You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So my priorities would be:
1) Google Maps for walking navigation and running, since I am often in new places and get fed up of getting my phone out all the time
2) Running features like pace, HR and upload to (or sync with) Strava such since I've always wanted this feature and I don't want to have to buy two devices.
3) Ideally swimming tracking, but not essential.
4) The usual notifications and such.
5) Wearable as a normal watch so nothing too chunky.
6) Battery still last 18 hours or so (maybe more) including a run or other workout. I've seen some trackers that claim like 2 week battery life which shortens to 3 hours if you track an activity with GPS.. which means that if you are 10 days into your two weeks you get what, 1 hour, and then you're flat.
So far the M600 looks perfect, and it's not too pricey either. Anyone got one? Other ideas?
Also interested in this. I've been looking at stuff like the Garmin Vivoactive and TomTom Spark, but I don't think either of those will do Google Maps.
I've got one. It's OK. Battery life could be better but I get a couple of days out of mine on light usage, lots of recording it'll likely need a charge every night. It uses a proprietary charge cable which is both annoying and a rubbish design - it's too easy to knock it so it stops charging and you'll need to remember to take a cable if you ever travel (which it sounds like you do), you'll not find one easily if you forget and you'll swear a lot when it happens (ask me how I know... 🙂 )
Google maps navigation is quite helpful in towns. Optical HR is quite good and reasonably accurate (compared to my proper HRM) but does rely on the watch being quite tight on the wrist.
The only thing I can think of is whether you can display different maps such as OS maps. If that is of concern?
There are apps for it (ViewRanger, BackCountry Navigator) that can do that, I think. I have both but I do like a paper map when I'm somewhere like in the mountains. A lot less to go wrong 🙂
Battery life could be better but I get a couple of days out of mine on light usage
This is fine for me - I'm highly likely to be taking it off at night and putting it on the bedside table, so it might as well be charging.
There are apps for it (ViewRanger, BackCountry Navigator) that can do that, I think. I have both but I do like a paper map when I’m somewhere like in the mountains. A lot less to go wrong
As with all tech, you should take a paper map as backup, but that doesn't mean it's not useful whilst it is working.
points 2, 4, 5, 6 and price was exactly why I bought the M400, and would have M430? (whatever's the latest) on shopping list for next time around. 1 month battery in watch mode, 7 hours of GPS recording, and is normal watch size. more than happy with mine. does all the syncing stuff thru the phone too (or prolly ipad etc. if they do bluetooth?).
M600 looks a bit bigger? but if it does maps and has battery more like that than one that must be charged daily, then, count me in. price seems pretty decent too (compared to bling "look at me" smart watches).
I had an M400 before. Much better battery life but much more basic. Still a good watch if you don't care about the rest.
What about Garmin Vivoactive 3? Oh, but it's not Wear OS...