Galaxy Gear S3 as a GPS running watch

[ManofGod1000]

Ok, right now, I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR+ that I bought back in January to replace the MS Band 2 I had before. Since then, I have switched to Android from the MS Mobile Platform just because I needed too. Now, I have no issues with the Garmin as a Fitness watch and it works well as a Smart Watch for notifications.

Ok, the thing is, the Garmin screen is not very sharp so bright so notifications can be very difficult to read. I am considering the Gear S3 since it has built in GPS but, does it work as a stand alone running watch and sleep monitor? Thanks.

 

[amyf27]

I use it to record my outdoor cycling. I usually have my phone with me at the same time so I can view the route on a bigger screen. The watch records the heart rate detail and does ha 've sleep monitor as well.

 

[ManofGod1000]

I use it to record my outdoor cycling. I usually have my phone with me at the same time so I can view the route on a bigger screen. The watch records the heart rate detail and does ha 've sleep monitor as well.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I really do miss my Band 2 because the thing was really easy to read and worked very well, hardware issues aside. Looks like the Gear S3 is what I am looking for to replace the Band 2 for the nice, easy to read screen.

 

[11B1P]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I really do miss my Band 2 because the thing was really easy to read and worked very well, hardware issues aside. Looks like the Gear S3 is what I am looking for to replace the Band 2 for the nice, easy to read screen.

I'm a mirror image of you. I loved my Band 2, but had the battery issue and couldn't get it replaced. I had switched from WP to Android last Black Friday, and the funny thing is, my Band 2 worked better with my Galaxy S7 than it did with my Nokia Icon.

I originally pre-ordered the S3, but since Sammy couldn't give me a shipping date, I cancelled it and bought the Garmin Fenix 3hr. The F3hr was a great watch, but the software wasn't user friendly. So I bought the Gear S3 and sold my F3hr.

This Gear S3 blows away the Band 2. Now granted, I did love how I could go onto my MS Health Dashboard and create custom workouts and sync it to the Band 2 and then have my Band tell me my exercises, reps and sets, and if the S3 had the same functionality, I'd be in heaven.

But yeah, the screen is easy to use. Watch faces galore, easy to change watch bands, Samsung Pay is awesome, standalone GPS and yes, sleep recording. Built-in GPS is a requirement for my fitness needs. I use the IconX ear buds for truly wireless music and my S3 for my running/walking cardio.

I found my S3 on ebay for less than retail and I'm extremely happy with it.

 

[michail71]

This Gear S3 blows away the Band 2. Now granted, I did love how I could go onto my MS Health Dashboard and create custom workouts and sync it to the Band 2 and then have my Band tell me my exercises, reps and sets, and if the S3 had the same functionality, I'd be in heaven.

I didn't know the Band 2 had that functionality. Custom exercises, weights, reps and sets is so fundamental to exercise programs yet I have never seen a good app that accomplishes that. I generate mine and then save programs into OneNote.

 

[11B1P]

I didn't know the Band 2 had that functionality. Custom exercises, weights, reps and sets is so fundamental to exercise programs yet I have never seen a good app that accomplishes that. I generate mine and then save programs into OneNote.

The MS Health Dashboard is a website. You could create your own custom workouts, or select from the hundreds of workouts provided by various brands (Mens Health, Golds Gym, Muscle and Fitness, etc.). Then you synced that workout to your Band. Once you got to the gym, you simply started that workout. It told you what exercise was next, reps for each set, kept track of your rest period if it was built in, everything you do when lifting weights. There is no other device I've found with this functionality. There may be some apps that do this, but it was built in on the device.

 

[michail71]

That sounds similar to what I have been doing. I run a Wendler 5/3/1 lifting program and there is a great web site for creating the program cycles.

I have a MS Health account back from when I was using a Lumia 1520. I'll have to give it a look.