Hi Guys,
Hope you can come up with some suggestions.
I'm needing a computer for my bike (bicycle not motor bike). I've been looking at some normal stuff from Wahoo and Garmin and I think going with an android phone with mount, might be cheaper and better. I'm looking for some recommendations for the following criteria:
Good visibility with direct sunlight
Considerable battery life for always on screen with GPS (battery case might work)
Some water resistance (case might work)
Cheap, second hand, ebay, couple of years old will be fine
Assumptions:
Bluetooth 4.0 (smart) for sensors
Mount will be used that sticks on the back, 'quad lock' is my consideration
Not very interested in a separate battery pack that connects via cable, I want simple no hassle so I'll use it all the time.
My current phone (Oneplus 2), I'm not considering replacing and also cannot find a battery cases for it. It doesn't last long on my rides but if anyone can think of "out of the box" suggestions feel free.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Most sensors use ANT+ for what it's worth. Now all of that being said I looked into this about a month ago myself and figured out the cheapest and most effective was using an iPhone 3gs or 4 with a Wahoo kit that cost $40. By the time I figured out all of the math involved (buying used phone), you are around $125 (if you can find a used iPhone for $80 unless you have one sitting around). That doesn't include the additional for the HRM and Cadence either.
Anyways what I ended up with is a Bryton Rider 310 with Cadence and HRM sensors for $137 on Amazon. Not to crush the idea.
Following this to see what develops.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00A using XDA-Developers Legacy app
No crushing, its whatever is best at the end of the day. So thanks for your input.
Most sensors are ANT+, however my sensors are both ANT+ and BLU. They are also Wahoo, so I'm not restricted.
I'm not really interested in going the Apple route because I have less options for customisation and tweaks like keeping the screen on, tasker, etc. I will check out the Bryton Rider equipment, but from what I've seen Wahoo ELEMNT is £180 and the alternatives from Garmin are much more. Therefore, what I'm looking for is £180 (mines mounts, battery packets, etc.) or cheaper.
Thanks,
Edit: S**t dude these Bryton Rider's look awesome and there not overly expensive. I'm still checking them out but I still want to explore the android route... features 'n' all!
What about a BLU Energy X2? It has a 4000 mAh battery and you could put a battery in a bento bag if needed for longer trips. Screen on time ranks around 7.5 hours.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00A using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Amazfit Pace vs Amazfit Pace 2 (Stratos) Specs comparison, Worth the upgrade?
http://www.smartwatchspecifications.com/comparison/amazfit-pace-vs-amazfit-pace-2-comparison/
If you're a swimmer... Than maybe yes, we should wait for review and see how it actually handles water.
Sent from my Z2 Plus using Tapatalk
Seems the contacts are not as deep into the case as before.
Which would mean no cleaning necessary.
After 1/2 a year and some sport my contacts ( though only cleaned with a wooden toothpick ) were gone.
fzelle said:
Seems the contacts are not as deep into the case as before.
Which would mean no cleaning necessary.
After 1/2 a year and some sport my contacts ( though only cleaned with a wooden toothpick ) were gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gone? Like in....you can't charge you watch anymore?
Yes, exactly.
An electronic freak I know took it and drilled small holes into the contacts ( after seeing a picture of an opened watch ).
He then poured some lead into it and topped it up witch some gold contacts.
Was working again after that, but only for 3-4 times.
But I personally don't like how the new one looks, so I probably go to the Garmain ViviActive 3.
The only new sensor I can find on the comparison list is the triaxial accelerometer. It does seem weird though that they'll release a new watch with so little difference in hardware and only noticeable cosmetic differences because people can just port the software.
Only about 1% of Amazfit buyers show up here, the rest uses it as it was intended.
Even me as a "freak", I have stopped using root on my devices or a custom ROM for a few years.
If something doesn't do at buy what I intend it to do, I don't buy it.
And if it does what it should why should I try to destroy it?
