When will they make wrist fitness monitor with BIG NUMBERS on display?

Have you seen thevPolar A360.

Most high end HR monitors watches have this option.

ok, by big segment of the market you mean a handful of people right?

Based on a report by Gartner in 2014, there was a total world wide "wearable electronic fitness device market" of 70.2 million units.

Of those, 28 million units were watches or wrist devices (what you are looking for). If we assume that 100% of the watches were HR monitors, and 25% of the wristbands were, that gives us 23 million units. If we then assume that 1% have poor vision that can't be constantly corrected, then that leaves you with a market of 230k units.

So, which would you rather go after? The 230k unit market or the 23m unit market? If you win just 1.1% of the 23m unit market you do better than trying to win 100% of the 230k unit market which would be near impossible even if you were the only person competing in that market.

So, it is unlikely a major player will compete in that market, but some of the ones targeting the larger market may have the features you need (as pointed out that smart watches have large number displays). This is like asking when they are going to make smart phones for old people with poor vision and a lack of computer savvy. There is a market for it, but it isn't worth the time for most of the major players. There are a few competitors cropping up, but they typically put out mediocre solutions at best.

EDIT (yes, I realize I'm leaving out the people who didn't buy one because of poor vision and not being happy with what was available, but that market is likely to be even smaller).

koinflipper wrote: »

But why must I pay for high end watch when I will never use most of its features?

You don't have to - just like most people who use a a wrist tracker prefer having a small device with a screen that uses less energy...

But hey, go see DCRainmaker's site - you'll surely find a device that fits your needs. There are literally hundreds of different trackers.

nordlead2005 wrote: »

ok, by big segment of the market you mean a handful of people right?

Based on a report by Gartner in 2014, there was a total world wide "wearable electronic fitness device market" of 70.2 million units.

Of those, 28 million units were watches or wrist devices (what you are looking for). If we assume that 100% of the watches were HR monitors, and 25% of the wristbands were, that gives us 23 million units. If we then assume that 1% have poor vision that can't be constantly corrected, then that leaves you with a market of 230k units.

So, which would you rather go after? The 230k unit market or the 23m unit market? If you win just 1.1% of the 23m unit market you do better than trying to win 100% of the 230k unit market which would be near impossible even if you were the only person competing in that market.

So, it is unlikely a major player will compete in that market, but some of the ones targeting the larger market may have the features you need (as pointed out that smart watches have large number displays). This is like asking when they are going to make smart phones for old people with poor vision and a lack of computer savvy. There is a market for it, but it isn't worth the time for most of the major players. There are a few competitors cropping up, but they typically put out mediocre solutions at best.

EDIT (yes, I realize I'm leaving out the people who didn't buy one because of poor vision and not being happy with what was available, but that market is likely to be even smaller).

With a huge aging population ( Baby Boomers), i don't think a line with larger screens would be unreasonable. And you can even market them to the larger population because of the bigger screen, i bet... after all, we are all carting around smart phones that are increasingly likely to be mistaken as flat screen television sets.

koinflipper wrote: »

But why must I pay for high end watch when I will never use most of its features?

Here's something that may fit your needs, see page 20 manual on display.

http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Heart-Monitor-Watch-Black/dp/B001F0PVO4

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/C1BIDsACQ9S.pdf

nordlead2005 wrote: »

koinflipper wrote: »

I do not have poor vision. I see 20/20 with reading glasses and 20/20 at distance without glasses. I use my smartphone just fine using my reading glasses. I do no want a smart watch to receive phone calls, text messages, etc. Just an accurate fitness watch I can read without reading glasses. I am not an elderly person (age 62). I don't need running, cycling, swimming, or sleep monitoring. Just an accurate walking app that will help me in cardiac rehab. I don't care about how many steps I take each day. Only when it matters (during exercise workouts). How many people do you estimate need devices for cardiac rehab based on number of heart attacks each year?

Eye surgeon said he is seeing many more patients with cataracts at much younger age than a few years ago, They aren't sure why be some hypothesize it may be due excessive exposure to older computer CRT monitors. I have spent decades 8 hours a day in front of those. You probably only know about modern LCD monitors.

