Why did you keep your Apple Watch?

[BarracksSi]

I also sold mine on Craigslist after I missed the return window by one day. My complaints with it was the lack of sleep tracking, the bulkiness of it, and the cost of the device (due to my job and the possibility of it being broken). I had a Fitbit Charge HR prior to the AW and decided to go back to it after it was sold.

There is a market for cheaper Fitness "Bands" and I think that Apple could do very well in that market with a band such as the Fitbit Charge. That is when I would buy another AW. I also very much prefer some kind of sleep tracking as I think that is a great feature!

Bumping this...

Ahh! The ignorance! It burns!

This comparing the AW to once-and-done, no-third-party-software-support fitness bands like the Charge HR ignores the fact that apps are written to be added to the AW.

Want sleep tracking? There’s an app for that. This is the one I used:
Sleep Watch by Bodymatter by Bodymatter, Inc.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-watch-by-bodymatter/id1138066420?mt=8

There’s others, too.

What can you add to your Fitbit?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I'm nearing the end of my return window on my Apple Watch Series 3, and I'm having a hard time justifying the cost. Outside of fitness info (which I could get way cheaper on a FitBit), the watch basically only serves as a more prominent reminder to look at my phone.

Why did you keep yours, or did you return it?

I had a Fitbit Alta then went to a Fitbit HR. I like my Apple Watch 3 a million times better just on the fact alone that it is a lot more accurate than the Fitbit Hr. I’d go to the restroom and get 150 steps just from hand movements with my Fitbit. None with my Apple Watch. Also, the Fitbit HR was incredibly inaccurate - I run the same stretch of road and have for 3 years now and running with my phone proved my FitBit HR to be horribly inaccurate unless I had my phone with me and it was using my phone’s GPS. Heart rate was horribly off as well.

So, we covered that I am a huge fan of Apple Watch because it is far more accurate than FitBit. The watch has GPS so I don’t need my phone with me when I run. Watch has a flashlight which I find I use all the time when I wake up to hit the restroom but don’t want to wake up the wife. I can answer calls on my Apple Watch - and have quite successfully.

I mean, I came from using a Fitbit for the last handful of years and ... I’m actually happy with my Apple Watch. My FitBit bands broke within 3 months of purchase. My wife went through 5 bands on hers in less than a year of use. There really is no comparison.

So, comparing my AW to my iPhone (alone) in exercise - the AW is 100% accurate. Comparing AW to my Scosche heart rate strap - it is 100% accurate. It has more information on the screen and actually looks like a watch on my wrist, not a thin malformed thing.

I used a Jawbone Move Up for years, went to a Fitbit Alta, then a Fitbit HR, and 3 weeks ago got an AW. I am 100% happy with the AW 3 GPS and continue to enjoy it more and more the more I use it.

Don’t get me started on HeartWatch, AutoSleep... Fitbit HR was never accurate on sleep. These two apps allow me to see tons more info on my heart and AutoSleep is 100% accurate on my sleep cycles - same for my wife. The amount of information in these apps alone is amazing and a big reason why I like AW.

But yeah, when AW first came out, I was 100% skeptical and laughed at it. Now i couldn’t imagine life without it and I’m looking forward to 3+ fun years with the AW watch.

I mean don’t even get me started on the waterproof - TRUE waterproof part.

Since getting the AW 3 GPS (wife and I didn’t want to pay $50/each more and $10/mo each for AW3 LTE) — has been an amazing thing for my wife and I. We have run more in the last 2 weeks than we have in the last 2 years combined. Love it .

[doublepost=1513439778][/doublepost]

Bumping this...

Ahh! The ignorance! It burns!

This comparing the AW to once-and-done, no-third-party-software-support fitness bands like the Charge HR ignores the fact that apps are written to be added to the AW.

Want sleep tracking? There’s an app for that. This is the one I used:
Sleep Watch by Bodymatter by Bodymatter, Inc.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-watch-by-bodymatter/id1138066420?mt=8

There’s others, too.