I'm sorry but I see no obvious reason to upgrade my existing Amazefit watch having seen this device. None whatsoever. In fact I might buy another amazefit at an amazingly reduced cost as a back up. ver 2 is gonna get ported anyway. Seriously this is NOT a credible upgrade, not even close.
The new one doesn´t have 400x400 resolution ...
The new one doesn´t have better color reproduction ...
The new one doesn´t support animated watchfaces ...
The new one doesn´t support HD face allways on ...
The new one isn´t cheaper ...
The new one isn´t
Why in the hell should i give up my amazfit one + paceon apk ?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!
Hello everyone. I'm not sure about what to do. I don't have any smartwatch right now (sold my TomTom spark 3 GPS) and want to buy a Xiaomi amazfit. I would like to have one that has GPS and Music, but i like a lot the Amazfit Bip for the price/quality relationship. But since it doesn't have music, i'm not considering it as an alternative.
So i have Amazfit Pace and Amazfit Stratos. I can find Pace at $110 approx and Stratos at $155. Does it worth the extra $45? What i'm afraid is what fzelle mentioned about the damaged contacts. Is that common in this model?
I've bee using both of these watches for a month or so. The Stratos is only available in Chinese at the moment but you can upload an English version ROM if you want. Can't post a link yet but when I get to 10 posts I have a full comparison.
The Pace is much thinner and more comfortable to wear, and has almost the same features/software as the stratos. The Stratos looks much more like a sports watch but is very thick. O have thin wrists and it does get uncomfortable. I've been swimming with the Stratos and had it on in the shower and it works fine, so I think the only reason to upgrade is if you want this waterproof feature.
The Pace 2 is able to get the VO2max, Whats do you think ? Is this a important difference ?
I read that Stratos has a better placed optical HR sensor and it caN also pair with an external HR sensor.
I've spent time with a Huawei Watch, HW2 and now a Ticwatch Pro and they all share the same problem - WearOS. It is so slow and unreliable. battery life.....
I loved my Pebble Time Steel and briefly had a Amazfit BIP - which I was very impressed with. I just wanted something that looked a bit better, so went back to Huawei watches.
I only use my watch to tell me of incoming notifications and phone calls. Not for any exercise or sport stuff.
Looking at what's out there, the Stratos and Verge keep garnering my attention. I was relieved to see a dev community for these watches.
What do people prefer? Stratos looks gorgeous, but Verge has calling ability. I suppose both have an equal amount of development done on them. Is installing APKs on these as simple as ADB'ing to them?
Thanks
Hi,
i have few Pebble (Steel and Pebble 2), on rebel.io soft last time but its development is dead practically. wife have Samsung Gear Classic but i want to try Verge.
I was interesting about long battery (2 days with continuous pulse, 4-5 normally), pulse measuring (really good sensors), reply to messages and speaker for calls and low price - so i buy for 120$ Verge and it does the job. Great GPS ! and software.
Of course its plastic but this is not so important for me, it's light great screen and for this price you can't find anything better i assume... Try to use PACEficator from @Saratoga79 and this is it !
white43 said:
I've spent time with a Huawei Watch, HW2 and now a Ticwatch Pro and they all share the same problem - WearOS. It is so slow and unreliable. battery life.....
I loved my Pebble Time Steel and briefly had a Amazfit BIP - which I was very impressed with. I just wanted something that looked a bit better, so went back to Huawei watches.
I only use my watch to tell me of incoming notifications and phone calls. Not for any exercise or sport stuff.
Looking at what's out there, the Stratos and Verge keep garnering my attention. I was relieved to see a dev community for these watches.
What do people prefer? Stratos looks gorgeous, but Verge has calling ability. I suppose both have an equal amount of development done on them. Is installing APKs on these as simple as ADB'ing to them?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want best battery, Amazfit Bip.
If you are interested on notification replies, answering calls, Amazfit Verge.
If you are focusing on sport, notification replies, Amazfit Stratos.
Saratoga79 said:
If you want best battery, Amazfit Bip.
If you are interested on notification replies, answering calls, Amazfit Verge.
