Best wrist based fitness tracker for Crossfit or HIIT??

[ViciousClone]

I would also recommend the Apple watch - use mine for every workout (CF) and it's pretty accurate. Obviously it struggles on movements where your wrist flexes a lot i.e HSPU, thrusters etc . But for the most part I'm very happy.

But you said Apple isn't an option - in that case I was go for a Garmin watch (within) your budget, paired with an optical HR monitor, something like a Scosche that you can wear on your forearm - supposedly they have great accuracy. Checkout DCRainmaker for his recommendation on which one.

Yeah same as OP, we don't have iPhones, so obviously won't get the most out of the watch

 

[DevonBritton]

There's no interest but if you settle early you pay their full retail price.

This is correct @djbrendan . You either pay the required monthly installment (it shows up under your online banking as an account and the debit order goes off automatically) or you pay the full retail price to close it out. You can't pay a little bit extra each month or anything like that. I've done it twice before and the prices have matched retail prices (at the time of release) spot on if you multiply the installment by 24 so there's no interest.

 

[ViciousClone]

This is correct @djbrendan . You either pay the required monthly installment (it shows up under your online banking as an account and the debit order goes off automatically) or you pay the full retail price to close it out. You can't pay a little bit extra each month or anything like that. I've done it twice before and the prices have matched retail prices (at the time of release) spot on if you multiply the installment by 24 so there's no interest.

So if i paid 4 months of the total 24 months. And would like to close the debit or pay it in full, i'd have to pay the 20 months left to close it?

 

[DevonBritton]

I would also recommend the Apple watch - use mine for every workout (CF) and it's pretty accurate. Obviously it struggles on movements where your wrist flexes a lot i.e HSPU, thrusters etc . But for the most part I'm very happy.

But you said Apple isn't an option - in that case I was go for a Garmin watch (within) your budget, paired with an optical HR monitor, something like a Scosche that you can wear on your forearm - supposedly they have great accuracy. Checkout DCRainmaker for his recommendation on which one.

Thanks!! The Tickr Fit seems pretty great. The only thing is that it seems like it uses it's own app to store the data and I don't know if their app is able to sync with Discovery for the vitality points? Or can you connect it to the Garmin device and store the data in Garmin's app??

To the google machine we go...

 

[DevonBritton]

So if i paid 4 months of the total 24 months. And would like to close the debit or pay it in full, i'd have to pay the 20 months left to close it?

As far as I'm aware that's right. Just make sure you arrange it with them. "Cancelling" the deal incurs a penalty so be sure that they're aware that you want to settle rather than cancel.

And perhaps just double check with them directly? It's been a while since I spoke with them about it and policies can change.

 

[DevonBritton]

Thanks!! The Tickr Fit seems pretty great. The only thing is that it seems like it uses it's own app to store the data and I don't know if their app is able to sync with Discovery for the vitality points? Or can you connect it to the Garmin device and store the data in Garmin's app??

To the google machine we go...

Ok so it looks like it will pair with any device or app that supports ANT+ or BT...so I can pair it with the Garmin device and the data will be ingested by Garmin's mobile app...

The bands are R1200 though which might be a bit tough to get past the minister of finance...but perhaps I can convince her...lol

 

[Sinbad]

So if i paid 4 months of the total 24 months. And would like to close the debit or pay it in full, i'd have to pay the 20 months left to close it?

No, more.

The price you buy the device for is discounted from their full retail price. You will pay the 20 months left plus the discount given.

 

[wonduhboy]

Ok so it looks like it will pair with any device or app that supports ANT+ or BT...so I can pair it with the Garmin device and the data will be ingested by Garmin's mobile app...

The bands are R1200 though which might be a bit tough to get past the minister of finance...but perhaps I can convince her...lol

Yup, any ANT+ or BT device can pair with a Garmin. Or even pair with your phone and use the Polar Beats app, if you're looking for vitality reward points...

 

[ViciousClone]

Yeah now i'm in a flat-spin , not sure what to choose, there isn't a wide a selection to choose on FNB's device list.

 

[ViciousClone]

Do you guys know if whats on the fnb shop is all they have, or is there more? Can one ask them for different models, like the garmin 735xt

 

[mh348]

Any recommendations on a heart rate/blood pressure monitor type watch/armband for under 2k?

I had a look at the Wahoo TICKR FIT website, but they don't mention anything about blood pressure, but on ebay they mention it supports that function.

 

[Blu82]

One of the better buying guides regarding fitness devices can be found here.

Casual Athlete: Apple Watch (variants noted below), Fitbit Versa 3, Polar Ignite, or Garmin Vivoactive 3


Here, let me break down who should get each one. It’s probably easier that way:


Apple Watch: If you’re looking for a watch that’ll track your workouts but won’t obsess over data – while still giving you the best all around smartwatch experience, there’s no question here – it’s the Apple Watch. The tricky part is deciding which one. Series 3 is a steal these days at $169 (remember, it has GPS as well as offline music support). Meanwhile, Series 6 is the newest with the fully always-on display, SpO2, ECG, and a pile of nuanced changes you won’t notice. Apple also rolled out the new Apple Watch SE this year in an attempt to split the difference, coming in around $279 instead of the $399 of the full Apple Watch Series 6. The software is virtually identical on all three watches, which are only separated by display/ECG/SpO2/storage/speed differences – though, the HR sensor isn’t as good as on the Series 6 (and my testing doesn’t quite find the GPS as good as the Series 6 either).


Fitbit Versa 3: The Versa 3 is Fitbit’s latest mid-range smartwatch, and includes GPS and offline music support. While I haven’t found the optical HR sensor all that great for me, I’m also aware that many people aren’t quite as picky as me there, especially if you’re focused on having a Fitbit, I think this is one of the spots to be in. Notably, I’d struggle to recommend the higher-end Fitbit Sense, as I just don’t think Fitbit does a good enough job of making sense of all the newfound data they’re collecting. There’s just not enough in the way of usable recommendations there yet. Maybe down the road, but not today. Thus, the Versa 3 is a good split in the middle – plus – you get far better battery life than an Apple Watch (and, it’s compatible with Android).


Garmin Vivoactive 3 or Vivoactive 4: I know…I know, you’re saying ‘Wait, why the VA3 and not the VA4?’. Simple – price to features. The Vivoactive 3 floats between $110 and $130 these days, and is an incredible value (add $30 for the Vivoactive 3 Music if you want). The Vivoactive 4, while very good, floats at $249. But practically speaking, for the vast majority of people, there’s just not a lot of extra ‘stuff’ on the Vivoactive 4 over the VA3 that makes me want to spend double. Sure, if you want to spend the extra money for the Vivoactive 4, the additional side button is nice. Same goes for the Garmin Venu, which is merely a Vivoactive 4 with a prettier screen. But if you don’t care about that, save the cash.


Polar Ignite: While I think the Ignite is still very slightly overpriced, I think what the company is doing around dynamically prescribing workouts and recovery/strength/flexibility workouts is super cool. Plus, the watch integrates well into the larger Polar ecosystem, so it doesn’t feel like a budget watch – but like an athletes’ watch. The Polar Ignite has less in the way of smartwatch features (for example, no music), but makes up for it in all the sports/fitness features like structured workouts, day to day guidance on what you should do next to stay fit, and how to add secondary workouts like stretching or core workouts to round it all out. I think it’s one of the best products Polar has made in years.