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Reliable and relatively cheap smart watches?

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  • 03-09-2019 1:21pm
    #1
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭


    What would you reccomend.

    Ideally I wouldn't be paying more than 100€

    Looking on sites like baggood etc but you just never know what you're getting!


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    #2
    GBX
    Registered Users Posts: 11,925 ✭✭✭✭GBX


    Look at the Amazfit range. Some decent stuff.


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    #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    amazfit bip if you want notifications, gps, step tracking, heart rate - 60 euro

    amazfit pace for cheapest option with storage for mp3's - 90 euro

    then verge (non-lite version) - 110 euro

    then stratos - 140

    all chinese site prices


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    #4
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    I have the Amazfit Bip for almost a year now (well feels like it).
    Always on display using coloured e-ink technology. The brighter the environment, the brighter the screen becomes. Plus there's a backlight for during nighttime which you can configure with start/end time, and turns on for about 5 seconds (configurable) when you raise your hand.

    I get upwards of 60-70 days per charge.
    I use GPS several times during the week for about 30 minutes a time.
    Love the way you can download watchfaces....although it won't be looking super bright or as sharp as an amoled screen.
    And it's waterproof too.


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    #5
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    biebiebie wrote: »
    I get upwards of 60-70 days per charge.
    I use GPS several times during the week for about 30 minutes a time.


    Congratulations, you're getting at least twice as much usage between charges than the marketing team themselves have ventured possible.


    Lucky you!


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    #6
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    rustledjimmies wrote: »
    Congratulations, you're getting at least twice as much usage between charges than the marketing team themselves have ventured possible.


    Lucky you!

    Haha you're dead right!
    Just checked and I'm at 54% and last charged 17 days ago.
    So more realistically 40-50 days...but "feels like" a lot more ;)


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    #7
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    I still think you're off by some factor though. GPS is a big battery drain but your claim beats my own Bip's battery life MINUS GPS usage.

    My Bip setup: Sleep HR monitoring only, call/text notifications, no GPS. Battery down to 10% after ~35 days (which I then charge to stop the "low battery" reminder even though there're days left!)

    Maybe you just got a Bip built with a good batch of batteries?


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    #8
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    Ah I see a difference.
    You have notifications switched on.
    Personally I found them a distraction so have them switched off.


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    #9
    T-Bird
    Registered Users Posts: 1,311 ✭✭✭T-Bird


    Pha! Listening to you two! I have to charge my hawuei 2 every night lol...


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    #10
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    Plus I only ever have GPS on when I'm actually tracking an activity like a brisk walk, as I use the VO2 Max info .
    Outside of that activity I don't use the heart rate monitor.


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    #11
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    Yeah, HR monitoring is a big drain. Relatively speaking, T-Bird :)

    Got the Bip because all the super-smart watches need almost as much attention as phones battery-wise. The Bip is smart enough for me - always on display a huge plus too. It gets brighter the more light it gets. So easy to see even on the sunniest of days and an automatic light for when it's dull or dark.


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    #12
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    the bip is not a smart watch tho - it's basically an activity tracker.

    if that's all you need fine but the other watches that run more intensive applications and even a full operating system need 10x the battery power - just the way it is.


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    #13
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    glasso wrote: »
    the bip is not a smart watch tho - it's basically an activity tracker.

    if that's all you need fine but the other watches that run more intensive applications and even a full operating system need 10x the battery power - just the way it is.


    No need to be a snob about it! The Bip very much IS a smart watch. Just because there are "better" ones out there (i.e. the daily chargers) doesn't mean the Bip doesn't make the grade.


    I chose the Bip mainly because of the battery life - absolutely beats the pants off everything else. You can't send a text from it though? Well f00k me like that's something I'd ever want to do! Control your music? Like what are the buttons on my BT headphones for?


    In summary, most super-smart watches aren't worth the cost and hassle. Bip covers all the basics well enough for most users I'd bet.


    Is a Ford Focus not a car because there are Ferraris?


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    #14
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    there is nothing wrong with the bip - I didn't say that. I was comparing the battery life requirements.

    you can get fitness bands that have all the same features, including gps.

    they are activity trackers.

    i.e. they report steps, sleep, gps and pass through notifications. maybe even with some music control features.

    smart watches have added features like apps, responding to notifications on the watch, taking calls, dictation, music storage, offline spotify, full sim capability etc.


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    #15
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    Maybe. But this a "cheap" thread so there are inevitable trade-offs to be expected.

    And I wouldn't trade this stellar battery life for anything a "true" smart watch can do!

    And all for €50. Genius.


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    #16
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    The always on display is great for info glancing.
    Many times a day I even find myself checking the date, not to mention time, calories burned, distance walked, footsteps and the weather min/max temp for the day...and all on the one screen too (enabled by my current watchface).


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    #17
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭thehamo


    rustledjimmies wrote: »
    Maybe. But this a "cheap" thread so there are inevitable trade-offs to be expected.

    And I wouldn't trade this stellar battery life for anything a "true" smart watch can do!

