using a non-apple smart watch with an iphone?

[Bill Murray]

I've resisted getting a smart watch till now because I think they're intrusive and not horologically proper (I like real chronographs and watches). However my fitbit flex went tits up so am looking to replace it and thought might look at a smart watch.

I use an iphone so it would be logical to get an iwatch, however while I like the platform compared to android devices I ifucking hate the apple culture and don't particularly like the boxy look of their watches. Primary use would be to wear while jogging or working out so heart rate and O2 sensor is a given. Being able to either store a selection of music on the watch or control the music on my phone (I reluctantly use itunes since I was unimpressed with every other service) is a required feature. Being able to see, but not respond to, emails and texts would be nice. Other than that GPS would be cool but honestly can't see when I'd actually use the feature.

Seem to have it narrowed down to:

• Suunto 7 GPS
• Suunto 9 or 9 Baro (I've had watches with the barometric function in the past and honestly never made use of the function other than a ski watch that used it to calculate the vertical I skied in a day)
• TicWatch Pro 3 (never heard of TicWatch but they seem to be a credible brand and well reviewed)
• Garmin Venu 2
• Garmin Fenix 6 Plus
• Garmin Vivoactive 4

So, my questions since there seem to be some smart people here

1) how do these non-apple watches integrate with IOS
2) there seems to be a lot of hype about newer watches with AMOLED displays and being better than MIP displays, I watched a couple of videos and I'm not sure I'd say AMOLED is better, just different (more vibrant colors, better battery life (although some say the MIP is more efficient so its battery life is longer) but harder to read in sunlight but nicer to read in the dark
3) and speaking of displays the AMOLED watches are showing greater resolution (e.g. 480x480) vs the MIP (e.g. 260x260), dunno..its a postage stamp, does the higher resolution matter? not going to be surfing on the watch or looking at gore & kitten pics
4) any other thoughts from those of you who've owned multiple generations of smart watch?

Oh, have intentionally left out Samsung as my experience with any of their products is they're loaded with bloatware so assume it will be the same with their watches. And have left out Huawei because their evil thieving cunts.

 

[Lynch McCoon]

I've resisted getting a smart watch till now because I think they're intrusive and not horologically proper (I like real chronographs and watches). However my fitbit flex went tits up so am looking to replace it and thought might look at a smart watch.

I use an iphone so it would be logical to get an iwatch, however while I like the platform compared to android devices I ifucking hate the apple culture and don't particularly like the boxy look of their watches. Primary use would be to wear while jogging or working out so heart rate and O2 sensor is a given. Being able to either store a selection of music on the watch or control the music on my phone (I reluctantly use itunes since I was unimpressed with every other service) is a required feature. Being able to see, but not respond to, emails and texts would be nice. Other than that GPS would be cool but honestly can't see when I'd actually use the feature.

Seem to have it narrowed down to:

• Suunto 7 GPS
• Suunto 9 or 9 Baro (I've had watches with the barometric function in the past and honestly never made use of the function other than a ski watch that used it to calculate the vertical I skied in a day)
• TicWatch Pro 3 (never heard of TicWatch but they seem to be a credible brand and well reviewed)
• Garmin Venu 2
• Garmin Fenix 6 Plus
• Garmin Vivoactive 4

So, my questions since there seem to be some smart people here

1) how do these non-apple watches integrate with IOS
2) there seems to be a lot of hype about newer watches with AMOLED displays and being better than MIP displays, I watched a couple of videos and I'm not sure I'd say AMOLED is better, just different (more vibrant colors, better battery life (although some say the MIP is more efficient so its battery life is longer) but harder to read in sunlight but nicer to read in the dark
3) and speaking of displays the AMOLED watches are showing greater resolution (e.g. 480x480) vs the MIP (e.g. 260x260), dunno..its a postage stamp, does the higher resolution matter? not going to be surfing on the watch or looking at gore & kitten pics
4) any other thoughts from those of you who've owned multiple generations of smart watch?

