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Discover How Good the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch is

Casio G-Shock Solar

Many of us invest in a new watch and find that it needs new batteries or charging time long before we are ready to take it off. If you are looking for a solution to this problem, then the Casio G-Shock Unisex Solar watch may be the perfect solution – check out our guide to find out more.

Casio Men's AWGM100B-1ACR 'G-Shock' Solar Watch
Casio Men's AWGM100B-1ACR "G-Shock" Solar Watch
  • Solar Rechargeable Battery
  • Full Auto LED Light with Afterglow
  • Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping (US, UK, Germany, Japan, China)
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What Type Of Watch Is a Casio G-Shock Solar?

As well as being a solar watch, the Casio G-Shock Solar is also a great sport and fitness watch that will provide accurate data and a range of features that will enhance your life. It uses the traditional Casio style and is not only great to look at but will provide dependable support in your everyday life.

How Well Is the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch Designed?

The most noticeable thing about the Casio G-Shock Solar is the fact that it is huge! It also weighs quite a lot at 100g and is very noticeable when you first wear it. Despite its size, it is still very comfy on the wrist and has a comfy strap that feels great and doesn’t rub or itch.

Casio G-Shock

The screen is very typical of the Casio brand, and it comes with an LCD screen in black and white that produces a clear and easy to read display. The watch’s casing comes with five different buttons that you can use to navigate the watch, but this can be confusing and has not been built to be intuitive.

The watch offers seven different screen modes, which left us feeling like the design could have been streamlined better so that we weren’t left trying to work out what went where continually. This confusion is only added to when you find out it has six different clock faces to choose from too!

How Good Is the Battery Life On the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch?

If you want a watch that will provide you with outstanding battery life and a solar boost backup, then the Casio G-Shock Solar is a perfect choice! Casio state that one charge will keep your watch charged for a full year if you only use it in timekeeping mode! If you want to make the most of the in-built features, you will be more likely to get around three days of use if you don’t take it out in sunlight. However, the solar boost charging is great and will easily help your watch last significantly longer without any trouble.

What Fitness Features Does the Casio G-Shock Solar Watch Offer?

If you are serious about getting fit, then the Casio G-Shock Solar is a great way to achieve this goal with its range of running metrics and a whole host of great features that will help you accurately track your progress.

There is an in-built GPS to track where you have been and the terrain you have covered with it. We found the GPS to be pretty reliable when we tested it, but on occasions, we did notice that it logged distances on the conservative side, making us work that bit harder to log the miles we were trying to achieve.

The watch does much more than just telling the time and tracking your runs – it comes with a thermometer, a pressure sensor, compass, and an accelerometer that all provide accurate results in all situations.

It also has a heart rate monitor that will help you understand how well you are performing each time you go out and how that improves over time. It is built for outdoor living and will withstand all weather types and any bumps or falls that you may have to contend with when you are out and about.

Furthermore, we have to share the final feature; the watch is waterproof for up to 200 meters! This is excellent news because you don’t want to fuss with removing it when you are taking a dip but be warned that it does not track your swimming efforts because it is built to track running.

How Good Is the Casio Companion App?

The G-Shock’s companion app is called G-Shock Move app and is compatible with Android and iOS phones and tablets. The app is packed with features that help you to improve your overall fitness, mainly through running. It also gives you the ability to make your training plans to follow and then provides you with the data on how well you have achieved each time you complete a workout.

You can use the data insights to find out how your heart performs throughout the day and how quickly you can recover after exercise, giving you the information you need to improve your performance with ease.

From an ease of use perspective, you can also use the companion app to adjust your watch settings and program the goals you want to track. There are alarms that can be set from the app, and you can check that the software is up to date and functioning fully so that you have peace of mind whenever you need it. The app itself is easy to navigate and enhances the use of your new watch, allowing you to make the most of your new purchase.

Should I Buy a Casio G-Shock Solar Watch?

With a significant number of features and a great solar boosting battery, you are sure to enjoy this watch if you are looking for something rugged and tough. However, if you were hoping for a daintier version or wanted to export all your data, you may want to choose a different model instead. All in all, we love the robust design, the classic look that the Casio G-Shock Solar offers, and the great features that you can look forward to enjoying.


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Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Fitness & Sports Watches, Reviews Tagged With: Casio, casio g-shock, casio reviews, casio smartwatch, running watches, sports watch reviews, sports watches

The Best Waterproof Watches for 2021

waterproof watches

Having a waterproof watch is great for practicality, not having to think about removing your watch when it rains or taking a shower is definitely an advantage. We’ve compiled our best waterproof watches for 2021 below, however not all waterproof watches are the best at tracking swimming activities. If you are looking specifically for swimming watches, please check out our article here.

