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Original poster

Wearable tech - smart watches

13 replies

LookItsMeAgain · 04/07/2023 17:24

I currently wear a Fitbit and find the app very useful, but my annual subscription is coming due so I am looking for some advice.

If you wear a smart watch, which one do you wear? Why? Do you find it useful? Which bits do you find useful? Is there an annual subscription fee? How much?

Many thanks if you've gotten this far 😁

OP posts:
WhoToBeToday · 04/07/2023 17:31

I have a Garmin Vivoactive 4S https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VXR4CFL/ref=twister_B07XB2TJNY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Run nearly daily, period tracking, heart rate, sleep, alarms notifications.

No subscriptions for Garmin (though there maybe a premium one..I have no need for it)

Love it. Big enough to use but small enough not to look ridiculously bulky

speluncean · 04/07/2023 17:46

I have an Apple Watch - it's quite old now, it's a series 3 - it's small on my wrist which I like.

I would replace it tomorrow if it broke - I love it. It's the one that can be used without the phone near it and it's so so handy not to have to take my phone

ErrolTheDragon · 04/07/2023 17:46

I've got an Apple Watch, I wouldn't want to be without it. Mainly for activity monitoring (walk a lot and other things) but also calendar alerts and text messages (linked to phone, obviously), timer and weather.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/07/2023 17:48

I've got a Withings one because I hate watches that look like tech.

Girlintheframe · 04/07/2023 17:53

I have an apple se (I think). I like it, mainly because it means I don't have to carry my phone everywhere. I like how I can listen to podcasts, music, step count, see texts etc. when out on dog walks but can leave my phone behind. There is a function to reply to texts but it's pretty clumsy.
If it's predominantly for fitness though there are definitely better watches. My husband has the Garmin venu 2. He loves it. He runs every day and finds the detailed logs really useful.
Neither of us pay a subscription.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 04/07/2023 17:58

I've got a Samsung, 4 I think.

I use it to track exercise, periods, heart rate, sleep. I can monitor my stress level, blood pressure, ecg. I've got an exercise app on there which gives me workouts to follow. I can swim with it on. I've got Strava on it.
I can make and receive calls and send WhatsApps/texts. I can control Spotify and its connected via Bluetooth to my wireless headphones.
I could, if I linked it, view my phone gallery. I haven't yet needed to.

Basically, as well as tracking my steps etc I can go out without my phone and still be contacted if needed.

I think I pay about £3 per month as it effectively has its own sim and is an add on to my phone plan.

DS has an older version without the sim plan. His watch does all the same stuff other than its via Bluetooth so he needs his phone nearby to make calls/send WhatsApps.

HundredMilesAnHour · 04/07/2023 17:58

I have an Apple 8. Prior to this, I had a Garmin Venu 2S and before that, a Fitbit Charge 3. Garmin is better than Fitbit but the Apple 8 is way way better than Garmin. I'm incredibly happy with the Apple 8. It is way better than I ever expected. I was rather cynical when I bought it but it's blown me away. I'm a convert.

lljkk · 04/07/2023 20:11

What does Apple 8 do that Garmin didn't do & what did Garmin do that free version of Fitbit Charge 3 didn't do?

Original poster
LookItsMeAgain · 05/07/2023 09:35

Thank you all for coming back with your suggestions. Would any of these be worth getting during the Amazon Prime days coming up? I would like to get a new watch as the battery on my Fitbit is wearing out and not picking up as many things as it should (and I have synced it on a daily basis) so I think I'm due a new watch.

Any advice on this too would really be appreciated.

OP posts:
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 05/07/2023 09:45

I have an Apple Watch because I'm an Apple Addict. It's completely unnecessary but I love tech and enjoy the gadgets. Best thing is being able to go for a run and listen to podcasts without taking my phone (I only run in places where there are other people and it has a falls alarm etc built in) but I also am loving paying for things with it, counting steps and sleep, doing completely unnecessary ECGs, setting reminders for my HRT. I'm learning how to use it for train tickets and other weird and wonderful things. You can also get a complete wardrobe of watch straps for it.

Basically it's an expensive grown up toy. Doubt there will be any offers on amazon prime though.

Original poster
LookItsMeAgain · 07/07/2023 11:39

Has anyone bought/used one of these brand? Are they any good?
Huawei Band 7 Smart Watch

OP posts:
GinBlossom94 · 07/07/2023 11:59

I have Apple Watch and do love it but it does annoy me that it needs charging every day, whereas my Fitbit was only once a week

Mmr224 · 07/07/2023 12:23

Another vote for Garmin. We have each had a vivoactive for about 4 yeara. App is much better (and free) tracking than my mum's Fitbit. Between us we use them for gym sessions, swimming, golf, running, walking, period tracking, get calls and WhatsApp and texts to the watch. It can records runs etc without the phone being there but does need the phone to sync activities into the app. The batter lasts about 6 days with light use and around 3-4 if lots of gps use such as golf or running. Charges quickly.

This is the upgrade on the version 3. Looks.like amazon has it on offer for£160 just now. This is the smaller size face. The larger one is the same but £199.

https://amzn.eu/d/8bQVkvx

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