Oh, have intentionally left out Samsung as my experience with any of their products is they're loaded with bloatware so assume it will be the same with their watches. And have left out Huawei because their evil thieving cunts.

Don't do it Bill. Think of the vicious input on these forums. I admire and look up to you.

 

[Bill Murray]

Don't do it Bill. Think of the vicious input on these forums. I admire and look up to you.

I'm asking about watches, not if my tits look nice

 

[Lynch McCoon]

I'm asking about watches, not if my tits look nice

I own 2 full time watches.
Both 300 dollar Diesel.
I'm the man.

 

[Rabidface]

I have a casio illuminator. It was £20. It is metal. The battery lasts 10 years which is nice.
There's a lovely map of the earth on it and has the times of every different time zone, I guess. It has quite a few different times anyway. I can change the back light time from 1 to 3 seconds. I like the 3 seconds of the pleasing orange colour.
I did buy a very basic retro casio before this but didn't realise till I tried to wear it that it was for very small children, not big fat man wrists like mine..
I don't jog, my heart rate is strange and I wouldn't want a device to tell me I'm going to die.
I wouldn't have thought an android watch would work well with apple. If you already have the phone I'd get the watch too if I was you. And well done for jogging Bill! That's excellent.
Go apple. Delete this thread too to avoid the abuse ..

 

[Rabidface]

I own 2 full time watches.
Both 300 dollar Diesel.
I'm the man.

How many part time watches?

 

[Bill Murray]

I have a casio illuminator. It was £20. It is metal. The battery lasts 10 years which is nice.
There's a lovely map of the earth on it and has the times of every different time zone, I guess. It has quite a few different times anyway. I can change the back light time from 1 to 3 seconds. I like the 3 seconds of the pleasing orange colour.
I did buy a very basic retro casio before this but didn't realise till I tried to wear it that it was for very small children, not big fat man wrists like mine..
I don't jog, my heart rate is strange and I wouldn't want a device to tell me I'm going to die.
I wouldn't have thought an android watch would work well with apple. If you already have the phone I'd get the watch too if I was you. And well done for jogging Bill! That's excellent.
Go apple. Delete this thread too to avoid the abuse ..

Thanks for the post.
I’ve deferred the smart watch purchase for the moment and bought a Victorinox instead. I have an old Fitbit which I’ve been wearing while jogging (which as an aside is a goddamn miserable activity, people are designed to run away from danger not for fitness).

Re the smart watch I’m still undecided on what if anything I’m going to buy.

 

[SUGARBLU]

Don't do it Bill. Think of the vicious input on these forums. I admire and look up to you.

Now that’s a strange post for this site. Maybe try Reddit for better info with less gore.

 

[Rabidface]

Thanks for the post.
I’ve deferred the smart watch purchase for the moment and bought a Victorinox instead. I have an old Fitbit which I’ve been wearing while jogging (which as an aside is a goddamn miserable activity, people are designed to run away from danger not for fitness).

Re the smart watch I’m still undecided on what if anything I’m going to buy.

Looks like a nice watch. It's a bit plain but that's not a bad thing.
I'd think if I had a budget around that amount for a watch I'd struggle to choose one, there will be so much choice! I've seen nice watches with orange straps. I've no idea if they are a certain brand but the orange looks nice to me.
If you were to buy a smartwatch maybe apple have more different models than you have seen so far and may have one you like. It kinda makes sense that having both apple products they will work better together. You would expect that anyway..
Is that the exact watch you got? That colour too?

 

[j.f.🔎]

Thanks for the post.
I’ve deferred the smart watch purchase for the moment and bought a Victorinox instead. I have an old Fitbit which I’ve been wearing while jogging (which as an aside is a goddamn miserable activity, people are designed to run away from danger not for fitness).

Re the smart watch I’m still undecided on what if anything I’m going to buy.

At that price bill, I hope it's got a fucking corkscrew on it.

