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So my daydream headsets have arrived from the Verizon promo. So far I'm pretty impressed with the experience and the build quality. The pixel having only 1080p has made for a somewhat odd "looking through a screen door" view, but the motion and controls are great. I have never tried vr before so I have nothing to compare it to. I did compare the nexus 6 and moto z play with the pixel in the daydream headset (granted the nexus and moto were using cardboard app). The nexus shows a slightly better picture than the moto and the moto slightly better than the pixel despite the pixel and moto z play having the same resolution and the moto being half inch larger. The pixel however showed the best motion which should be no surprise because it's the only one with daydream support.
After an hour or so of farting around in vr I felt just an odd feeling with my eyes. Not a head ache but similar to the feeling of driving for hours on end. I believe this could be a result of the lower resolution. Anyway, I'm very pleased with my included with purchase daydream headset and will probably use it a few times a month as time permits and new apps and games come out.
I received mine today as well promo from Project Fi and I must say I am also very impressed. I played around with the YouTube VR as well as some games. Great quality, and super comfortable when wearing the headset. YouTube VR is probably my most favorite. Puts your right in the action of the video. Super sweet.
Kind of wish I got an XL but only when using daydream. And even then it really isn't an issue. I love my pixel and my daydream, and Google home, and Chromecast.... Yeah
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
I love Daydream so far. The low resolution is really noticeable if you look at it, but it's also easy to ignore if you don't, so.... My biggest complaint is that it's awkward to run existing VR (Cardboard) apps, since they won't show up in the Daydream Launcher. You have to put your phone in the headset, but not close it, wait for the NFC tag to launch Daydream, then switch back to your real launcher, run the app you want, close the headset, and finally put it on. Quite a ridiculous process just to launch an app! Someone needs to make a standard app launcher for Daydream.
Similarly, whenever a VR app asks for a permission, you can seemingly approve it with the Daydream remote, but then you have to remove the headset and approve it again by clicking on the screen. Very bizarre.
The Google Play Movies app is disappointing ,since you can't zoom or move the screen at all, forcing you to look straight ahead, instead of putting it on and staring up at the ceiling while lying in bed, which I enjoy doing with YouTube videos. I also wish it had the curved screen feature.
Hopefully things will continue to improve as time goes on. Most of the Cardboard apps seem to have been forgotten about and not updated in a year or more, and the Daydream controller is not compatible with whatever control mechanism Cardboard used (I guess it had a trigger button?), so many of those apps don't work well.
Just turn off NFC and you can use the cardboard apps to your heart's content. Also FYI you can use the USB A to C adapter and plug in an Xbox remote for truly nausea inducing gaming fun!
My concern is how incredibly hot the phone gets. I get worried every time I put it in the headset. And then it's only a matter of time before the "phone is getting too hot" message starts appearing.
My Pixel gets real warm in the Daydream gizmo, but certainly not "too hot to touch" as I saw one reviewer claim. Nothing to compare it to, so I don't know nothing about no screen door. I did take off my wet-apply matte screen protector because it made the image "grainy".
I played with it for awhile, looked at all the content that's available, etc. Pretty cool, but as far as I'm concerned it still belongs on the "gee whiz" pile. "Cool" only takes you so far, and I don't see any killer app for it at this point.
Actually, my 7-year old granddaughter is getting more use from the Daydream gizmo than I am.
Edit: Thx to tjarvis for that tip about turning off NFC to view Cardboard content; makes sense, but I hadn't thought it through.
360/3D video and games is the only killer apps for VR. The "big" screen apps (WSJ, CNN) is a joke, I rather read articles and watch 2D videos on my 24" monitor.
360 video is kind of fun to watch, but will the interest last?
I only tried 2 free VR games, so can't comment on the benefit of a real VR game over old fashion non-VR games.
My Pixel is so hot that Daydream app pops up a message saying it will slower the rendering, then the VR is so laggish that it is completely unusable. But I am using bluetooth earphone, I suspect the bluetooth earphone is drawing too much power in addition to VR.
