Best fitness focused smart watch / band for use with android?

[psurob55]

I want decent fitness focus, but also smart watch features such as notifications, displaying / responding to messages from the watch.

I was considering the microsoft band 2, but am not very versed in the android offerings. Any thoughts? I'm a former windows phone user that came back to android with a note 5 about 2 months ago.

 

[albie999]

I have the Moto360 (1st Gen) and it is not good for fitness. Anything more than a jog, and the heart rate monitor cannot keep up. I have heard it is the same with 2nd Gen. Not sure about other smartwatches though

My missus has the original Microsoft Band, and that really is a good fitness tracker. No matter what exercise she is doing, running, spining or weights, it is able to continuosly monitor her heart rate. The Band 2 would be similar

Don't get me wrong, I love my Moto 360 ... but I cannot use it as a fitness tracker, I ended up buying at BT heart rate monitor, and pairing it with my phone

One thing I would add though .... unless you have a Windows Phone, using the Band or Band 2, you are not able to respond to texts etc. This voice reply function is not compatible with android, as it uses the Windows Cortana app (it cannot use the Android Cortana version)

 

[psurob55]

Thanks!

That's part of the issue. I think i want the ability to respond. Having never owned a fitness tracker or smart watch before, I'm thinking that's a major feature to not have.

Kind if interested in how the new UA band is also.

Anyone else on band 2 with Android?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[xendula]

I have been using the LG watch Urbane 2 LTE for a bit over 2 months now, and it seems to be the best offering for runners. Not sure about other sports, and what apps are available in that respect, but the battery lasts forever and ever, I can track my runs with GPS, stream music over BT, answer and initiate calls and txts, browse the web, etc. all while leaving my phone at home! Was lalso ooking at the MS Band 2, but the MS sales rep at the store said that it hardly manages a 2 hour run with GPS on before the battery dies, which is not enough for me.

I used the Samsung Gear S for a year prior to getting the LG, and it was great at the time, but battery would not even last a 2 hour run, and there were hardly any apps for it. The LG only uses up about 17% per hour with GPS tracking, BT streaming and cellular on. It may be because of improved battery management on AW Marshmallow, meaning that other AW watches hitting the market with the newest software will be equally awesome, or it could be that LG just managed to figure out how to preserve energy.

Whatever the case, I would wait out MWC to see if the LG is coming back on the market (roll-out was cancelled in November) and to see what other watches will be announced. I expect the Sony SW4 to be a great contender, especially if they add LTE functionality and keep it waterproof! The Moto 360 sport got bad reviews in terms of battery life when GPS is on.