 

[Bill Murray]

Looks like a nice watch. It's a bit plain but that's not a bad thing.
I'd think if I had a budget around that amount for a watch I'd struggle to choose one, there will be so much choice! I've seen nice watches with orange straps. I've no idea if they are a certain brand but the orange looks nice to me.
If you were to buy a smartwatch maybe apple have more different models than you have seen so far and may have one you like. It kinda makes sense that having both apple products they will work better together. You would expect that anyway..
Is that the exact watch you got? That colour too?

Exact watch, color, band, etc.

Ya at that price there are a lot of options but I’m not big on flashy things and I kind of like the subdued nature of titanium case. I might change the strap.

At that price bill, I hope it's got a fucking corkscrew on it.

No corkscrew but it does have a toothpick and nail scissors

 

[Lynch McCoon]

Now that’s a strange post for this site. Maybe try Reddit for better info with less gore.

This abomination has just landed on my busy desk and all I can say is....BEEP BEEP...Here comes the spastic bus!!!

 

[j.f.🔎]

Exact watch, color, band, etc.

Ya at that price there are a lot of options but I’m not big on flashy things and I kind of like the subdued nature of titanium case. I might change the strap.



No corkscrew but it does have a toothpick and nail scissors

If it's just like a Swiss army toothpick you could exchange em for tweezers, which is a great bong stirring tool.

 

[mrln]

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[D.O.A.]

2) there seems to be a lot of hype about newer watches with AMOLED displays and being better than MIP displays, I watched a couple of videos and I'm not sure I'd say AMOLED is better, just different (more vibrant colors, better battery life (although some say the MIP is more efficient so its battery life is longer) but harder to read in sunlight but nicer to read in the dark

 

[cannedkittens]

Thanks for the post.
I’ve deferred the smart watch purchase for the moment and bought a Victorinox instead. I have an old Fitbit which I’ve been wearing while jogging (which as an aside is a goddamn miserable activity, people are designed to run away from danger not for fitness).

Re the smart watch I’m still undecided on what if anything I’m going to buy.

If I pay $600 for a watch, it better come with a reach around.

 

[Bill Murray]

If I pay $600 for a watch, it better come with a reach around.

I can't promise anything but if you buy an apple watch I hear Tim Cook like the cock

 

[Bill Murray]

Because I'm sure you've all been waiting, an update....

Bought a Ticwatch Pro 3 GPS. Picked it because its well reviewed, looks nice, says it will work with IOS, powered by google.....my thoughts?

Spoiler: do I like it?

What an epic steaming lump of dogshit it is!

I'd like to think I'm reasonably intelligent, have a bit of a knack in figuring out new technology and like to play with toys so should be able to figure this out....nope!

It only sync'd with my calendar & contacts but not mail or text (to see notifications is kind of the reason to have the fucking thing). The google play store is infuriating to navigate. Speaking of navigating the buttons and swipes are not at all intuitive.

Its being returned....NOW! I'm so fucking annoyed with this piece of chinese crap it will be worth it to go out in the snow to drop it in the mailbox tonight.

 

[Bill Murray]

Not wanting to feel defeating by that previous turd I thought I'd reevaluate what, if any, use I'd have for a smart watch.

Do I want to get emails on it, fuck no. Do I want other notifications like the ring cameras, doorbell, etc., sure maybe who knows why not. Store music, no I already have too many places to download/manage my play lists. Control music while working out, skiing, etc. and can't easily access my phone, yes. Look at pictures, no. Get all sorts of stupid watch faces, no. Track fitness activities, yes (really the main reason for having something "smart" on my wrist).

I decided to check out the Garmin Instinct and after a week, I'm moderately impressed. Its reasonably intuitive so I can do what I want with very little intervention or adding apps, seems to be robust enough that I'm not worried about hurting it during a run, etc. My only complaint is that the band feels cheap as fuck and will replace it with something like a nylon NATO strap.

 

[wiggins]

I'm asking about watches, not if my tits look nice

We all, male, female and trans, dream of your tits Bill...

But I agree with you about Apple, they appear to be kind of cult like along the lines of Scientology.

I'm surprised they don't make Tom Cruise CEO and trot him out wearing his little sailor suit...