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A Sucker: I got the Apple Watch Ultra! LOL
- Thread starter msackey
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Sleep monitoring. Meh. What can you actually do with this? I sleep badly no matter what I do and .a watch telling me that I sleep badly won't help one bit. Plus....it's yet another gadget with built-in obsolescence. Plus it will drain my phone battery faster. My phone tells me steps and can time runs etc. None of the watch functions are at all necessary when your smartphone is in another pocket.So whoever said I was going to end up buying an Apple Watch Ultra, well you won the jackpot -- the imaginary jackpot, that is.LOL.
Yes, so I did end up buying one! The other day, I went to the Apple Store curious to see how the Ultra looks and feels like and also what the AirPods Pro 2 works like. I absolutely did not enter the Store with any inkling that I was going to want the Ultra. In fact, I thought I might want the APP2.
I have a Series 4 Watch and from what I could read online, including reviews, the Ultra has some new features but they did not seem to wow me that much. I tried on the Ultra and played around with it and I was seriously starting to think about upgrading. It took me several days to ponder over that and I did end up with an Ultra with the Alpine Loop. Recognizing that this was an indulgent purchase, I told my partner so
So to pay $800 for the following upgrade is quite something:
- getting a 3rd button to mark laps/segments
- better battery life
These were the 2 features that I really liked when I tested the watch, and yes, paying THAT much just for those two features is rather indulgent.
But I've also come to like additional features that I didn't have before including:
- better sleep monitoring
- additional "fun" metrics for running and other health measures like stair ascent and descent, etc.
All in all, this was truly an indulgent purchase but I suppose since I work so many dang hours, a little bit (or a lot) of indulgence is ok. Heh
So far, I have really enjoyed using my Ultra. I have the Alpine Loop (small) which works alright. My Series 4 has the Sports Loop which is essentially the same as the Trail Loop offered for the Ultra line with some relatively insignificant differences. I thought I could use my Sports Loop with my Ultra. Well, it does technically slot in to the Ultra and works fine, but somehow the Sports Loop I have now is too long when combined with the Ultra! The end of the tail shoots just under 1/2 an inch above the watch face. When I use the Sports Loop with the Series 4, I don't have this problem although the tail end is almost beyond the portion that it can velcro into. I guess I have small wrists.
The Trail Loop/Sports Loop probably does fit a little more comfortably because within a range, it is "infinitely" adjustable. But, it's ugly. It looks ugly.
So anyone have recommendations for third party Ultra watch bands? I know there are plenty out there but which ones are reputable? I don't want a band that suddenly breaks and the Watch falls off -- a Watch that was $800 of indulgence. =)
I'll stick with my auto watches.⌚
I can see from photos what you mean and how that would work. Too much mucking around when you are going for a surf though, the alpine is a better all round band for me. Easy and secure.
Never liked silicone bands.
LOL. Touché, touché.
I don't sleep very well too and several months ago got a Withings Sleep Tracker which fits underneath the mattress. It provides some information about sleep patterns and it's good to know how much I'm spending in REM, CORE, AWAKE, LIGHT, etc. That said, I don't know how accurate this instrument is.
The Watch provides more data and I think generally (not just Apple Watch but many other wearables) are more accurate than a pad that is stuck underneath a mattress.
What do I do with that information? I think if the information is accurate, over time an interesting picture can emerge and I can think more about whether some of the sleep patterns is a resulting mix of poor hygiene and response to my patterns. I have noticed, for example, that sometimes when I'm awake in the middle of the night, I just want to give up after a while and start looking at my phone. Sometimes when I suppress that urge (don't act on it) and just close my eyes and breathe to sleep, I may fall asleep whereas if I just went straight to the phone I may not.
The collected history is more useful than any information per night. For example, there are days when I get up from bed feel afresh and it's good to correlate that sense of alertness to sleep patterns over time. Without some record, it feels like my sleep pattern is pretty similar over time, but it actually isn't.
I did a sleep study too overnight at hospital. There were no primary sleep disorders found (LOL on me) and the recommendation was a) yes they agree I have some daytime sleepiness per the way I answered some questions, but b) no biological patterns were found to be associated with primary sleep disorders so look elsewhere for the source of the 'problem'. LOL indeed.
Is it another gimmick gadget? Possibly. But it's worth exploring the technology.
Nothing wrong with that. Since the 4 Black SS I bought black Ti (Apple Watch Edition) every year until this year when I kept 45 mm 7 since they don’t make it.So whoever said I was going to end up buying an Apple Watch Ultra, well you won the jackpot -- the imaginary jackpot, that is.
Yes, so I did end up buying one! The other day, I went to the Apple Store curious to see how the Ultra looks and feels like and also what the AirPods Pro 2 works like. I absolutely did not enter the Store with any inkling that I was going to want the Ultra. In fact, I thought I might want the APP2.
I have a Series 4 Watch and from what I could read online, including reviews, the Ultra has some new features but they did not seem to wow me that much. I tried on the Ultra and played around with it and I was seriously starting to think about upgrading. It took me several days to ponder over that and I did end up with an Ultra with the Alpine Loop. Recognizing that this was an indulgent purchase, I told my partner so
So to pay $800 for the following upgrade is quite something:
- getting a 3rd button to mark laps/segments
- better battery life
These were the 2 features that I really liked when I tested the watch, and yes, paying THAT much just for those two features is rather indulgent.
