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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Garmin smart watches?
      #356096 - 16/08/21 09:38 AM

Anyone here wear a Garmin smart watch?

I'm looking for a watch that can provide good fitness data as well as data relative to the activity I'm doing but also be able to withstand intense activity. Aside from hunting/shooting, I ride horses throughout the week, I swim weekly (at times open water so temps are at sub-50F), lots of hiking, rock climbing, blacksmithing, etc.

I need something that can take a beating and last for a long time. Many have recommended the Garmin smart watches but as a traditionalist in terms of time pieces, I'm out of my element here.

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 897
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: animalwithin]
      #356098 - 16/08/21 12:24 PM

Several friends I see at the fitness center have Apple watches which can also record your EKG.

I had two Fitbit but they fell apart after 2 years.

Whatever you get, post your review comments.

--------------------
RB

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 897
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: 85lc]
      #356099 - 17/08/21 12:23 AM

The Heartline Study utilizes Apple watches to provide data including EKS results. The nurse for my cardiologist tld me that most cardiologist accept the EKG readings from Apple watches.

One comment on Fitbit (and perhaps other fitness watches). The step count is merely a pedometer which counts movements and not really work e3ffort. A friend and I hikes near Juneau and compared steps (he also had a Fitbit). He had some 16000 steps and I had some 12000 steps yet we walked the same distance. We switched Fitbits and got similar results. The difference was that his stride was shorter than mine; ie, he took smaller steps. I was told that most fitness watches operate the same way.

--------------------
RB

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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: 85lc]
      #356138 - 18/08/21 01:46 PM

I've found mostly good reviews on the Garmin watches. It seems like they last as long as 8+ years although my research indicates that the few instances when they go bad, they start having issues around 18 months of ownership.

The model I'm looking at is about $1000. Not sure if I'm comfortable spending that much knowing that within 10 years, I'm going to have to spring for another, if anything just because the software might be outdated by then even if the watch still works.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: animalwithin]
      #356146 - 18/08/21 05:51 PM

Quote:

Not sure if I'm comfortable spending that much knowing that within 10 years, I'm going to have to spring for another, if anything just because the software might be outdated by then even if the watch still works.



10 years? You are confident. Three yers even, is unlikely.

I've had a look at smart watches. My main interest was a compass and GPS. The screens are too small for s GPS IMO.

One of my main issues is battery duration. They appear to need to be recharged everyday.

My wife bought me a fitbit. I hardly wear it. I also got annoyed after three weeks of not using it, when I got an email from fitbit telling me, it needed recharging etc. Obviously they can monitor it somehow via wifi. Zero interest in being tracked all the time and being a good little robot.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: NitroX]
      #356147 - 18/08/21 06:24 PM



The Xemex compass watch. Discontinued. The Xemex people had terrible sales service as well.

I just put a small clip on Suunto compass on my normal watch.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (18/08/21 11:50 PM)

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39196
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: NitroX]
      #356152 - 19/08/21 12:29 AM

I also have a Suunto (semi) Smart watch. The model before the smart watches started up. IIt worked for about six months before thebuttons became erratic. Extremely bad after sales service. A later model was worn by James Bond or someone and suddenly that smart watch was available everywhere. I think the service may have improved. Mine still doesn't work ... must chase up someone to fix it a sixth time. At one time Suunto repairers claimed there were no replacement buttons available. Fffffing hell I would just buy a cheaper plastic version second hand and they can cannibalise it ...

Suunto Core
Steel Steel
15 Reviews
The outdoor watch with altimeter, barometer & compass in a range of stylish design options


Altimeter
Barometer
Compass
Temperature
Storm alarm
Sunrise / sunset
Depth meter for snorkeling
Multiple watch, date and time functions
User-replaceable battery
Multilingual menu (EN, FR, DE, ES)

https://www.suunto.com/en-au/Products/sports-watches/Suunto-Core/Suunto-Core-Steel-Steel/

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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animalwithin
.275 member


Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: NitroX]
      #356153 - 19/08/21 01:25 AM

John, the 3-4 year window did seem to be where a lot of these start fizzling out.

The watch does track you which I don't like but apparently they have a sort of "airplane mode" so you can reduce the watch to just timekeeping if you choose.

A big negative for me is that these are made in Taiwan. Unbelievable.

As much as I've received gushing reviews about these, I doubt they will hold up against constant water exposure, high heat, dirt/dust, and hard shocks. I was looking at G-Shocks which I love but they're HUGE watches.

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mauserand9mm
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Reged: 03/09/09
Posts: 1000
Loc: Queensland, Australia
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: animalwithin]
      #356170 - 19/08/21 10:04 AM

I think the longevity is related to technology - only needs to last long enough since it'll be soon outdated with a new model with better features. Gotta keep the cost down to keep selling the new models. I think this trade-off keeps them in the market.

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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: mauserand9mm]
      #356176 - 19/08/21 01:24 PM

Agreed. Although that doesn't bode well for those of us who don't buy in to the whole mass consumerism perspective of society.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39196
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: animalwithin]
      #356178 - 19/08/21 07:50 PM

The Microsoft software model included planned obselescence of hardware. Hardware makers would preload MS on their PCs and MS would make their HW obsolete within a few years, making it necessary to buy new. WIN-WIN for sellers, LOOSE for consumers.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (20/08/21 02:38 AM)

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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39196
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: NitroX]
      #356179 - 19/08/21 07:53 PM

I bought a Seiko Sports 100 Underwater etc waatch in 1982 or 83. It was "old fashioned" with hands on a whte face, stainless steel an with a small grey window for the digital bits. At the time the fashionable watches were plastic with black faces and garish red or green large digital figures. I went for classic look and hands.

This is still my watch 39 years later .... and still all works ... It has been on virtually every continent except Antarctica. Even the band has never needed repairs.

BTW it also still has class.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (19/08/21 07:59 PM)

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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: NitroX]
      #356188 - 20/08/21 01:26 AM

I love Japanese watches and have been looking at Seiko's and Casios during this hunt.

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 897
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: animalwithin]
      #356191 - 20/08/21 03:05 AM

I still have and wear my heavy, stainless steel, 1968 Aquadive 200 diver's watch which is a Swiss watch and is a purely mechanical, no batteries needed. It doesn't report back to the manufacturer where I am or what I am doing, and it doesn't need periodical updates.

--------------------
RB

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
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Re: Garmin smart watches? [Re: 85lc]
      #356213 - 20/08/21 11:33 AM

Haven't been able to wear a watch for 10 years or more now. They stop working on either wrist.
Hope I never need a pace maker.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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