What do ATM ratings mean?

Most smartwatches, waterproof or not, now come with an ATM rating but do you know what this means? 

Water Resistance

Your watch can withstand splashes and rain but is not suitable for swimming, showering or prolonged time in the water.

3 ATM

Your watch can withstand the same as above, but you can also keep it on during a shower.

5 ATM

Again, your watch can withstand all of the above and a time in the swimming pool; however, it is not suitable for water sports or diving.

10 ATM

These watches are suitable for all of the above as well as snorkelling but not diving.

20 ATM and above

At this level, watches are suitable for all aspects of water sports, including high-impact sports and diving.

Waterproof watches

The Waterproof Watches

Garmin Swim 2 – 5ATM

Apparent from the name, the Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically for swimming and open water use and is a great choice if this is what you require from your smartwatch.

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart Rate, Records Distance, Pace,...
Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart Rate, Records Distance, Pace,...
  • GPS swimming smartwatch for the pool and open water
  • Monitors underwater estimated wrist-based heart rate during swim activities
  • Pool swim mode: records distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type and SWOLF (gauges swimming...
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Design

One of the best waterproof watches, the design is very much in line with other Garmin products; however, at a smaller 42mm, it is ideal as a unisex watch, and at just 36g it is light on the wrist, ideal for when you are in the pool. The display is transflective MIP (memory in pixel) makes it clear to read the screen underwater whilst not using additional battery life. Although this isn’t a touchscreen watch, it is easy to navigate, and the silicone strap is well secured with two loops, so you don’t have to worry about the watch coming loose as you swim.

Features

As a swimming watch, it has all the features you would expect, such as GPS for open-water swimming and the ability to track pace, stroke count, and SWOLF, ideal for pool swimming. Furthermore, it will let you know when you need to slow down or speed up with Critical Swim mode. Garmin has also added an excellent heart rate tracker monitored from the wrist rather than needing a chest strap. You can monitor your heart rate as your swim and rest, and further analysis is available on the Garmin Connect App. The Garmin Swim 2 does not have a great range of other smartwatch features as it is predominantly a swim watch; however, it does offer smartphone notifications, calendar, weather and sleep tracking. Unfortunately, the bigger features such as Garmin Pay and music are missing from the Swim 2.

Battery Life

The Garmin Swim 2 claims to give 7 days between charges when in smartwatch mode, 72 hours in pool mode and 13 hours in GPS mode.

Pros

  • Excellent for serious swimmers
  • Accurate heart rate tracking
  • Lightweight and secure on the wrist
  • Advanced swimming features

Cons

  • Limited smartwatch features
  • Battery life is not as long as the Garmin Swim 1

Garmin Vivoactive 4 – 5 ATM

Garmin is great at producing waterproof watches. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is the follow up to the Vivoactive 3 and whilst not a swimming watch specifically it does offer great features and at 5 ATM is suitable for pool swimming. It is a great watch for runners, hikers, swimmers and generally anyone who loves to be outdoors, and all at a great price.

Garmin vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox...
Garmin vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox...
  • Keeps track of your energy levels, Pulse Ox (this is not a medical device and is not intended for...
  • Easily download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon music or Deezer (may...
  • Record all the ways to move with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga,...
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Design

Apart from size, there has been very little change to the design and display since the Vivoactive 3. The Vivoactive 4 now comes in 45mm with a 1.3-inch display and 40mm with a 1.1-inch display. The two sizes make the watch ideal for all wrist sizes. The display is always-on, sunlight-readable, and housed under Corning Gorilla Glass.

Features

Packed full of features, it is hard to know where to start. This is a multisports watch and offers more than 20 preloaded sports including walking, running, golf, cycling, swimming, and using the Garmin Connect app, you can also design and download your own custom workouts. Furthermore, you can access the Garmin Coach and animated on-screen workouts such as Yoga and Strength training. With more and more emphasis on tracking our own health, the Vivoactive 4 offers several features such as stress, hydration and respiration tracking, and menstrual tracking for female users. There are also all the standard smartphone features you would expect including notifications, music and Garmin Pay,

Battery Life

Garmin claims up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode.

