Hi,

I bought, about two years ago, a cheap smartwatch. A Mi Smart Band 6,
from Xiaomi. I'm not really happy.

Why?

The touch screen activates on its own and does things I do not want. For
instance, I just looked at it and it had changed the display to another
one. You can use the application on the phone and choose the display you
prefer, but several times it has changed on itself back to a different
one. Apparently, if my shirt sleeves are accidentally wet the screen is
activated constantly, but not only in that case.

So perhaps I want some other watch that uses a button to activate, or a
finger print. Dunno, something.

Then it is very difficult or impossible to read in full day light.

The application has faults. Everytime I open it it says it needs me to
activate location permission. Heck, I already did that. It also asks
that "allow this application runs in background". AFAIK, I did that. The
instructions it gives do not match reality of Android 13.

Sometimes, my clothes activate something in the watch and it says I have
to update something first, no idea what. AFAIK, both app and watch are
fully updated.

It doesn't automatically send all my physical activity to the
application, I had to do it manually to make sure.

It is not aware of the phone being in no disturb mode. The application
can forward notifications to the watch and make it vibrate; this can be
useful, but not when I am sleeping!

It doesn't seem to coordinate well with Android. Maybe it assumes some
older Android version.

So I am seeking for another one that is better. Preferably from actual
personal experience, not google search. But I don't want an expensive or
luxury thing.

Ideas? :-)

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I bought, about two years ago, a cheap smartwatch. A Mi Smart Band 6,
> from Xiaomi. I'm not really happy.
>
> Why?
>
> The touch screen activates on its own and does things I do not want. For
> instance, I just looked at it and it had changed the display to another
> one. You can use the application on the phone and choose the display you
> prefer, but several times it has changed on itself back to a different
> one. Apparently, if my shirt sleeves are accidentally wet the screen is
> activated constantly, but not only in that case.
>
> So perhaps I want some other watch that uses a button to activate, or a
> finger print. Dunno, something.
>
> Then it is very difficult or impossible to read in full day light.
>
> The application has faults. Everytime I open it it says it needs me to
> activate location permission. Heck, I already did that. It also asks
> that "allow this application runs in background". AFAIK, I did that. The
> instructions it gives do not match reality of Android 13.
>
> Sometimes, my clothes activate something in the watch and it says I have
> to update something first, no idea what. AFAIK, both app and watch are
> fully updated.
>
> It doesn't automatically send all my physical activity to the
> application, I had to do it manually to make sure.
>
> It is not aware of the phone being in no disturb mode. The application
> can forward notifications to the watch and make it vibrate; this can be
> useful, but not when I am sleeping!
>
> It doesn't seem to coordinate well with Android. Maybe it assumes some
> older Android version.
>
>
> So I am seeking for another one that is better. Preferably from actual
> personal experience, not google search. But I don't want an expensive or
> luxury thing.
>
> Ideas? :-)

I had a Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and know all about the lack of quality. Also
needing an account with a Chinese company has become a no-no to me.

Since then, we (my wife, me and several others in our family) have
been using Fitbit devices. Ours are 'fitness trackers', not
'smartwatches' (which Fitbit also have). Fitbit trackers are more
expensive than Xiaomi Mi Bands, but not as expensive as smartwatches of
most brands.

We currently have the Fitbit Charge range. Mine is a Charge 5. My
wife's is a Charge 4 (earlier model). There's now also a Charge 6.

Like all electronic gadgets, these are not perfect, but - at least in
our opinion - they're more your money worth than the Xiaomi Mi Bands.