If you are focusing on sport, notification replies, Amazfit Stratos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
So you can reply to messages - inc WhatsApp with Verge and Stratos?
Is battery life equally good on both?
Is PACE worth considering?
white43 said:
Thank you
So you can reply to messages - inc WhatsApp with Verge and Stratos?
Is battery life equally good on both?
Is PACE worth considering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, on Stratos/Pace/Verge, not sure on Bip,, using AmazMod or WatchDroid apps.
Battery depends on usage but 4-6 days with some sport and notifications.
Saratoga79 said:
Yes, on Stratos/Pace/Verge, not sure on Bip,, using AmazMod or WatchDroid apps.
Battery depends on usage but 4-6 days with some sport and notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I see in some reviews they're saying you can't reply? Or do you mean you need to install AmazMod or WatchDroid to reply? Is it easy to install on Verge?
white43 said:
Cool. I see in some reviews they're saying you can't reply? Or do you mean you need to install AmazMod or WatchDroid to reply? Is it easy to install on Verge?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to install a 3th party app on watch and phone (Android only).
In the forum there is a thread about AmazMod.
white43 said:
I've spent time with a Huawei Watch, HW2 and now a Ticwatch Pro and they all share the same problem - WearOS. It is so slow and unreliable. battery life.....
I loved my Pebble Time Steel and briefly had a Amazfit BIP - which I was very impressed with. I just wanted something that looked a bit better, so went back to Huawei watches.
I only use my watch to tell me of incoming notifications and phone calls. Not for any exercise or sport stuff.
Looking at what's out there, the Stratos and Verge keep garnering my attention. I was relieved to see a dev community for these watches.
What do people prefer? Stratos looks gorgeous, but Verge has calling ability. I suppose both have an equal amount of development done on them. Is installing APKs on these as simple as ADB'ing to them?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When broke down my previous smartband i looked for new smart wearable device. I had to found new manufactor at all, cos previous device's manufactor don't release and did not released yet new wearable devices at all. My requirements:
1. Inexpensive, price must be from 50 to 100 euros.
2. GPS (navigation is my wish, i hope Amazfit will add this feature (widget) in future)
3. Heart Rate tracking
4. Sleep tracking
5. Steps tracking
6. Long battery life
7. Notifications of call/messages/calendar and ect.
8. Microphone/Soundspeaker was request, cos previous device had it too, but all previous models which i checked before i bought Verge, havn't that (if say exactly - microphone, voice assitant), so it wasn't so important, but was big plus and reason to buy Verge model.
So in my market sellers in theirs shops by these my requirements could offer just some models and one of them was Amazfit Bip. Ofcourse i wanted good manufactor, i didn't wanted cheap product which will break down after month or little more. So i discovered Amazfit as manufactor in this way. I read a lot of opinions about this company and most or maybe all was birliants: long time battery life, good heart rate tracking and ect. All features which i wanted they could offer me in my wanting price. So i started to search more about Amazfit and Bip. I liked in first sign this model: very very long battery life - 45 days, it's something incredible. Device which cost about 70 euros (2 - 3 months ago) with heart rate tracking, GPS, sleep tracking and many more. But Bip have some minus too: cheap display, small screen, can't read my language text (letters), ofcourse most features is missed which have Stratos and Verge. So i continued my search further. I saw in market Stratos too, which cost at these days around 200 euros, which was to expensive to me. So i was confused, i did not knew what to do: to wait untill price of Stratos will be lower or to buy inexpensive Bip model, which have a lot of deficiencies if compare with Stratos and Verge. I read and watched a lot of compare, reviews and ect., about these both models and one day my suprised i found name "Verge". This model was new these days, wasn't in my market yet, but i thought maybe to wait, maybe one day will be in my market, must be. Ofcourse i continued my search, i still looked into Amazfi's products. I read they are leaders of wearable devices or one of them. So quality i thought will be good, must be. So patient i looked further. And for bigger as 100 i found that is Pace, was discount. So i decided to buy it, but... Seller which offer this model had only one device in all my country, so i had to ask about possibility to get this model in my city. They prosimed to call if will be this possibility. So after some weeks i did not got any call and i saw in theirs web site that model is sold. Then i decided to buy Verge, which by the way came to market very fast if say honest. Most market in all world havn't this model until now, or got it just few weeks ago. I have Verge from this year beggining around 2019 Februrary, my search started from 2018 end December, after Christmas, so i looked this model and waited really not so long. Stratos in the market is still now, Pace some sellers sold out long time ago, some of them selling just now. When i looked for new model most of this models (Stratos/Pace) wasn't in market at all, cos was sold out or was with big prices. So that's why i did not bought it at all in my search period. After i decided to wait Verge, i did not checked others models. Then i started to ask about possibility to buy it in my country. After showed up first sellers i went to see in shop how look it and ect. So i saw then all Amazfit models and decided to buy only Verge. Startos looks great too, but is expensive or was when i bought it. Pace wasn't in market and Bip was to small, cheap display compare to others models.
