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? :-)
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! :-)
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? :-)
"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.
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 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.
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.
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:[...]
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Perhaps others in the audience have some experience with this,
preferably with Fitbit devices, but maybe with other brands.
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.
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? :-)
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