And, something to look forward to: Fitbit is now part of Google and
soon you'll need a Google Account for them (now it's still a seperate
Fitbit account)! So if you want something which 'Arlen' can whine about,
go for it! :-)

On 2024-01-29 17:46, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>

>> Ideas? :-)
>
> I had a Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and know all about the lack of quality. Also
> needing an account with a Chinese company has become a no-no to me.
>
> Since then, we (my wife, me and several others in our family) have
> been using Fitbit devices. Ours are 'fitness trackers', not
> 'smartwatches' (which Fitbit also have). Fitbit trackers are more
> expensive than Xiaomi Mi Bands, but not as expensive as smartwatches of
> most brands.
>
> We currently have the Fitbit Charge range. Mine is a Charge 5. My
> wife's is a Charge 4 (earlier model). There's now also a Charge 6.
>
> Like all electronic gadgets, these are not perfect, but - at least in
> our opinion - they're more your money worth than the Xiaomi Mi Bands.
>
> And, something to look forward to: Fitbit is now part of Google and
> soon you'll need a Google Account for them (now it's still a seperate
> Fitbit account)! So if you want something which 'Arlen' can whine about,
> go for it! :-)

Being tied to a Google Account is a good thing for my purpose :-)

It is "expensive", though. The charge 6 is 160€, compared to the 35 of
the Mi Smart Band 6.

Thanks, I located a report and will have a read.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

"Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I bought, about two years ago, a cheap smartwatch. A Mi Smart Band 6,
> from Xiaomi. I'm not really happy.
>
> Why?
>
> The touch screen activates on its own and does things I do not want. For
> instance, I just looked at it and it had changed the display to another
> one. You can use the application on the phone and choose the display you
> prefer, but several times it has changed on itself back to a different
> one. Apparently, if my shirt sleeves are accidentally wet the screen is
> activated constantly, but not only in that case.
>
> So perhaps I want some other watch that uses a button to activate, or a
> finger print. Dunno, something.
>
> Then it is very difficult or impossible to read in full day light.
>
> The application has faults. Everytime I open it it says it needs me to
> activate location permission. Heck, I already did that. It also asks
> that "allow this application runs in background". AFAIK, I did that. The
> instructions it gives do not match reality of Android 13.
>
> Sometimes, my clothes activate something in the watch and it says I have
> to update something first, no idea what. AFAIK, both app and watch are
> fully updated.
>
> It doesn't automatically send all my physical activity to the
> application, I had to do it manually to make sure.
>
> It is not aware of the phone being in no disturb mode. The application
> can forward notifications to the watch and make it vibrate; this can be
> useful, but not when I am sleeping!
>
> It doesn't seem to coordinate well with Android. Maybe it assumes some
> older Android version.
>
> So I am seeking for another one that is better. Preferably from actual
> personal experience, not google search. But I don't want an expensive or
> luxury thing.
>
> Ideas? :-)

I've not owned a smartwatch. I did own a Fitbit, and it required
concurrent presses on its sides, so 2 fingers were needed on different
sides of the Fitbit. Once activated, I could swipe or press my finger
on the screen to move between screens or make changes. It deactivated
in about a minute from last input. The profile of your Mi Smart Band 6
looks very similar to the Fitbit.

I didn't like the wristband that came with the Fitbit. The buckle was a
bulge that pushed farther into my wrist. I had to keep moving it up my
wrist to eliminate pressure when at the computer, or spin around so just
the rubber wristband pressed my wrist. Sleeping with it was very
uncomfortable. I didn't need it at the gym since their equipment told
me the same info, and more, than the Fitbit. I got a stretch band. No
buckle, and breathed better (nylon strap versus rubber).

I remember a touble-tap option on the Fitbit. 2 quick taps were needed
to make changes or selections on a screen. However, double-tapping
didn't wake the Fitbit. I still had to do the 2-finger concurrent press
along the opposite sides of the Fitbit to wake it. Double-tapping, if
available, might do something different on your smartwatch.

