[Spearchucker]

Man there are so many varying takes on what people want from a watch that I really sympathise with designers and manufacturers.

It took me a fair bit of cash to work out my own sweet spot - an automatic Swiss watch on my left arm, and a Microsoft Band on the right. This after trying really hard to like (and wear) a Pebble, and then a Pebble steel. The Pebble just doesn't do anything I need. Unfortunately for Android, it's part of an ecosystem I won't touch. Apple's watch is appealing like crazy, but DOA because I need to take my phone along if I want to track a run or cycle. The Microsoft Band is amazing, but its Achilles heel is that it's not waterproof. Swimming is the one thing I'm still using a dedicated device for. Oh and diving, but while you'd think tech has advanced enough by now, I'm not expecting much from smart watches for that.

[tdkl]

Check out the new Fenix 3 from Garmin : http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/03/garmin-fenix3-detailed-re...

[on_and_off]

From what I have read, Microsoft Band heart rate sensor is useless. Too bad, once somebody delivers continuous heart rate tracking with reasonable accuracy and bulk, he will have my money.

[Spearchucker]

Yeah I followed that saga too. And I still have no idea whether the sensor is actually bad, or good. I do know that the Band samples at different heart rate frequencies depending on what it's running -

- Exercise modes (Run and Workout): Heart rate records every second

- Sleep tracking : 2 minutes on, 8 minutes off. Repeats throughout duration

- All other times : 1 minute on, 9 minutes off, and repeating the cycle

- Manual: You can force-check your heart rate at any time by tapping the Me Tile

[unfamiliar]

I've heard very good things about the Mio Link. It is already pretty small and I'm sure the technology could be miniaturised if subjected to Apple-size budgets. I think the battery life is bad though, only suitable for exercising not for continuous use, but again that could be because the technology isn't optimised to its full potential.

[therobot24]

How bulky is the MS band? I looked at getting one, but i can't tell from the pictures how comfortable it is (nor could find one in a store to try on).

[Spearchucker]

Looks bulky when you look directly at the display (the strap is a lot wider than the wrist looking straight down at it), but surprisingly unbulky when seen from any other angle. I have a small, and imagine mediums and large look even less bulky.

Apparently Microsoft is going to deliver a lot of stock to (I think) BestBuy soon, so availability should improve. I'm in the UK, and you don't want to know what I had to do to get my hands on one...