What can you add to your Fitbit?

Yeah, having owned a Fitbit HR and using one extensively (along with my boss who got one with me) —- I just had to respond to this. My boss tossed his after 3 months cuz of inaccuracies and the band dying. But yeah, no way the Fitbit compares to AW at all. Lol

 

[Sital]

I wore my AW everyday when I first got about 1.5 years ago. Now the only time I wear it is when I'm at an event/location where I might not hear or feel the phone in my pocket...which is not very often. I prefer wearing my mechanical watches.

 

[charlyee]

I wasn’t a watch person and recently decided to try a Fiibit Alta HR. Unlike others I liked the shape, size, and the battery of it, however there were three things horribly wrong with it for me:

1. The screen was almost impossible to read in sunlight.

2. The sleep hours were totally goofy and meaningless.

3. The screen was horribly scratched up within three months - granted I am a klutz but still......

So when the AW 3 came out I decided to give it a try, everything that was wrong on the Fitbit was perfect on the AW, besides the AW did a lot more of the functions that were useful to me, so there was never a question of returning it.

I volunteer once a year with the World Wildlife Federation and wore my less than a month old AW into the leopard habitat in Sri Lanka, I have no scratches dents etc after 4 weeks in the wilderness.

I have the aluminum GPS only version and based on my experience with the Fitbit, did put a screen protector on before leaving.

So I am sold that I made the right choice.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[44267547]

I wore my AW everyday when I first got about 1.5 years ago. Now the only time I wear it is when I'm at an event/location where I might not hear or feel the phone in my pocket...which is not very often. I prefer wearing my mechanical watches.

I'm the opposite. I primarily have abandoned my other Watches and resorted only to my Apple Watches. The convenience, build quality Of the stainless and simplicity has been a direct advantage for me.

 

[zin]

Bumping this...

Ahh! The ignorance! It burns!

This comparing the AW to once-and-done, no-third-party-software-support fitness bands like the Charge HR ignores the fact that apps are written to be added to the AW.

Want sleep tracking? There’s an app for that. This is the one I used:
Sleep Watch by Bodymatter by Bodymatter, Inc.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-watch-by-bodymatter/id1138066420?mt=8

There’s others, too.

What can you add to your Fitbit?

It is not practical to use the Apple Watch for sleep tracking. The battery life makes it a dead end. This is probably why sleep tracking is not integrated and, according to the app you linked, is the only solution (that is also not free) available that provides automated sleep detection on the Apple Watch.

If you want an activity tracker and you care about the numbers behind your health, as opposed to a smartwatch, then the Apple Watch is not currently an option. I personally have no use for what is essentially a smartphone on my wrist and place a lot of value on the data Fitbit provides.

 

[Abazigal]

It is not practical to use the Apple Watch for sleep tracking. The battery life makes it a dead end. This is probably why sleep tracking is not integrated and, according to the app you linked, is the only solution (that is also not free) available that provides automated sleep detection on the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch easily lasts 2 days. So what people can do is go to sleep wearing the watch, then find some intervals during the day to charge it (it's not like you are going to be wearing it 24/7 inside the house), such as when you are washing up.

 

[BigMcGuire]

It is not practical to use the Apple Watch for sleep tracking. The battery life makes it a dead end. This is probably why sleep tracking is not integrated and, according to the app you linked, is the only solution (that is also not free) available that provides automated sleep detection on the Apple Watch.

If you want an activity tracker and you care about the numbers behind your health, as opposed to a smartwatch, then the Apple Watch is not currently an option. I personally have no use for what is essentially a smartphone on my wrist and place a lot of value on the data Fitbit provides.

Have you even read what we've written here? Several of us have come from Fitbit and have had the same experience. Fitbit doesn't even compare to AW in terms of accuracy and what you can do with it. Autosleep and Heartwatch - I don't even have to have that installed on the AW for sleep tracking (100% accurate fyi, whereas Fitbit, I had to constantly change the hours I woke up and went to sleep). My AW3 easily lasts 2 days - and just charging it during my shower every day puts me back at 100% (15 mins) - I end days at 83%+.

