruction manual, which is the case in several other devices. You will instead find a small booklet that has four pictures to get you started. This is because the gadget is very user-friendly, and the installation process is simple. 

When you get the censor, you first download the free smartphone app. The device pairs to this app through Bluetooth. It uses a soccer-orientated algorithm that can convert your statistics to meaningful insights that you, as a player, can use. 

You can then follow the prompts that will aid you in adding and checking your sensor. You will reach a point where your smartphone will require you to scan the QR code on the back of the gadget for pairing. 

You will also have to answer several questions such as 

The installation process and firmware update are smooth and speedy, approximately ten minutes. The fun thing about it is that you can be able to install the app on several devices. You are only required to log in using the same profile, and the app will pick up all of your player history.  

After installation and paring, you are required to click "Start Game" to start your tracking. However, you have to make sure that you are connected to the internet when beginning the process, as you will be required to login with your Zepp profile. You can after that, leave the app running and start playing just as you usually do. When you are done, you save the session on the app. 

The app has two options for you to choose from, tracking a practice session or a game. The difference between the two options is the fact that when you follow a game, the app will allow you to signal for half time as well as ask you to enter the scores afterward. On the other hand, the practice mode does not allow for this.  

Every time that you use the Zepp Play Soccer sensor to capture a match, you will receive data that is in the form of metrics. This includes 

All these will be displayed in increment spans of five minutes and will be posted on bar charts that are conspicuously colored. 

Another advantage of this sensor is the fact that everything is automated. You are not required to press any buttons. Just open the app, pair it with the sensor, and play. All the rest, including data entry, is taken care of by the sensor. 

Everything, including statistics on the goals made in relation to shots taken, is automatically produced. However, to track these goals, you will need someone to tag the action manually. This is not a deal-breaker. This is because the person tagging the activity has an option to use the mobile device's camera to record it too. In such a case, the app collects video highlights and stores them. You can even tag these highlights with labels, including yellow cards, penalties, and also goals.  

To add on that, the statistics that will be associated with your profile is stored on the Zepp servers. Sharing of the data will also be easy, be it on social media or through email. You just send a URL that family and friends can use to views all your statistics. 

The Team Game Mode makes the experience sheerer by letting more than one player connect to the same match. They will be required to enter a code or enable their location. At the end of the game, they will be able to combine the data and create a summary of the stats. 

They can also compare among themselves and have leaderboards which keep a score between them. This is a handy feature, especially to coaches and managers. Parents and guardians can also monitor their kids and get scores and updates. 

those who cannot attend a match, there is a feature that accommodates them, the Timeline Feed. They can be able to follow every action and events that occur. Therefore, every event that is tagged through the Take Video or Tag Event options is posted in a timeline that is accessible through the internet browser or the Zepp Play Soccer app. 

Zepp adds new features, improvements, and updates now and then. Therefore, you will need to keep your app up to date with the latest versions. 

As an athlete, the C Catapult PLAYR Smart Soccer Tracker is your new best friend. But let’s back up--why would you need to use a fitness tracker while you played soccer?  Whether you play for fun, exercise, or because you are a serious athlete, the C Catapult tracker offers you a lot of valuable information that you will not get just from your coach or having your performance evaluated by friends or other professionals.  

Sure, they can tell you where they think you may have gone wrong--but without something like the C Catapult tracker, you will never have the cold, hard data to back up any changes you have to make. 

It can track not only things like how many steps you took, but your speed, and activity--all of this information is important, as you can then use it to tailor a brand-new workout just for your own individual needs. It also acts as a monitor; in case you have any health problems or are developing any.This soccer tracker can be a powerful tool to help you step up your game if you utilize it properly and take advantage of all the information it offers you.

This product has been authorized by FIFA to wear and use while playing soccer games, in order to improve your soccer performance. Interestingly enough, the PLAYR app also offers you coaching via an in-app component called SmartCoach. 

SmartCoach is made up of Premier League coaches that offer you advice and other information regarding your preparation, recovery, and performance before, after, and during your game. 

The SmartPod GPS tracker downloads information that will help you improve your performance--intensity, speed, load, distance, power, and sprint data. This, along with heat map information, helps you understand everything you did correctly, and where you went wrong during your game. 

This tracker also allows you the ability to compare your stats to other people--friends, competitors, and even professional players, to see how you stack up against them.

Lastly, you as a soccer team can also create your own Squad instantly! You can create it with your team directly, and then invite your coach to monitor and participate in the app--they don't even have to own a C Catapult Tracker to participate. 

The C Catapult PLAYR Smart Soccer Tracker is made up of a black vest that you wear over your clothing to track your movements--as well as a SmartPod aka the GPS, which is positioned on the back of the vest, using a specially designed pocket to hold the GPS into place. 

This is a literal GPS, and the GPS is synced to an app that you can put on your phone to keep track of all the data that is collected during your activity. The PLAYR app is easily synced between your phone and the SmartPod, and can instantly show you the data collected during your game. 

Sizes range from XXS, XS, S, XL, and Youth. It was created to be a snug, tight fit, and it stretches four ways--so do not be alarmed if it seems too tight at first. To combat this, it is recommended that you buy a smaller size if you are between two of the available sizes. This product can be used with either iPhone or Android. It is also very lightweight, coming in at 1.41 pounds in total. 

Overall, reviews of this product are somewhat positive. Buyers were very excited when this tracker came onto the market, as there hadn’t quite been a product like this solely for soccer players ever. 

What really seemed to be important to them, and impress them was how they, the player, were where all of the data came from. 