Pros

  • Feature-packed
  • Good battery life in smartwatch mode
  • Sleep tracking
  • Accurate health and fitness tracking

Cons

  • Only Android users can respond to notifications
  • Limited third-party app support

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 – 5 ATM

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a great all-around smartwatch, particularly for Andriod users, and whilst not a specific swimming watch, is still suitable for use in the pool.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2  (44mm, GPS, Bluetooth) Smart Watch with Advanced Health monitoring, Fitness...
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2  (44mm, GPS, Bluetooth) Smart Watch with Advanced Health monitoring, Fitness...
  • Better insights to reach your fitness goals get more out of every mile thanks to built-in pace...
  • Comfortably sleek the Galaxy Watch Active2 is light enough to wear anywhere comfortably; It comes in...
  • Keep your beat; You can see if your heart rate is where you want it with Galaxy Watch Active2; Get...
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Design

The watch is available in stainless steel or aluminium and in two sizes. The 40mm weighs 37g in stainless steel or 26g in aluminium with a 1.2-inch display and the 44mm weighs 42g in stainless steel or 30g in aluminium with a 1.4-inch display. All designs are circular super AMOLED and feature full-colour always-on display. There are also various colours and watch faces to choose to truly make your watch your own.

Features

The Samsung Galaxy Active Watch 2 offers some great fitness features. It can track seven different activities including walking, running, cycling, swimming and rowing and the running coach gives you performance improving advice in real-time. Health features include stress tracking and guided breathing exercises for those times you need some peace of mind, and the heart rate tracking will send you an alert if your heart rate goes above or below normal levels. The watch will also track your sleep, hydration, caffeine intake and menstrual cycle. Whilst you can receive notifications, you cannot respond to calls, messages, or emails with the Galaxy Active 2.

Battery Life

With any watch, the battery life depends on usage; however, you can expect around 2 days of battery life with typical use. Furthermore, the watch charges wirelessly so no need for charging jacks or wires.

pros

  • Slim, lightweight design
  • Automatic workout tracking
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Poor contactless payment support
  • Limited use with iPhone
  • Limited third-party app support

Fitbit Ionic – 5 ATM

Fitbit are another great brand for creating waterproof watches. Although there are newer models available, the Fitbit Ionic is still a great watch for 2021 and because it is not the latest model it is suitable for most budgets.

Fitbit Ionic GPS Smart Watch, Charcoal/Smoke Gray, One Size (S and L Bands Included)
Fitbit Ionic GPS Smart Watch, Charcoal/Smoke Gray, One Size (S and L Bands Included)
  • Start dynamic, personalized workouts on your wrist with step by step coaching. Synchronizing range:...
  • Store and play 300 plus songs, and download playlists from Pandora. If the band sizes are small, it...
  • Use built in GPs to track pace, distance & routes and get pure, pulse continuous heart rate tracking...
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Design

With an aluminium build, the Fitbit Ionic is extremely light compared to most other smartwatches, so it is great for all-day wear, which is needed to get the most accurate readings. It comes in three different colours and has a unique square design, for those that prefer a softer look or round watch may want to consider a different model. Furthermore, the full-colour touch screen is protected by Gorilla Glass.

Features

The Fitbit Ionic is suitable for tracking running, cycling, swimming and more and comes with built-in workouts that you can follow on the watch. With built-in GPS and an accurate heart rate tracker, this is a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts. The watch does lack a little in smart features. Fitbit Pay still works very well, and you can receive notifications; however, once you have received them, you can’t do very much, and longer messages or emails can not be read.

Battery Life

Fitbit claims to have up to 5 days of battery life but, as always, this depends on usage.

Pros

  • Good fitness features
  • Battery life
  • Fitbit Pay

Cons

  • Limited smart features
  • The design is not for everyone
  • Limited Apps

If you have enjoyed our article about waterproof watches then have a look at our article about great swimming apps to go with your watch


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Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Fitness & Sports Watches, Reviews Tagged With: Fitbit, fitness trackers, Garmin, Samsung, smartwatches, sports watches, waterproof watches

How to discover which Garmin is right for you in 2021

Garmin 2020 Models

Knowing which Garmin is right for you won’t be a difficult task with our comparison. There’s something for every user and budget. If you’re an athlete or a more casual smartwatch user with fitness interests, there’s a Garmin that will suit you. 

Newbies will want to opt for the Forerunner 30, whereas the more serious athletes should look to the Garmin Fenix 6.

Note, this list isn’t definitive as there are many fantastic Garmin wearables you could consider. So, treat this as an overview of the spectrum that’s on offer.

Ultimately, none of the watches we recommend here will let you down, but we recommend you go on to read the full reviews of the ones you like the sound of here.

Here’s a quick overview of the models we’ve reviewed here

Garmin fenix 6, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, Heat and Altitude Adjusted V02 Max, Pulse Ox Sensors and...
Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch, Black - International Version - US warranty
Garmin 010-02063-00 Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black
Forerunner 45 GPS Watch - Black

Garmin Fenix 6

The Garmin Fenix 6 is a fantastic outdoor tracking device. In fact, some hail it as the king of multisport wearables. But, if you like this device and worry about the battery life, you can check out the Fenix 6 Pro Solar, which is truly the very top of the line.