    And all for €50. Genius.

    50 quid, where can you get it for that? Cheapest I can find is 65 before postage!

    The pace can be got for 90 and its tempting me a little bit more


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    #18
    GBX
    Registered Users Posts: 11,925 ✭✭✭✭GBX


    thehamo wrote: »
    50 quid, where can you get it for that? Cheapest I can find is 65 before postage!

    The pace can be got for 90 and its tempting me a little bit more

    They were going for €40~ when the first came out - Price has gone up.


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    #19
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    Was just under €50 actually. Goota love pre-release discounts many of the chionese retailers do.

    489938.png


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    #20
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭thehamo


    rustledjimmies wrote: »
    Was just under €50 actually. Goota love pre-release discounts many of the chionese retailers do.

    489938.png

    nice


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    #21
    rustledjimmies
    Registered Users Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭rustledjimmies


    thehamo wrote: »
    nice

    Available for €57.13 from HK: https://www.geekbuying.com/item/English-Version-Huami-Amazfit-Smartwatch-Youth-Edition-382249.html

    Flash sale for next 3.5 days, free shipping from HK.

    There's a coupon available from tomorrow (not sure if stackable on Flash sale price though).


    3% Off
    Order Value Over $0
    Coupon Code: SEP002
    Validity: Sep 6th – Sep 20th

    Would bring price down to €55.42


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    #22
    biebiebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭biebiebie


    I just checked and I paid $60.99 from GearBest in February 2018.
    Equats to a little over €55.


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    #23
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭thehamo


    biebiebie wrote: »
    I just checked and I paid $60.99 from GearBest in February 2018.
    Equats to a little over €55.

    Actually took a punt in the pace. I like the idea of streaming music from the watch and not having to bring the phone out!

    Got it for 85 delivered on amazon.de.


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    #24
    Discodog
    Registered Users Posts: 15,849 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    thehamo wrote: »
    Actually took a punt in the pace. I like the idea of streaming music from the watch and not having to bring the phone out!

    Got it for 85 delivered on amazon.de.

    I love mine.

    Go here:

    https://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/amazfit

    Lots you can do with the watch. Amazmod transforms it:

    https://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/amazfit/app-amazmod-t3810252


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    #25
    youngblood
    Registered Users Posts: 1,769 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Anyone have an idea where the best deal is on this watch at the mo?
    Looking to upgrade from Pebble 2 with dissolving buttons


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    #26
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭thehamo


    youngblood wrote: »
    Anyone have an idea where the best deal is on this watch at the mo?
    Looking to upgrade from Pebble 2 with dissolving buttons

    on the pace? As I said, I got it 85 on Amazon.de The only other place I saw was aliexpress for 85 with free delivery, but you're liable to taxes on that. definitely couldn't find it any cheaper than that anywhere


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    #27
    Discodog
    Registered Users Posts: 15,849 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    thehamo wrote: »
    on the pace? As I said, I got it 85 on Amazon.de The only other place I saw was aliexpress for 85 with free delivery, but you're liable to taxes on that. definitely couldn't find it any cheaper than that anywhere

    I got mine a year ago. There was an offer on Hotdeals for €70. I was about to buy the Bip but the Pace seemed better value.


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    #28
    thehamo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭thehamo


    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32788513336.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2fca4a4349CKYw&algo_pvid=0f4ad033-2f2d-4115-961e-915d03e12b88&algo_expid=0f4ad033-2f2d-4115-961e-915d03e12b88-51&btsid=54a7e766-b2a5-4113-a9d2-ad7c6829127f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_52

    You'd need to take import charges and delivery time into account here too. Personally Id rather pay a bit extra than wait a month


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    #29
    Discodog
    Registered Users Posts: 15,849 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    thehamo wrote: »
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32788513336.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2fca4a4349CKYw&algo_pvid=0f4ad033-2f2d-4115-961e-915d03e12b88&algo_expid=0f4ad033-2f2d-4115-961e-915d03e12b88-51&btsid=54a7e766-b2a5-4113-a9d2-ad7c6829127f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_52

    You'd need to take import charges and delivery time into account here too. Personally Id rather pay a bit extra than wait a month

    Best to use Geekbuying, Honorbuy etc that have EU Warehouses.


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    #30
    FastFullBack
    Registered Users Posts: 1,455 ✭✭✭FastFullBack


    How do you guys find the GPS on the pace in terms of speed to lock in and accuracy?
    I just got an Amazfit GTR and the GPS is awful. It pretty much would not lock in GPS at all today for me. Really disappointing as it's a beautiful watch to look at


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    #31
    Discodog
    Registered Users Posts: 15,849 ✭✭✭✭Discodog


    FastFullBack wrote: »
    How do you guys find the GPS on the pace in terms of speed to lock in and accuracy?
    I just got an Amazfit GTR and the GPS is awful. It pretty much would not lock in GPS at all today for me. Really disappointing as it's a beautiful watch to look at

    Post the problem on XDA. There is a big thread on GPS issues with the GTR

    https://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/amazfit


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