Smart Watch Advice

[tom73]

Garmin purchased Fitbit a while back AFAIK.

Not quite Google own them which is another reason not to own one.

 

[tom73]

There in lies the problem. Apple do actually say you can download the App onto their watches but I don't have an iPhone!

Apple watch has been fully independent of iPhone for a good few years now. Apps can be download directly from built in app store.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Not quite Google own them which is a nothing reason not to own one.

Ooops - sorry.

Senior moment - I knew it was the Mighty G too!

Worrying.🤣

 

[Chislenko]

Ooops - sorry.

Senior moment - I knew it was the Mighty G too!

Worrying.🤣

Must admit I liked the look of the Google Pixel watch. You can download Strava to it and not have to go through a third party upload. It has built in GPS so no need to carry a phone when running.

All was looking good until I saw the one day battery life!! If it had a decent battery I would have snapped one up.

 

[cougie uk]

Anyone got the latest Garmin with the solar face ? Mine has a band of solar but I think it's more of a gimmick than useful to extend the battery life.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Anyone got the latest Garmin with the solar face ? Mine has a band of solar but I think it's more of a gimmick than useful to extend the battery life.

Which one?

The Instinct Solar gets good press for mega long-life.

I'd get one if I hadn't got the non-solar year before last.

 

[Time Waster]

OK why is a Google owned fitbit a problem? Is it the analytics side? Don't you think apple do the analytics thing too? All wearables involve data stored in the cloud by the parent company which is available to their requirements. Why do you think apple have such a tight control on their app ecosystem? Monetisation is part of all tech firms these days and data equates to money.

It amuses me people's attitude towards one or two tech firms but a complete blindspot to their favourite tech firm whether that's apple, Samsung or other.

 

[Dadam]

No tech firm is a saint but a contrast is that Apple’s business model is about selling devices. The ecosystem and everything else is geared toward that, including the privacy aspects. Google’s is quite simply to grab all the data in the world and monetise the lot.

 

[tcradvanced]

Having spent hours looking at websites that don't answer the questions you want answering I am at a loss about smart watches.

I would like a smart watch that you can download the Strava app to and has WiFi for uploading the activity at the end as opposed to going through a third party app on your phone.

https://www.strava.com/android-wear?hl=en-GB

If you look at the link above they say it is possible but no amount of web research or talking to "web chat experts" or emailing manufacturers can find me such an animal.

Anyone got such a watch?

I’ve recently bought a Garmin Fenix 6 pro , does everything your asking for and more

 

[DogmaStu]

Apple watch has been fully independent of iPhone for a good few years now. Apps can be download directly from built in app store.

Yes. I have the Apple Watch Ultra and can make and receive calls on it, use it for my rides etc - it has its own sim.

I also have a Garmin Fenix but never use it these days despite it being a great watch in its own right.

 

[AlanW]

Just looking at getting a Garmin smart watch. Mindful that l am not a runner or a swimmer and certainly have no plans to undertake any sort of training programme at my age.
Most of my friends have suggested the Forerunner 265, but delving into the detail and specification, it has far to much stuff that l'll simply never use.
Trying to get to grips with all the Garmin range, models and varations is nothing short of a nightmare as they all seem very similar, apart from the really high end models.
But l think l've finally narrowed it down to the Venu 3, which ticks all the boxes and doesn't have all the pointless (to me anyway) training stuff.
Even better, Curry's have them on offer at the moment, and a further 11% cash back if ordered via Quidco.

 

[Chislenko]

Just looking at getting a Garmin smart watch. Mindful that l am not a runner or a swimmer and certainly have no plans to undertake any sort of training programme at my age.
Most of my friends have suggested the Forerunner 265, but delving into the detail and specification, it has far to much stuff that l'll simply never use.
Trying to get to grips with all the Garmin range, models and varations is nothing short of a nightmare as they all seem very similar, apart from the really high end models.
But l think l've finally narrowed it down to the Venu 3, which ticks all the boxes and doesn't have all the pointless (to me anyway) training stuff.
Even better, Curry's have them on offer at the moment, and a further 11% cash back if ordered via Quidco.

I was like yourself, and am a self confessed "technophobe". I bought the Garmin Solar, quite a basic model about £200. It does everything I want without a load of stuff I will never use. Easy to use and navigate and does what I need. Also I leave it on the windowsill in direct sunlight so very rarely have to charge it via the plug.

 

[AlanW]

I was like yourself, and am a self confessed "technophobe". I bought the Garmin Solar, quite a basic model about £200. It does everything I want without a load of stuff I will never use. Easy to use and navigate and does what I need. Also I leave it on the windowsill in direct sunlight so very rarely have to charge it via the plug.

Nice and great looking watch. But for me l wanted (read needed) a bigger screen so l didn't have to put my glasses on every time l looked at the display. The new AMOLED display is also a huge bonus for me as that also makes the display much easier to view.

 

[Tenkaykev]

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/08/garmin-review-analytics.html

Here's an in depth review of the Venu 3

 

[AlanW]

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/08/garmin-review-analytics.html

Here's an in depth review of the Venu 3

Thanks, l watched that over the weekend plus many others