I couldn't find an online manual for your smartphone at Xioami's web
site, but did find one here:

https://www.gadgets4geeks.com.au/WebRoot/Store/Shops/gadgets4geeks/MediaGallery/User_Manuals/xiaomi-mi-band-6-user_manual-english.pdf

While it says to press "the button", that might mean to lay your finger
alongside for capacitance sensing. The manual doesn't walk through how
to use or configure your smartwatch, so I could not see if there was an
option to change from 1-finger wake to 2-finger wake. I watched some
Youtube videos on your smartwatch, but no one showed using 2 fingers to
wake the watch.

On 2024-01-29 21:41, VanguardLH wrote:
> "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

....

>> Ideas? :-)
>
> I've not owned a smartwatch. I did own a Fitbit, and it required
> concurrent presses on its sides, so 2 fingers were needed on different
> sides of the Fitbit. Once activated, I could swipe or press my finger
> on the screen to move between screens or make changes. It deactivated
> in about a minute from last input. The profile of your Mi Smart Band 6
> looks very similar to the Fitbit.

Interesting.

>
> I didn't like the wristband that came with the Fitbit. The buckle was a
> bulge that pushed farther into my wrist. I had to keep moving it up my
> wrist to eliminate pressure when at the computer, or spin around so just
> the rubber wristband pressed my wrist. Sleeping with it was very
> uncomfortable. I didn't need it at the gym since their equipment told
> me the same info, and more, than the Fitbit. I got a stretch band. No
> buckle, and breathed better (nylon strap versus rubber).

The wristband that came with mine broke soon. I bought a metal
replacement, similar to the one on my Casio watch that I no longer use.
Problem is, the part of it that encases the watch is not steel, but brass.

Wearing it doesn't bother me at all, even when sleeping, after some
weeks. Same as the watch decades ago.

>
> I remember a touble-tap option on the Fitbit. 2 quick taps were needed
> to make changes or selections on a screen. However, double-tapping
> didn't wake the Fitbit. I still had to do the 2-finger concurrent press
> along the opposite sides of the Fitbit to wake it. Double-tapping, if
> available, might do something different on your smartwatch.
>
> I couldn't find an online manual for your smartphone at Xioami's web
> site, but did find one here:
>
> https://www.gadgets4geeks.com.au/WebRoot/Store/Shops/gadgets4geeks/MediaGallery/User_Manuals/xiaomi-mi-band-6-user_manual-english.pdf
>
> While it says to press "the button", that might mean to lay your finger
> alongside for capacitance sensing. The manual doesn't walk through how
> to use or configure your smartwatch, so I could not see if there was an
> option to change from 1-finger wake to 2-finger wake. I watched some
> Youtube videos on your smartwatch, but no one showed using 2 fingers to
> wake the watch.

A double tap option might work for me, but I don't remember reading
about it anywhere.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-01-29 17:46, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> >> Hi,
> >>
>
>
> >> Ideas? :-)
> >
> > I had a Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and know all about the lack of quality. Also
> > needing an account with a Chinese company has become a no-no to me.
> >
> > Since then, we (my wife, me and several others in our family) have
> > been using Fitbit devices. Ours are 'fitness trackers', not
> > 'smartwatches' (which Fitbit also have). Fitbit trackers are more
> > expensive than Xiaomi Mi Bands, but not as expensive as smartwatches of
> > most brands.
> >
> > We currently have the Fitbit Charge range. Mine is a Charge 5. My
> > wife's is a Charge 4 (earlier model). There's now also a Charge 6.
> >
> > Like all electronic gadgets, these are not perfect, but - at least in
> > our opinion - they're more your money worth than the Xiaomi Mi Bands.
> >
> > And, something to look forward to: Fitbit is now part of Google and
> > soon you'll need a Google Account for them (now it's still a seperate
> > Fitbit account)! So if you want something which 'Arlen' can whine about,
> > go for it! :-)
>
> Being tied to a Google Account is a good thing for my purpose :-)
>
> It is "expensive", though. The charge 6 is 160?, compared to the 35 of
> the Mi Smart Band 6.

Yes, they're much more expensive than the 'sub optimal' :-) Xiaomi Mi
Bands.