Why Verge?
This model could offer to me what i wanted, all my requirements total completed fulfill. Pace havn't microphone, which have Verge, have poorer water protection - IP67, when Verge have IP68. Similar is with Stratos if i'm not wrong, Stratos have better protection of water from these all models, but havn't microphone too. So Verge in this way for me look better. Design all models is wonderful, Stratos maybe look most beautiful, but Verge and Pace look great too. It's a little bit hard to compare, coz all models i think is dedicated for various people. My opinion Verge best look for people which like to sport, with Startos you can wear classic clothes, Pace? Pace maybe for daily usage, i mean leisure time, leisure people. Design for me never been most important thing, i like good design, but most important to me is features. So in this way win Verge again. Coz Pace was sold out, i had to choose Verge or Startos, ofcourse and you writing that you liked only these models, so maybe i will write about it only.
My opinion Verge and Startos is similar to each other models. I mean specifications. Stratos have better protection from water, but Verge have better display and many others things. Why i chose Verge? Verge price is lower, also this model is newest. I am opinion that newest things can offer better things. So these argument helped to me to choose what to buy. But let's talk more about difference of these models. Verge is plastic that's not maybe good, but how much i read, it's not cheap plastic. If say honest all time i was againts Chinese products, a lot of people know quality of Chinese products. But i don't know why, but i trust in Amazfit. Maybe for great opinions, maybe that i found a lot of great reviews Maybe that this company is leading in wearable devices market. I don't know. But i am happy that i bought Amazfit product yet, and even i'm happy that i chose Verge model. I started compare these two model what i want: Stratos have oxygen tracking (if i'm not wrong), but microphone for me sounds better, i like voice assisntans too, i had it in previous device, so this feature was important to me more as oxygen, water proof resistant which have Startos, as i mentioned and price in this place wasn't last argument. Also if i'm not wrong Stratos havn't NFC, so which watch impossible to do payment in shops. Ofcourse voice assistant, payment via NFC this moment is not available in all market, working just in China and voice assistant in US too, but as i know it coming and it's only time question when will be available in all or most market. Maybe with upcoming updates, maybe later. verge is very new model, so Amazfit as i know working in this already. I very suprised how they fast doing updates, release it and how company so good working on this at all, all mistaked fixing process, so fast and good. I'm very happy of Amazfit Verge at all. By the way Stratos i did not tested, i just saw it in shot, so maybe i more will be talk about Verge. But before that some compare of these models from official web sites:
SCREEN:
Verge - 1.30" AMOLED
Stratos - 1.34inch reflective low-power consumption color display screen
RESOLUTION:
Verge - 360x360
Stratos - 320 X 300
* Both models have always on display feature and Corning Gorilla glass. About that you can read more in offcial Amazfit web site
BOTH HAVE:
1.2GHz Dual-Core Processor, 512M RAM 4GB internal flash memory, GPS + GLONASS. Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g 2.4GHz；Bluetooth 4.0. Heart Rate, Sleep tracking and many others.
