Vibration Too Weak?

[bearda]

I picked up a Galaxy Gear this morning and am still in the decision period trying to figure out if I'm going to keep or return it. I have a Pebble which I've used for a few months ago, but the S-Voice features of the Galaxy Gear and more durable design (my Pebble is covered in scratches even after multiple Polywatch treatments) drew me to the Gear. I've been kind of disappointed so far. After three rounds of restarting, resetting, and repairing I've finally gotten the Gear to the point where notifications and S-Voice work (for a long time I just got a strange message on the phone saying "Error Occured" when trying to set up either). I'm still waiting on the new MK7 update to get me useful notifications with text, though.

What I have noticed is that vibrating notifications seems to be very soft, however. Even with the Vibration Strength set to Strong it seems easy to miss a notification, especially compared to my Pebble. Is it possible I have a bad unit, or are all the Galaxy Gears a little weak? I'm willing to wait for the next software update to give it a fair shake, but if the vibration is hopeless (which is a HUGE selling point for me, since silent notifications are one of the main reasons I got it) I may have to go back to the Pebble.

 

[jwlehman1]

I also use the vibrate mode (I suspect most people do), and believe that the vibration is good. I always feel when a notification comes through. While it's certainly possible that there's something wrong with your unit, you may want to experiment with the fit, as that can have a big impact on how well the vibration carries from the watch to your wrist. Too loose and you will barely be able to feel it, if at all.

 

[mrwallyy]

Never missed a notification, I always feel the vibration.

Had to, I'm sorry :/

 

[CehowardNote7]

I picked up a Galaxy Gear this morning and am still in the decision period trying to figure out if I'm going to keep or return it. I have a Pebble which I've used for a few months ago, but the S-Voice features of the Galaxy Gear and more durable design (my Pebble is covered in scratches even after multiple Polywatch treatments) drew me to the Gear. I've been kind of disappointed so far. After three rounds of restarting, resetting, and repairing I've finally gotten the Gear to the point where notifications and S-Voice work (for a long time I just got a strange message on the phone saying "Error Occured" when trying to set up either). I'm still waiting on the new MK7 update to get me useful notifications with text, though.

What I have noticed is that vibrating notifications seems to be very soft, however. Even with the Vibration Strength set to Strong it seems easy to miss a notification, especially compared to my Pebble. Is it possible I have a bad unit, or are all the Galaxy Gears a little weak? I'm willing to wait for the next software update to give it a fair shake, but if the vibration is hopeless (which is a HUGE selling point for me, since silent notifications are one of the main reasons I got it) I may have to go back to the Pebble.

I think everybody that has purchased the Gear goes through a undecisive learning curve. After all this is a new item, first of this line from this company. Add in "user faults", there is going to be a lot of doubt with this watch.. I returned my first Gear because it was stuck in "memo record" and I didn't know how to take it off. What I do? I took it back and got another one. I am more knowledgeable about the Gear than I was before..

On the vibration that you speak of, it is okay with me, it never misses a beat, and the amount of vibration is right on. I didn't even know it had two vibrating modes. If I were you, I would return it. If there is doubt, don't go pass your return window. BTW, I had doubt about my Note 3 too. I was on the verge of returning it because of the issue with WifI.. However, after reading that others were having the same problem, and it was a widely accepted view that an update would fix this, I kept the Note 3, and sure enough an update fixed it. Again, if you are in doubt, don't go pass your return window. None of us can make your mind up on that, that is your call. A lot of us are completely satisfied with the Gear, but as you know, we are all different..

Luck to you,

 

[rajnet]

I picked up a Galaxy Gear this morning and am still in the decision period trying to figure out if I'm going to keep or return it. I have a Pebble which I've used for a few months ago, but the S-Voice features of the Galaxy Gear and more durable design (my Pebble is covered in scratches even after multiple Polywatch treatments) drew me to the Gear. I've been kind of disappointed so far. After three rounds of restarting, resetting, and repairing I've finally gotten the Gear to the point where notifications and S-Voice work (for a long time I just got a strange message on the phone saying "Error Occured" when trying to set up either). I'm still waiting on the new MK7 update to get me useful notifications with text, though.

What I have noticed is that vibrating notifications seems to be very soft, however. Even with the Vibration Strength set to Strong it seems easy to miss a notification, especially compared to my Pebble. Is it possible I have a bad unit, or are all the Galaxy Gears a little weak? I'm willing to wait for the next software update to give it a fair shake, but if the vibration is hopeless (which is a HUGE selling point for me, since silent notifications are one of the main reasons I got it) I may have to go back to the Pebble.

I think you got a bad unit. Mine is working absolutely fine and vibration is very strong if any more I will feel I am getting electrocuted ; )

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bearda]

I'll have to stop back in at Best Buy and try the vibration strength out on one of their demo units. I really feel like I'm more likely to notice the buzzing sound than I am the vibration on my wrist.

 

[CehowardNote7]

I'll have to stop back in at Best Buy and try the vibration strength out on one of their demo units. I really feel like I'm more likely to notice the buzzing sound than I am the vibration on my wrist.

That's a good move..That way you should be able to tell if the vibration on your unit is sub-standard, and still have the option to return it for another one, or decide that the Gear is not up to what you need, and just pass on the Gear. Believe me, the cars and motorcycles that I drive, are not for everybody. This watch is not for everybody.