Look, if you're trying to convince yourself to use Fitbit, go for it - but it's incorrect to say "and you care about the numbers behind your health" to go to Fitbit. Having had Fitbit for years, I can attest this isn't true. I've tried the Alta and the HR 2. Both were incredibly inaccurate with exercises, step count, heart rate, and horribly inaccurate with sleep - same for my wife and my mother in law (I bought Fitbits for them too).

Hey, if you like Fitbit, go for it - competition is great so I encourage it.

 

[The Game 161]

scary how important my apple watch is to me. Not sure I could use my phone without my watch now. Just seems odd and not natural without it

 

[zin]

Have you even read what we've written here? Several of us have come from Fitbit and have had the same experience. Fitbit doesn't even compare to AW in terms of accuracy and what you can do with it. Autosleep and Heartwatch - I don't even have to have that installed on the AW for sleep tracking (100% accurate fyi, whereas Fitbit, I had to constantly change the hours I woke up and went to sleep). My AW3 easily lasts 2 days - and just charging it during my shower every day puts me back at 100% (15 mins) - I end days at 83%+.

Look, if you're trying to convince yourself to use Fitbit, go for it - but it's incorrect to say "and you care about the numbers behind your health" to go to Fitbit. Having had Fitbit for years, I can attest this isn't true. I've tried the Alta and the HR 2. Both were incredibly inaccurate with exercises, step count, heart rate, and horribly inaccurate with sleep - same for my wife and my mother in law (I bought Fitbits for them too).

Hey, if you like Fitbit, go for it - competition is great so I encourage it.

I'm not trying to convince myself to use anything. I'm very happy with the Fitbit devices I've used over the years. I've had the opposite experience to you.

To each their own. The Apple Watch is not for me.

The Apple Watch easily lasts 2 days. So what people can do is go to sleep wearing the watch, then find some intervals during the day to charge it (it's not like you are going to be wearing it 24/7 inside the house), such as when you are washing up.

Two days is beyond ridiculous (despite Apple's claims of 18 hours). For me, and your mileage may vary, it needs at least five days battery life, 24/7 heart rate, automated exercise detection, and real sleep tracking. I have no use for third-party applications on my wrist. Like I said, to each their own.

 

[BarracksSi]

“To each their own,” you say, but at least be properly informed about your decision.

I don’t mind people making choices that are different from mine. I do mind when they use some ******** excuses.

 

[BigMcGuire]

To each their own. The Apple Watch is not for me.

Agreed. And I’m happy for you. You’ve tried both and you’ve decided what works best for you. That’s far better than most who criticize without even trying both. So I wish you the best.

Yeah my Fitbit hr 2 easily could do a handful of days on a charge. I wouldn’t mind that battery life on the AW. It does charge fast - that helps. But I’d gladly take 5+ days. Let’s hope technology improves and Fitbit keeps being a good competitor.

 

[MajkJaro]

S

I purchased the series 0 back in 2015. Used it for a few months, novelty wore off and continued to use my Garmin fenix 3 (and later fenix 5).

Purchased the Series 3 Septemberer out of curiosity. Initially the alu sports, then the SB SS. No looking back, amazing device!

Still using your AW3 over Fenix5? Why is that?

 

[44267547]

it needs at least five days battery life, 24/7 heart rate, automated exercise detection, and real sleep tracking. I have no use for third-party applications on my wrist. Like I said, to each their own.

Of course you're free to state your opinion, but when I read someone who says "It needs", they're thinking about their own personal uses versus how Apple designed the watch to be used in general by millions of others and who are likely content with what exactly it has to offer.