So probably biggest differnce between these models is price, resolution, protection of water and some features, like voice assitan, NFC and ect. That's why i bought Verge. Now my feedback about Verge:
This model i have from around 2019 February first days. When i bough it immediately i got update. After month (around this time) i got second update and later another two (one was update, after week was bug/issue fixing, cos did not worked double tap option). So Amazfit on update working hard, fast and really good. As i know Chinese manufactor release update at all very fast: Huawei, Amazfit now, Xiaomi (which actually is Amazfit part or Amazfit is part of Xiaomi) and many others, which i can't remember right now. Amafit Verge by manufactor must be alive about 5 days after last charge. With my settings (sport modes is not activated. Heart rate working all the time. Double tap is activated. Low light mode (always on display mode if say in others words), don't disturb mode, wrist up mode working in specific time, all modes working or not working for 9 hours. Double tap which i mentioned and wrist up modes not working when is activated always on display mode. Is tracking sleep (if i remember right from 22 to 10 or something like this, in day sleep is not tracking, is not tracking and second sleep if you have one). With these settings i charging battery every 2 - 3 days. Before was updated device was moment when i had to charge after 4 days or around it. So i don't know it's update changed charge time or something else. Usuage is the same, settings always was the same or similar to these which i posted. Notifications which you want to get you can choose in Watch App. Facebook, Messenger, Whats Up, SMS you can get with full text, but from Gmail is showing only subject, all full message you can't get. Amazfit is reported a lot of about this, but... maybe will be fixed later. Watch is easy to wear, is not heavy. Sometime i forgetting that i wear it. But... for me size of band is not comfortable so much. If i close it more on my hand, you know, more tighten, when after some minutes annoying, cos pressing to much. If i release band, when moving from place. Even this happening in hot days, when is a little bit sweat or water, cos i cleaning my hand often with this watch (ofcourse i don't trying to special immerse it to water, but after some work need to watch hand, which sometimes going on hand too, included watch band). Maybe it just for me. Is not so bad, but sometime annoying, need to close it again and again. Heart rate this watch tracking very accurate. I compared it with blood measure device, company which creating these devices is one of the best in market of blood tracking. It's medical device, approved by companies which sets these accurate and ect. Sleep tracking is often incorrect. Most time this watch did not detected my correct wake up time. Often was missed 1 - 3 hours from my sleep. It's a little bit weird, coz Amazfit i read working with one of best world University science workers with sleep tracking, if i understand everything right of course. I reported that a several times, so maybe in future will be fixed that too. Steps counting with question too. I tried to check and seek it, one moment looks like everything is fine, next time it looks like tracking is with mistakes. For example when i walking steps by steps was counted right or maybe one or twi steps more, but sometimes i sitting on chair, but watch counting as steps. Weird. I mentioned a lot of time here soundspeaker and microphone. So with this watch you can call from watch to friends or to get their call and talk via watch. Also you can listen music with bluetooth headphone without smartphone. One big problem you can get message, but you can't answer in it from watch. I had smartband which had this option, so little bit weird why Amazfit did not this possibility. Screen is shine, bright. Display is wornderfull, Oled is really cool display. What else? If you have question, post it. If i did not wrote something. By the way soundspeaker is not loud of this watch, to talk with people or to listen straight from watch music (you can do that without headphone too) need enoguht silence place. This watch havn't calendar, watch faces official is a little bit more as 15 after update, but you can easily add ęrd parties or create own if you know how to do that. Every hour watch reminding you to walk if you sitting a lot of, this feature impossible to turn of yet, but if i understand right, this possibility will be add. Voice assistant, NFC payment working as i mentioned right now only in China and US (voice assistant only right now), but as i understand company working in this right now, so maybe soon will be available in all rest world. What else? Weather is getting from yours smartphone, but i don't know from which app or Amazfit have own source. This watch have own oeprating system as you know, so from Google Play you can't install more apps, there is in this forum too some guys which created some apps like Calendar which havn't this watch yet, but to install it it's not so simple. But maybe it's just for me. In watch you can add only two widget from 13: weather, health (steps counting), heart rate, sports, sleep, activities, phone, music, alarm, find phone (if you forget where to left your phone, this app will help you to find it, will turn on alarm of smartphone), timer, stopwatch, compass (working fine) and last settings, but settings i don't count as widget, cos you can add it as i remember. Weather is 5 days in widget, so really good widget. I forget to say, i mentioned that Bip model can't regonized specific language. For example my language letters is not showing in bip message notifications, with verge i can read my language text without any problem. So probably that's all. Big text, but if i missed something just ask, i will try to say it.
