Fitness watches/ trackers

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I really want an Apple watch but I also still wear other traditional watches and would like to have both but I feel like having the smart watch on your wrist all the time is the best option to keep track of your sleep, heartbeat, health, etc.

This is basically the only reason why I wear an Apple watch 80:20/90:10 vs traditional watches. I honestly don't really mind losing notifications on my wrist and most of the other features. It's the tracking data I like having.

I'm actually thinking to specifically force myself not to use the Apple watch on specific days so that I can wear my watches more. Maybe something like once or twice a week on the same day I'll not wear the Apple watch. That way the data is still there, but the gaps congruent for comparative purposes.

I honestly wish there was a good bangle data tracker option out there that could stack with traditional watches. Jawbone's UP series wasn't bad for bracelet stacking while offering good activity tracking, but design wise they're not great vs traditional watches and I think many were discontinued.

I'm also not super keen on going something like the ring tracker path like the Oura so that I can get back into traditional watches... at least not yet. Maybe the later generations will be more interesting.

[RichieRich]

I’d like the new Garmin Venu 3 for the new tech, integration with my other Garmin devices, and sports functionality (of which I use too small a fraction). But might have to consider a 900 series forerunner with music.

[D as in David]

There's always the Oura ring if all you're looking at is the bio-tracking.

[RichieRich]

Just saw this unexpected VA5 update announced so gotta take a look:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/09/...d-display.html

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by D as in David

There's always the Oura ring if all you're looking at is the bio-tracking.

$300-900 USD entry fee for the ring + mandator $6 USD a month subscription is kinda steep. At that price point, I'd rather go dual strap/watch face route... or trick my mind into finally accepting double wristing activity tracker and traditional watch. But these options are still weird in my head.

https://www.sinn.de/en/Dual_Strap_System.htm
https://9to5mac.com/2015/06/18/revie...o-apple-watch/

Money no object, sure I'll grab the Oura. But at the current price point... I'd rather wait it out a bit more.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Slava

I just find Apple hardware to be really good. I kind of wish I could use a mac for work based solely on that reason.

I hated on Apple for 25 years, as a kid, growing up, being a "PC gamer".

Got an M1 Macbook Pro for work and I think I'm never going back. If I want the Windows experience, I'll just RDP into a Windows VM (which looks hilarious BTW when people see you on Windows 11 on an iPad or Macbook in fullscreen mode). Its gotten to the point where when I'm at home on my gaming PC, I keep trying to hit CMD+C instead of CTRL-C for copy. My brain has fully migrated and so has my mobile device ecosystem. I bought a $300 Android Wear watch off a CPer a few years ago and it was a huge waste of money. iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch is where I'll be heading.

Bike computer is Garmin though and the interface is clunky.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

I’d like the new Garmin Venu 3 for the new tech, integration with my other Garmin devices, and sports functionality (of which I use too small a fraction). But might have to consider a 900 series forerunner with music.

I have the Vivoactive that I'm looking to upgrade on, and I think the Venu 3 is what I'm leaning towards.

I don't mind the Applewatch, and would actually consider it if I was on the Apple ecosystem. But I don't have any other Apple products, so that makes the watch kinda meh for me.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I hated on Apple for 25 years, as a kid, growing up, being a "PC gamer".

Got an M1 Macbook Pro for work and I think I'm never going back. If I want the Windows experience, I'll just RDP into a Windows VM (which looks hilarious BTW when people see you on Windows 11 on an iPad or Macbook in fullscreen mode). Its gotten to the point where when I'm at home on my gaming PC, I keep trying to hit CMD+C instead of CTRL-C for copy. My brain has fully migrated and so has my mobile device ecosystem. I bought a $300 Android Wear watch off a CPer a few years ago and it was a huge waste of money. iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch is where I'll be heading.

Bike computer is Garmin though and the interface is clunky.

It was so vogue to hate on Apple for so long, but after a while, I too just sighed, stated I wasn't an Apple fanboy, but that I truly enjoyed the mostly headache free experience with Apple products better than other brands.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

$300-900 USD entry fee for the ring + mandator $6 USD a month subscription is kinda steep. At that price point, I'd rather go dual strap/watch face route... or trick my mind into finally accepting double wristing activity tracker and traditional watch. But these options are still weird in my head.

https://www.sinn.de/en/Dual_Strap_System.htm
https://9to5mac.com/2015/06/18/revie...o-apple-watch/

Money no object, sure I'll grab the Oura. But at the current price point... I'd rather wait it out a bit more.

He is "Moneyguy", after all.

"Double wristing" could easily be misunderstood in a conversation.

[MoneyGuy]

I do very well financially but that’s not the reason for the monicker. It was a nickname I acquired when I was a financial planner.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

And we thought hockey players gave bad nicknames.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I have the Vivoactive that I'm looking to upgrade on, and I think the Venu 3 is what I'm leaning towards.

I don't mind the Applewatch, and would actually consider it if I was on the Apple ecosystem. But I don't have any other Apple products, so that makes the watch kinda meh for me.

I read the Rainmaker article... the VA5 pricepoint is where it's at BUT the loss of barometric pressure is almost a deal breaker for me as that means no tracking of stairs or vertical gain/loss which is a HUGE thing for so many outdoor enthusiasts from cycling to hiking to DH and XC skiing. sigh... that pushes one up to the Venu3 which is almost double the price, in which case you now should compare to Forerunner series. it's probably too soon after release for both to expect any big sales on either through end of this year.

[AndyM]

For anyone with an Apple Watch, avoid the latest software update. It destroys your battery life. I suggest you wait until they work out the bugs.

[jayswin]

Hahahaha, I do very well financially in case there was ever a concern. This place sometimes, lol.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Hahahaha, I do very well financially in case there was ever a concern. This place sometimes, lol.

Hide yo money....

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

I’d like the new Garmin Venu 3 for the new tech, integration with my other Garmin devices, and sports functionality (of which I use too small a fraction). But might have to consider a 900 series forerunner with music.

I have a forerunner 255
I love it

[Mccree]

Any love for Polar watches?

[Deegee]

I have a Garmin Fenix (6 pro) and it's been the best thing I've ever gotten. It has built in GPS functionality that will allow me to track activities and push directly to Strava. It works with a chest heart rate strap and my power pedals so I use it as my bike computer too as it I can start courses on it and follow the directions to stay on my planned route. It also broadcasts heart rate in "virtual run" activity mode so I can use it with Zwift (or other similar apps) for virtual cycling or virtual running. Treadmill running without Zwift it let's you override the mileage before you save as it's estimating distance and will update Strava with the right amount. It also monitors my sleep and I will say it is fairly bang on. Days I feel gassed, Garmin says my sleep was poor. Days I have a good or excellent sleep I really feel it. Lastly, if not using the GPS functionality, the battery lasts like 14 days which for me is just awesome. And yeah, I get notifications from the phone. I can save songs from Spotify so I can run without my phone on me and I can setup payment functionality on the watch, but I haven't done that, yet. There's a lot that Fenix can do.

My son has a Suunto 5 and it does not broadcast HR (for virtual apps) nor does it allow you to calibrate the mileage to save treadmill runs - so for me I would spend the extra cash on a Garmin if fitness activities and tracking was important.