H-alphaFox
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Post by H-alphaFox on May 28, 2022 10:17:40 GMT
I have a Galaxy S4 46mm and it's pretty good if not out dated a bit by now. At the time of release this was the Daddy of all watches but probably not now.
Granted it's mainly a watch with a step counter but I'm sure I could get more out of it than I know of. I don't care for the fitness side of things so turn off all that stuff, HRM freaks me out a little.
I wouldn't call it water proof, resistant yes but I'm sure newer models are better at this.
What I do like is the Spotify connection even if it is a bit redundant it can be useful around the house/yard and the best part is the ability to take phone calls. This makes me feel like future man but more than that it is actually really useful.
What I don't like is the band that came with it but this is easily fixed and so far I have not found an easy way or app to get say a picture of my dog as the home/saver screen. This may be possible, if so I'm all ears but I believe it is something you can easily do with an apple product.
So probably not specifically helpful for the stated uses but I would get a newer version if mine stopped working and I imagine they are getting better every generation.
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Post by unrealkilla on May 28, 2022 11:34:48 GMT
Every time my phone buzzes, there are so many scenarios (like shopping) where I'd prefer to have something on my wrist that I can glance and see whether it's the doctor/hospital trying to ring me, or some cock womble that I can get back to later. Especially if I'm carrying something or pushing a trolley, it's not convenient to get my phone out of my pocket each time, unfold the case, unlock the screen, then refold it and put it back.
Also if I'm out with friends, it's normal nowadays for everyone to put their smartphones on the table while we drink/chat, but nothing annoys me more than if someone's phone rings and then they pick it up to look at text messages and stuff, it's so rude. However, if someone just glances at their wrist, we can continue our conversation and it doesn't feel rude.
Also Google Pay. I pay for most things with my phone now, opening my phone case unlocking the phone and holding it against the reader seemed a novelty and convenient to begin with years ago, but seeing people pay for things with their watch just looks so convenient, easy and next gen. I want that. You don't have to wave it around like a twat. Unless you are a twat, of course.
I'd definitely love to be able to control music without getting my phone out also, whether walking around or working out.
I guess I'd use it for GPS and step counting and stuff, but I mainly want the essential functions of my smartphone on my wrist, combined with the function of an actual watch (telling the time).
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alastair
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Post by alastair on May 30, 2022 8:57:30 GMT
I have a Garmin Fenix 6 and love it.
It tracks ALL my exercise - walking, running, cycling, pool swimming, triathlon, skiing, and functions as a golf watch with score recording and distances to greens etc.
I quite like the HR monitor and have noticed recently that in the last 2 weeks while I've been on the Fast 800 diet my resting pulse rate has dropped by 5-10 bpm. This may be linked to reduced coffee intake.
I get phone notifications on it too, and can scroll down to read the content although I rarely bother.
I tried Google Pay years ago but it didn't work too well so I'll something of a luddite and do all my contactless payments via card.
Some Garmin's will control music but it's not a feature that I'm too worried about either.
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Post by Dougs on May 30, 2022 10:30:45 GMT
I go round and round trying to find a decent swim watch. At the moment, I have a Fossil Hybrid, which basically just tracks steps but looks like a normal watch. An upgrade to a proper smart watch that accurately tracks swimming would be good but they all seem hit and miss (bar Apple Watch).
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alastair
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Post by alastair on May 30, 2022 12:36:54 GMT
This Garmin has been pretty accurate imo, although I've nothing to compare it to. I've had the occasional time where it's added a phantom length to my swims but most weeks it's spot on. Plus you can add custom pool lengths if you're in a weird sized pool.
Fenix 6 also looks like a normal watch and the battery life is tremendous!
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Post by Red_Bool on May 30, 2022 13:35:00 GMT
I used to own a Huawei Watch 2 (WearOS) watch, but switched to a Garmin Forerunner 55 last year. Reason is that I realized I did not need a smartwatch with sports functions, I needed a sports watch with only a couple of smart functions (actually, only notifications). Also, the Garmin's battery lasts me a whole week, including several (~5) GPS-tracking activities (running, cycling). Good luck trying that on a Galaxy/WearOS/Apple watch  . Sure, the screen isn't as vibrant as the OLED on those, but at least visibility actually improves in bright daylight. It supports swimming as well (but didn't try it). |
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Post by Zomoniac on May 30, 2022 13:41:05 GMT
One massive downside to the Apple Watch is how bad it is at reading my treadmill pace. If I’m locked to 10kph it’s pretty much bang on, but when I up the speed it actually registers me getting slower. If I’m running at 12 it’s tracking at about 8.5.