The Fenix 6 knows how to track most outdoor activities with GPS and a heart rate monitor. The cool thing is, it works even underwater (offering a 10ATM rating).

GPS catches on quickly and remains reliable and accurate. More, the battery won’t die on you too quickly in GPS mode, offering up to 36 hours. Altogether, this watch is a robust and reliable offering for outdoor enthusiasts.

However, the price tag may unsteady you and if you’re not there, maybe check out the predecessor, the Fenix 5 Plus. If the cost is still a factor, don’t worry, keep reading. 

See how the Garmin Fenix 6 stacks up against the Suunto 9, here.

Garmin Forerunner 35

Jumping way down the price range here with the Forerunner 35. This is a more budget range watch with some decent functionality.

Notably, the biggest differentiator between the 35 and others was the introduction of a heart rate monitor. Because with a lot of Garmin models, you’ll want to check if you need to purchase an additional HRM strap.

The Forerunner 35 is lightweight and sleek. Specifically designed for those who go on a daily walk or run. More, it offers GPS which will keep an eye on your distance, intervals and pace. As it has the Garmin Elevate wrist hrm, there’s no need to bring your phone with you.

Garmin Forerunner 945

The Forerunner 945 is considered to be the best for runners. Granted it doesn’t have as many features as the Fenix 6, but that’s more of a multisport watch. So, if you’re into marathons, consider this one.

The hrm and GPS are incredibly accurate. Plus, the colour maps and two weeks battery life (when GPS mode is switched off) is highly-praised by runners.

While this is a watch for runners, it can track more than just the one sport. In fact, it offers 30 built-in activities.

However, if you’re a casual runner or gym-goer, keep reading as this may not be the Garmin for you. Mostly, this will suit those who want to keep a close eye on their data. Read our Garmin Fenix 6 versus Forerunner 945 article, here.

Garmin Forerunner 45

Next is the Forerunner 45, the successor of the Forerunner 35, released just shy of 2 years ago. As such, there are a few nice wellness additions which make the 45 stand out.

Whilst you get everything you would expect; a hrm, sleep tracking and smart features, you also get the new Body Battery feature.

Now, this is a metric from Garmin that we saw initially on the Vivofit 4. Specifically, it monitors your heart rate variability, stress and general activity to calculate an overall energy level, so you know the optimum time to train, so you don’t overdo it.

Overall, the 45 is a capable and inexpensive watch.

Garmin vivoactive 4S, Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts,...
Garmin Instinct Solar, Solar-Powered Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring,...
Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch with Contactless Payments and Built-In Sports Apps, Black...
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, Gps Running Watch With Contactless Payments, Wrist-Based Heart Rate And Music,...

Garmin Vivoactive 4S

Speaking of the Vivoactive, here’s the 4S. This has a much more modern design which is no larger than a typical smartwatch. Something unheard of when it comes to Garmin, traditionally known for their bulky wearables.

The Vivoactive 4S is only 40mm by 12.7mm and is a slimmer version of the 4.

More, it offers superb fitness tracking and built-in GPS that takes only a couple of seconds to find your location. Meaning you get an accurate record of your run or ride.

Finally, a nice touch is the sleep, and Sp02 tracking sensors which will keep an eye on you whilst you snooze at night.

Read more about the best Garmin watches for ladies, here.

Garmin Instinct Solar

The Instinct Solar grabs energy from the sun and has a potentially indefinite battery life thanks to the Power Glass screen. Even in GPS mode, good sunlight can ensure you can use this watch for days rather than hours.

Additionally, the Instinct range’s cool feature is the dual display that will show you information in a small window. If you’re using a Garmin, it’ll be because you’re interested in data and this feature is excellent for showing you exactly what you want at a glance.

However, that said, it is a bulky watch – not a surprise to many. So really this is a watch for outdoor enthusiasts more than wearing in the office, but that really is up to you. Luckily, the design means it’s incredibly robust and resistant to knocks from climbing and kayaking activities.

Read our Garmin Instinct Solar comparison, here.

Garmin Vivoactive 3

Next, the Vivoactive 3 is another data-oriented watch with excellent GPS and hrm, another great option for runners or those interested in their general activity levels.

The 3rd generation sees the addition of Garmin Pay and third-party apps like Accuweather and Uber. More, you can pick a watch face that suits you from the Connect IQ app.

Also, you get 15 sport mode options and 5ATM water-resistance. Meaning this is a great multisport option if you do a lot of different sports. It’ll give you a good 13 hours battery life which is more than enough to track your training sessions. 