Also, I don't think it needs five days a battery life. The majority who use the Apple Watch charge It on a daily basis as they would their iPhone, so that's not really much of an argument. Not to mention, Apple
is rather conservative with the ratings for the battery at 18 hours, which one can easily achieve well over that.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Also, I don't think it needs five days a battery life. The majority who use the Apple Watch charge It on a daily basis as they would their iPhone, so that's not really much of an argument. Not to mention, Apple
is rather conservative with the ratings for the battery at 18 hours, which one can easily achieve well over that.

That and a quick 15-20 min charge while showering keeps my watch at 100%. I end the day at 80-90% with activities. Even if it goes lower I’m always at 100% after morning shower. Thing charges fast - connected to my Anker 2.4a charger. I’ve yet to put a kill-a-watt to see what it’s pulling but haven’t felt the need cuz it charges so fast. I’m very happy with the battery life. I never take it off except for showering.

 

[Ted1887]

I’m a day away from deciding whether to keep or return my S3 AW, I’ve moved from pebble, and as good as the AW is, I’m struggling to see the justification of the cost, the pebble did many things better at a third of the cost, biggest bugbear for me of the AW is it turning notifications off on the phone, I miss the fact my watch and phone both notify on pebble.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’m a day away from deciding whether to keep or return my S3 AW, I’ve moved from pebble, and as good as the AW is, I’m struggling to see the justification of the cost, the pebble did many things better at a third of the cost, biggest bugbear for me of the AW is it turning notifications off on the phone, I miss the fact my watch and phone both notify on pebble.

Looks to me like you have made your decision. If you are struggling to look for reasons to keep, that is a big red flag to return.

 

[Ted1887]

Looks to me like you have made your decision. If you are struggling to look for reasons to keep, that is a big red flag to return.

The problem is a smart watch really comes in handy with the job I have and not missing notifications, my pebble died and I’ve yet to find anything that would work for me. The AW is a great piece of kit, but my major bug bear with it is not seeing the time at a glance like the pebble and Apple deciding to turn off notifications on the phone instead of leaving it to the user to decide.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The problem is a smart watch really comes in handy with the job I have and not missing notifications, my pebble died and I’ve yet to find anything that would work for me. The AW is a great piece of kit, but my major bug bear with it is not seeing the time at a glance like the pebble and Apple deciding to turn off notifications on the phone instead of leaving it to the user to decide.

WHat notifications are you not receiving on your watch? Anytime I get a text or some other notification, it comes to my phone, iMac, and my watch.

As to not being able to see the time at a glance, you can buy a $2.00 app that will give you always on when you are at work etc.

 

[charlyee]

WHat notifications are you not receiving on your watch? Anytime I get a text or some other notification, it comes to my phone, iMac, and my watch.

I am glad someone asked.

I get the same notification on my iPhone, iPad, and watch.

 

[Otflyer]

I am glad someone asked.

I get the same notification on my iPhone, iPad, and watch.

Same here.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am glad someone asked.

I get the same notification on my iPhone, iPad, and watch.

OT: Charlyee, what in the world did you do to your sig? All those Android devices...it burns...

 

[Ted1887]

If my phone is locked the notifications come to watch, if the phone is unlocked the notifications go to phone, I’d love a feature of both devices reviving notifications at the same time, as for the always on app, I didn’t know that, I’ll take a look now.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If my phone is locked the notifications come to watch, if the phone is unlocked the notifications go to phone, I’d love a feature of both devices reviving notifications at the same time, as for the always on app, I didn’t know that, I’ll take a look now.

The name of the app os OLEDX.

Edited to add: If my phone is unlocked, I get the texts etc. on all devices albeit the phone gives the ring notification for text (as does the iMac sometimes). Given that my phone is set to lock after 30 seconds, if I am not in the same room with the phone when the text initially comes in (and before the phone locks) a followup text ring comes in on the watch and iMac.

I understand your point, though. Ideally, it would be great to have instant notifications on all devices regardless. I am guessing that such would be a continuity handoff problem for Apple to try and regulate? Just a guess.

 

[Ted1887]

Thanks, got the app but it’s not on the watch?