Smart watches - I watch or alternatives?

[heisthegaffer]

Hi all

Thinking of getting my wife an I watch for her birthday as she's just started doing a bit of running but I'm torn between an IWatch 3 as she's an apple fan (I'm not, hate 'em) or an alternative.

Does anyone tried different ones out, any good features? Budget of around 250, maybe a bit more?

One thing that puts me off the IWatch is the battery life
A colleague has one and she's fed up with it not getting through a day plus different charger.

Thanks

[GetCarter]

heisthegaffer said:

Hi all

Thinking of getting my wife an I watch for her birthday as she's just started doing a bit of running but I'm torn between an IWatch 3 as she's an apple fan (I'm not, hate 'em) or an alternative.

Does anyone tried different ones out, any good features? Budget of around 250, maybe a bit more?

One thing that puts me off the IWatch is the battery life
A colleague has one and she's fed up with it not getting through a day plus different charger.

Thanks

I charge my iWatch 4 every three days, but I guess it's down to how much you use it for extraneous stuff.

[A900ss]

An Apple Watch will easily do a day.

Even the smaller versions with a small battery.

[Tycho]

If she's an apple fan then nothing assist from an apple watch will do. I love my galaxy watch but I can't see her being happy without the integration between the apple kit.

[mikeiow]

I would agree that if she wants Apple, then get an Apple....

...but I have owned my Zetime since backing it on Kickstarter 18+ months ago, & love it!

7-10 days battery life, good alarm, messages. Won't get full app integration, so depends what she wants.
Oh yes, & if the battery is low, it stops the smart function but has *real* hands (gasp!) that will keep going for another 2-3 weeks.

They do it in petite too.....& cheaper than an iWatch.....
https://www.mykronoz.com/uk/en/zetime.html

[ecsrobin]

I’m not sure what your colleague is doing but my series 3 will last 2-3 days. If I use the gps for a days hiking I’ll be charging it after 1.5-2 days.

John Lewis are currently selling off Apple Watch series 3 at your price point although I think it’s only if a store has stock.

[Baldchap]

Don't mistake a smart watch like an iwatch for a running watch.

I'm a member of a running club and regular marathon runner and for me (and the missus), it's Garmin all the way (replaced a Polar). Something like a Forerunner 45 will do everything a runner needs without breaking the bank.

My missus gave her iwatch away. You have to be of a certain mindset to want one and have your phone binging away on your wrist 24/7, and they're not particularly brilliant for running compared to a run watch.

This site does reviews of running gear etc. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews

Edited by Baldchap on Monday 8th July 07:24

[Cupra Black]

I have a Garmin Fenix and its a seriously good watch.

Even when I was running three or four times a week I would only need to charge it once a week.

Well worth the money.

[Tycho]

Cupra Black said:

I have a Garmin Fenix and its a seriously good watch.

Even when I was running three or four times a week I would only need to charge it once a week.

Well worth the money.

I loved my Fenix but tbh unless you are a hardcore runner then pretty much any smartwatch will suffice if you run a couple of times a week. Not all runners require training effort or VO2 max calculations.

[MYOB]

I bought an apple watch a few months ago. Biggest waste of money because I only wanted a fitness tracker.

It's in my drawer and only used for exercising. I'll get a Garmin next time.

[grumbledoak]

As said, if she wants an Apple toy nothing else will do, but they are a world away from a proper running watch.

I get three to four weeks of life from my Garmin Fenix.

[mike9009]

My wife is an Apple fan. She bought an iwatch but has recently sold it on because the battery life was so poor. She liked it for step count but also had an 'unhealthy' obsession with her sleep patterns. This left no time to charge it on a daily basis - meaning it did not work for her.

She has moved to a similarly styled Fitbit Versa which she charges about once a week. This seems to suit her.

Personally I did not like the styling of the 'big screen on arm' look, and I wanted something more traditional. So I have a Skagen hybrid smart watch. It lets me count steps, notifies me when I get a message (and from whom for up to 12 contacts), control various phone functions through the buttons (music controls, volume, last notification, date etc.) lets me know when I have a meeting, etc. Plus the battery lasts over six months..... really impressed.


For example https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skagen-Womens-Smartwatch-...

They do get mixed reviews but I am a big fan.....

Mike

[Craikeybaby]

I bought an Apple Watch for my wife a few years ago and she has barely taken it off. I now have an Apple Watch 3 and have not worn any of my other (expensive) watches since.

I usually get 2 days battery life out of it, including wearing it at night. As the battery is small, it is quick to charge, so usually I just put it on the charger when I am in the shower.

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks all. Will have a think.

[Ascayman]

Garmin forerunner. It's bloody brilliant. One charge will last 10 days.

Theres something a bit style over substance about the iwatch.