Finally, with a stainless steel bezel, it’s also a better-looking option compared to the Forerunners.

Read our full review, here.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music

Finally, on the list, the Forerunner 645 Music is possibly the best value for money. Whilst it isn’t the only Garmin watch you can use for playing music, it’s the most convenient. As you can store around 500 songs on an offline playlist, so there’s no need to cart your phone around.

Again, a stainless steel bezel really makes the design of this model pop in comparison to clothes. With a decent multisport offering, you can wear it all the time, anywhere you like except if you’re into open water swimming or triathlons, which it doesn’t track.

All in all, this is a good-looking piece which would suit people who walk or cycle to work every day. Listen to music as you go, track your activity and no need to change your watch to suit your attire.

Have you found your perfect Garmin watch? Let us know in the comments.


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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Comparisons, Fitness & Sports Watches, Reviews Tagged With: comparison, Garmin, garmin comparison, Garmin reviews

Is the Amazfit GTS 2 a promising upgrade?

Amazfit GTS 2

When Huami announced the Amazfit GTS 2, we were left feeling curious about what may be different from the original GTS. Not only was the GTS great value for money, but it also offered some great features that helped with improving fitness and health. However, some areas needed some improvements, including the design and the tech. Check out our review of the GTS 2 to find out what is new!

What’s New With the Amazfit GTS 2 Design?

We all loved the Amazfit GTS for its unashamed copying of an Apple Watch. The square face, the sleek look, and the range of straps hooked consumers who wanted a piece of the Apple action without paying for it. The GTS 2 takes this inspiration and offers an even more stylish version.

With a 1.65-inch, always-on AMOLED display, you will be able to check your device no matter what lighting you are in. The case is 1mm smaller than the GTS and comes in 42mm with either a black or grey casing colour choice. The strap is made from silicone as is very comfy on your wrist – plus, you can opt to change it for a different colour choice or buy yourself a third-party strap that will help you to create a unique look for your wrist. 

Amazfit GTS 2 Smartwatch with 1.65' AMOLED Display, Built-in GPS, 3GB Music Storage, 7-Day Battery Life,...
Amazfit GTS 2 Smartwatch with 1.65" AMOLED Display, Built-in GPS, 3GB Music Storage, 7-Day Battery Life,...
  • 3D CURVED DESIGN & HD AMOLED SCREEN: The Amazfit GTS 2 is a curved 1.65" hd amoled screen, covered...
  • LONG 7-DAY BATTERY LIFE & GPS BUILT-IN: The GTS 2 is equipped with a powerful 246mah battery that...
  • 3GB MUSIC STORAGE: Control mobile music playback via bluetooth, and transfer your favorite songs to...
Check Amazon Price

How Good Is the Activity Tracking On the Amazfit GTS 2?

Huami has worked hard to improve fitness tracking on the GTS 2, and it does not disappoint in terms of features! There is a SpO2 sensor, over ten different sports modes, and 24/7 tracking so that you do not miss a thing from your day. The watch will also track your step count and heart rate, and it offers sleep tracking so that you can monitor all aspects of your health and wellbeing with ease.

In GPS mode, you can track your fitness journey, but we have to point out that there are issues with this feature’s accuracy and suggest that it is a good guide to what you have achieved, but it does often underreport your efforts. However, the feedback information is an asset, and you can look forward to learning more about your average pace and heart rate as you exercise and the distance you have covered.

What Is the Battery Life Like On the Amazfit GTS 2?

The simple answer is that you can expect your Amazfit GTS 2 to last for up to a week as long as you do not have GPS enabled at all times. There is also a basic mode that stretches the battery to around twenty-five days and a GPS mode that reduces it to just twenty-five hours. No matter which model you opt for, you can be confident that the battery will provide you with the coverage you need.

The battery in question is a 246mAh, which is an upgrade from the original GTS. It takes around two hours to charge from being flat to full, and you attach it to the power port with a magnetic cable. We found that you can tweak many features to help prolong battery life, such as brightness, heart-rate monitoring, music playback, and more. 

What Smartwatch Features Does the Amazfit GTS 2 Offer?

The GTS 2 is compatible with iPhone and Android, meaning that you can get your notifications direct to your wrist no matter what phone you own. You can pick the number of notifications you receive and include things such as alarms, reminders, and forecasts, as well as calls and messages.

When it comes to audio, you can take calls via your watch as long as it is close enough to your phone to link via Bluetooth, plus you can hook up your wireless headphones to keep each call private. There is also a built-in music player, and you can even access Alexa through the watch, both features that were not available on the earlier model.

What’s Great About the Amazfit GTS 2?

