The answer is probably a Garmin Vivosmart 4 but...
I'd like a relatively unobtrusive "band" to do nothing more than measure HR & sleep patterns, with the longest battery life possible for convenience. I don't care for display and notifications. I therefore don't want to spend much and this'll be on my RH and I prefer proper mechanical watches on my LH
I had a Mi band 4 but the HR was inaccurate and the module a bit "big", and ideally I want the device to connect to the Garmin Connect App, although perhaps thats not essential.
Any recommendations foe something cheap, long lasting and accurate?
Don't you have a Garmin instinct?
I have a Vivosmart 3 for exactly the same reason. I like a "proper" watch on my left wrist and a the band on my right. I also like the fact that it syncs with all my other devises that are also Garmin via Connect.
No negatives with the Vivosmart 3, I'd only not buy one again as I'd get the 4 instead.
to do nothing more than measure HR & sleep patterns
No idea how good the cheaper bands are for this, most of the really basic ones just seem to have an accelerometer and don't actually measure HR.
The Polar HR watches are excellent for sleep data - very impressed with the data from my Vantage watch - although its a full blown watch, so not what you want.
Don’t you have a Garmin instinct?
Yes but I really only wear that on MTB weekends/on the bike as a I have a preference to "proper" watches. I want something I can leave on the other wrist when the Instinct is not in use.
I am quite happy with the Fitbit ecosystem (currently have a Blaze) although I am currently looking to upgrade to a Versa for the always on display and Alexa integration.
Fitbit HR and sleep analysis is pretty good.
Not the cheapest bands, but you're mainly paying for the software side of it I suspect.
The calories in/out functionality is decent too.
I've had a Vivosmart 1, a Vivosmart HR and got the Vivosmart 4 when it was first released - 2 years ago?
The 4 solves all the issues the others had. Can't really fault it. It's accurate enough for general use, battery still lasts a week, I use it for the vibrating alarm every day and it's small enough (and without an always on display) so it doesn't look like I'm wearing two watches. I too wear a mechanical on my other arm.
I had a Whoop band for about 9 weeks, despite wearing it for 3 days.
The information it gives is great but I just can't wear straps 24/7. Struggle with a watch for a few hours, so not surprised really.
Not sure if the cost is justified. My take was I 'waste' more money on crap every month but it is a bit of a weak reason.
I'm slightly hesitant to recommend them 100% as the customer service trying to send the thing back within the 30 days was very poor and I had to chase them to cancel the membership and refund me two months charges.
I ended up with the Vivosmart 4 - as I was getting with Amazon therefore quick/easy returns I gambled on the small/medium which is £25 cheaper and that fits with 6 holes to spare.
It suprisingly a lot smaller than bands I've had before, albeit with a very legible display. Job done.
I've got a Vivosport, a tad bigger than the vivosmart but has built in GPS which is nice for running in hot weather or for recording my ride to work. Basically works as a mini smart watch. Really happy with it so far, although I think it was less than half price when I bought it which always helps!
