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If the Ultra is a ‘proper’ sports watch…
- Thread starter Monkswhiskers
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What specifically makes a sports watch a "proper" sports watch?
... and what is a GPS signal indicator indicating? Number of satellites above the horizon? Signal strength for each satellite? Does it rotate which satellite signal strength it displays?
Also, what do you do if you're in the middle of a hike or run or ride or swim and find the GPS signal indicator displaying some lower than desired signal level?
... and what is a GPS signal indicator indicating? Number of satellites above the horizon? Signal strength for each satellite? Does it rotate which satellite signal strength it displays?
Also, what do you do if you're in the middle of a hike or run or ride or swim and find the GPS signal indicator displaying some lower than desired signal level?
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You know what I’m saying, it’s for when you start an activity, many a time I have looked at results and it is clear when it has not properly locked on.
As for a proper sports watch, if you have people like Scott Jurek putting their name to it you would expect a certain level of competence from the device.
This isn’t just my gripe, Dc Rainmaker, Desfit and countless other sports tech bloggers have been asking Apple for this since the S2.
As for a proper sports watch, if you have people like Scott Jurek putting their name to it you would expect a certain level of competence from the device.
This isn’t just my gripe, Dc Rainmaker, Desfit and countless other sports tech bloggers have been asking Apple for this since the S2.
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I think all Apple watches were designed with sports in mind, I’ve always used mine when running and don’t need the Ultra for anything additionally.
I am referring to Apple’s promotion of the Ultra really.
I most certainly consider my S5 a sport watch, at the risk of making it sound like pissing contest, I use it on 60mi bike rides, 2mi swims (lake/sea/pool), up to 60mi running a week.
Depends on the level you wish to take it of course, but fully customisable workout screens I would say are another essential for the serious athlete.
The excellent app Workoutdoors does this brilliantly of course (along with gps indicator )
Unfortunately I hardly ever use since upgrading from the S4 it as I need AOD, no slight on the dev as this requires him to build the app from the ground up from what I understand and is time consuming . I would however pay @cfc for a simplified version of the app with this feature.
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If the Ultra has those additional features you think will make the difference, go for it. It’s too big for my wrist and it’s £849 so I won’t be going anywhere near it. I use Strava for my runs and my S5 has been as accurate as I need it to be to be fair.
I wouldn’t say they all out perform the AW on features because it all depends what features you are referring to. What sort of features do you mean?
He's not interested in a proper conversation. Just likes to fly into the forum like an angry seagull and **** all over the place.
Oh fair enough, hadn’t realised it was a hit and run account. I guess I won’t get an answer then lol.
they have not. however they have for the first time in watchOS 9 (for all apple watches) made it so that the moment you open the workout app it begins tracking GPS and starts full time optical HR immediately, even before starting a workout. if you now open the app and wait a minute or so you should get better results than before where it wouldn't even try to acquire either GPS or your HR until your exercise had begun, a far more difficult thing to do because you are in motion at that point.
All I expect is that said person accepted an appropriately large check.
One of the most ridiculous posts I've read in a long time. Not even worth commenting on.
This is great news, I had no idea about this, especially the HR, I always found it frustrating waiting for the data in the first few mins.
Tbh, if the Ultra was compelling enough for me I would buy it regardless of the price as the AW is hands down my favourite apple device, it's not quite so plus I just find the it too damn ugly for 24/7 use.
I have a Spigen case for my 5 when I'm out in slippery conditions which bulks it up to similar size so i can kind of see what the Ultra would look like on my wrist.
If I can find a 7 at a decent price I might be tempted, the trouble is I'm used to the sapphire screen now so it would have to be a killer deal.
One of the reasons I bought it was because of the design. I think it actually makes the regular AW look outdated. But to each his own.
I don’t think it’s fair to compare them and say one is outdated as they appeal to totally different markets. The S8 is for everyday wear and will suit most peoples style, whereas the Ultra is heavily sports focused in its aesthetics and will be used in totally different environments. I wouldn’t wear an ultra with a shirt to work but I can get away with wearing a sleek looking Apple Watch. Horses for courses.
Very good point, and you're right, it's definitely 2 different markets. However, I personally believe with the proper watch face and band, one can easily where it with a suit or dress shirt. All subjective and depends on what people are comfortable wearing.
Ive had quite a few runs where the initial signal has been off, because it’s not been proper GPS connected. I have been opening the training and running menu and will happily wait if needed but no way of showing me it’s ready. Just a small red, yellow and green bubble would be fine. Had a 5K race where my distance ended up being 4.95 and just annoying… Going for a big half marathin this Sunday and Munich Marathon in a months time and would love to have the distance bang on during the races. I know the antenna is good in the watches so must be a start procedure thing
Some people wear monstrous Garmins with suits, so yeah… Not my taste at all - with the right band combo the AW is way more versatile
I haven’t seen it in person yet but from the videos I’ve seen it looks very chunky on the wrist. If someone has a 6.5” or smaller wrist it’s pretty much a no go I would say. It’s a it like a Casio Edifice style and for me very casual and a bit sporty for smart wear, but everybody is different. I wear my AW with a shirt to work each day but it’s definitely a dress watch with a suit. It’s a good excuse for me to wear one of my nice mechanicals in those scenarios
If I knew what you were saying, I wouldn't have asked.
I've used Apple Watch for my outdoor runs for several years, multiple models from S2 to S6 which I presently still use. Haven't ever had a time that I've noticed issues with initial GPS fix; and I use RunGap to export runs to Garmin Connect so I'm viewing the tracks on web browser.
I do remember sometimes needing to wait for my Garmin 610 to get its positioning fix years ago, but didn't have issues with my 910xt or fr235 or Edge cycling computer.
All that really matters is if the consumer wants to buy it. Being “proper” is a giant grey area that we should not even care about. What is most important is if the owner is happy, if not Apple will take it back and refund your money.
The Ultra is what it is and not going to change for at least a year
The Ultra is what it is and not going to change for at least a year
Okay this is new to me! DC Rainmaker just posted a video, with a bunch of cool information about the workout app.
The most interesting part, was the GPS Signal indicator (agree with him, that a pre-start indication would be better, but something is better than nothing).
Take a look at 08:30 - I haven't heard about this before
The most interesting part, was the GPS Signal indicator (agree with him, that a pre-start indication would be better, but something is better than nothing).
Take a look at 08:30 - I haven't heard about this before