this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2024
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Privacy

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I'm looking for a watch that is able to do basic "smart" things like show notifications and ping my phone if I misplace it. A timer/stopwatch would also be good, and a long lasting battery.

I have no interest in an Apple watch or Galaxy watch, so I'm looking for something comparatively cheap.

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[–] [email protected] 35 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

I would suggest to look at the models supported by Gadgetbridge and pick one from there. I know I can trust Gadgetbridge not to leak my data since it doesn't ask for network permission.

https://gadgetbridge.org/gadgets/

I used it for several years, through multiple gadgets (in chronological order)

  • Pebble
  • Pebble Steel
  • Pebble Time Steel
  • Mi Band 4
  • Amazfit Bip
  • Bangle JS2
  • Casio GBD-200
[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I'd second the recommendation for Gadgetbridge and would add most of the Amazfit watches to the list. I have the Amazfit GTS 4 and it has run flawlessly with Gadgetbridge.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I thought about using Amazfit products but all the new ones require Huami/Xiaomi server pairing. How was that process?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I just used a throwaway email to initially sign up to get the Key, then deleted the app. Was very easy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Alright that doesn't sound that bad. I have a Mi Band 3 and haven't upgraded to anything else due to the need to get a key with anything newer.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I miss the pebble and fsck Fitbit for killing it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I more dissapointed that Pebble was unable to find a viable financial path forward :(

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Agreed. Kinda glad I didn’t back the third watch.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

How was the Bangle JS2? What made you switch away from it?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Initially the software wasn't very stable, but that was fixed over time. Overall I liked it a lot, and the available "apps" for it all filled a niche I looked for.

I switched because I wanted to go back to a more classic watch I can simply wear and forget about. I don't have all the bells and whistles from the BangleJS2, but now I have a watch to see my notifications and step counter that I don't need to recharge every week, the battery (CR2032) is said to last about 2 years in the GBD-200.