But I've also come to like additional features that I didn't have before including:
- better sleep monitoring
- additional "fun" metrics for running and other health measures like stair ascent and descent, etc.
All in all, this was truly an indulgent purchase but I suppose since I work so many dang hours, a little bit (or a lot) of indulgence is ok. Heh
So far, I have really enjoyed using my Ultra. I have the Alpine Loop (small) which works alright. My Series 4 has the Sports Loop which is essentially the same as the Trail Loop offered for the Ultra line with some relatively insignificant differences. I thought I could use my Sports Loop with my Ultra. Well, it does technically slot in to the Ultra and works fine, but somehow the Sports Loop I have now is too long when combined with the Ultra! The end of the tail shoots just under 1/2 an inch above the watch face. When I use the Sports Loop with the Series 4, I don't have this problem although the tail end is almost beyond the portion that it can velcro into. I guess I have small wrists.
The Trail Loop/Sports Loop probably does fit a little more comfortably because within a range, it is "infinitely" adjustable. But, it's ugly. It looks ugly.
So anyone have recommendations for third party Ultra watch bands? I know there are plenty out there but which ones are reputable? I don't want a band that suddenly breaks and the Watch falls off -- a Watch that was $800 of indulgence. =)
Ultra just too big on a 7 3/8” wrist. It looks like an iPad on my wrist. Not too mention the 18 Apple branded bands but I always knew the bands were a gamble.
I’d go that route if they decide to make a smaller versions probably same band you choose too.
Either way enjoy your new watch no reason to get down about a purchase like that.
Most honest thread around here! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your new device.
My wrists are smaller: around 6 to 6.5 inches and I'm 5'8". But yes, I understand it feels too big for some folks.
This is the kind of activity watch I used to wear, although it was only during running and not outside of that (internet image; not mine nor me):
Thinking of it, only other person I've seen wearing one was an Apple employee who must have had it since the S0 because it was so scratched up I barely recognized it.
I went apline green band, loving it so far! I was sorta fence sitting on the watch but since buying it’s really growing on me.
Same. I picked mine up last night. When it launched I was like "NOPE" I am not the target buyer NOR does the design look good to me. THEN I went into the Apple Store this past weekend to see it in person, Tried one on that had the white ocean band, and last night I bought one with the White Ocean Band lol. Never thought Id want it, but after trying it on, I loved it. And the larger screen, better battery and all new look is my reasoning lol
Glad you're enjoying it! I like mine a lot. A big part of it could be because I'm upgrading from a S4, so this is a major jump. I really like the better battery life. It takes a load off of worrying that the Watch may run out of power during airplane travel, especially when going overseas.
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Wait, so you have the trail loop? Or you ordered it and it's on the way? I am frustrated that the trail loop band wasn't available with the other two options at launch.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m now also considering getting the Midnight Ocean band. Oh lord, am I also turning into someone who would buy a $100 watch band? Yikes!
Sucker #2, that’s me?! LOL.
I do like the Alpine loop. But I am thinking of also doing some swims and having a fabric band doesn’t seem like a great idea…..
I'm finding that the Alpine Loop is really good fit-wise.
It's not yet as comfortable as a Nike Sport Loop, but it's nice and secure and feels just right in terms of fit.
I wear mine in the 6th loop from the watch.
It's not yet as comfortable as a Nike Sport Loop, but it's nice and secure and feels just right in terms of fit.
I wear mine in the 6th loop from the watch.
I was just checking on the status of mine today, ordered on Sept 7...still processing with an arrival date of Oct 20-27. Then a few minutes later my card was charged, so hopefully that means it will be arriving sooner.
they have chimed in from the alternatives forum, on their Samsung fold lol, no money left for a watch after buying that thing anyway
I also got one, and I kinda love it. and I kinda feel stupid with it. but I also kinda love the screen size. I keep thinking I wanna return but then its just such a pleasure to use. I came from a 40mm size though, so part of me is maybe thinking I'd be good with the larger series 8. but damn if I dont love that extra physical button. but then its like, oh look I have this gigantic amazing Apple Watch diving computer because look I have a flash light button. but then I'm like, look at this great flash light button.
eh, works great surfing, secure and dries fast, looks darker wet too lol
You can do quite a bit with sleep monitoring. I went from getting terrible sleep and being tired all the time to having good sleep and feeling good during the day. By monitoring my sleep over time, I found out what patterns of behavior lead to a bad night’s sleep. Things such as eating, drinking and exercising and when it was best to stop eating or drinking as well as the optimal times to exercise. By paying attention to my sleep results, I can now get a good night’s sleep with plenty of deep sleep. Of course, your mileage may vary and if you feel you cannot be helped, then you probably can’t.
My first watch was series one and I went entry level on that. That was my last NON sapphire face. Durability is great and little scratches irritate me to no end. I will never go back to the regular glass on a watch again. Worth the price 100%!
I purchased an Oura ring for this and it’s made a huge difference in how I consider my actions/sleep.