Luck again,

 

[bearda]

That's a good move..That way you should be able to tell if the vibration on your unit is sub-standard, and still have the option to return it for another one, or decide that the Gear is not up to what you need, and just pass on the Gear. Believe me, the cars and motorcycles that I drive, are not for everybody. This watch is not for everybody.

Luck again,

I tried three units, two demo units and one that one of the Samsung reps on staff at Best Buy had paired to his Note 3. All 4 of us (two Samsung guys, my wife and I) agreed that the vibration strength on the Gear is nowhere near what it is on the Pebble. The Samsung guys played around with it for a bit and said they couldn't tell a difference between the Weak, Medium, and Strong modes on the Gear (I thought I could, but it was minor). Maybe I'm numb in the arm, but for a device I count on for silent notifications the Gear just isn't doing it for me.

If it was just the software I'd be willing to wait a bit and see what happened (I bought at Best Buy partially because of their REALLY long holiday return policy), but software isn't going to fix the vibration. If I don't notice it going off it's not doing me a lot of good (and really isn't an improvement over my Pebble). The Gear went back today. It's amazing how one little detail can completely ruin a product for some people.

 

[rajnet]

I tried three units, two demo units and one that one of the Samsung reps on staff at Best Buy had paired to his Note 3. All 4 of us (two Samsung guys, my wife and I) agreed that the vibration strength on the Gear is nowhere near what it is on the Pebble. The Samsung guys played around with it for a bit and said they couldn't tell a difference between the Weak, Medium, and Strong modes on the Gear (I thought I could, but it was minor). Maybe I'm numb in the arm, but for a device I count on for silent notifications the Gear just isn't doing it for me.

If it was just the software I'd be willing to wait a bit and see what happened (I bought at Best Buy partially because of their REALLY long holiday return policy), but software isn't going to fix the vibration. If I don't notice it going off it's not doing me a lot of good (and really isn't an improvement over my Pebble). The Gear went back today. It's amazing how one little detail can completely ruin a product for some people.

That's really very strange as I have had 0 problems with vibrations in fact it's just right. Have not missed a single notification and can feel it clearly. Maybe coming from pebble it was less in comparison.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bearda]

That's really very strange as I have had 0 problems with vibrations in fact it's just right. Have not missed a single notification and can feel it clearly. Maybe coming from pebble it was less in comparison.

It's definitely weaker in and of itself, but I think it also has something to do with the way the band is worn. I have my Pebble on a nylon zulu band that holds it secure enough that it doesn't move, but still have enough give that I can feel the watch moving when the vibration motor kicks in. It also helps that the Pebble weighs about half of what the Gear does, so it damps the motion less.

The silicone band with deployment clasp tends to be much tighter on my wrist than the Pebble is, so I think even if the vibration motors were exactly the same the Pebble's would feel a lot stronger. I don't have a problem feeling the Gear as long as I'm paying attention to it or if I've got short sleeves on, but if I'm working or driving with a sweater or jacket on it isn't enough to draw my attention to the Gear most of the time. Yeah, it's a weird corner case that will probably never affect most users, but it's a big deal to me that really kills the usability of the Gear when I need it the most.

I really wanted to like the Gear, but in the end it just wasn't $240 worth of awesome.

 

[cdf3]

I totally agree that the vibration for the Gear is nothing like that of the Pebble. The vibration for the Pebble is so strong, it startles me at times. It's also kind of loud. If you're in a very quiet room, others can hear the Pebble vibrating when new notifications are coming in. The Gear vibration isn't as strong. I feel it just fine if I'm not moving around much. If I'm working and moving about, I don't feel it as much. I've missed a few notifications in the process. I can feel most of them, but there are a few that get unnoticed. Now I'm deciding if I should return it, or stick with my Pebble. The whole point of me wanting a smart watch was being able to catch all notifications, because I miss so many due to the weak vibration from my phone.

 

[bearda]

I totally agree that the vibration for the Gear is nothing like that of the Pebble. The vibration for the Pebble is so strong, it startles me at times. It's also kind of loud. If you're in a very quiet room, others can hear the Pebble vibrating when new notifications are coming in. The Gear vibration isn't as strong. I feel it just fine if I'm not moving around much. If I'm working and moving about, I don't feel it as much. I've missed a few notifications in the process. I can feel most of them, but there are a few that get unnoticed. Now I'm deciding if I should return it, or stick with my Pebble. The whole point of me wanting a smart watch was being able to catch all notifications, because I miss so many due to the weak vibration from my phone.

That ended up being the end of it for me. Notifications were really the only reason I had a smartwatch, and in the end the Pebble did them better than the Gear. All the other stuff it did wasn't worth it unless it could get the basics right.

 

[Kevie Cam]

Honestly I was thinking the same thing. Compared to my old Pebble the vibration is VERY weak. I now have mine set for an audible notification vice vibrate.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[FaisDogg]

TWSS

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[SuperManFan]

I think I am in the same boat. The Gear 2 Neo is nowhere close to the vibration of the Pebble. Notifications are the #1 priority, so if the basics are solid the rest doesn't matter. I missed a few notifications before I got my Pebble and miss none with the Pebble. I cannot go back.