Sports/Smart watch
seanevan10
Posts: 385 Member
I am taking a small poll on which smart watch/sports tracker everyone has. Right now, I have a Vivofit2 and it is really just a steps/sleep/calorie tracker. My husband just got a Samsung GearFit 2. While it is better, it might not be exactly what I want. Anyway, tell me what you have and why you like it best. Please?
Thank you! Becky
Thank you! Becky
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Replies
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I use Apple Watch Series 2
PROS
1) it was cheaper than a lot of the competition ($300) which was surprising since it is Apple
2) Waterproof - not just resistant. Sweat proof/ water resistant/etc stuff breaks on me ALL THE TIME
3) When I am not running it functions as a second screen for my iPhone, nothing else can do that
4) It runs tons of apps, nothing else out there can compare
5) 2 day battery life for normal use
6) Apple Care+ Warranty. Fully covered no matter what happens.
CONS:
1) Battery life for full fitness tracking is only 5 to 6 hours.
2) Locked into iPhone only
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I use 2 watches during the day.
Main daily use- Moto360v2 Android Wear watch(sorry Vince, but just as functional as the Apple Watch AND can be used on both Android and iOS). This tracks my daily steps and provides my second screen while trapped in all day meetings.
Running, Garmin Forerunner235. I wanted something with a stand alone GPS for days when I don't feel like bringing my phone along with me.
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dudasd1973 wrote: »I use 2 watches during the day.
Main daily use- Moto360v2 Android Wear watch(sorry Vince, but just as functional as the Apple Watch AND can be used on both Android and iOS). This tracks my daily steps and provides my second screen while trapped in all day meetings.
Running, Garmin Forerunner235. I wanted something with a stand alone GPS for days when I don't feel like bringing my phone along with me.
Just wondering... the Apple Watch Series 2 has stand alone GPS, does the Moto360v2? I do not need to bring my phone, Apple Watch 2 can play music, track GPS, and all that with out the phone.0 -
I have the Garmin Fenix 5 and I'm loving the thing. It has it's own gps and I use it a lot for trail running. The bread crumb feature is very nice since some of the trail systems out here aren't marked very well. Beyond that it is just a really good rugged fitness tracker with all the bells and whistles. If it wasn't for the fact that I got a really good deal on it I wouldn't have gotten it (no way I would have paid full price) but I'm really happy with it for what it cost me.2
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dudasd1973 wrote: »I use 2 watches during the day.
Main daily use- Moto360v2 Android Wear watch(sorry Vince, but just as functional as the Apple Watch AND can be used on both Android and iOS). This tracks my daily steps and provides my second screen while trapped in all day meetings.
Running, Garmin Forerunner235. I wanted something with a stand alone GPS for days when I don't feel like bringing my phone along with me.
Why two watches? Just because the Forerunner doesn't tech/smart features you want?0 -
I have the Garmin Fenix 5 and I'm loving the thing. It has it's own gps and I use it a lot for trail running. The bread crumb feature is very nice since some of the trail systems out here aren't marked very well. Beyond that it is just a really good rugged fitness tracker with all the bells and whistles. If it wasn't for the fact that I got a really good deal on it I wouldn't have gotten it (no way I would have paid full price) but I'm really happy with it for what it cost me.
Yeah, the price on that one is too rich for my blood. It looks REALLY cool. If you have the same hookup, hook a sista up. LOL!!!0 -
PastorVincent wrote: »I use Apple Watch Series 2
PROS
1) it was cheaper than a lot of the competition ($300) which was surprising since it is Apple
2) Waterproof - not just resistant. Sweat proof/ water resistant/etc stuff breaks on me ALL THE TIME
3) When I am not running it functions as a second screen for my iPhone, nothing else can do that
4) It runs tons of apps, nothing else out there can compare
5) 2 day battery life for normal use
6) Apple Care+ Warranty. Fully covered no matter what happens.
CONS:
1) Battery life for full fitness tracking is only 5 to 6 hours.
2) Locked into iPhone only
This is what I have heard, but low and behold, I have a Samsung phone.0 -
I have the Garmin Fenix 5 and I'm loving the thing. It has it's own gps and I use it a lot for trail running. The bread crumb feature is very nice since some of the trail systems out here aren't marked very well. Beyond that it is just a really good rugged fitness tracker with all the bells and whistles. If it wasn't for the fact that I got a really good deal on it I wouldn't have gotten it (no way I would have paid full price) but I'm really happy with it for what it cost me.
