Devices Similar to ActTrust – And Why Fibion Krono Stands Out

Searching for devices similar to ActTrust? It’s a common question among researchers working in sleep, activity, and circadian rhythm studies. The ActTrust device by Condor Instruments has been a reliable option for many years, offering key features like light, movement, and temperature sensing in a compact, wrist-worn format.

But for those exploring other options—whether for higher measurement accuracy, software flexibility, or updated hardware—it’s worth looking at a few alternatives. One of the most commonly considered options is Fibion Krono, which shares many core capabilities with ActTrust but also brings additional features that may better serve certain research goals.

What Makes ActTrust a Popular Choice in Research?

The ActTrust is well-known in the research community for its:

• Wearability and durability – Comfortable for long-term wrist use and resistant to water and everyday wear.
• Multi-sensor tracking, including:
  • Light exposure (RGB and infrared)
  • Movement using a 2-axis accelerometer
  • Wrist temperature
• Event marker button, which participants can use to log relevant events.
• Basic analysis tools via its ActStudio software, suitable for visualizing patterns and scoring basic sleep metrics.

These qualities make ActTrust a practical tool for a wide range of study designs, especially those focused on rest-activity cycles and environmental light exposure.

That said, research methods—and expectations—have evolved. Many teams are now also looking at how other devices compare in terms of sensor precision, integrated analysis, and ease of deployment. Among those options, Fibion Krono has become a frequently used and well-supported alternative.

Top Devices Similar to ActTrust (Including Fibion Krono)

If you’re comparing devices with similar capabilities to ActTrust, there are a few options that regularly come up in research settings. All of these devices share a core set of features: wrist-wearable design, accelerometry, light and/or temperature sensing, and a focus on sleep or circadian data collection.

Here’s a quick look at three commonly used alternatives, including Fibion Krono, CamNtech MotionWatch 8, and Activinsights GENEActiv.

1. CamNtech MotionWatch 8

• Accelerometer: Triaxial (±8 g), widely used in actigraphy studies.
• Light sensor: Broad photopic sensor (mimics human eye response).
• Temperature: Not included.
• Software: MotionWare software for sleep scoring and activity reports.
• Strengths: Long-standing clinical use, simple setup.
• Considerations: Lacks skin temperature monitoring and light spectrum specificity (e.g., blue light).

2. Activinsights GENEActiv

• Accelerometer: Triaxial (±8 g), 100 Hz sampling.
• Light sensor: Broadband photodiode (400–1100 nm), max ~3000 lux.
• Temperature sensor: Included.
• Software: GENEActiv PC software and third-party options.
• Strengths: High sampling flexibility, raw data access.
• Considerations: Light data lacks spectral breakdown (e.g., blue vs infrared); analysis requires custom workflows or third-party software.

3. Fibion Krono

• Accelerometer: Triaxial (±2 g), 0.001 g sensitivity for detecting subtle movements.
• Light sensors: Three-channel setup:
  • Blue light (460–490 nm)
  • Photopic (visible light)
  • Infrared (>800 nm)

• Temperature sensor: Large-surface sensor for accurate wrist temperature; also enables non-wear detection.
• Event marker button: Included for participant input during studies.
• Software: KronoWare + KronoWizard for device setup, automated analysis, and participant-ready reports.
• Strengths: Combines high-precision sensing with the scientifically validated TAP method (Thermometry, Actimetry, Position) and enables DLMO-based circadian phase estimation using research algorithms.
• Considerations: Sampling frequencies are fixed to optimize for validated algorithms.

These three devices all meet the basic criteria for ActTrust-like functionality. However, researchers needing greater light spectrum accuracy, validated circadian reporting, or integrated sleep-wake detection using multiple sensor streams may find Fibion Krono better aligned with current research standards.

Why Fibion Krono Is More Than Just Similar — It’s a Smarter Choice

While several devices share ActTrust’s core capabilities, Fibion Krono takes it further by addressing many of the limitations researchers often encounter in traditional actigraphy devices.

Here’s how Fibion Krono adds meaningful value:

Triaxial Accelerometer with 0.001 g Sensitivity

Fibion Krono uses a triaxial MEMS accelerometer with fine-tuned sensitivity to detect subtle motion changes. This helps distinguish between light sleep, quiet wakefulness, or minor postural adjustments—factors that standard 2-axis sensors may overlook.

Advanced Light Sensor Suite

Light exposure is one of the most important environmental cues for the circadian system. Fibion Krono includes three dedicated light sensors:

• Blue light sensor (460–490 nm) – critical for tracking light that affects melatonin production.
• Photopic (broad-spectrum) sensor – measuring general illuminance.
• Infrared sensor (>800 nm) – helps classify light sources (natural vs artificial).

The device adjusts dynamically from 0.01 to 43,000 lux, with flicker suppression to improve accuracy under artificial lighting. For researchers studying light hygiene, shift work, or light therapy, this level of detail is often essential.

Large Temperature Sensor with Skin Contact & Non-Wear Detection

The skin temperature sensor in Fibion Krono has a large contact surface, which improves stability and measurement accuracy. It also supports:

• Non-wear detection – if the sensor loses skin contact, the system flags potential gaps.
• Circadian rhythm analysis – stable wrist temperature trends are crucial for identifying internal biological timing.

This dual role—data collection and data quality control—makes the temperature channel more than just a passive measurement.

Event Marker Button for Participant Input

Just like ActTrust, Fibion Krono includes an event marker button that participants can press to log sleep times, naps, medication intake, or other relevant study events. These timestamps help researchers align sensor data with participant routines for richer context.

Validated TAP Method & DLMO-Based Estimation

Fibion Krono goes beyond basic actigraphy by using the TAP method—Thermometry, Actimetry, and Position—to improve sleep-wake detection.

• This fusion of data streams reduces false positives (e.g. quiet wake misclassified as sleep).
• The approach is clinically validated, showing high agreement with polysomnography (PSG) in published research.

Additionally, the device supports DLMO-based circadian phase estimation by providing high-quality data suitable for applying research algorithms — offering a non-invasive approach to studying a key metric in chronobiology.

Scientifically Validated Analysis with Ready-to-Use Reports

Fibion Krono pairs with KronoWare and KronoWizard, providing:

• Automated scoring of sleep-wake cycles.
• Circadian rhythm strength and phase estimates.
• Participant-friendly visual reports.
• Exportable data for deeper custom analysis if needed.

This allows researchers to move quickly from data collection to interpretation, without requiring extensive post-processing or third-party tools.

Direct Procurement with Expert Support

Fibion Krono is available directly from Fibion, with:

• Fast response times.
• Personalized support for research projects.
• No need to go through external distributors or resellers.

This makes planning and budgeting simpler for research teams—especially those working under tight timelines.

If You’re Considering ActTrust, You Should Consider Fibion Krono First

All three devices—MotionWatch 8, GENEActiv, and Fibion Krono—offer valuable tools for researchers needing actigraphy-based insights. They each deliver core features like wrist-worn wearability, activity monitoring, and light sensing.

But for studies that demand greater precision, multi-sensor integration, and scientifically validated sleep and circadian metrics, Fibion Krono offers a clear advantage.

It covers everything ActTrust users are looking for—and adds clinical-grade accuracy, automatic circadian phase estimation, and simplified reporting. Whether you’re running a field study, a clinical trial, or longitudinal monitoring, Fibion Krono is built to support your data quality and workflow efficiency from start to finish.

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