I’m considering an Apple Watch for daily wear and non-running activity. I track my runs with a high end Garmin GPS and that’s not going to change. I’ve been wearing a FitBit Versa daily and wear it on the opposite arm from my Garmin when I run so I get my precious steps. :). The Versa has failed, and even though FitBit is sending a new one, it might be time for me to move to Apple Watch.
Any thoughts from users on the advantages and disadvantages. Anyone go from FitBit to Apple? I know it will have the step counting feature, but not sure if it has the reminders to move (I know there is a reminder to stand) or the 250 steps an hour prompt. My picky, techie son was impressed with the watch but not as a running watch, but I don’t need that anyway.
I find them off-putting. Nothing that says “our interaction is not important to me” more than attempting to carry on a conversation with an Apple Watch wearer who is continually checking their wrist as notifications come through. In a work environment I find them very unprofessional. They are a continual distraction to the wearer. Do we really need a duplicative layer of information, the source actually worn on our bodies, bombarding us at all times? Our smartphone addiction isn’t enough? At least with the phone you can set it aside or put it away in an attempt to pay attention to who or what is in front of you.
^^^ And your input on the features is…?
I work in a professional setting and have never noticed anyone being obnoxious about his or her watch. My Fitbit notifications are unnoticeable to others, and I expect the Apple could be configured the same.
I’m shopping for a smartwatch and one feature that turned me off about the Apple Watch was its shorter battery life – 18 hours vs 4 days for the Versa. Although I’m sure I could get used to the Apple’s extra features, I’m more interested in basic mileage counts and timer/stopwatch. Plus I read complaints that the Apple time display stays dark until you move it. I’m not sure how that compares with Versa.
Versa is also dark until you move or tap. That’s for battery life. The battery issue is certainly a consideration, but I charge my Versa every night anyway since I don’t use the sleep feature. My concern with continuing with Versa is that there appear to be a lot of issues with it. I discovered this while trying to solve my current malfunction. Mine was flawless from April until now, but has blown up spectacularly.
I want one for fitness tracking as I am just starting with a personal training. I have a long way to go and I would like the feed back. My Iphone isn’t with me constantly so it doesn’t track steps.
There is a “theater” mode that lets you set the screen to dark and not have some alerts come through. I do like the feature that lets me touch the screen to “ping” my phone when I can’t find where i left my phone
Sounds like lots of us are interested in feedback from those who have experience owning one. That’s the most helpful advice.
In the Fitbit smartwatches I like the ability to turn on or turn off tech notices - so that would be important to me. I’m not always working right at my desk so if my phone is in my office and I’m down the hall doing tasks I appreciate being able to look at my watch and see if the message is anything I need to attend to. If not, then good to know that too!
I like that it gives the option to NOT carry your phone on you to an in the office meeting.
The short lasting battery is interesting.
The one thing that is annoying about the Fitbit products - mine gets used 24/7 is that is seems the lifespan is short - don’t know if I’ve gotten 2 years out of one. I would be willing to pay more for an Apple watch to get a better lifespan. What is experience with lifespan??
My husband has an apple watch, but I can’t report on the fitness aspect of it, because he found it so annoying he turned it off. He likes that it vibrates at him when he’s in seminars so he can discretely check it. If you want to use it to check stuff online - dinner table conversation at our house for questions like - “what is the distance to the sun?” The Google watch gives you the answer, Sirs, says check your phone.
The very first apple watch came out in Sept 2016 (I just asked google home!) so its probably too soon to tell lifespan. I have the Series 3, not the newest series 4. I got mine for mother’s day this year. Its working fine. It is supposed to be water resistant, possibly waterproof— not sure as I don’t plan to test that.
I believe both the Apple and the Versa are waterproof (down to any depth we would normally go…). I would get the new 4, but I don’t think I need or want the cellular connectivity. I’ve done fine without that on my watch, and it is one more thing to pay for. I like the EKG feature, too. I agree with abasket that the FitBit products don’t have much longevity. I suspect that is due to the price point. When I got home from my trip this week in which the Versa crapped out, I dug out the old Blaze and put it on the charger but either the unit or the charger was totally dead- just from sitting around.
I don’t have the cellular connectivity one. That’s the one with the red dot on the stem. But I believe it’s because they are Bluetooth connected that I can answer my phone on my watch if my phone is nearby, within general range, but not handy. So when my phone is in my purse somewhere and I’m walking around down the hall or whatever, I can answer on my watch if I don’t have my phone nearby.
I love my Apple Watch! I share my exercise history with my cousins, and we challenge each other. I have lost 10 pounds since starting a 100 day challenge (close all your rings every day) in July. I usually charge mine at night, but when I forget I find that it often carries enough charge to get me at least halfway through the next day. Sometimes I just put it on the charger while I’m in the shower - it charges very quickly.
I have the Series 3, and I swam laps all summer using the watch (and it was very accurate at counting laps).
My son does not have Blue Tooth capability in his car, but is able to talk hands free by using his watch.
There is also a little water drop shaped icon that you can push, then open the stem and shake out any water. I accidentally pushed it once b/c I didnt know what it was… DH had to show me :-/
@MomofWildChild I have a very basic Fitbit ulta. It does everything I need it to do. Counts steps, counts calories, etc. it can monitor sleep, and I have the option of having my wrist vibrate when I get a text message and my phone is sort of nearby. Oh…and it has a clock.
I like it because it’s thinner, and not bulky. And for the $79 I paid for it (special at BJs), it does what I need it to do.
I have friends with the Apple Watch here…and it’s bulky looking to me.
