Smart watch

JonH

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Jan 21, 2017
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JonH
I've never had one. I use Foreflight but only as a backup to a G1000 with XM weather. I don't bother mounting the iPad anymore, it stays in the back with my flight bag. I have the iPad mini 4 and iPhone 6S. Apple watch doesn't seem worth the cost.

Anyone find a less cost alternative with any aviation related bonus features?
 
My watch tells time. As long as it does that well that is sufficiently aviation related for me.

My phone apparently does lots of stuff, but I need it primarily to make phone calls. Reliably.
I realize that makes me an anachronism these days, and clearly the wrong guy to ask advice on such things. ;)
 
I've asked a few people I've seen wearing them their opinion. It's pretty much unanimous so far that they love them.
I believe that is due to the fact they are busy people that depend on communication for productiveness.
Our CFO at work was one.
The funeral director (and other staff) said they like them since they can communicate and work in certain situations more discreetly as opposed to whipping out a cellphone to check a message.
Even my DPE was able to quickly deflect a couple of phone calls during the oral portion of my PPL checkride.
I like that you can feel the vibration on your wrist without anyone else being bothered...as opposed to having cell phones buzzing across conference room tables. I've seen a meeting or two where several members get the same mass email and it's almost like the old magnetic football player games lol.
 
Karen and I are starting to consider Apple Watches.

The main impetus is health and fitness.

The watch constantly monitors heart rate and can warn of irregularities. A new $200 band can also take an EKG which can be sent to your doctor. It would also be a handy GPS tracker and music/podcasts on bike rides without needing to schlep along the phone. All other times I want my phone with me, mainly for the camera.

If we end up getting them, will report.
 
I guess I'm stopping at Walmart today. They offer a return if you don't like it. $350 isn't bad, some of them cost a lot more, and the ones in my price range of $100 all have mixed reviews. I'll test it out with ForeFlight using the sim on the ground. The only downside is that if I like it (for flying) I will need to build another Stratux or purchase a Stratus. Anyway I'm getting fat and I hear there are some good fitness programs, so maybe that is more than enough reason to use it ;)
 
I guess I'm stopping at Walmart today. They offer a return if you don't like it. $350 isn't bad, some of them cost a lot more, and the ones in my price range of $100 all have mixed reviews. I'll test it out with ForeFlight using the sim on the ground. The only downside is that if I like it (for flying) I will need to build another Stratux or purchase a Stratus. Anyway I'm getting fat and I hear there are some good fitness programs, so maybe that is more than enough reason to use it ;)

For now, Foreflight stopped supporting the Apple Watch. They have to rewrite the app for iOS 11 and it seems to be a fairly low priority task for them. The Watch has not been one of Apple's notable successes so far.
 
For now, Foreflight stopped supporting the Apple Watch. They have to rewrite the app for iOS 11 and it seems to be a fairly low priority task for them. The Watch has not been one of Apple's notable successes so far.
I agree and I wear a series one Apple Watch. But mainly for the notifications function and not really for anything the other apps do....

To me, the other annoyance is battery life isn't what it could be. If I don't charge it overnight, there isn't enough juice to go more than 30 hours.

Regarding FF on the Apple Watch..... DO NOT BUY the watch because you think it will be useful in flight. It isn't and that thinking is just going to transfer dollars you could be using to fly onto your wrist that doesn't count toward any coolness quotient.

When FF was on my watch, I never accessed it. Everything it would show was more accessible on other items, both panel and portable. I didn't even look at it for what time it was since the panel mounted chronometer was right there in my scan.

It does do a good job at health scanning like Fast Eddie mentioned. But the FitBit's can do that (better) for a lower price point and their batteries last for a 7 to 8 days versus one.


Hindsight, the Apple Watch has been an interesting and slightly useful wearable toy. Is it worth purchasing or upgrading to the current Series 3? No. So I'll be saving my money for my next flying binge.
 
Just as a FYI apple phone users can choose other watches.
Here is a couple links for some info, but I highly recommend doing some in-depth research. So far some are better at others for specific things from what I can gather.
If fitness is your reason, then search for the best fitness one, etc.

Man...what an age we live in. Where the biggest problem of the day is which smart watch to choose!

http://www.techradar.com/news/best-smartwatch-for-iphone-what-great-watches-work-with-your-iphone
https://www.wareable.com/apple-watch/best-apple-watch-alternatives-ios-smartwatch-950
 
I didn't notice that, wow thanks guys. I thought it would be a useful distraction (if there is such a thing) but it sounds like I'm going to hold off.
 
I didn't notice that, wow thanks guys. I thought it would be a useful distraction (if there is such a thing) but it sounds like I'm going to hold off.
And think about it this way..... NOT spending on the watch and putting that money in your piggy bank means you have saved about 30% to 35% of the next iPhone model. Which has WAAAAY more utility than the watch (and the battery lasts longer)
 
The Watch has not been one of Apple's notable successes so far.

Tizen_Q1_2017_1-800x780.jpg
 
Yeah, FastEddie. It's still safe to say that despite dominating a lukewarm smart watch market, the Watch has not been a notable success so far for Apple.
 
I’be got a smart watch that’s primarily used for activity tracking. The two best pieces of advice I got when researching is figure what works with your phone and your family/friends.

Phone integration can provide long term data collection and analysis. Being on the same ecosystem as friends/family can help with accountability partners by having groups you are connected with that can share what info you want to share. I have a monthly competition set up with my son to see who can swim the most # of Times and most total yards.

Lots of good stuff there.

The second bit of advice was to buy refurbished from the manufacturer/Representative. Generally a similar warranty at a much lower price.

Figure out what you want the thing to do for you and go from there.
 
Years ago someone was trying to sell me an "aviation" watch.

Among other things it would read temperature.

Seems like the temp was 98.6 all the time.....
 
I have an Apple watch I use it mainly for tracking my,activity/exercise. Has some other good functions ,but not sure it’s practical or worth the money.
 
I don't know what features would be useful for pairing with FF. Can't imagine it would replace a tablet or phone. But anyways I have a Garmin I bought refurbished off of amazon. I like the features, and it's easy to use. And it has a ski function built in to track vert, hope to try that soon.
 
I don't know what features would be useful for pairing with FF. Can't imagine it would replace a tablet or phone. But anyways I have a Garmin I bought refurbished off of amazon. I like the features, and it's easy to use. And it has a ski function built in to track vert, hope to try that soon.

Nice! Great way to track your flights!
 
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