This was pretty much my reasoning for getting my Forerunner 935, which has a lot of the same features. Haven't checked up on the differences, but the 935 was like $70 cheaper on amazon...
oh, and as a side note, as a teacher who was forced to use apple products for 4 years, I'll NEVER own one personally. I'm sure they are fine and all, but I hated my school issue iPad and MacBook Air....old school PC die hard from the days when you could build your own.0 -
MNLittleFinn wrote: »oh, and as a side note, as a teacher who was forced to use apple products for 4 years, I'll NEVER own one personally. I'm sure they are fine and all, but I hated my school issue iPad and MacBook Air....old school PC die hard from the days when you could build your own.
heh - I used to own a company that built custom pc's for business. Everything from servers to laptops. Building and installing OSs on multiple machines at once every day for pennies on the dollar after a while cures you of any love for any self-building. Nowadays, when I need a machine I open Apples refurb store, click buy, and 2 days later I have a new machine. Gave up the self-build world over 10 years ago, and happier for it.
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seanevan10 wrote: »
This is what I have heard, but low and behold, I have a Samsung phone.
Honestly, that is the biggest con against them, and I almost passed on the Apple Watch 2 because of it. I mean I have an iPhone 7+ right now and do not foresee changing in the next few years, but who knows what the future holds. The Apple lock in with the watch is a primary reason I often do not recommend it when people ask for recommendations.
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I have Garmin Fenix 3 HR - I downloaded a different watch face with all kinds of data on a single screen, and I'm thinking about buying a chest strap HRM at some point for better accuracy. The good thing is that I can get a chest-strap HRM that connects directly to the watch, so the data will sync along with things like cadence, speed, elevation changes, etc. I already have the HRM data, but it is wrist based and sometimes I want something a bit more precise.0
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PastorVincent wrote: »MNLittleFinn wrote: »oh, and as a side note, as a teacher who was forced to use apple products for 4 years, I'll NEVER own one personally. I'm sure they are fine and all, but I hated my school issue iPad and MacBook Air....old school PC die hard from the days when you could build your own.
heh - I used to own a company that built custom pc's for business. Everything from servers to laptops. Building and installing OSs on multiple machines at once every day for pennies on the dollar after a while cures you of any love for any self-building. Nowadays, when I need a machine I open Apples refurb store, click buy, and 2 days later I have a new machine. Gave up the self-build world over 10 years ago, and happier for it.
Me too. I'm an IT planning and support manager. I like being able to go to the web and order what I want and get it fast. We don't build ours out either because even now, the tech moves faster than you can build it. I used to be all about building my own. I think the last one I did was over 10 years ago.0 -
I stopped building around when you did....LOL..... I just can't stand Apples anymore, for me it's that I was forced to use them. Current work computer is a Dell and I love it. I haven't owned my own computer in over 5 years, since the schools provide them....PastorVincent wrote: »heh - I used to own a company that built custom pc's for business. Everything from servers to laptops. Building and installing OSs on multiple machines at once every day for pennies on the dollar after a while cures you of any love for any self-building. Nowadays, when I need a machine I open Apples refurb store, click buy, and 2 days later I have a new machine. Gave up the self-build world over 10 years ago, and happier for it.
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »I have the Garmin Fenix 5 and I'm loving the thing. It has it's own gps and I use it a lot for trail running. The bread crumb feature is very nice since some of the trail systems out here aren't marked very well. Beyond that it is just a really good rugged fitness tracker with all the bells and whistles. If it wasn't for the fact that I got a really good deal on it I wouldn't have gotten it (no way I would have paid full price) but I'm really happy with it for what it cost me.
This was pretty much my reasoning for getting my Forerunner 935, which has a lot of the same features. Haven't checked up on the differences, but the 935 was like $70 cheaper on amazon...
Is there any others that you considered? What was the deciding factor? I asked because the 935 is still $499 on Amazon.0 -
FWIW, I am considering the Forerunner 235. From what I understand, it isn't the best if you swim, but works great for running and biking. Wrist HR monitor appeals to me and I don't listen to music when I run, so no need to bring the phone. About $300.1
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I am currently using a Garmin Forerunner 630. There's some history there.
When I was first in the market for a GPS watch, the leading models were the Garmin 220 and 620. I looked at the DC Rainmaker reviews. Initially, the major pro for the 620 was I could put 4 fields on the screen, to 3 for the 620. The major con was that 620 had a touch screen. After muffing race starts with an iPhone app, I wanted buttons.
But DC Rainmaker demonstrated running the touch screen on a 620 while wearing pretty clumsy gloves. Sold. I was very happy with it. Later, I got a Vivofit 2 because I wanted the step and sleep tracker but didn't want to shell out enough money for a newer GPS watch.