Here, the Charge 6 is a bit cheaper (EUR 144), the Charge 5 is still
available (EUR 129) (I would have a Charge 3 or 2 if they were available
at the time) and other Fitbits (Inspire 2 and Ace 3) start at EUR 71.
(Prices at my main webshop. Others may be cheaper.)

> Thanks, I located a report and will have a read.

You're welcome.

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
[...]

> I've not owned a smartwatch. I did own a Fitbit, and it required
> concurrent presses on its sides, so 2 fingers were needed on different
> sides of the Fitbit. Once activated, I could swipe or press my finger
> on the screen to move between screens or make changes. It deactivated
> in about a minute from last input. The profile of your Mi Smart Band 6
> looks very similar to the Fitbit.

AFAIK, all the Fitbits always have had the function to activate the
display by a wrist/arm movement, at least my three Fitbits have.

This function can be enabled/disabled.

My Charge 5 no longer has any button. Activate by wrist movement or
double-tap.

> I didn't like the wristband that came with the Fitbit. The buckle was a
> bulge that pushed farther into my wrist. I had to keep moving it up my
> wrist to eliminate pressure when at the computer, or spin around so just
> the rubber wristband pressed my wrist. Sleeping with it was very
> uncomfortable. I didn't need it at the gym since their equipment told
> me the same info, and more, than the Fitbit. I got a stretch band. No
> buckle, and breathed better (nylon strap versus rubber).

Yes, the supplied bands are bad, break easily and (Fitbit)
replacements are ridiculously high priced.

But there are many, many wristbands from third-party suppliers at very
reasonable prices. We prefer the 'Milanese' metal bands.

> I remember a touble-tap option on the Fitbit. 2 quick taps were needed
> to make changes or selections on a screen. However, double-tapping
> didn't wake the Fitbit. I still had to do the 2-finger concurrent press
> along the opposite sides of the Fitbit to wake it.

On Fitbits with physical buttons, you can disable the double-tapping,
for example for DND (Do Not Disturb) or Sleep mode.

[...]

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

> VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
>
>> I've not owned a smartwatch. I did own a Fitbit, and it required
>> concurrent presses on its sides, so 2 fingers were needed on different
>> sides of the Fitbit. Once activated, I could swipe or press my finger
>> on the screen to move between screens or make changes. It deactivated
>> in about a minute from last input. The profile of your Mi Smart Band 6
>> looks very similar to the Fitbit.
>
> AFAIK, all the Fitbits always have had the function to activate the
> display by a wrist/arm movement, at least my three Fitbits have.
>
> This function can be enabled/disabled.

I had the Fitbit Inspire 2. Came free from my HMO. Tried to get used
to it at first, but more and more it just sat on the shelf even after
starting the gym 2-3 times per week. If it had a wake option on shake,
that would've probably been the first one I would've disabled. I can't
see that is an advantage unless you put it on just before exercising
(gym, walking, running, biking) where you might to keep-alive the
display. I wouldn't want to be running on a treadmill while occupying a
hand trying to pinch the sides of the Fitbit.

> My Charge 5 no longer has any button. Activate by wrist movement or
> double-tap.

I do recall a feature where you didn't shake the Fitbit, but you could
rotate your wrist which had the Fitbit detect it had rotated about 90
degrees or more.

The Inspire has a 10-day battery life. Seems it wouldn't be a problem
with it getting low if you put in on the charger every frew days. In
fact, the phone app would tell me when the Fitbit's battery was low, so
I got reminded that way (since I wasn't wearing it often to know if an
low-battery alarm/buzzer went off in the Fitbit itself nor have it on
enough to look at its battery level).

