Techy advice needed

[jimbobjoe]

Thanks for the mini tutorial guys. It might be worth my while just tolerating my TV speakers for now as i'm a bit space constrained for finding a suitable place to put speakers without trading off quality/depth/balance.

[johng]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGC7NTX/ ... RBbCP19NK8

Something cheap and cheerful like that. You can always stick them on done deal when you can afford something better.

Or use them with a pc or whatever.

[kermischocolate]

Watches (aka fitness trackers v sports watches)

I currently have a 3ish year old Garmin Forerunner 220. There's nothing wrong with it but I fancy a change.

I don't do much running these days but would like something that measures HR(without an extra strap), can track my gym activities (crossfit style) and is useful on climbing mountains. I don't know if I want/need GPS functionality in terms of walking/hiking as usually phone and GPS signal is pretty poor (i.e. I know most will track where I've been but the higher end ones seem to be able to preload with a route and it will direct me to follow it)

I don't want something that plays music or does me emails etc. I want a watch, not a phone!

The choices out there are a bit bewildering tbh and budget is an issue.

Can anyone help point me in the direction of what it is I want (activity tracker v smart watch?) and then any recommendations as to brands/ models (suunto v garmin v fitbit)?

Please and thank you.

[jimbobjoe]

Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.

Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3

[The Doc]

Watches (aka fitness trackers v sports watches)

I currently have a 3ish year old Garmin Forerunner 220. There's nothing wrong with it but I fancy a change.

I don't do much running these days but would like something that measures HR(without an extra strap), can track my gym activities (crossfit style) and is useful on climbing mountains. I don't know if I want/need GPS functionality in terms of walking/hiking as usually phone and GPS signal is pretty poor (i.e. I know most will track where I've been but the higher end ones seem to be able to preload with a route and it will direct me to follow it)

I don't want something that plays music or does me emails etc. I want a watch, not a phone!

The choices out there are a bit bewildering tbh and budget is an issue.

Can anyone help point me in the direction of what it is I want (activity tracker v smart watch?) and then any recommendations as to brands/ models (suunto v garmin v fitbit)?

Please and thank you.

I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/

[kermischocolate]

Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.

Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3

Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.

[kermischocolate]

I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/

Thanks i'll have a look.
I never know what review sites are real reviews and not basically ads from big companies.

[fourthirtythree]

Yeah Kermi, I'd second the Xiaomi (and add Huawei's offering to the mix), they're much cheaper and serious Chinese brands. They are very dependent on the phone but their apps are good.

There are many generic Chinese watches that the hardware is probably fine in but the apps are appalling. I'd check user feedback on the apps to see how they work with your phone to be sure.

[The Doc]

I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/

Thanks i'll have a look.
I never know what review sites are real reviews and not basically ads from big companies.

That's what I like about Wirecutter - big selling points are that they are not sponsored content and they don't just put up lists - they review a batch of things and give one top recommendation with a few options

[jimbobjoe]

Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.

Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3

Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.

After this I talked myself into getting an Amazfit Bip for the GPS/workout tracking. Cost £60 and I absolutely love it - battery has only dipped to 85% after a week (supposed to last up to 45 days between charges!), GPS is very accurate and there's some excellent supporting info on heart rate/pace/elevation etc. It's also got an always on display with optional faces so it works well as an everyday watch too without having to do the flick to wake thing or press a button to read.

[IanD]

Anyone any advice on HDMI Switches.

I want to attach 3 devices to one HDMI port.

[kermischocolate]

Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.

Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3

Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.

After this I talked myself into getting an Amazfit Bip for the GPS/workout tracking. Cost £60 and I absolutely love it - battery has only dipped to 85% after a week (supposed to last up to 45 days between charges!), GPS is very accurate and there's some excellent supporting info on heart rate/pace/elevation etc. It's also got an always on display with optional faces so it works well as an everyday watch too without having to do the flick to wake thing or press a button to read.

Cheers. I'll have a look.

I think I've worked out I want a cheapish fitness tracker for gym stuff and a separate proper GPS system for being out on hills etc.

[Peg Leg]

@IanD

https://www.lindy.ie/kvm-c6/kvm-switche ... udio-p8677

Hard to bit lindy for value/performance. They are a bit lightweight for commercial use but rock solid for home use.

[FLIP]

Anyone any advice on HDMI Switches.

I want to attach 3 devices to one HDMI port.

Bit cheaper than Peg Legs kit but probably much less functional, but I use this for my blue ray player and consoles.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0020426AG/ ... XBbZQ4W20S

[johng]

Peggy's kit is a kvm. For sharing several PCs on 1 monitor keyboard and mouse.

If you just want to use 1 hdmi port on your telly for 3 devices there are way cheaper options.

Fairly generic stuff. Probably shitloads of them on amazon

[johng]

HDMI Switch, GANA Gold Plated 3-Port HDMI Switcher | HDMI Splitter | Supports Full HD1080p/3D with High Speed Cable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075R2DFJ1/ ... XBbZ5DJNJ1

Here is a super cheap £6.99 one. Probably worth spending a bit more

[Peg Leg]

HDMI Switch, GANA Gold Plated 3-Port HDMI Switcher | HDMI Splitter | Supports Full HD1080p/3D with High Speed Cable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075R2DFJ1/ ... XBbZ5DJNJ1

Here is a super cheap £6.99 one. Probably worth spending a bit more

Woops wrong link
This 18e one should be a bit more palatable
https://www.lindy.ie/audio-video-c2/spl ... pact-p9546

[fourthirtythree]

That one is a bit more but it's 4K which may be important. All the others weren't.

[johng]

Yep that one is perfect. I just chose at random to illustrate how cheap and generic they were. Only noticed flip's post after I posted

[IanD]

Johng, 433, Flip and Peg Leg.

Thanks for the info.