Some phones exhibit choppy scrolling, especially when navigating long web pages when multiple apps are running in the background. Rate this thread to express how you smooth scrolling feels on the Huawei Mate 9 under such conditions. A higher rating indicates that scrolling is always buttery smooth, even when you're reading a 10,000 word article on "how to kiss a girl".
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
The only choppy scrolling I've experienced so far (3 days of use in the US) is with the Twitter app Talon. I'm using the international version (MHA-L29).
Compared to the Nexus 6p, it's bad. Especially in instagram. I cannot stand how choppy it feels. I love the phone but this issue is a deal breaker
Megatruong said:
Compared to the Nexus 6p, it's bad. Especially in instagram. I cannot stand how choppy it feels. I love the phone but this issue is a deal breaker
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Click to collapse
Hmm, interesting, i came from 6P to M9 few days ago.
On Nexus i was using pure nexus rom+elementalx kernel, on stock governor settings, when i put phones side by side, this Mate 9 performed better- opening apps, scrolling in chrome, google+ ,instagram, he only app that is stuttering a bit is facebook as always, but that app is crap due to low optimizations. 6P feels very smooth on fresh rom install, but after i set up few basic apps, use for a day, or go through few charges, it slows down very much, compared to Mate 9, who has much crap stock apps,e.t.c. Most stock apps like stock messenger and keyboard i replaced with google stock ones.:good:
I've mentioned this in another thread, on my device the only app with massive scrolling lag is Google Play Games, everything else is buttery smooth.
I use Instagram via Hermit so can't really comment on that one.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using XDA Labs
Honestly you're going to have to just expect some apps a little choppier than others. The one place where I really always judge it is by using Google now. The better optimized phones I find will be buttery. I had a slight hiccup here and there with my honor 8 compared to the oneplus 3t. My Mate 9 will be here tomorrow so I'm hoping all is well.
Same here, and the scrolling physics are screwy
swordstool said:
The only choppy scrolling I've experienced so far (3 days of use in the US) is with the Twitter app Talon. I'm using the international version (MHA-L29).
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Click to collapse
In Talon, and less so in some other apps, the page seems to start scrolling slow, then speed up, then slow to a stop in a very unnatural way.
This is the smooth phone I have ever used.
Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk
Thank you guys fir your support
Go for it your are sports nerd
Go for it your are sports nerd
The active running screen can't be consider good. there's no current lap pace. you'll be blind
Reported to its price it is good, three main characteristics make it a good product:
- 5 days on single charge
- always on screen
- good price
- as an alternative you can buy garmin vivomove hr, it's a little bit more expensive and don't have so much activities as stratos, but the application on smartphone is better.
No big cons
I had Amazfit Pace for 1.5 years, then I replaced it with Amazfit Stratos, and although it was pricier, I wouldn't go back to the Pace.
There was 2-3 minor hiccups during the 3+ months, but nothing dealbreaker.
Stratos has 3 buttons, so it's more convenient to start/stop your activity this way, but the one button of the Pace was just sufficient for me.
If you have more money, buy the Stratos (around $150 on GearBest), if you have less, buy the Pace (if you're lucky, you can get it for around $90 on GB).
So what are the cons? If you don't like 'flat tyre' displays, you won't like Amazfit's display - both has this 'effect'.
If you want crystal clear, bright and colorful display, buy an Apple Watch or a Samsung Gear 2/3... with AMOLED display - the Amazfit has transflective display, so it's quite dim and pale indoors, but more than perfect outdoors without consuming more energy than indoors (it's the opposite).
The Stratos is bigger and bulkier than the Pace, but only by a little. Most Garmin and Suunto watches are bigger, bulkier, heavier and a lot pricier than even the Stratos without providing better battery life. I know, the high-end Garmins provide more precise GPS data, but only for 10 to 15 hours, while you can constantly use your GPS on the Pace or on the Stratos for 30+ hours on a full charge.