>> I didn't like the wristband that came with the Fitbit. The buckle was a
>> bulge that pushed farther into my wrist. I had to keep moving it up my
>> wrist to eliminate pressure when at the computer, or spin around so just
>> the rubber wristband pressed my wrist. Sleeping with it was very
>> uncomfortable. I didn't need it at the gym since their equipment told
>> me the same info, and more, than the Fitbit. I got a stretch band. No
>> buckle, and breathed better (nylon strap versus rubber).
>
> Yes, the supplied bands are bad, break easily and (Fitbit)
> replacements are ridiculously high priced.
>
> But there are many, many wristbands from third-party suppliers at
> very reasonable prices. We prefer the 'Milanese' metal bands.

I didn't like the buckle with the supplied wristband. Besides the bulk
of the Fitbit when sleeping (I lay prone with hands under pillow, so the
Fitbit caused discomfort from pressure), the buckle would sit on the
bottom of my wrist to cause pressure and discomfort when at the desk or
computer with my hand against the desk or pad of a mousepad. I got one
of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194243103433?var=494335855743

Although the pictured Fitbit (not included) shows buttons, mine didn't
have physical buttons. You pressed your fingers along the sides, so
there must've been capacitive switches.

Because it is stretchy, it's easier to adjust to get just enough
pressure for the skin sensor to work, but not so tight as to be
uncomfortable from constant constriction. It also breathed. The rubber
wristband gave me a sweaty wrist, and perhaps the solid ones would, too.

>> I remember a touble-tap option on the Fitbit. 2 quick taps were needed
>> to make changes or selections on a screen. However, double-tapping
>> didn't wake the Fitbit. I still had to do the 2-finger concurrent press
>> along the opposite sides of the Fitbit to wake it.
>
> On Fitbits with physical buttons, you can disable the double-tapping,
> for example for DND (Do Not Disturb) or Sleep mode.

I didn't see the case was easily opened without damage, so no way to
replace the battery. Considering they're chemical, they will fade and
die over time, like 5-10 years. I consider them disposable gimmicks.

The Fitbit Inspire 2 is no longer listed or sold at fitbit.com. They're
up to the Inspire 3 now. With them having a 2-year typical lifespan,
and with me hardly using it, I won't bother getting another. I tossed
mine last week after having it just under 2 years with it mostly sitting
on a shelf.

I realize they make the case sealed to resist water and sweat, but for
their cost they really shouldn't be disposable, and not last for more
than 2 years. A $100+ fitness tracker (overpriced, in my opinion) is way
too expensive for a disposable device that lasts only 2 years. My LG
V20 phone was released back in 2016, LG dropped support in 2019, and LG
in 2022 left the mobile phone market altogether. But my phone continues
to work, because I can replace the user-serviceable battery by removing
the backplate. Nope, not water resistant, but that's not important to
me. About every 2 years I replace its battery. Keeps ticking, keeps on
going.

You can find Youtube videos on replacing the Fitbit battery, but I'd
destroy the seal (and new glue isn't a good replacement) along with
finding the battery, and hope I didn't destroy the thing during
disassembly or reassembly. The 3.7V 50mAh battery from AliExpress is
only $4 (plus shipping), but it has solder leads. That means I would
have to unsolder the old battery (solder sucker & wick) and solder in a
new one. I have a low-wattage pinpoint soldering gun, but I really
don't want to go through all that to get my old Fitbit to survive
another 2 years with a imperfect seal.

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
[...]

> I do recall a feature where you didn't shake the Fitbit, but you could
> rotate your wrist which had the Fitbit detect it had rotated about 90
> degrees or more.

Yes, that's what I meant. The idea is you move your hand toward your
face in order to be able to see the 'clock face'. That movement is
supposed to be detected by the motion detector / software in the Fitbit
and should turn on the display. It works most of the time, but not all
of the time. It doesn't/should't interfere with other - for example
walking, excercise, etc. - arm/wrist/hand movements.

[...]

> Although the pictured Fitbit (not included) shows buttons, mine didn't
> have physical buttons. You pressed your fingers along the sides, so
> there must've been capacitive switches.