We love lots of things about the GTS 2, but top of our list is the fact that it looks so similar to an Apple Watch that we can enjoy Apple styling at a much lower price! It also comes with a built-in music player that gives you access to your favourite tunes wherever you go! It’s also worth mentioning that while you may not want this watch if you are a fitness fanatic, it does offer a wide range of fitness tracking features that will keep you motivated all day long.

Amazfit GTS 2 Smartwatch with Alexa Built-in, 1.65' AMOLED Display, Built-in GPS, 3GB Music Storage, 7-Day...
Amazfit GTS 2 Smartwatch with Alexa Built-in, 1.65" AMOLED Display, Built-in GPS, 3GB Music Storage, 7-Day...
  • "3d curved design & hd amoled screen: the amazfit gts 2 is a curved 1.65" hd amoled screen, covered...
  • long 7-day battery life & gps built-in: the gts 2 is equipped with a powerful 246mah battery that...
  • 3gb music storage: control mobile music playback via bluetooth, and transfer your favorite songs to...
Check Amazon Price

What’s Not So Great About the Amazfit GTS 2?

While the Amazfit offers some great features, there are some areas that we would like to see improved upon in the next model. First, the battery life may be good, but we would love to see it offering weeks of charge instead of just one week. Secondly, the tracking is not as accurate as we would like, meaning that it may not be suitable for the more serious athletes. Finally, it is not yet functional enough to beat Fitbit or Apple’s likes, so if you are looking for a health companion, then maybe avoid the GTS 2 for now.

Should I Buy An Amazfit GTS 2?

When you look at the Amazfit GTS 2 in detail, you will see that it has many great features to offer and boasts a price tag that will not send you bust! It is important to remember that even though it may resemble an Apple Watch, it really is not one. It offers an attractive design that will monitor your efforts and provide you with the feedback you need to improve your basic fitness. All in all, we think it is a decent smartwatch that offers a clear improvement on the original GTS model.


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Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Reviews Tagged With: Amazfit, Amazfit GTS 2, fitness tracker reviews, huami, smartwatch reviews, smartwatches

Coros Apex Pro – Why this is a great watch for adventure lovers

Coros Apex Pro

Coros is underestimated when it comes to making great watches. Better known for their offerings aimed at distance and trail runners, mountain climbers and hikers of the US, over in Europe it’s a different story.

The Coros Apex Pro succeeds the Apex and sits at the top end of the premium sports watch market.

At a glance

If you’re used to Garmin, Suunto or Matrix, the Apex Pro is going to look more like a fashion watch. Being slimline and lightweight is a strange thing considering how much technology it’s packing inside. And once you’ve got it on, you’ll notice the silicone strap is soft, too. It has a heart rate monitor and oximeter in the belly, but you barely notice it on your skin where they’ve spared the weight in the use of titanium alloys, giving you a device weighing only 59g.

Overall, the feel is still one of high-quality, despite the weight. You get sapphire glass with an anodised body, and together you know this watch will last for years. Now, some might not be a fan of the bright green 22mm strap, but it also comes in black. Or, because the strap is interchangeable, you can put whatever you want on it.

Although the Apex Pro is aimed at triathletes and serious runners, it still comes with many sports functions (21 modes, to be exact). It’s best used with the Coros app, which is updated regularly. So your watch will improve with age, offering more functionality as the updates come in.

COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...
COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...
  • Titanium bezel with high-grade fiber watch body with touch screen enabled Sapphire glass
  • Stunning battery life with 30 days of regular use, 40 hours in full GPS mode and 100 hours in...
  • 24/7 blood oxygen monitoring with altitude acclimatization assistance, wrist-based SpO2 sensor,...
Check Amazon Price

Fitness tracking

There is both real-time and post-training data for you to analyse including:

  • Barometric pressure
  • Altitude profile and levels
  • Distance covered
  • Heart rate
  • Calories burned
  • Stairs climbed
  • Steps

What’s more, you can configure your Apex Pro watch face to show the information you want.

Navigation

Here is where a lot of brands will let you down. Because they’ll give you all the data, you could want, but make menu navigation so difficult you can’t get to it through all the options. However, the Apex Pro doesn’t do this. Used in conjunction with the Apex app, you can see your data in a clear graphical depiction, including demonstrating what muscles you’ve worked. 

Firstly, you navigate your watch through a three-button format. Secondly, you use your crown to scroll, adopting a push motion to lead you smoothly to the sub-menu you’ve selected. Thirdly, the top button wakes the backlight so you can have the watch in night mode, which is not a drain on the battery, either. Finally, the button at the bottom will lead you back up the menu you were using.

Screen

The LED screen is very clear. But, when you set the watch up, be mindful of what watch face you choose. Because colours and styles are abundant, you could easily overload the data you want to be presented and end up not being able to see any of it. So the advice is that less is more.