Checking out fitness apps that interface with Polar H7 chest strap. Maybe I will find one that displays HR in large numbers on my Samsung Galaxy S6.

I didn't say you were old (62 is old though, median age in the US is ~38) I just gave an example of a market (smartphones for older people) that isn't served properly due to its small size. And, if you aren't willing to wear reading glasses while walking outside, then you have "poor vision that can't be constantly corrected". Yes, reading glasses fix your sight issues, but if you refuse to wear them then you are placing yourself in a tiny market for large displays. Also, as you specialize your needs you shrink your market even further.

The heart attack market that can see fine without restrictions is already well served by the chest strap and wrist device manufacturers. I don't see how heart attacks somehow increases the need for large numbers.

And, I know what a CRT is. LCD's didn't become popular until after the year 2000 and didn't surpass CRT's in TV sales until the year 2007. I don't get the point of this statement though, are you trying to prove how old you are here or how young?

If you want to know why a "big" market is being ignored, the answer is typically because it isn't a big market. If you believe otherwise (they don't see the need, or you think the need is underestimated), then your best bet is to start the business yourself.

This is so ignorant and age-discriminatory I can't believe it!!! Pretty much the majority of the population over age 50 or so needs reading glasses or bifocals. If you wear contacts or don't otherwise need glasses, you do need reading glasses. And most people do not walk around wearing their reading glasses because they affect your depth perception at that distance. Please stick to what you know about and quit insulting the older population.

lorrpb wrote: »

nordlead2005 wrote: »

koinflipper wrote: »

I do not have poor vision. I see 20/20 with reading glasses and 20/20 at distance without glasses. I use my smartphone just fine using my reading glasses. I do no want a smart watch to receive phone calls, text messages, etc. Just an accurate fitness watch I can read without reading glasses. I am not an elderly person (age 62). I don't need running, cycling, swimming, or sleep monitoring. Just an accurate walking app that will help me in cardiac rehab. I don't care about how many steps I take each day. Only when it matters (during exercise workouts). How many people do you estimate need devices for cardiac rehab based on number of heart attacks each year?

Eye surgeon said he is seeing many more patients with cataracts at much younger age than a few years ago, They aren't sure why be some hypothesize it may be due excessive exposure to older computer CRT monitors. I have spent decades 8 hours a day in front of those. You probably only know about modern LCD monitors.

Checking out fitness apps that interface with Polar H7 chest strap. Maybe I will find one that displays HR in large numbers on my Samsung Galaxy S6.

I didn't say you were old (62 is old though, median age in the US is ~38) I just gave an example of a market (smartphones for older people) that isn't served properly due to its small size. And, if you aren't willing to wear reading glasses while walking outside, then you have "poor vision that can't be constantly corrected". Yes, reading glasses fix your sight issues, but if you refuse to wear them then you are placing yourself in a tiny market for large displays. Also, as you specialize your needs you shrink your market even further.

The heart attack market that can see fine without restrictions is already well served by the chest strap and wrist device manufacturers. I don't see how heart attacks somehow increases the need for large numbers.

And, I know what a CRT is. LCD's didn't become popular until after the year 2000 and didn't surpass CRT's in TV sales until the year 2007. I don't get the point of this statement though, are you trying to prove how old you are here or how young?

If you want to know why a "big" market is being ignored, the answer is typically because it isn't a big market. If you believe otherwise (they don't see the need, or you think the need is underestimated), then your best bet is to start the business yourself.

This is so ignorant and age-discriminatory I can't believe it!!! Pretty much the majority of the population over age 50 or so needs reading glasses or bifocals. If you wear contacts or don't otherwise need glasses, you do need reading glasses. And most people do not walk around wearing their reading glasses because they affect your depth perception at that distance. Please stick to what you know about and quit insulting the older population.

I second this! I wish the numbers were larger, too. I am 55 and have never had eye surgery. I just need reading glasses! Nordlead2005 doesn't have a clue. YET.