Yes, that's what I meant. They might not be actual physical buttons,
but they act as/like buttons, not just (slight) touch/tap areas.

> I didn't see the case was easily opened without damage, so no way to
> replace the battery. Considering they're chemical, they will fade and
> die over time, like 5-10 years. I consider them disposable gimmicks.
>
> The Fitbit Inspire 2 is no longer listed or sold at fitbit.com. They're
> up to the Inspire 3 now. With them having a 2-year typical lifespan,
> and with me hardly using it, I won't bother getting another. I tossed
> mine last week after having it just under 2 years with it mostly sitting
> on a shelf.
>
> I realize they make the case sealed to resist water and sweat, but for
> their cost they really shouldn't be disposable, and not last for more
> than 2 years. A $100+ fitness tracker (overpriced, in my opinion) is way
> too expensive for a disposable device that lasts only 2 years.

Yes, these devices do not last long enough. Ours longer than 2 years
(EU warranty is two yours, so ...). I could try to dig up how long each
lasted for our devices, but the end verdict would be "not long".

We use them every day, 'all' day (except shower, swimming, etc.), so
we still get value out of them. OTOH, the simple digital watch I bought
in 2000 is still working and had only one (lithium) battery replacement
(which I could easily do myself)! :-(

[...]

On 2024-01-30 20:33, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
>> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> [...]
>
>> I do recall a feature where you didn't shake the Fitbit, but you could
>> rotate your wrist which had the Fitbit detect it had rotated about 90
>> degrees or more.
>
> Yes, that's what I meant. The idea is you move your hand toward your
> face in order to be able to see the 'clock face'. That movement is
> supposed to be detected by the motion detector / software in the Fitbit
> and should turn on the display. It works most of the time, but not all
> of the time. It doesn't/should't interfere with other - for example
> walking, excercise, etc. - arm/wrist/hand movements.
>
> [...]
>
>> Although the pictured Fitbit (not included) shows buttons, mine didn't
>> have physical buttons. You pressed your fingers along the sides, so
>> there must've been capacitive switches.
>
> Yes, that's what I meant. They might not be actual physical buttons,
> but they act as/like buttons, not just (slight) touch/tap areas.
>
>> I didn't see the case was easily opened without damage, so no way to
>> replace the battery. Considering they're chemical, they will fade and
>> die over time, like 5-10 years. I consider them disposable gimmicks.
>>
>> The Fitbit Inspire 2 is no longer listed or sold at fitbit.com. They're
>> up to the Inspire 3 now. With them having a 2-year typical lifespan,
>> and with me hardly using it, I won't bother getting another. I tossed
>> mine last week after having it just under 2 years with it mostly sitting
>> on a shelf.
>>
>> I realize they make the case sealed to resist water and sweat, but for
>> their cost they really shouldn't be disposable, and not last for more
>> than 2 years. A $100+ fitness tracker (overpriced, in my opinion) is way
>> too expensive for a disposable device that lasts only 2 years.
>
> Yes, these devices do not last long enough. Ours longer than 2 years
> (EU warranty is two yours, so ...). I could try to dig up how long each
> lasted for our devices, but the end verdict would be "not long".

I would expect the battery to be replaceable at a watch repair shop,
same as we did with submersible watches. They replaced the seal.

Soonish the EU is going to pass a regulation mandating batteries to be
replaceable. I might accept a watch that cost less than 50€ to last two
or three years and be disposable, but not one in the 150€ range.