When the battery on my original 620 started failing before I could complete a 13 mile run, I called and got a warranty replacement; but I needed a watch *RIGHT NOW* and couldn't wait for the replacement. So I paid full freight for the 630, which was available locally. Or more than full freight, because the only locally available model had the HR monitor. If I had more time, I would have ordered one without and used the old HR monitor from my 620. I was also looking forward to having step and sleep tracking built into the watch, so I'd only have to wear one thing on my wrist.
Well, it turns out that the HR monitor that came with the 630 was better than the HR monitor that came with the 620. And it had more cool nerdy running stats. The down side is, the touch screed does touch and swipe stuff instead of just tap stuff, so it's harder to operate in gloves or in wet weather. Oh, well. The good stuff, including better battery life and 2-layer satellite GPS, outweighed the touch screen issues.
Some time before my original 620 died, Apple came out with the Apple Watch. I'm sure it does a lot of nice things, and maybe the battery is good enough for marathon runners. But I couldn't bring myself to buy a running watch from the company whose phone battery died at 40º F, allegedly as a "safety feature." Exactly how does having a non-functional phone when I'm out in the weather make me safer? And if you don't get the concept that a phone is, among other things, an emergency communications device in extreme weather, why should I expect you to get the idea that I might want to run for 2 hours when it's 12º F outside, with an operational GPS watch on the outside of my outermost layer of sleeves?
@PastorVincent almost convinces me that Apple got the running watch thing right; but I couldn't get past the impression Apple made with the iPhone 5 and buy one. I knew too many people who had good experiences with Garmin.
I considered the 9xx series, and would probably go with a 935 now if I wanted to do triathlons or ultras; but 12 hour battery life (with GLONASS satellite enabled) on the 630 is good enough for anything I expect to be doing. At the end of the 630's useful life, I'm thinking I want to replace it with something that does both wrist-based HR and can pair to a chest strap HR monitor; but that is hopefully some time in the future, and a model not yet released.
EDIT TO ADD: Forgot to mention, the Vivofit 2 will pair to the same HR monitor that my 620 or 630 does. So I can put the Vivofit 2 on my other wrist, set it to show HR, and effectively have 5 fields instead of just the 4 I get with the 620 or 630. Only works in warm weather, as the Vivofit 2 says it's only good down to something warmer than the coldest I want to run, and doesn't have a big enough strap to fit around layers of clothing plus my wrist; but it's there, and it can give me a view of my HR when the GPS watch isn't in GPS mode.1 -
I recently got the TomTom Adventurer and love it.
Before that, I used the TomTom Runner, since 2014. It's still working. With optical heart rate measurement and GPS switched on, the battery still lasts at least 4.5 hours - long enough for me to finish a marathon, and I have no intention of running further, but I wanted something I can use for other sports as well.
I don't really use it as an activity tracker (I've got the Samsung health app on my phone for counting steps, that's good enough for everyday feedback for me), so I wanted a watch for running, cycling and hiking. The Adventurer has activity types for all those, and quite a few more sports settings too. (e.g. for "hiking" the GPS position is updated a bit less frequently, since you probably move slower, and then the battery lasts much longer).
It has a built-in barometric altitude sensor which is great, because I often run/bike/hike in the mountains.
It can communicate with my phone, my computer and the cadence sensor on my bike. I could also copy music on it and listen to it via bluetooth headphones - I've only tried it once, because I usually use my phone for that, but it might come in handy if I want to run and listen to music when the phone battery is low.
My favourite feature is that I can load a GPX-track on the watch and follow that, which is realy nice for trying out new routes.
I think you can also wear it as an activity tracker (I saw the options for that in the watch menu), but I haven't tried that yet.2 -
seanevan10 wrote: »Is there any others that you considered? What was the deciding factor? I asked because the 935 is still $499 on Amazon.
The others I considered were actually more expensive. I chose the 935 for one of the things @MobyCarp mentioned. with a 100k coming up, I needed longer than 12 hour battery life with GPS, the 935 is rated to 24, so it should last the 18 that I need. That and I'm just a garmin junkie. A less expensive option would be a Forerunner 235, I have the 230 and love it, just upgraded because of battery life. 235 is the same except with a wrist based HRM.2 -
@PastorVincent almost convinces me that Apple got the running watch thing right; but I couldn't get past the impression Apple made with the iPhone 5 and buy one. I knew too many people who had good experiences with Garmin.
I do not think it would work for you based on my very poor memory of your posts. The biggest draw back (other than Apple Lock In (tm) ) is the battery life. If you go hiking, or ultra trail running, or etc the watch will not make it. It survived my 4:24 marathon run, but I doubt it could have made it to 5 1/2 hours even.
The other thing is the Garmin app seems to have a bunch more features than RunKeeper, Strava, or the others. That Garmin app only works with their devices as far as I know.
