So I want te find the most feature rich smartwatch that doesn’t send data to the manufacure. I have tried the Pinetime watch, but it died after 6 months.
Infinitytime (OS) was not realy that feature rish, so I want to secrufise an Open Source watch OS. But I still want to connect it with Open Source software, like gadged bridge.
What is my best option under €200? Maybe the Xioami Mi band 7 (€50) that is supported by gadgedbrigde?
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anything that’s compatible with Gadgetbridge should be okay. it keeps everything on your phone and doesn’t even request a network permission, so the device can’t phone home.
incidentally, I’ve got the Mi Band 7 (connected via Gadgetbridge] and I quite like it.
Pinetime by pine64
Casio with inbuilt calculator
Personally this has been the most feature rich/open source one I could find, and it’s what I ended up going for, there’s an opensource app store, direct integration with gadgetbridge, a decent always on display much like the amazfit bip S, which also means a long battery life.
That’s the closest thing I’ve found to my dear departed Pebble
This is pretty amazing, I was not expecting it to be such a reasonable price considering the specs. What’s the battery life like?
It can get up to 4 weeks, though my experience is closer to 4 days to a couple of weeks, I think it depends heavily on what apps you’re using, how much you’re moving about and how much stuff you’re installing
Been pretty happy with my Garmin Instinct. It has a cloud connection of course but seems pretty decent privacy wise.
I love my Garmin watches but they aren’t really known for privacy or security. They had a ransomware attack in 2020 and the Connect service was down. It’s speculated that they paid the ransom.
If you can find a Pebble, they still work perfectly and the manufacturer doesn’t even exist anymore!
Shit! You just reminded me I have a Pebble Time, sitting in a drawer. I remember it being such a good watch, then I got distracted by the Samsung watch at the time.
Might see if there’s any life in it and test it out with GadgetBridge.
Rebble was easier to get working than gadget bridge. just something to consider
Thanks for that. Came across Rebble while searching for answers to problems getting the Pebble working with GB earlier today, so definitely looks like it’s worth a go.
no problem! that’s what the internet and forums are for :D
Just following up - Rebble is fantastic! Have revived the Pebble Time - will see how the battery goes over the next week or so. Thanks again for the tip!
Hey, you go it!
FYI, you can financially support Rebble and get perks like being able to reply with voice to messages. I don’t personally do so but I know people who have had success with it.
For comparison, my Pebble with everything turned off (like health tracking, apps, steps, alarms etc) and only BT on for notifications, I get about a week still
I do! My yearly subscription actually just renewed yesterday!
I’m waiting for the next batch of Watchy’s so i can’t say if it is any good, but I have high hopes. They have a handy spec comparison chart between Watchy, Pine time, Bangle.js, and the beloved Pebble.
I have a Watchy. It’s nice if you’d want to tinker easily, but it’s very bulky and cheap in feel even compared to a pinetime.
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This is the correct answer. I used to wear a smartwatch before realizing most of the features were useless or actively annoying, and a regular watch will tell me the time just as well and doesn’t need to constantly be charged. Do you really want your wrist to buzz every time you get an e-mail? If you’re going to spend €50 on a smartwatch, spend it on a Casio instead, that’s what I did and it’s much better value for money.
Smartwatches do have features an analog watch doesn’t have. I’m pretty sure OP already knows about the existence of analog watches.
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I ride a motocycle and listen to books in my helmet, I got a pinetime (great btw) so I can control my audio and have gps. Other then gluing a phone to my gas tank (I have done, its not safe or good) there is not really an option other then a watch.
Reading my blood sugar off my CGM without taking my insulin pump out of my pocket is huge actually. I’m using a $25 pinetime for that.
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I guess you don’t know what a Continuous Glucose Monitor is. It’s a medical device that is attached to my arm with an adhesive pad that monitors my blood sugar continuously, and reports it over bluetooth to my phone. What you’re talking about is a glucometer which I also have (freestyle lite)
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throwing it away in 3 years is the best feature
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For me it’s easily paying subway fare, seeing notifications, leaving my phone home for a quick errand (but could make a call if absolutely necessary). I have a small child, so having hands free abilities is great. If I could degoogle it and run only open source linux/android, I would. But nfc payments will never work with such a thing even if the software existed.
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Controlling music without taking out your phone, health stuff like heart rate sesnor or sleep recording or whatever that’s called, being able to switch clock designs when you get bored of it
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