> We use them every day, 'all' day (except shower, swimming, etc.), so
> we still get value out of them. OTOH, the simple digital watch I bought
> in 2000 is still working and had only one (lithium) battery replacement
> (which I could easily do myself)! :-(

The idea is that the thing be as comfortable as a watch was in the past
(and some were large). They are supposed to track all daily activity and
some health parameters (like how many footsteps), but also have the
functions of a normal watch, like telling the hour and day (even in
sunlight), and at least some functionality related to the smartphone,
like displaying notifications for an instant so you don't have to pick
the phone to see if the notification is interesting or not. Me, I am not
sure I want to do payments with it.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-01-30 20:33, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
[...]
> >> I realize they make the case sealed to resist water and sweat, but for
> >> their cost they really shouldn't be disposable, and not last for more
> >> than 2 years. A $100+ fitness tracker (overpriced, in my opinion) is way
> >> too expensive for a disposable device that lasts only 2 years.
> >
> > Yes, these devices do not last long enough. Ours longer than 2 years
> > (EU warranty is two yours, so ...). I could try to dig up how long each
> > lasted for our devices, but the end verdict would be "not long".
>
> I would expect the battery to be replaceable at a watch repair shop,
> same as we did with submersible watches. They replaced the seal.

Good point. I haven't looked at that aspect. Not with a general watch
repair shop, not with Fitbit itself and not with the webshop from which
we bought our Fitbits.

Perhaps others in the audience have some experience with this,
preferably with Fitbit devices, but maybe with other brands.

> Soonish the EU is going to pass a regulation mandating batteries to be
> replaceable. I might accept a watch that cost less than 50? to last two
> or three years and be disposable, but not one in the 150? range.

I made some 'lifetime' stats on our Fitbits:

- Fitbit Alta HR: Lasted nearly 4 years. Battery down to 3 days instead
of ~7days. Heart Rate and Sleep stopped working.

- Fitbit Charge 4: Lasted 2 years and 3 months, then the 'latch' for the
wristband broke off on the tracker side, so physically defective
beyond repair. Replaced by Fitbit Charge 5 at 35% discount.

- Fitbit Charge 4 (my wife's): Still OK after nearly 3 years, but
battery is down to 4 days instead of 6-7 days.

> > We use them every day, 'all' day (except shower, swimming, etc.), so
> > we still get value out of them. OTOH, the simple digital watch I bought
> > in 2000 is still working and had only one (lithium) battery replacement
> > (which I could easily do myself)! :-(
>
> The idea is that the thing be as comfortable as a watch was in the past
> (and some were large). They are supposed to track all daily activity and
> some health parameters (like how many footsteps), but also have the
> functions of a normal watch, like telling the hour and day (even in
> sunlight), and at least some functionality related to the smartphone,
> like displaying notifications for an instant so you don't have to pick
> the phone to see if the notification is interesting or not. Me, I am not
> sure I want to do payments with it.

Yes, the Fitbit Charge series can do everything you mention.

I have not played much with notifications, not really interested. For
SMS messages it notifies and gives the content of the message and you
can apparently send some canned response(s). WhatsApp does not notify,
but perhaps that's just a misconfiguration on my phone or/and Fitbit.

I don't do payments with the Fitbit. Don't 'even' do payments with the
phone. Card and computer are sufficient sofar.

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

> Perhaps others in the audience have some experience with this,
> preferably with Fitbit devices, but maybe with other brands.

I mentioned Youtube videos showing how to disassemble a Fitbit to
replace the battery. Here's an example of one for your Charge 5:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgwhx-k9qKc

The battery for my Inspire 2 has soldered wires making the exchange more
difficult. Changing is possible, but disassembly damages the seal. I
haven't found where to buy a replacement seal, so the old seal gets
reused, or you find a new one. The assumption is you don't damage the
seal too much, but it still won't be as water resistant afterward. This
is the same method as shown for smartphones where the battery is not
user-serviceable: disassemble the case, replace battery, reassemble, but
seal integrity is not as good as before.

I'm hoping by the time I just cannot stand my old smartphone any longer
to get a new one that the EU has passed their proposed law, as mentioned
by Carlos, which mandates all devices have user-serviceable batteries.
I'll wait a year until after that to give the phone makers time to
redesign their smartphones. I'm hoping the smartphone makers don't
retaliate by requiring one-time-use specialty tools that only they sell,
are backlogged on stock, and take 6+ months to deliver. They could
comply to the law, but that doesn't mean they need to make easy the
battery change, or provide quick delivery of batteries.