The Pace has IP67, the Stratos has IP68 rating. Believe me, you will like any of them.
...
I read in other post that the build quality is questionable, the connectors gets rusty because of sweat!!?? So what are your thoughts? Thanks
The problem appears on Pace, but only if you swim or shower with it. No such a problem for Stratos.
I have a pace and don't find any reason besides the Waterproof to upgrate to the pricier stratos. I run and trail bike, why won't you go back to pace?
I have a pace, everything is ok in it.
I had a problem with water a month ago, that I think it was my mistake. I used it under water.
by removing mic the problem is solved and I have 6 day battery now.
and if you want to by pace because it is cheaper, or take it away from water, or seal up its mic hole with glue, and yu be safe and ok with a very nice watch.
Guys, does it make sense to upgrade from PACE to Stratos or wait for Verge?
I'm so close to buying Suunto 9 or Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, but I have a feeling that Stratos or Verge will be just as good for simple sports and mainly smartphone notifications.
What's your view on this?
kufor said:
Guys, does it make sense to upgrade from PACE to Stratos or wait for Verge?
I'm so close to buying Suunto 9 or Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, but I have a feeling that Stratos or Verge will be just as good for simple sports and mainly smartphone notifications.
What's your view on this?
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Click to collapse
Pace, Stratos are very good smartwatches, altmost as good as garmin, the only problem is that you cannot respond to messages for official rom (it is possible if you install a custom rom or watch droid). Why to buy a garmin, much more expensive if you have Pace or Stratos?
tiberiu20 said:
Pace, Stratos are very good smartwatches, altmost as good as garmin, the only problem is that you cannot respond to messages for official rom (it is possible if you install a custom rom or watch droid). Why to buy a garmin, much more expensive if you have Pace or Stratos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For running it's not as good as Garmin because you can have information about a lap (lap time / lap distance / lap pace) for example. It's a basic feature for runner.
The only thing you can have is related to previous lap...
kufor said:
Guys, does it make sense to upgrade from PACE to Stratos or wait for Verge?
I'm so close to buying Suunto 9 or Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, but I have a feeling that Stratos or Verge will be just as good for simple sports and mainly smartphone notifications.
What's your view on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't consider upgrading from Pace to Verge because of the amoled screen. When I'm running or biking I need to take a fast look at the screen and would be dificult to press a button to show info. Also amoled screens ins't the best for reading on sunlight.
To me the Verge is more an urban user smartwatch with sports features.
I think I will wait for more one year for a pace/stratos real update with LCD and the new heart rate sensor.
I recently switched to Stratos and it's huge in comparison to Pace. Thicker and bigger in diameter but with the same screen size and the same hw specs. Buttons are also big, probably intentionally, to easily press during workout, in gloves, etc. For some workouts, like weight lifting, with smaller wrist, buttons may be a problem.
Overall watch looks more premium but charger is opposite, looks way cheaper than one for Pace. Pace charger is not compatible with Stratos. Also, cable cannot be removed. Plus is that watch is waterproof.
Stratos GUI is a bit different, features are the same plus two about workout efficiency and VO2.
Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk
Zeljko1234 said:
I recently switched to Stratos and it's huge in comparison to Pace. Thicker and bigger in diameter but with the same screen size and the same hw specs. Buttons are also big, probably intentionally, to easily press during workout, in gloves, etc. For some workouts, like weight lifting, with smaller wrist, buttons may be a problem.
Overall watch looks more premium but charger is opposite, looks way cheaper than one for Pace. Pace charger is not compatible with Stratos. Also, cable cannot be removed. Plus is that watch is waterproof.
Stratos GUI is a bit different, features are the same plus two about workout efficiency and VO2.
Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a few cheap Stratos charging docks from GearBest a few months ago, these have a micro USB port instead of the damned built-in cable, so I can use it with and micro USB cable I just want.
