Fitness Trackers / Smartwatch - Which one?

pmartin86 · 19 August 2018 at 12:05PM

Hello All

I've spent the last 5 years of my life working hard on gaining a few spare tires, carrying at least 5 stone I don't need and generally making my teenage/early 20s self ashamed at what I've become.

I've recently realized/remembered that I really do enjoy running and have started back up a few days a week, baby steps so far, but I didnt gain the weight and lose the fitness in a day, and I'm not going to lose the weight and gain the fitness in a day either.

The point of this thread is that I want a fitness tracker/smart watch, I'm a massive technology nerd but the whole "smartwatch" thing has passed me by. Can anyone recommend what to look for and what to avoid? For reference I'm an android user for my main device (Moto G6+) and unlikely to deviate from android devices.

In short, I want the following if possible:

- Smartwatch to link to Android phone for basic apop control/notifications etc
- Fitness tracker for running/step counts/heart rate etc
- Standalone GPS for use without phone? not sure if this exists?
- Preferably under £200?

Any suggestions?

Mr_Singleton · 19 August 2018 at 12:16PM

Currently using a Garmin FR645 which does everything you need plus is an excellent running watch. Yup, its over budget but might be worth looking in the sales etc.

pmartin86 · 19 August 2018 at 12:25PM

Looks quite nice, but yes, over my budget...definatly worth keeping an eye on though.

Something I forgot to ask in the initial post - whats the life span on these devices? I've come to accept a phone being 2 years ish, would a watch be the same? or less?

DavidT67 · 19 August 2018 at 2:10PM

Go to DC Rainmaker's website for all FitTech related reviews and comparisons.

indesisiv · 19 August 2018 at 7:42PM

DavidT67 wrote: »

Go to DC Rainmaker's website for all FitTech related reviews and comparisons.

This ^^

I use a 2-3 yr old Garmin Fenix 3, and see nothing out there that I would want to replace it with, but life span with these things is normally fairly long.
Personally I see no reason why I wouldn't use this one until it died.

jeradon · 20 August 2018 at 6:42AM

Check out Huawei Band 2 Pro. It has a good battery life, waterproof and inexpensive.

RichardD1970 · 20 August 2018 at 5:50PM

I have a Fitbit Ionic, it's a bit out of your price range at £240 ish but does all you want and is very customisable.

I have changed the strap for a metal link one (I swap to the supplied sports one when running, which takes seconds) and it is wearable as a normal watch with loads of different face to download.

On the running groups I'm on, Garmin seem to be the most popular but there is a wide range so you would need to check out the features.

Also look at Tomtom and Polar.

It then comes down to aesthetics.

pmartin86 · 21 August 2018 at 4:47PM

Thanks for the tips so far all.

Garmin or Fitbit seem, to both be clear leaders in providing what I want, with Garmin seemingly winning on price.

I've come across this specificaly

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-010-03717-71-Forerunner-Running-Notifications/dp/B016ZXB5JA/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_200_bs_lp_tr_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E90732K13DV449NDCVC5

Seems to do what I want, at a price im happy with with, any opions on this one?

catherinekate · 21 August 2018 at 7:40PM

Yes I have the forerunner 235 that you link to - it's brilliant for running. I don't think I've really explored all of the smartwatch functions but what I have tried out worked well. Would highly recommend.

You can use the GPS without taking your phone with you, and I actually prefer this - who wants to be hassled mid-run with emails and phone calls? Not me!

Just don't believe the predicted race times the 235 gives you. It suggest I could run a 21.30 5k even though I've never gone faster than 26:05

pmartin86 · 21 August 2018 at 11:48PM

catherine/kate wrote: »

Yes I have the forerunner 235 that you link to - it's brilliant for running. I don't think I've really explored all of the smartwatch functions but what I have tried out worked well. Would highly recommend.

You can use the GPS without taking your phone with you, and I actually prefer this - who wants to be hassled mid-run with emails and phone calls? Not me!

Just don't believe the predicted race times the 235 gives you. It suggest I could run a 21.30 5k even though I've never gone faster than 26:05

Thanks for that, just the sort of insight I'm after!

The smartwatch functions I suspect will be limited regardless, the standalone GPS is something I quite like, my "running time" used to be my "alone time" - I'd like to regain that.

Not worried too much about pace etc ATM, more concerned with being able to complete 5k again! It amazing to think in my early 20s I was able to run 10-15k while barely breaking a sweat, now I break a sweat bending over to get the running shoes on!

Herongull · 25 August 2018 at 7:30PM

Have a look at the Amazfit Blip - around £55 including postage on ebay (from EU) or around £60 on Amazon.

This has GPS, heart rate, steps, long battery life etc etc and gets good reviews.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazfit-bip-review-100-smartwatch-with-integrated-gps-and-45-day-battery-life/

Fitness Trackers / Smartwatch - Which one?

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