To add, the screen itself is a touchscreen. And it’s nice to have this and the buttons depending on the activity you’re doing and how easy it is to scroll or click. When it comes to any device with a crown bezel, it’s really common to knock it during an activity, thus waking it, and going through all sorts of menus when you didn’t mean to. As a result, the Apex Pro has an automatic lock that prevents this from happening; press down on the crown.

COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...
COROS APEX Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, 40h Full GPS Battery, 24/7 Blood Oxygen...
  • Titanium bezel with high-grade fiber watch body with touch screen enabled Sapphire glass
  • Stunning battery life with 30 days of regular use, 40 hours in full GPS mode and 100 hours in...
  • 24/7 blood oxygen monitoring with altitude acclimatization assistance, wrist-based SpO2 sensor,...
Check Amazon Price

Battery life

The Apex Pro is a beast of a watch with 40 hours of use when you’re using every feature it has to offer. Including GPS mapping and all sensors firing. Which, when you remember it’s not a heavy watch, is an impressive feature given the capacity onboard.

If you don’t rely on the bells and whistles and turn them off, you can get up to 30 days between charges. Again, not something to be sniffed at. Moreover, it only takes around 2.5 hours to charge fully, so you don’t have to leave it overnight if you don’t want to. 

If you want to preserve battery life, you can turn off specific features. What’s more, when in Running Mode you can use UltraMax GPS Mode. This ensures all sensors and algorithms used for accuracy are off and instead utilise the gyro, compass and barometer for an educated guess. Doing this will cost you the finite GPS details, but you’ll get a longer battery life out of it when you need it.

Heart Rate Monitor

No heart rate monitor on a fitness tracker is ever without some inaccuracies. But, the Apex Pro holds its own and when compared to other devices, will give you very similar readings. So the device is useful if you’re into knowing your heart rate zones rather than accurate reading of bpm or your resting heart rate.

As with the likes of Fitbit, you get a visual representation of your heart rate zones in a traffic light format.

Oximeter

Any watch catering to mountaineering and climbing should offer you a decent oximeter so you can monitor your SpO2 because this is vital in assessing your altitude acclimation. So when you enable this gesture on the Apex Pro, it’ll register your elevation above 2500 meters along with your SpO2. Then it compares this to your real-time heart rate to present you with the zones, so you know what’s safe.

Silhouette of man mountaining

GPS

GPS used to be sketchy at best when first introduced into sports watches. Now, Coros has an accurate and reliable offering, so long as you can get signal. Specifically, it might take a moment to get a signal. However, if it drops out, it’s quick to pick it back up again, alerting you with a gentle vibration. 

Note: You do have to tell the Apex Pro when you’re starting some exercises as it won’t necessarily automatically register it. Don’t forget to hit ‘Go Now’.

Navigation

You’re able to preload your chosen route to the Apex Pro, using your app, which works with a good level of accuracy.

Overall

The Apex Pro is a nice alternative to bulky sports watches. It’s lightweight and slim but made of durable materials. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the battery running out.

The real-time information is a great feature for those who love detail, easily accessible thanks to the crown bezel.

You can also set the watch to tell you when to have a drink or snack. Something people often forget about.

The app isn’t overly complicated and offers some cool features like a heatmap of the muscles you’ve used.

Alternatives to consider:

  • Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar
  • Huawei Watch GT2
  • Suunto 7

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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Fitness & Sports Watches, Reviews Tagged With: Coros Apex, Coros Apex Pro, sports watch reviews, sports watches

Is the latest Garmin Forerunner 745 the impressive sports watch it aims to be?

Garmin Forerunner 745

Introduction

The Garmin Forerunner 745 succeeds the Garmin 735XT and is the watch for serious athletes lacking the budget for a Garmin Forerunner 945.  

Garmin’s aim with the Forerunner 745 was to pack in all the sports features it could get into a smaller case than on the 735XT. Granted, it has more sensors such as a  pulse oximeter and offers smart features such as onboard storage for music and contactless payments.

Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
  • swim, bike, run — do it all with a smartwatch that uses multiple satellite systems to accurately...
  • switch up your workout routine whenever you like with preloaded activity profiles for running,...
  • receive on-device run and cycling daily workout suggestions based on your current training load and...
Check Amazon Price

As with its sibling devices, you get a device that’s accurate for those into running, swimming, cycling and some indoor activities such as rowing. What you now get with the Forerunner 745 is an abundance of metrics before and after your session. Plus, support for additional apps (found in the Connect IQ store) and sensors. With the addition of payments and music, it raises itself as a better smartwatch than others in the range. More, it pairs with any Android or iPhone. 

