Sigh. Activity watch ideas - not Fitbit

[Laura Corin]

I've been having problems with my Fitbit Versa recently.  It stops syncing and I  have to re-set/reinstall everything to get it working. I contact Fitbit,  and it turns out that my phone is not fully supported. We had to buy new phones for technical reasons when we moved house. And we forgot to check for Fitbit compatibility in the midst of all the busyness.

I wondered about getting a new tracker in the sales. I liked the look of the Samsung Galaxy Active, but on a UK review site at least half of the reviews talked about battery draining problems. Any other thoughts? It needs to have swim tracking and to look like a watch. Not extremely high end  - I'm not a serious sports person. Android please. Thank you.

[Ottakee]

Check out the Garmin series

[Tenaj]

10 minutes ago, Ottakee said:

Check out the Garmin series

Another vote for Garmin.  After having several Fitbit styles go bad, my Garmin is lasting and lasting.

[Bambam]

I wanted to try a tracker, but I wanted cheap because I wasn't sure I'd use it. 
I ended up with a Mi Fit 4 (like $30?). The battery lasts a month before I need to recharge. All I use it for is to track steps and for idle alerts.

I've had it a year now. The battery charge still lasts pretty much a month. I have noticed that idle alerts aren't as reliable/accurate as they were in the beginning. That's made me wonder if other things maybe aren't as reliable (step counter?)

One fun thing it does is give me info on my sleep. I find that interesting to look at sometimes. 

[Laura Corin]

1 hour ago, Ottakee said:

Check out the Garmin series

 

58 minutes ago, JanOH said:

Another vote for Garmin.  After having several Fitbit styles go bad, my Garmin is lasting and lasting.

Thanks. It looks as if I  would need the Garmin Swim 2 if I  want properly waterproof swim tracking. Does that sound right? 

[Ottakee]

41 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

 

Thanks. It looks as if I  would need the Garmin Swim 2 if I  want properly waterproof swim tracking. Does that sound right? 

Likely.  I would look for a comparison chart for them.

[gardenmom5]

right after I bought my current fitbit - 2ds wanted a smart watch that works with his particular android phone. . . . . I wish I'd bought a smart watch.  It tracks, and so much more.  

[Carol in Cal.]

In my running groups Garmin always comes up as best, but I think the group to ask for what you want is a triathlon group.  That’s what I would google if it was me—what trackers are recommended for triathletes?

[KungFuPanda]

Apparently my phone has been counting my steps/miles for years and I just clued in. Maybe just keeping your phone on you is the answer?

[Laura Corin]

1 hour ago, KungFuPanda said:

Apparently my phone has been counting my steps/miles for years and I just clued in. Maybe just keeping your phone on you is the answer?

Lol. Hard to swim with my phone though! I have spent this year slowly getting into sea swimming.  I also like to see my heart rate from yoga practices.

[Terabith]

1 hour ago, Laura Corin said:

Lol. Hard to swim with my phone though! I have spent this year slowly getting into sea swimming.  I also like to see my heart rate from yoga practices.

Wow.  Ocean swimming off of Scotland???  I am in awe.  

[Laura Corin]

3 minutes ago, Terabith said:

Wow.  Ocean swimming off of Scotland???  I am in awe.  

I have an insulated wetsuit.

[KungFuPanda]

2 hours ago, Laura Corin said:

Lol. Hard to swim with my phone though! I have spent this year slowly getting into sea swimming.  I also like to see my heart rate from yoga practices.

Swimming in November had not occurred to me.  You are a rock star.  I'm low tech with the heart rate thing.  It's up when I can feel it's up. 😆

[Lady Florida.]

I have a Fossil Smartwatch which isn't a fitness watch but allows me to use a variety of fitness apps on it (I generally use Google Fit). It's not a standalone watch but that's not a problem for me. My phone is with me when I leave the house, and when I'm at home the bluetooth works all over the house. I don't have to cart my phone from room to room. I like that I paid for it once and don't need any kind of plan. 

Mine is the Venture HR Gen 4 Smartwatch. It's a few years old so there's probably a newer model now. 

[Terabith]

2 hours ago, KungFuPanda said:

Swimming in November had not occurred to me.  You are a rock star.  I'm low tech with the heart rate thing.  It's up when I can feel it's up. 😆

Swimming, November, open water, Scotland combination makes me think @Laura Corin is actually a superhero, even with a wetsuit.  

It's like that book Swimming to Antarctica.  

[Laura Corin]

6 hours ago, Terabith said:

Swimming, November, open water, Scotland combination makes me think @Laura Corin is actually a superhero, even with a wetsuit.  

It's like that book Swimming to Antarctica.  

I mostly don't venture into the open sea. This coast has several ancient man-made tide-filled pools where you can swim without worrying about dangerous currents or waves.

[Lady Florida.]

18 hours ago, Laura Corin said:

Lol. Hard to swim with my phone though! I have spent this year slowly getting into sea swimming.  I also like to see my heart rate from yoga practices.

Depending on how big the body of water is and if you leave your phone on shore, a smart watch like mine might work. It likely wouldn't work for ocean swimming though. Bluetooth can only so far. 

[Elfknitter.#]

17 hours ago, Laura Corin said:

I mostly don't venture into the open sea. This coast has several ancient man-made tide-filled pools where you can swim without worrying about dangerous currents or waves.

Don't burst the Scottish Bad*ss image I have of you!