I liked the Pace, I love the Stratos, and I only had two minor hiccups needing a restart, other than that everything's smooth and fine.
BTW, before the Pace I had a Polar M400, which was fine, but after a while I hated to connect my watch to my PC each time to upload the data to the cloud, and I hated the 5-6 hours GPS time - the Amazfit Pace was a miracle compared to that, and although the Stratos is mostly a Pace on steroids, I like it even more.
So a Garmin or Suunto watch has more functionality, but since I walk a lot instead of doing multiple sports, the 3 to 4 times higher price wouldn't worth the added extra I wouldn't even use.
Yeah, I've ordered charger with micro USB. It's mainly to have spare one. Let's how will work.
---------- Post added at 06:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ----------
Forgot to add, Stratos has half of the faces available for Pace. And none of them are really good. Also, because watch is bigger and heavier, mid vibration is hardly noticeable. Especially as waking up alarm. So I had to set to high which drains battery more. With my usage, Stratos batter lasts about 4 days. At least one day less than Pace.
Can anyone recommend the best bluetooth HRM chest strap to pair with an Amazfit smartwatch?
I have the Amazfit Pace, but I am looking for opinions regardless of which Amazfit model you have. Many thanks!
Any HR strap that uses Bluetooth 4.1 or newer should work, from cheap Chinese ones from Ali to Polar ones.
Many thanks Ifom. I would want one of the best ones available, with high accuracy and good comfort etc. If anyone has feedback that would be great.
Decarabias said:
Many thanks Ifom. I would want one of the best ones available, with high accuracy and good comfort etc. If anyone has feedback that would be great.
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https://the5krunner.com/2018/05/03/amazfit-stratos-bluetooth-sensor-pairing-quirks/
Hey,
I'm using the strap linked below. Really good choice for the price, didn't know the brand before looking for best and cheap hr monitor. Really good feel and good accuracy, I practice interval trainings, long runs (>15km), and home workout (paired with my phone). I have the strap since six months and everything's fine, there's new version for similar price if you are interested. hope my feedback can be helpful.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CooSpo-Mon...&qid=1575110347&sprefix=coospo,aps,145&sr=8-4
Many thanks Int976, that's super helpful! I will get that one and report back.
I'm using the Wahoo TICKR
It's reliable and from a reputable brand; and works well with my Stratos
I've been using mine since May 2019 (7 months so far) and battery & accuracy still good.
Hi,
Just to share my own experience from the Amazfit watches:
Two years ago, I bought my first Amazfit: The BIP. I had previously bought others LG Android wear and Samsung Gear smartwatches.
Yes, I'm a smartwatch geek
Whaouh! This Amazfit BIP is a cheap efficient smartwatch with all the basic services, with (a quite small) transflective Always on Display, and with a crazy battery duration (30 days and more). Android wear and Samsung watches have only 1 to 2 days battery duration. This is a joke compared to this incredible BIP. How is it possible to propose a so long battery duration in a so small light connected watch with all these smart services? The Amazfit engineers are really very very good. Thank you! :good::good:
But the only one default for me is the style of the BIP. It feels a bit too plastic cheap style.
So, I decided to buy the Amazfit STRATOS(2). This watch is very beautifull. Premium style. Really.
The large display has a good quality with the transflective techno, so 24h/7d 100% always on display during nights and days even under the sun.
The OS is based on Android, so cool, we can (try to) install some basic apps. I have developped my first Android App thank to the Stratos.
Watchfaces can be easily customized but it's a bit limited compared to the BIP or GTS/GTR.
Sports applications are quite sophisticated and better compared to the BIP. But we are not at the level of a Garmin or Tomtom watch. (I have also the excellent Tomtom sports watch).
The Applications bring a bit more services and informations on the STRATOS compared to the BIP. But, it's not an "open system" compared to Android wear or Samsung Tizen.
And about the battery duration? 7 days maxi. No more. This is already good but frustrating compared to the BIP!
