I'm looking to buy a new smart watch/fitness tracker. Currently have a Garmin VivoActive HR. Any ideas on which ones are worth the money and the best place to purchase one? Mainly looking to track heart rate, steps, calories, and maybe track walking paths. Budget sub $600. Not Apple watch as I use Samsung. Thanks a bunch
New Smart Watch/Fitness Tracker
Jazza80Four on 05/10/2020 - 00:57
Last edited 05/10/2020 - 13:35 by 1 other user
Last edited 05/10/2020 - 13:35 by 1 other user
Comments
The Bip, or the newer Bip S will do what the OP wants, and more, and kinda looks like an apple watch if that's your thing. Battery lasts 30-45 days if you don't use the GPS too much. It's cheap enough that if you kill it you won't cry too much. It's not waterproof though.
Amazfit Bip is really good value for money. It does practically everything you need except making calls or playing music. Not too big.
I have been using it for over a year now.The features I use:
Call/sms notification
Alarm - It vibrates so I don't wake others up.
Steps
Sleep stats
GPS to measure the distance
Thousands of face.The battery lasts a month. I charge it once every two weeks for about 15 min.
I’d look at a decent smart watch like the galaxy 3 for those needs.
Unless activity tracking is a priority I’d stay away from the Garmins and the likes as they aren’t as good as actual smart watches.
It's too bad Apple Watch isn't compatible with Android. Instead of dozens of middling and good watches, Apple just has one good watch. Makes things easier.
What is it about your current one that you don’t like? Why do you want a new one? Is it just for something new or does it not do things you want it to?
What are the chances the Amazon prime day have good deals on Garmin watches?
FR235 - almost four years and still going strong. Rebel sale/price match plus Amex credits is how I got mine.
Are you planning on sticking to Garmin, since you're already in the ecosystem and I'm assuming tracking your activity metrics using the Connect app? That'd help with suggestions
Amazon has the best general prices I found - Rebel will price match the .com.au site too if you have gift cards to use/acquire.
Get the Garmin Fenix 6 from rebel sport for $599. Ticks all of your boxes, including price. :P
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-fenix-6-smartwatch-58…
You are all awesome. Thank you so much for your input. I'll hang out for Amazon prime day and have a look what's available.
I'd love to be corrected otherwise, but from what I understand fitness bands and smart watches are still in their infancy and therefore are jacks of all trades but masters of none.
I'd like something that tracks my heart rate, steps (both on foot and when cycling) and sleep but I don't believe such a device yet exists.
I mean, as you didn't mention sleep, then your need for a watch that has battery life >24hrs isn't required (I would assume).
I think you'll find most smart watches nowadays track those metrics though.
One question, you say track walking paths, is that with inbuilt GPS (i.e. track it through on your watch that that's connected to the GPS on your phone, or without your phone nearby?).
While I haven't tried it myself, the Amazfit Bip looks easy enough to do what you're after, it appears value for money too.
I personally have a Fitbit Ionic, though I'm considering upgrading to the Versa 3 / Sense, which does have some nice asthetics too. My hesistation is that the OS for me just doesn't hit the spot for me in regards to usability, functionality and especially now they're charging for "premium" subscription only features, so I'm also contemplating the Ticwatch Pro 2020 for the longer battery life-d WearOS watch.
I guess a question is "how much" do you want to be able to do on your watch?