Finally watch it's really good, plastic, but is strong, good quality platsic. Have Gorrila Glass protection (3rd generation which is better when in smartphone). Have some minus like incorrect sleep tracking often, but not daily, steps with question, but most feature working fine, battery is good, display is very nice. I recommend you to buy it.
---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------
Saratoga79 said:
If you want best battery, Amazfit Bip.
If you are interested on notification replies, answering calls, Amazfit Verge.
If you are focusing on sport, notification replies, Amazfit Stratos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree, Verge is much more better for sport as Stratos. Verge have more as 10 sports genre from running to football
Well done my friend to the post above! It was a great read! I hope you enjoy and have pleasure with your new Amazfit!
Give that man a cigar!
?
Damoedge said:
Well done my friend to the post above! It was a great read! I hope you enjoy and have pleasure with your new Amazfit!
Give that man a cigar!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't smoke :laugh: But thanks, user asked opinion - here is it
I ordered the amazfit gtr from aliexpress but before it arrived I found the Huawei Gt 2 sold at a local store with local 2 year warranty and I decided to go for it.
Meanwhile the gtr arrived and it's waiting for me to go pick it up and I'm not sure which watch to keep. The Huawei works well and compared to the gtr it has an internal storage where I can store music (which I will never do because all my music is on Spotify) and I can talk on the phone with it cause it has a mic and a speaker (which works well when I'm inside). The biggest con is that it costs 150 Euro more then the gtr and I'm not sure it's worth it but I do have a valid warranty which I can actually use (the gtr has an aliexpress warranty which is probably unusable).
Honestly for the price difference I'd go with the gtr but I heard it has some issues with the GPS. Is that a major problem? Can it still track running without showing location?
If you want to use it for running and using the GPS, it's a no go. For the rest it's a perfect watch for reading time, notifications, step counting and heart rate.
I'd return the GTR if you are intending on using the watch for tracking any activities such as running walking or cycling. The GPS function of the GTR just isn't up to scratch.
That aside if you only want a smart watch for notifications, step counting, heart rate monitoring and basic watch then the GTR is worth keeping. Its a lovely looking watch, the battery life is amazing and the watch is very smooth and responsive to use
I was in a similar boat. But in my case I went for GTR mainly because it looks much better and I wanted a watch mainly for notifications and music controls. GT2 biggest con is that it has a ugly black border around outer edge of screen which was for me a deal breaker. I had the opportunity to try both in a store and GTR was a much better looking and for only £90 was a no brainer.
Pierre118 said:
If you want to use it for running and using the GPS, it's a no go. For the rest it's a perfect watch for reading time, notifications, step counting and heart rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can it track indoors running in the gym? How about walking outdoors? It doesn't work at all?
And overall guys, is the gtr a good watch? Are you satisfied with everything except GPS? Can you take showers with it?
lvnatic said:
Can it track indoors running in the gym? How about walking outdoors? It doesn't work at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't comment on running in the gym as I don't do this but for outdoor tracking of walking running or cycling the GPS tracking is not very accurate and it can take up to 15 minutes to get a GPS lock before you can start your activity.
You should also be able to shower with it but I don't so can't comment on how effective the water proofing is.
I wear it occasionally in showers, no problem until now.
I also swam in the pool(many times) with it back in August and no problems so far. Just be sure to wear it in the shower afterwards, to clean off the chlorine.