Great, Amazfit developpers heard me and propose now the BIP with an "Apple watch" style and quality: This is the Amazfit GTS.
Ok, I bought it! This GTS watch has a premium look with a nice brillant AMOLED screen. The OS is almost the same than the BIP. We can set the always on display mode during the day and automatically switch it off during the night. But, you lose the benefit of the transflective screen. The watchface in dim mode is very basic, not customizable and not visible under the sun. To save battery, the display is black when you run. You need to press the button to see your progress.
Actually, AMOLED technos will never beat the advantages of the transflective ones: visibility under the sun and power consumption.
In basic connected mode (no running with GPS), with the screen in AOD mode only during the day, the battery duration is 7 to 8 days. Correct, but not crazy...
So, finally, you know what? The Amazfit BIP is still my prefered watch even if I have kept the others STRATOS and GTS mainly due to their premium styles.
The battery duration of 30 days and always on display mode are real killer services.
See you. :good:
Amazfit GTR 47mm
Try Amazfit GTR 47mm, battery life is 24 days on paper without AOD and thousands of custom dials too
pidobeuliou said:
Hi,
Just to share my own experience from the Amazfit watches:
Two years ago, I bought my first Amazfit: The BIP. I had previously bought others LG Android wear and Samsung Gear smartwatches.
Yes, I'm a smartwatch geek
Whaouh! This Amazfit BIP is a cheap efficient smartwatch with all the basic services, with (a quite small) transflective Always on Display, and with a crazy battery duration (30 days and more). Android wear and Samsung watches have only 1 to 2 days battery duration. This is a joke compared to this incredible BIP. How is it possible to propose a so long battery duration in a so small light connected watch with all these smart services? The Amazfit engineers are really very very good. Thank you! :good::good:
But the only one default for me is the style of the BIP. It feels a bit too plastic cheap style.
So, I decided to buy the Amazfit STRATOS(2). This watch is very beautifull. Premium style. Really.
The large display has a good quality with the transflective techno, so 24h/7d 100% always on display during nights and days even under the sun.
The OS is based on Android, so cool, we can (try to) install some basic apps. I have developped my first Android App thank to the Stratos.
Watchfaces can be easily customized but it's a bit limited compared to the BIP or GTS/GTR.
Sports applications are quite sophisticated and better compared to the BIP. But we are not at the level of a Garmin or Tomtom watch. (I have also the excellent Tomtom sports watch).
The Applications bring a bit more services and informations on the STRATOS compared to the BIP. But, it's not an "open system" compared to Android wear or Samsung Tizen.
And about the battery duration? 7 days maxi. No more. This is already good but frustrating compared to the BIP!
Great, Amazfit developpers heard me and propose now the BIP with an "Apple watch" style and quality: This is the Amazfit GTS.
Ok, I bought it! This GTS watch has a premium look with a nice brillant AMOLED screen. The OS is almost the same than the BIP. We can set the always on display mode during the day and automatically switch it off during the night. But, you lose the benefit of the transflective screen. The watchface in dim mode is very basic, not customizable and not visible under the sun. To save battery, the display is black when you run. You need to press the button to see your progress.
Actually, AMOLED technos will never beat the advantages of the transflective ones: visibility under the sun and power consumption.
In basic connected mode (no running with GPS), with the screen in AOD mode only during the day, the battery duration is 7 to 8 days. Correct, but not crazy...
So, finally, you know what? The Amazfit BIP is still my prefered watch even if I have kept the others STRATOS and GTS mainly due to their premium styles.
The battery duration of 30 days and always on display mode are real killer services.
See you. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best Amazfit is not there yet. It is a Amazfit which is completely hacked and open source, paired to a Polar OH1 heart rate sensor which I love for it s accuracy. I love also foot pods for it s accuracy. But can foot pods be paired to Amazfit watches?
The Amazfit integrated wrist HR sensor is too inacurate for my purpose.