Good alternative to Microsoft Band 2 needed...

[kiddingguy]

I have had three Microsoft Band 2's already since November 2015.. one didn't charge, one wasn't tracking my sleep and now my band is wearing out/starting to break.

 

What fitness/activity tracker is offering the same (more or less) than the MS Band 2? And how does it compare to the Band 2?

 

[Jack W]

I'm not too knowledgeable on smart watches etc, but have you taken a look at Fitbit and Garmin? They seem to be the main contenders.

[kiddingguy]

My third Band 2 is tearing (again).

I have looked to the Fitbit Blaze, but this one is kinda bulky.

 

I would like to have the same specs and stylish looks; GPS, sleep tracking, running, message receival, notifications (txt/whatsapp) but in a not-so-bulky way as the Blaze....

 

[ATLien_0]

Have you looked into Withings? Really liking what they are doing right now

http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/pulse

[Brandon H Supervisor]

I would recommend looking at Pebble's latest Kickstarter

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-2-time-2-and-core-an-entirely-new-3g-ultra?ref=discovery

 

The new Pebble 2 and Time 2 have all your requested features and the best battery life of any smart watch out there as of now

 

I have an original Pebble and a Time Steel, both are marvelous watches and I expect the 2 to be that much better with the larger screen and the new built in heart monitor

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

My reply will not be popular, but, why not use nothing until these fitness bands improve substantially? I've been in tip top shape all my life with only using a cheap sports watch at times. No doubt these fitness bands are handy, however, just let the tech mature.

[kiddingguy]

Hahah

1 minute ago, JHBrown said:

My reply will not be popular, but, why not use nothing until these fitness bands improve substantially? I've been in tip top shape all my life with only using a cheap sports watch at times. No doubt these fitness bands are handy, however, just let the tech mature.

Hahaha, I like gadgets.

I have found the Garmin vivoactive HR... good one?

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

7 minutes ago, kiddingguy said:

Hahah

Hahaha, I like gadgets.

I have found the Garmin vivoactive HR... good one?

I hear ya! Sorry, I have no input on that Garmin. My wife uses an Apple watch, and she is a fitness nut. Her watch still works, and looks great after a year.

[kiddingguy]

The Apple watch has no built-in GPS. Unfortunately.

 

I have ordered the Garmin vivoactive HR.

Though I like(d) the Band 2 for its features, but not its build quality.

[dipsylalapo Supervisor]

35 minutes ago, kiddingguy said:

The Apple watch has no built-in GPS. Unfortunately.

 

I have ordered the Garmin vivoactive HR.

Though I like(d) the Band 2 for its features, but not its build quality.

Looks like I'm too late but did you consider the Samsung Gear Fit 2?

[kiddingguy]

6 hours ago, dipsylalapo said:

Looks like I'm too late but did you consider the Samsung Gear Fit 2?

yes I did, but this one's not compatible with my iPhone...

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

I'm partial to the mi Band (revised version 1)

http://www.mi.com/en/miband/

 

Step tracking, Sleep tracking, 30 day battery life, Water Proof (IP67), and inexpensive.

It costs about $15-$30, have to be careful to not get knock off versions of it however.

http://www.gearbest.com/smart-watches/pp_126026.html 

(Gearbest has legit versions, Amazon 3rd party sellers... not so much)

 

Their's also the 1s version that has heart monitor (not good for checking heart rate while actively excising however)

http://www.gearbest.com/smart-wristband/pp_263275.html

 

The version 2 has come out, http://www.gearbest.com/smart-watches/pp_362705.html, but have not seen reviews. 

[+primortal Subscriber²]

On ‎6‎/‎21‎/‎2016 at 4:27 PM, kiddingguy said:

My third Band 2 is tearing (again).

Microsoft has fixed (supposedly) the band tearing issue with Band 2 that have a Lot number of 1600>.

 

Source: http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-band-2-reportedly-has-thicker-skins-newer-lot-numbers

[kiddingguy]

On 6/23/2016 at 6:36 PM, primortal said:

Microsoft has fixed (supposedly) the band tearing issue with Band 2 that have a Lot number of 1600>.

 

Source: http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-band-2-reportedly-has-thicker-skins-newer-lot-numbers

...any official response from Microsoft as of yet?

[kiddingguy]

The Fitbit Surge looks quite okay. Also feature-wise.

However, this one was released back in Nov 2014.

 

Any news on the successor for the Surge (2)?

[Mando]

i bought my otherhalf a fitbit charge HR, she loves it.

[kiddingguy]

1 hour ago, Mando said:

i bought my otherhalf a fitbit charge HR, she loves it.

Yes, but the Charge HR doesn't have GPS (which comes in handy for keeping track for running and HR-monitoring). Right?