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Post by Happenstance on Oct 18, 2022 17:57:08 GMT
I've got the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and it's a great watch but I'm kind of getting tempted by a hybrid smart watch at the moment. I love having access to notifications etc but I also miss having a regular watch that just looks good. It's expensive so probably not a this year purchase but something like the Withings Scanwatch Horizon might be my next watch.  |
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malek86
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Post by malek86 on Nov 15, 2022 21:44:47 GMT
So my old venerable Gear Sport might be finally kicking the bucket. The watch stops charging after a while that it's been on the charger. It starts vibrating and then the base shows a blinking red light. I only bought it five years ago, frankly I thought it would last a bit longer.
I really don't wanna have to buy a new watch right now. It's still possible to recharge completely if you insist a few times (it does manage to get half a hour of charging, usually), so I might just keep it as a regular watch for now, should last me a good twenty days per charge at least.
But just in case... what's a good cheap smartwatch? I really only need something to check notifications, count steps, maybe show me the weather and calendar. No fancy stuff. If I could find something cheaper than a Galaxy Watch 4, that would be swell.
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Nov 15, 2022 22:59:15 GMT
Garmin stuff does that. Got to pay for the nicer looking ones though.
Fr35 maybe not too expensive now.
More running/gps based than pure smartwatch, but does the basics.
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malek86
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Post by malek86 on Nov 16, 2022 6:26:59 GMT
Forerunner looks nice, but not quite cheap enough. Almost as expensive as a GW4, though the battery does seem much better.
I was looking at some cheaper options like the Oppo Watch Free or the Amazfit GTS2e, and they look okay-ish, but it seems they have only limited notifications interactivity. I like being able to use my watch to remove notifications from the phone as well, or mark a Whatsapp message as read, so that's something that needs to be supported, and I guess cheaper watches can't do that?
I guess I could also attempt to replace the battery in my Gear Sport, I'm reading around and it sounds like that's the most likely culprit. It wouldn't be expensive, but might take some work. Also I'm not sure if keeping around a watch from 2017 is still a good idea at this point. No idea how long it will be supported even by Samsung's wearable app.
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malek86
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Post by malek86 on Nov 19, 2022 7:58:01 GMT
Found out that if I turn off the watch before putting it on the charger, there are no issues whatsoever. Tried twice and both times it went up to 100% and stayed on a green light.
Very convenient. Guess I can keep my Gear for a little longer still. At least until it stops holding a charge. But I'm still doing three days on light usage, or at least two on heavy usage, so no point in worrying about that for now.
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EMarkM
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Post by EMarkM on Nov 19, 2022 11:00:19 GMT
The ten year old has an iPhone SE, 2nd Edition (as do I).
She has expressed an interest in Apple Watches.
What are the differences between the current models, and which one do people feel would be most suitable?
I still don’t see the point yet myself, but I used to say that about the iPad, and I “get” them a bit more now.
Thanks!
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malek86
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Post by malek86 on Nov 19, 2022 11:35:29 GMT
I want to say that smartwatches aren't terribly useful for me either. They are nice enough if you want to check notifications on the fly, but it's like, you are saving five seconds every time. We all carry our phones around all the time anyway. And then you gotta remember to put them on a charger every week, or less depending on the model (my Gear Sport even at launch could only do four days with light usage). Word is that Apple Watches don't last long on a single charge.
They are probably more useful for fitness buffs, since they let you control a music player without having to take out your phone while running, count your steps, measure your heart and sleep rate, etc. That must be why so many "cheap smartwatches" are pretty much just sport bands.
I got used to mine by now, so I went and tried fixing it, but if at some point it broke down with no chance of repair, I don't think I'd be unable to live without buying a new one immediately.
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Post by eleven63 on Nov 19, 2022 12:49:48 GMT
My pennies worth.
I have a Huawei GT3, it's bloody brilliant. Primarily I use it as a watch! Who knew that's what its for. But I find it way more convenient to check my watch, calls, notifications, weather, music control than to arse about with my phone. And it's less conspicuous then using a giant 'mug me' shiny phone when out and about, especially late at night.
It can't be used for contactless payments, it's Huawei, bloody Chinese spying on us.
But it's waterproof, has a 2 week battery life - couldn't be bothered with yet another device needing a daily charge - step counter is accurate, heart rate useful, as is sleep counter. Works with Google maps. Has a compass, calculator, timer, alarms and you can find your inner Dick Tracy by talking to people via your watch. Plus thousands of watch faces to choose from.
It's a yes from me.
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