The Apple Watch works for me mainly cause I am not yet running 6+ hours. If I go for a hike, I will just use an app on my phone for GPS tracking since I can carry battery packs for that and the iPhone7+ gets pretty good life on its own. That plus all the non-running stuff I use it for makes it perfect for me.
However, if I get into ultra training, I will be looking at a Garmin myself.
There are no silver bullets, IMO.
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You said if.... last time I said if, I ended up signing up for my first ultra before running my first marathon.... 12 weeks to 100kPastorVincent wrote: »However, if I get into ultra training, I will be looking at a Garmin myself.
There are no silver bullets, IMO.
And yes, there are no silver bullets. Apple is good for a day to day device with some running. Garmin are activity specific and, IMHO better for that..... it all depends on what you are looking for
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »
You said if.... last time I said if, I ended up signing up for my first ultra before running my first marathon.... 12 weeks to 100kPastorVincent wrote: »However, if I get into ultra training, I will be looking at a Garmin myself.
There are no silver bullets, IMO.
And yes, there are no silver bullets. Apple is good for a day to day device with some running. Garmin are activity specific and, IMHO better for that..... it all depends on what you are looking for
Exactly.1 -
@PastorVincent have we made this clear as mud yet? I'm trying to figure out some more things to say that say both work well, and both have their limitations....1
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MNLittleFinn wrote: »@PastorVincent have we made this clear as mud yet? I'm trying to figure out some more things to say that say both work well, and both have their limitations....
Hmm... Well the Apple Watch Series 2 is PERFECT but I would consider a Forerunner 735XT if I was to get something other than it or something for longer runs or if I hiked a lot or if I had a phone other than an iPhone. Looks like 735 is a good balance between cost and features and battery life.
Also, I never over think things as you can tell...0 -
seanevan10 wrote: »dudasd1973 wrote: »I use 2 watches during the day.
Main daily use- Moto360v2 Android Wear watch(sorry Vince, but just as functional as the Apple Watch AND can be used on both Android and iOS). This tracks my daily steps and provides my second screen while trapped in all day meetings.
Running, Garmin Forerunner235. I wanted something with a stand alone GPS for days when I don't feel like bringing my phone along with me.
Why two watches? Just because the Forerunner doesn't tech/smart features you want?
Pretty much. There weren't many Android Wear watches with the running features I wanted last year, so I went with the Garmin for running.
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PastorVincent wrote: »dudasd1973 wrote: »I use 2 watches during the day.
Main daily use- Moto360v2 Android Wear watch(sorry Vince, but just as functional as the Apple Watch AND can be used on both Android and iOS). This tracks my daily steps and provides my second screen while trapped in all day meetings.
Running, Garmin Forerunner235. I wanted something with a stand alone GPS for days when I don't feel like bringing my phone along with me.
Just wondering... the Apple Watch Series 2 has stand alone GPS, does the Moto360v2? I do not need to bring my phone, Apple Watch 2 can play music, track GPS, and all that with out the phone.
No, the 360 does not. That's why I got the Garmin. The newer AW watches do have built in GPS and LTE. The 360 predates the Apple v1, but it still does what I need it to do. Eventually I'll grab a new one, but for now I'm fine. The benefit is that I can still pair any of my AW devices to both my Android phone AND my iPhone for work.0 -
dudasd1973 wrote: »The benefit is that I can still pair any of my AW devices to both my Android phone AND my iPhone for work.
Yeah, that is really the big Achilles heel of the Apple Watch S2, but some how I doubt that will ever change.
If you are already fully in the Apple Camp, and plan to stay there for a few years, the Apple Watch S2 is an excellent option... but other wise, give it a pass. 0 -
I have a Garmin forerunner 35 and although it is not the most advanced, it does everthing i need for running and cycling; uploads beautifully and keeps me honest.1
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I'm another low end Garmin owner. I had the Forerunner 10, and replaced it with the 25 when I started to do marathons. I don't need bells and whistles, just a record of my splits and elevation gain/loss. I enjoy the step-counter as well. For my 3rd marathon, the battery ran out in mile 26, which is why I'll probably upgrade before my next marathon. I think it just got tired.1
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I have a TomTom Spark 3 and love it for running. User friendly and simple to use. I had a Forerunner (can't recall what model now) prior to that with a chest strap but it went kaput after the battery change. IMO the Garmin was better only because of the chest strap. The TomTom I have now out does it in every other way. I have heard the new Forerunners are way better and when/if my TomTom dies on me I will go for the Garmin next time around I think. Chest straps are just better at monitoring heart rate for weight training and since I run and weight train it is better for me.0
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I have a Gear Fit 2 that I loved until this morning when it *kitten* the bed halfway through my run. It is still under warranty, but Samsung is notoriously bad at honoring it.0