As for replacing batteries in water-resistant wrist watches, those have
an o-ring for the seal. Not only do they survive popping off the back
plate (which has an indent to facilitate positioning a flat-head jeweler
screwdriver underneath to pry), but they can be replaced (if you can
find them for sale). There is either the pop off design for water
resistance, or the screw-on style for greater depth resistance (but
those often have notches you need a spanner tool to engage). Those
designs have been around for decades. The phone makers didn't emulate
that ancient design, because they want their devices to be disposable
forcing you to buy another one. They planned obsolescence due to
battery failure. They'll make less revenue if buyers can replace
batteries to keep their devices for 10-20 years.

Carlos E.R., 2024-01-29 16:14:

[...]
> So I am seeking for another one that is better. Preferably from actual
> personal experience, not google search. But I don't want an expensive or
> luxury thing.

I am very happy with my Samsung Gear S3 which I got in 2017. It still
works very well even after about 7 years of use and the battery still
lasts 3-4 days with one chanrg. Hopefully the app for it will continue
to work on my Pixel 6a for a couple of years. Despite Samsung already
told, that this old smartwatch will not be supported with phones which
came out after 2024 the app still works with Android 14.

But even if that thing may stop working once, I'll likely to get a
Samsung smartwatch again as a replacement. Yes, these things are more
expensive, but considered, that one may be able to use it for more than
7 years it's not too bad.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

On 2024-01-29 16:14, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I bought, about two years ago, a cheap smartwatch. A Mi Smart Band 6,
> from Xiaomi. I'm not really happy.

....

> So I am seeking for another one that is better. Preferably from actual
> personal experience, not google search. But I don't want an expensive or
> luxury thing.
>
> Ideas? :-)

I finally bought a Fitbit Google Charge 6. I'm moderately happy.

The thing comes with a 6 month trial subscription to the premium
service, which after the trial is about 80€/yr or 9€/month. Too much.
Some functions depend on it, so I have not activated it yet.

The displays activates with a double tap, and so far I haven't noticed
accidental tapping as I had with my previous incumbent. There is a
button on the side, which acts as "home" button.

I have not tried everything. I already detected bugs: for instance, if
I'm tracking a walk and enter a building for some time, the GPS
deactivates and doesn't reactivate automatically on exit, and I haven't
found a manual way to reactivate, except stop the exercise tracking and
start it again (another exercise session).

I have not tried the Wallet.

The timer function I find useful.

I am using two exercise functions: hiking and elliptic bicycle. Hiking
works nicely, except that it thinks I'm resting most of the time, it
wants a higher heart rate. I'm not sure if this can be corrected. No, I
am not going to walk faster for its shake.

The elliptic doesn't work all. The problem is that apparently it expects
to connect via Bluetooth to the machine, and mine is not that kind. It
doesn't detect the rhythmical movement of my arm on the machine, so it
thinks I am not exercising. It only reads my pulse and records it (the
previous watch did the same thing).

I got that elliptic bike for 80€ at a sale (original price was 260€). 40
Kg and 3h 30m of assembly (terrible instructions). The readout counts
the calories at the same rate no matter how hard I adjust the brake.

This one (IREB1004M), rebranded in Spain (Eroski):

<http://en.tierentiyu.com/?c=index&a=cate&classid=140>

<https://market.yandex.ru/product--ellipticheskii-trenazher-ironman-ireb1004m/1780220185>

I'm not going to invest in a "better" bike with BT. Maybe finding a
compatible "computer" kit for it. It is just a sensor on the flywheel.
Someone knows about such a thing?

And the other question, someone knows a way to tell the watch to read
the arm movements and count them? A manual elliptic, not an automatic
elliptic.

--
Cheers, Carlos.