Hello!
I was wondering if the Zenwatch sports tracking stuff is as bad as some reviews I read or if that has been fixed. I like the style so I will appreciate any comments from users that owned it for a while now.
Thanks!
The only sports-type things it has are heart rate and step counting. I'm not sure if the step counter even uses the watch, actually. I think it uses Google Fit on the phone. I don't really use the step counter, but use the activity timer from Fit instead. The heart rate sensor is finicky, and you're unlikely to get an accurate reading unless your fingers are just the right dampness. Although the heart rate sensors on a lot of devices are not very accurate, either. I have a difficult time getting a good reading from the one on my treadmill, for instance.
I think none of the available smartwatches are as good at fitness functions as some of the more dedicated devices. But for an Android Wear device, the ZenWatch is very nice, and I like it a lot.
The step counter uses the accelerator in the watch and works independently from a phone. It works about as well as any arm mounted pedometer. If you don't move your arms much when you walk it may not record all your steps. It may also record some arm movements as steps, but not often. The heart rate monitor is useless, but so is every other Android Wear watch heart rate monitor. This definitely isn't a fitness band.
Related
Seems like Sony has decided to go a step backwards in designing their smart watches... The SW2 was fantastic and very useful because it handled like a small phone, being able to have your apps displayed across home screens and having the ability to download many other apps. Android Wear just doesn't appeal to me... It's way too simplified and dumbed down of an experience for my liking.
so your contribution to the sw3 forum is "I don't want a sw3" lol
Even better, I don't want a ducati, I want a car, the use of only two wheels is a big step backward in the world of driving.
None of this is relevant feedback. If you want an android wear watch that is perfectly readable in daylight and can keep on all day without worrying about battery life, this is the one. The main cons in my book are the lack of interchangeable straps, the lack of wireless /easy charging, and the lack of a heart rate monitor. That said, as of today, I think it's the best aw option because of the usefulness of the screen.
Fwiw I have an original gwatch, moto 360, and briefly a gear live.
Khidr said:
The main cons in my book are the lack of interchangeable straps, the lack of wireless /easy charging, and the lack of a heart rate monitor. That said, as of today, I think it's the best aw option because of the usefulness of the screen.
Fwiw I have an original gwatch, moto 360, and briefly a gear live.
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This watch does have interchangeable straps. I also wish it had wireless charging, but I'm okay with it due to the IP68 rating. Also, the fact that it's micro USB and not a proprietary charging cable/crable is a plus in my opinion. Concerning heart rate monitor's, it's lack is apparent but at the same time, HRM's are not very accurate in wrists compared to chest or arm bands. I won't miss it.
I got my zenwatch yesterday and I can't seem to get the heart rate or the relaxation to work right. My heart rate is always extremely high and I have yet to get a sucessful relaxation reading as it times out. Anyone having the same issues or advice on using this, it's pretty much useless to me now?
iirc those heart rate sensors are only to get a very rough approximation. None of 'em work right, from Asus to Samsung.
CrashTestDroid said:
iirc those heart rate sensors are only to get a very rough approximation. None of 'em work right, from Asus to Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will tell you the microsoft band one does. I put it on in the mall and my heart rate showed what it should be continously. The Zenwatch is all over the place giving me readings that are what Im at on a treadmill. Still like the zenwatch for other reasons, but I would not even advertise a feature as flaky as the heart rate monitor or relaxtion gizmo on this thing.
I have found that Google's Fit app fails to get a heartrate, but I get a very accurate reading from Asus Wellness. Checked against manual reading from my pulse. Hopefully Google fixes their app as I prefer it to asus wellness.
It's pretty flaky, but I get a better reading if my fingers are not super-dry when touching the bezel.
I also get better results if I try to make sure that the hand touching the watch isn't touching any other bare skin or clothing, i.e. don't allow the touching hand to rest on the other hand, on your chest, etc.
At least the heart rate monitor isn't on 24/7 with no option to turn it off like the Moto360. This is one of the watch's selling points, IMO. I couldn't care less if my watch has a heart rate monitor. But since you can't seem to buy a watch that doesn't have one, whether it gives accurate readings or not, at least I can just not use it and forget it's there. Useless feature anyway, even if it is working properly. When you're working strenuously your pulse increases, when you're resting it's decreased. What deference does it make if you know the precise rate?
I agree that the Wellness app seems to be more accurate than the Google Fit app. I still want to test out the RunKeeper app to see what it's interface and heartbeat recording is like. It took me a while but I found I get my best readings by resting my index finger on the bottom bezel below the watch... So far, it seems to be the most reliable way for me to get a reading.