They have also enjoyed how easy it is to set up--once you get the vest and tracker, all you have to do is download the accompanying app onto your phone, turn on the tracker to sync the two, and then you can begin to sync your calendar and then plan when you want to monitor your workouts and games. 

Using the app and interpreting the data can be tricky for some. The app gives you all of the data it gathers--and it is really up to you to interpret that data. For example, one buyer stated that their son used the data collected to change how he played the game. 

Their son was running around a lot during games, over a large distance, but was not actually running that fast/accelerating. Now he accelerates and covers a lot more ground, quicker, and is in the thick of the action. For other users, it seems like they do not know how to interpret the data for their best use.

Some have also stated that they have had issues syncing the vest to their phone and downloading data correctly. Complaints about customer service have been made, as it has been said to be nonexistent and certain aspects of the app can be hard to use without help. 

The biggest point of contention, beyond it being difficult to even work for some people is that it does not explicitly walk you through, step by step, as to how you can improve your soccer playing or workout. Instead, it offers you clinical data, and you have to interpret it--or attempt to.

The C Catapult is a great product that is changing the fate of soccer players all around the world. Information is power, and products like the C Catapult is what will put the power directly into the hands of the people that need it the most.

It may not work perfectly and have a few issues and kinks to work out, but it is a good start, and it can only improve from here. This product is perfect for any player that wants to compare themselves and their performance to the only person that matters--themselves. Each time you open the app to see how you stacked up against yourself is just another opportunity to be faster and better than you were the previous day. Every day is a new day with the C Catapult Tracker. 

SmartPod

In essence, the SmartPod is a GPS tracker--but that’s not all it is. It also contains an accelerometer (an electromechanical device that is used to measure acceleration forces e.g. your movement and how fast you are going). 

ogether, the GPS tracker and the accelerometer collects and provides data for the total distance you went, how fast you were going (speed), intensity, distance of your sprint, heat maps (show you where you either were going the fastest or where you spent the most time), load, intensity, and power plays. All of this powerful data is something that you can use to become a better player--and it is all collected wirelessly.

SmartVest

The material of the SmartVest is made to compress your chest, making for a tug, tight fit. Not only will it fit the contour of your body perfectly, but it is also made to last, and to ensure your ultimate comfort while wearing it. 

The SmartPod is strategically placed on your back, into a specially designed pocket for safekeeping while you are playing.

PLAYR App

The PLAYR App, which can be downloaded on either the iPhone or Android phone, is incredibly useful as it instantly syncs all of the data you generate for the SmartPod, and sends it to your phone, divided into separate sessions.

Features & Software

When you first purchase this tracker, you will not find any thick instruction manual, which is the case in several other devices. You will instead find a small booklet that has four pictures to get you started. This is because the gadget is very user-friendly, and the installation process is simple. 

When you get the censor, you first download the free smartphone app. The device pairs to this app through Bluetooth. It uses a soccer-orientated algorithm that can convert your statistics to meaningful insights that you, as a player, can use. 

You can then follow the prompts that will aid you in adding and checking your sensor. You will reach a point where your smartphone will require you to scan the QR code on the back of the gadget for pairing. 

You will also have to answer several questions such as 

The installation process and firmware update are smooth and speedy, approximately ten minutes. The fun thing about it is that you can be able to install the app on several devices. You are only required to log in using the same profile, and the app will pick up all of your player history.  

After installation and paring, you are required to click "Start Game" to start your tracking. However, you have to make sure that you are connected to the internet when beginning the process, as you will be required to login with your Zepp profile. You can after that, leave the app running and start playing just as you usually do. When you are done, you save the session on the app. 

The app has two options for you to choose from, tracking a practice session or a game. The difference between the two options is the fact that when you follow a game, the app will allow you to signal for half time as well as ask you to enter the scores afterward. On the other hand, the practice mode does not allow for this.  

Every time that you use the Zepp Play Soccer sensor to capture a match, you will receive data that is in the form of metrics. This includes 

All these will be displayed in increment spans of five minutes and will be posted on bar charts that are conspicuously colored. 

Another advantage of this sensor is the fact that everything is automated. You are not required to press any buttons. Just open the app, pair it with the sensor, and play. All the rest, including data entry, is taken care of by the sensor. 

Everything, including statistics on the goals made in relation to shots taken, is automatically produced. However, to track these goals, you will need someone to tag the action manually. This is not a deal-breaker. This is because the person tagging the activity has an option to use the mobile device's camera to record it too. In such a case, the app collects video highlights and stores them. You can even tag these highlights with labels, including yellow cards, penalties, and also goals.  

To add on that, the statistics that will be associated with your profile is stored on the Zepp servers. Sharing of the data will also be easy, be it on social media or through email. You just send a URL that family and friends can use to views all your statistics. 

 The Team Game Mode makes the experience sheerer by letting more than one player connect to the same match. They will be required to enter a code or enable their location. At the end of the game, they will be able to combine the data and create a summary of the stats. 

They can also compare among themselves and have leaderboards which keep a score between them. This is a handy feature, especially to coaches and managers. Parents and guardians can also monitor their kids and get scores and updates. 

For those who cannot attend a match, there is a feature that accommodates them, the Timeline Feed. They can be able to follow every action and events that occur. Therefore, every event that is tagged through the Take Video or Tag Event options is posted in a timeline that is accessible through the internet browser or the Zepp Play Soccer app. 

Zepp adds new features, improvements, and updates now and then. Therefore, you will need to keep your app up to date with the latest versions.