I haven’t used it but the Bangle.js 2 looks almost perfect for a cheap, open/hackable GPS smartwatch. I’m always surprised I don’t hear more about it. Leads me to believe it’s not as good as it seems, but very interested to hear if anyone has real life experience of it.
Currently I just stick with my Garmin. I’d prefer something more open but it’s good at what it does and pretty durable.
I have one, it’s not great but it’s not terrible. The heart rate monitor leaves much to be desired and I’ve never gotten the GPS to work. It’s pretty cool if you need a new project to sink some time into.
What’s the tricky part about the GPS? I am considering buying it, but GPS would be essential.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it just breaks and you need to reset the watch. When it does work, it takes forever to find a signal. That’s been my experience, anyway.
Thanks a lot for the insight.
Can anyone comment on the Bangle.js 2 vs. the Pinetime?
I doubt I’d be customizing firmware in the Pinetime so I’m thinking Bangle.js might be a better option.
My use case is mostly around walking/running tracking and maybe heart rate checks. I don’t think I really care about much integration with my phone
I had two fitbit trackers before getting Sense, and honestly, I keep it on life support, buying replacement 3rd party straps and charging cables.
When it inevitably dies, I’d move on. I never found a use for Google assistant, it can’t even set my google maps navigation properly, can’t set a reminder.
The only thing it ever did of value to me is 5 minutes of asking it for a joke.
Garmin Instincts are amazing. Looks like a dumb watch, has most smartwatch features, the 3 Solar version lasts 40 days between charges.
Garmin is currently in the process of enshittifing their products as well.
I found Google Assistant on the Sense useful for reminders. That was about all I used it for, and it was a bit annoying that Google took it away. It’s odd that these Google-made smartwatches now only support Amazon’s voice assistant.
Never really liked fitbit when they used subscription model to access your detailed data, I don’t mind other stuff under subscription, but blocking detail on your own data under a sub was the nail in fitbit coffin.
I think Garmin might be better, but I haven’t really looked into smartwatches for a long time. seem like it is going downhill, too, based on others’ comments.
The new Pebble watches look interesting. Relatively basic, but long battery life (they promise) and open-source operating system.
yea, pebble does seem good enough, will see when it’s released.
Garmin is good, their pay system was handy and I liked it not being google.
That said smartwatches are boring. They went the wrong direction.
Una Watch from a small team in Ireland has a promising vision for those who want to rid themselves of Google. I had a Fitbit step tracker that didn’t fit into Google’s plans so they made it unusable after Fitbit cashed out.
I’m glad Fitbit got paid but that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with Google.
Ooh that looks quite promising. I’ll keep an eye on those guys.
Fitbit bought Pebble like fucking Judge Doom bought the Red Car; fuck Fitbit.
I unfortunately am a victim of this. My Sense was great. Then a forced update pushed despite never allowing the Fitbit app to update. Now the battery life is horrible and I am of course encouraged to buy a new one and move my Fitbit information to Google.
Fitbit was a great product! and yes I agree with others, big companies like google destroy the ones who make good products, things that they work and you most likely buy it again.
My sense 1 died a month ago and I got a sense 2. Mainly because of the battery life on any wearos device doesn’t compete at all with the sense series.
Oddly enough I didn’t notice the lack of features since I don’t use them.