Would you recommend to buy the watch if I am looking for a smartwatch?
Atomic Virus said:
Would you recommend to buy the watch if I am looking for a smartwatch?
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It's still a good choice, and I don't regret getting mine. If you want to spend less than $200, get the Asus ZenWatch or the Moto 360, depending on which shape you like. If you want to spend more, I think you should also consider the Sony Smartwatch 3, the LG G Watch Urbane and the Huawei Watch. Also, there will probably be a new Moto 360 out in the coming months.
---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------
panamakevin said:
I agree that the Wellness app seems to be more accurate than the Google Fit app. I still want to test out the RunKeeper app to see what it's interface and heartbeat recording is like. It took me a while but I found I get my best readings by resting my index finger on the bottom bezel below the watch... So far, it seems to be the most reliable way for me to get a reading.
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Click to collapse
I recently installed an app called Cardiograph, that I've found a lot easier to get a good reading with than with Wellness or Fit.
2 days ago when trying to get my heart rate, I get the rate the moment I put my fingers on the watch, of course the rates are incorrect and they are not shown on my phone!
I am interested in making some vibrations measurements using an SWR50 smartwatch. I have been tinkering a bit with it, and making a tiny app that samples and stores accelerometer data. While doing it, two questions arose:
Which is the accelerometer/gyroscope chip installed inside the watch? I have been searching teardowns of this watch to get it, but the only one I found doesn't have enough quality to read the reference of some chips. I'd like to know the part used, to browse its datasheet.
I'm getting a maximum 250 Hz sampling rate. Is it possible to obtain a higher one? Reading here, it looks like there is no conventional way of doing it, but I'm wondering if maybe hacking through OS images...
I'd like the measurements to be as precise as possible, but it looks like it can be tricky obtaining good results.
What do you think of the physical watch over a smart watch idea?
I think it would be fine if the physical part would be transparent, for example when watching emails it would be completly transparent but normally there would be a led lighting it up
I like the idea of an analog watch with some smart watch features, the reliability of analog would go great with some basic use-cases of digital. Like, a watch that sends text messages? A watch that makes calls? What's the point when you have a phone in your pocket.
For privacy, I prefer analog versions of as much things as I can. Too many companies tracking everything you do on digital stuff.
davidhozic said:
What do you think of the physical watch over a smart watch idea?
I think it would be fine if the physical part would be transparent, for example when watching emails it would be completly transparent but normally there would be a led lighting it up
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To me, this sounds like strapping your car behind some horses. I personally think it's not such a catchy idea, .... but to each his own!
davidhozic said:
What do you think of the physical watch over a smart watch idea?
I think it would be fine if the physical part would be transparent, for example when watching emails it would be completly transparent but normally there would be a led lighting it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't Sound like a bad idea to me!
Smart Watch is better
The thing we wear on our wrists is getting a new life, and that is tech. With touchscreen and sensors, watches are becoming "smartwatches."
We're seeing an era in which everything wants to be improvised with technology. But how do these relatively new gadgets stand against the giants which has built their fame for ages?
We humans see tech a solution to a problem. When we have no way to communicate, we create telephones.
When we need communication mobile, we create smaller devices. When we need portable computing machines, we develop smaller computers we can hold on our palms. Technologies were known to create something based on our needs; it fixes things and eases the way we interact with our world.
But tech isn't stopping there. It's also moving into an industry we know thrives and survives well even without them. Techs are getting into your wardrobe; they're coming as part of your daily clothing. In short, they want to be inseparable from humans.
Apple Watch
With tech getting on our wrists, Apple has it with the Apple Watch, Samsung has it and Pebble also.
More contenders are up and against each other for the market that is once dominated with the likes of Swiss watchmakers. But how do these gadgets affect the industry? They certainly caught a lot of headlines, and they're all up against those old-fashioned watchmakers that made the value of a "watch" at stake.
Apple and others have taken a long time before having the proper time for the proper technology, and the vision to being their products to the market.
What we have on our wrists, previously, were worn by millions; they show bits of time, date and some others. Tech makers are fond on putting more things than necessary, but this time, they made another successful debut.
In the age of information, tech companies are putting more and more information. Smartwatches put a lot more things on your wrist. And the possibility is that there will be more things than you ever need on a device strapped tightly on your wrists.
Will these smartwatches be a replacement to the old-fashioned handmade state-of-the-art pile of cogs and gears? No. The traditional market will always have its own fans because they never want to purely put information on the wrist.
They all move in a different market.