All in all, the Forerunner 745 is a competent watch. Unfortunately, it could do with better battery life for the price, or, vice versa, it could be cheaper to compensate.

Released in September of 2020 and priced at $587.57 it’s around twice the price of the 735XT.

Design

It comes with a 22mm silicon interchangeable wristband and a waterproof rating of 5ATM, meaning you can shower or swim in it.

For those that want colour options, you get whitestone, magma red, black and neo tropic. 

As you’ve come to love about Garmin, it has five physical buttons, a 1.2-inch display of 240 x 240 pixels, meaning it’s the same dimensions as the Forerunner 245, but not the Venu.

Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
  • Swim, bike, run — do it all with a smartwatch that uses multiple satellite systems to accurately...
  • Switch up your workout routine whenever you like with preloaded activity profiles for running,...
  • Receive on-device run and cycling daily workout suggestions based on your current training load and...
Check Amazon Price

Ultimately, you won’t see any drastic changes to the traditional Garmin design. And why should they when the previous versions work so well?

Sensors and Metrics

Man using a heart rate strap with his Garmin

Firstly, you get GPS, GLONASS and Galileo to reliably track your outdoor adventures. More, you can upload a route before you head off, using Garmin’s native route finder, Koomoot or Strava. Also, you can use TracBack, a navigation feature to direct yourself home.

Secondly, the Garmin Elevate heart rate monitor is present. And on the back is ANT + and Bluetooth connectivity. These help you to pair other devices like the Varia or Garmin’s HRM straps. Even more still, there’s the addition on the SpO2 sensor, which is becoming standard on Garmin watches. 

As for sports, you can track runs using the new running mode. Plus, indoor and outdoor cycling, open and pool swimming and triathlons. There are more, too. Skiing, yoga and hiking, to name some.

The additional sensors proving better and more accurate data make the Forerunner 745 feel like the upgrade from the 735XT. For example, you’ll see Load, Load Focus, Training Status; meaning you’ll know if you’ve got the balance right during your session. It’s not done yet, though. Also, you get altitude and heat acclimation data which tells you how well your body is adjusting to those demands from the terrain and other conditions. After a heavy session, it’ll calculate how long to rest to sufficiently recover. Once you have, it’ll let you know.

Suggested Workouts

Another important addition to the software is Suggested Workouts. Predominantly for cyclists and runners and serves up workouts that suit your training. 

This works by scrolling through from the watch face to your widgets. Your suggestions will be informed by what is beneficial to your training. Furthermore, you can opt for the workout during a session, and you’ll be told if you’ve hit or fallen short of your goal pace or distance.

Smart Features

On the whole, the smartwatch experience is decent. You get notifications for Android and iPhone, but it works better for the former. 

Garmin Pay is present.

The app store still isn’t groundbreaking, but there’s the dedicated Garmin Connect IQ app, where your data lives. Also, you can do things like changing your watch face and select widgets from here.

Similar to the Apple Watch, the Forerunner 745 has a new safety feature, like fall detection. But, you need to have your phone closeby for it to work. 

Check out our comparison of Apple Watches to see if you think the SOS and fall detection feature is what you need.

Battery life

In terms of the battery life, the Forerunner 745 will give you a week in smartwatch mode compared to only 6 hours in GPS mode if you’re listening to music. However, without music, you can get 16 hours with GPS on. This is not much different from any other of the Forerunner series.

Compare it to the Fenix 6, though, and you’re going to miss out on the power management mode. Considering you can get better battery life for less, it’s certainly something Garmin will want to address.

Should I buy a Garmin Forerunner 745?

If you want in-depth training data including recovery advice, then the Forerunner 745 is for you. Also, if you have a 735XT and want an upgrade, go for it, you won’t regret it; the improvements are worthwhile. Garmin is known for accurate data so runners, swimmers and cyclists can rely on accurate data.

However, if you’re looking for something with long battery life, you can definitely find a watch with better stamina for less money. So, if you can afford it, the Forerunner 945 will suit you better.

Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
Garmin Forerunner 745, GPS Running Watch, Detailed Training Stats and On-Device Workouts, Essential Smartwatch...
  • Swim, bike, run — do it all with a smartwatch that uses multiple satellite systems to accurately...
  • Switch up your workout routine whenever you like with preloaded activity profiles for running,...
  • Receive on-device run and cycling daily workout suggestions based on your current training load and...
Check Amazon Price

If you enjoy our content, follow us on social media for our latest post updates

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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Fitness & Sports Watches, Reviews Tagged With: Garmin, garmin forerunner review, Garmin Review, sports watch reviews, sports watches, watches for athletes

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