4 ms·

Man there are so many varying takes on what people want from a watch that I really sympathise with designers and manufacturers. It took me a fair bit of cash t

Man there are so many varying takes on what people want from a watch that I really sympathise with designers and manufacturers. It took me a fair bit of cash to work out my own sweet spot - an automatic Swiss watch on my left arm, and a Microsoft Band on the right. This after trying really hard to like (and wear) a Pebble, and then a Pebble steel. The Pebble just doesn't do anything I need. Unfortunately for Android, it's part of an ecosystem I won't touch. Apple's watch is appealing like crazy, but DOA because I need to take my phone along if I want to track a run or cycle. The Microsoft Band is amazing, but its Achilles heel is that it's not waterproof. Swimming is the one thing I'm still using a dedicated device for. Oh and diving, but while you'd think tech has advanced enough by now, I'm not expecting much from smart watches for that.

therobot24 12y ago
How bulky is the MS band? I looked at getting one, but i can't tell from the pictures how comfortable it is (nor could find one in a store to try on).
- Spearchucker 12y ago
  Looks bulky when you look directly at the display (the strap is a lot wider than the wrist looking straight down at it), but surprisingly unbulky when seen from any other angle. I have a small, and imagine mediums and large look even less bulky. Apparently Microsoft is going to deliver a lot of stock to (I think) BestBuy soon, so availability should improve. I'm in the UK, and you don't want to know what I had to do to get my hands on one...
on_and_off 12y ago
From what I have read, Microsoft Band heart rate sensor is useless. Too bad, once somebody delivers continuous heart rate tracking with reasonable accuracy and bulk, he will have my money.
- Spearchucker 12y ago
  Yeah I followed that saga too. And I still have no idea whether the sensor is actually bad, or good. I do know that the Band samples at different heart rate frequencies depending on what it's running - - Exercise modes (Run and Workout): Heart rate records every second - Sleep tracking : 2 minutes on, 8 minutes off. Repeats throughout duration - All other times : 1 minute on, 9 minutes off, and repeating the cycle - Manual: You can force-check your heart rate at any time by tapping the Me Tile
- unfamiliar 12y ago
  I've heard very good things about the Mio Link. It is already pretty small and I'm sure the technology could be miniaturised if subjected to Apple-size budgets. I think the battery life is bad though, only suitable for exercising not for continuous use, but again that could be because the technology isn't optimised to its full potential.
tdkl 12y ago
Check out the new Fenix 3 from Garmin : http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garmin-fenix3-detailed-review.html http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garmin-fenix3-detailed-re...

therobot24 12y ago

How bulky is the MS band? I looked at getting one, but i can't tell from the pictures how comfortable it is (nor could find one in a store to try on).

Spearchucker 12y ago
Looks bulky when you look directly at the display (the strap is a lot wider than the wrist looking straight down at it), but surprisingly unbulky when seen from any other angle. I have a small, and imagine mediums and large look even less bulky. Apparently Microsoft is going to deliver a lot of stock to (I think) BestBuy soon, so availability should improve. I'm in the UK, and you don't want to know what I had to do to get my hands on one...

on_and_off 12y ago

From what I have read, Microsoft Band heart rate sensor is useless. Too bad, once somebody delivers continuous heart rate tracking with reasonable accuracy and bulk, he will have my money.

Spearchucker 12y ago
Yeah I followed that saga too. And I still have no idea whether the sensor is actually bad, or good. I do know that the Band samples at different heart rate frequencies depending on what it's running - - Exercise modes (Run and Workout): Heart rate records every second - Sleep tracking : 2 minutes on, 8 minutes off. Repeats throughout duration - All other times : 1 minute on, 9 minutes off, and repeating the cycle - Manual: You can force-check your heart rate at any time by tapping the Me Tile
unfamiliar 12y ago
I've heard very good things about the Mio Link. It is already pretty small and I'm sure the technology could be miniaturised if subjected to Apple-size budgets. I think the battery life is bad though, only suitable for exercising not for continuous use, but again that could be because the technology isn't optimised to its full potential.

tdkl 12y ago

Check out the new Fenix 3 from Garmin : http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garmin-fenix3-detailed-review.html http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garmin-fenix3-detailed-re...