Mohit Bansal Chandigarh says Smart Watches are Better Than Physical Watches
Mohit Bansal Chandigarh says Smart Watches are better as they offer loads of features which are helpful in our daily routine. Some of the features are activity and fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS, calorie tracking, Barometer, Sedentary Reminder, and Sleep Monitoring.
whizadvert said:
The thing we wear on our wrists is getting a new life, and that is tech. With touchscreen and sensors, watches are becoming "smartwatches."
We're seeing an era in which everything wants to be improvised with technology. But how do these relatively new gadgets stand against the giants which has built their fame for ages?
We humans see tech a solution to a problem. When we have no way to communicate, we create telephones.
When we need communication mobile, we create smaller devices. When we need portable computing machines, we develop smaller computers we can hold on our palms. Technologies were known to create something based on our needs; it fixes things and eases the way we interact with our world.
But tech isn't stopping there. It's also moving into an industry we know thrives and survives well even without them. Techs are getting into your wardrobe; they're coming as part of your daily clothing. In short, they want to be inseparable from humans.
Apple Watch
With tech getting on our wrists, Apple has it with the Apple Watch, Samsung has it and Pebble also.
More contenders are up and against each other for the market that is once dominated with the likes of Swiss watchmakers. But how do these gadgets affect the industry? They certainly caught a lot of headlines, and they're all up against those old-fashioned watchmakers that made the value of a "watch" at stake.
Apple and others have taken a long time before having the proper time for the proper technology, and the vision to being their products to the market.
What we have on our wrists, previously, were worn by millions; they show bits of time, date and some others. Tech makers are fond on putting more things than necessary, but this time, they made another successful debut.
In the age of information, tech companies are putting more and more information. Smartwatches put a lot more things on your wrist. And the possibility is that there will be more things than you ever need on a device strapped tightly on your wrists.
Will these smartwatches be a replacement to the old-fashioned handmade state-of-the-art pile of cogs and gears? No. The traditional market will always have its own fans because they never want to purely put information on the wrist.
They all move in a different market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. Absolutely agree.
Omega Seamaster / Longines Conquest / TAG / Rolex are statements in their own right - not just for blind technology. Hey, maybe we are so engrossed with tech that we fail to see that some may NOT want a beeper on their wrist for every notification that comes in/even if customized.
There's something called too much of it.
Hii every one,
Today's time where everyone, keep moving to the modern world here to stay fit is every one 1st priority. But due to unorganized schedule create a lot of health issues. So here is a new smartwatch which helps everyone to keep count everything. As I am working one, and not have enough time to measure my working hours and heart rate. Once I was just browsing in net, and I found bestviewreviews site, there I find lots of option and multiple varieties. And then order smart watch from there. And you will not believe, from the last 5 years, I am using the same smartwatch. It is nice, perfect in counts my pedometers and helps me to control my heart rates too.
Does not look good Sound I think it's a bad Idea.... !!! You have to again focus on it.
Satisfiedshoes
i think its a good idea but i think smart watch is better and it provides a lot of features.
Popularthemereview
Does anyone have any experience using this watch in open water or triathlons? Huawei makes a lot of ads about swimming with the watch, but most other smartwatches are highly inaccurate when it comes to GPS in open water.
Also, how does the touch screen reacts on water? I can imagine it will go bezerk in triathlons, but Huawei does advertise the triathlon mode.
ic3j said:
Does anyone have any experience using this watch in open water or triathlons? Huawei makes a lot of ads about swimming with the watch, but most other smartwatches are highly inaccurate when it comes to GPS in open water.
Also, how does the touch screen reacts on water? I can imagine it will go bezerk in triathlons, but Huawei does advertise the triathlon mode.
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Click to collapse
I would not get this yet if you are planning to use it for triathlons or anything fitness related that uses GPS, as it is off by at least 1/2 mile in most cases. Other than that, this watch is pretty neat and i have no remorse in getting this over a garmin watch.
I am sure they will continue to tweak this and improve the accuracy, but it is not there just yet.
seandm69 said:
I would not get this yet if you are planning to use it for triathlons or anything fitness related that uses GPS, as it is off by at least 1/2 mile in most cases. Other than that, this watch is pretty neat and i have no remorse in getting this over a garmin watch.
I am sure they will continue to tweak this and improve the accuracy, but it is not there just yet.
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Thanks for the reply. Than i'll stick with Suunto. It's a bit more bulky, but i'd at least know it works as it should.
I also compared the GPS of the GT2(42mm) with my more than 3 years old TomTom Runner watch, and the TomTom is much more accurate.
Anyone else did a comparison with a sport watch? Weird thing is that most reviews are quit positive about the sport qualities of the GT2.