If, hypothetically I wanted to get a smart watch for tracking steps, O2 monitoring, and heart rate, what would you recommend?

[da_667@infosec.exchange]

@neurovagrant @Viss yeah, I got recommended that last time, but I just wasn't on-board with it. I'm leaning towards getting a samsung smart watch, but open to opinions, and appreciate your recommendations.

[doofus_canadensis@bsd.network]

@da_667 I know somebody who wanted a Garmin, but ended up with a Withings watch. They're pretty happy with it.

[kralcttam@mastodon.social]

@da_667 I have a Garmin, my second one. That said if you get a Garmin don’t buy an expensive one as their batteries last 3 years and are non-replaceable.

[insidertreat@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 Do you want/need the smart watch features? I get annoyed wearing watches but found the whoop bands more comfortable. I didn't like their subscription model though and have been looking at Amazfit Helio Band.

[rajiv@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 FWIW i love my samsung smart watch. my buddy has garmin and if my watch dies, garmin is what i will take a long hard look at along with whatever latest samsung offering may be.

[iagox86@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 I have a Garmin that I tried and bought in person at REI (or maybe Outdoor Research?), and I like it a lot. I like that the battery lasts a long time (a few days). It tracks fitness stuff decently enough. I found a skin that isn't ugly

It's not GREAT as a smart watch, but that's also a bonus to me. It buzzes (and sometimes, seemingly randomly, shows) notifications, and that's about it. But that's also exactly what I want

The biggest downside is the charger sucks and replacing bands is expensive (nobody makes compatible bands)

[cr0w@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 I went with Withings. I liked their privacy policy more than the others, it has a "medical-grade ECG" which is what I needed, and it's FSA / HSA eligible if you have any of those funds. Plus it doesn't stand out like most of those watches and since I don't use all the features, the battery easily lasts for weeks.

Hybrid smartwatches and activity trackers | Withings

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(www.withings.com)

[da_667@infosec.exchange]

@InsiderTreat mainly I'm looking for heart rate, step counter, and fitness tracker, and maybe watch functionality. If it does notifications or will allow me to access my timers and stuff set on my phone that's a bonus.

[wq@vim.wtf]

@da_667 I loved my Ouras (both second and third generation), but stopped wearing the ring when I got a Garmin watch - which also coincided with getting more serious about my cycling training and wanting to hook up power meters and other stuff. I've been immensely happy with the Garmin for my use case.

I think the Ouras are absolutely fantastic for more casual use (and their sleep data is honestly incredible), but they don't work quite as well for more focused fitness tracking.

[viss@mastodon.social]

@da_667 @neurovagrant are there specific features you're looking for?

[musing_sys@social.fringesec.ca]

@InsiderTreat@infosec.exchange @da_667@infosec.exchange I went Fitbit, mostly for battery life and I was on Android when I bought it. Would likely be looking at Amazfit Active 2 when I need to replace next

[da_667@infosec.exchange]

@Viss @neurovagrant step tracking, o2 monitor, heart rate monitor if possible, and the ability to see notifications/timers on my phone, and acknowledge them would be nice. No idea how many times a timer has gone off on my phone, I'm in the middle of something rooms away (like making dinner, or doing my workout) and have to listen to my alarm going off to... take meds, drink water, work out, give the dog his meds, etc.

[insidertreat@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 The strap does all that tracking but there's no screen or anything for alerts or timers. All the stats are viewed through a phone app.

[rmd1023@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 It’s Google now but I believe that Fitbit has products that will do that. Integrates with other apps if that’s your jam.

[viss@mastodon.social]

@da_667 @neurovagrant i wonder if one of the garmin fenix watches would work for you

[viss@mastodon.social]

@da_667 @neurovagrant id avoid samsung. their washing machines catch fire and their phones and tvs spy

[tati@eldritch.cafe]

@da_667 i have a garmin, have had the same one since 2019. i used to have a samsung watch, but the samsung health app permissions were so invasive that i ditched it (and got a different brand phone at next upgrade)

obvs it's a long time so i can't speak to what's out there now, but mine is fine

[thejikz@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 @Viss @neurovagrant garmin instinct 2 has been my fave after giving up on fitbit. no color, no touch screen.(because sweat and rain eff that up while running) it has real clicky buttons and a simple backlight. vibrates like mad for notifications or alarms. pretty rugged since I weld and do other stuff with it on (not that I should). Ran several long events with it, battery is excellent, if not tracking, over a week between charges.

[scottwilson@infosec.exchange]

@da_667 @Viss @neurovagrant I’ve been using what is now a lower end Garmin watch for ~8 years now. The Forerunner 235 and now 245. The watch does all those things you said, 11-14 day battery life, it’s very lightweight. Pretty pleased with it.

[jrredho@mastodon.world]

@da_667

I'm going to throw in another vote for Garmin. I have a very basic first-gen Instinct watch that I've been using for three or four years now.

I mostly use it for the GPS and Altitude-gained biking and hiking records, mostly ignoring the fitness aspects. The GPS capabilities have been surprisingly good.

Garmin have a publicly available SDK for the data formats (FIT), so I haven't even had to hook it up to a phone or any other Garmin app. I really like that from the privacy viewpoint.