Español If you ask me what one of the most important models of 2018 has been, it's undoubtedly the Amazfit Stratos Huami has been able to find the key to the characteristics that may interest the general public, beyond the more specific niche of intensive sport practice.
Huami has targeted the same segment that Apple is trying to reach with its Apple WatchBut it does so with a significant cut in price and above all by supporting not only iOS but also Android.
If anything stands out from the Amazfit Stratos is its price/performance ratio, it's the best on the market. At least if we look exclusively at its specification sheet and then the price at which we can get it. But of course, then when we get into the clock we see that there are a few pitfalls that make you doubtful.
And there are some things that don't work the way they should:
- It is a watch that the manufacturer does not sell directly in Spain (although it is in Spanish), so all will be parallel import. There are multiple problems of guarantee and if you buy it in China just forget about it
- Optical heart rate monitor inferior
- You have barometric altimeterbut it would be much better if it didn't and provided altitude information through Satellitebecause the barometer it includes is a real mess
- There are a lot of details in the software here and there that make you feel it's not a polished product. Call me a perfectionist...
- Pretty basic training analysis
Seen that way it might look like a piece of junk. But it has its good points too: esthetics accurate, reproduction of musicGood. screen, fantastic autonomy, a GPS that it works properly... Obviously those are its strengths and the ones that have brought this watch into the mouths of many people.
But there are many who, after reading the review of the Amazfit Stratos you ask me why similar options may be available where there are not so many problems especially with the internal sensors of the watch. Here are a few models that you should also evaluate.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
When you think of a running watch, most of you think of Garmin. It's a fact. They don't even talk about "the GPS watch", but "the Garmin". It is therefore normal that one of their models comes up in any comparison or search for options.
In addition, Garmin is a manufacturer that has a multitude of ranges and products that even overlap each other. They basically throw things at the wall and see what sticks... with the luck for them that almost everything sticks to them.
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 is the North American firm's bet on covering the smart watch segment. Its optical pulsometer is much better (without being a panacea either) and the training analysis possibilities are much better thanks to the Connect IQ platform.
Unlike the Stratos, the Garmin has wireless payments and a platform of applications such as Connect IQ, which allows you to install clock faces The Stratos can do it too... but in a much more complicated way for the average user.
It also has touch-screen display and it's much more littleSo if you have a thin wrist and don't want to wear a bulky watch like the Amazfit Stratos, this is a great option. Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music.
Don't miss the Garmin Vivoactive 3 test.
Fitbit Ionic
The concept of the Fitbit Ionic is very similar to that of the Amazfit StratosThe GPS watches: both are two GPS watches that want to be much more than just a sports watch.
The Ionic is Fitbit's answer to Apple WatchRegardless of aesthetic tastes, it is designed with more care than the Stratos and the materials are of higher quality. Although Fitbit is more inclined to be an activity bracelet with pretensions, it is also a good choice for the occasional sportsman.
If you like programming (even at a basic level), Fitbit is undoubtedly the best option. Fitbit Studio is its SDK, with a very simple language and complete manual to learn in a short time. You can upload your own faces or applications to the clock without having to pass any kind of approval. And of course, Fitbit also has app store to be able to install third-party apps.
The possibility of pay through NFC and storage for MP3 The problem with these screens is usually battery consumption, but in the case of the Ionic it is not so problematic as its autonomy is pretty reasonable for a smart watch of this kind.
If you want more information, come by the Fitbit Ionic review to get all the details.
Polar M600
Polar has been the only one of the sports technology manufacturers that has dared to make a complete smart watch. The Polar M600 is based on Google's operating system, Wear OS. What does that mean? It means it's several steps beyond the possibilities of any of the models you've seen before.
Answering WhatsApp by voice, install hundreds of applications, music playback... all that and much more, because the clock has a complete and widely supported operating system, both in Android as for iPhone.
The advantages of the M600 over other watches with Wear OS (the OS that was previously known as Android Wear) is precisely being developed by Polar. Its optical pulsometer is one of the best (at least until the Polar Precision Prime of the new Vantage), and all your workouts will be synchronized with the Polar platform, so the analysis and tracking possibilities are far superior to the Amazfit.
Maybe what he always played against the M600 was its aesthetics. It's quite flat and doesn't stand out for its beauty. In that aspect the Amazfit easily wins the game.
Of course I've also done analysis of the Polar M600there you'll see all their features and my opinion.
Ticwatch
The Ticwatch of the Chinese company Mobvoi are not very well known in our country, but they are still an interesting option for those who are looking for an alternative to Amazfit.
Like the Polar M600 they are based on Wear OS, so the possibilities they offer are very wide. New for this year arrive on Ticwatch E2 and Ticwatch S2These are now protected against immersion in water so there is no problem with sports and sweat, which was limited to the first models.
They are the opposite of the Polar: they stand out for their aesthetics, but their optical pulse sensor and training platform are not among their virtues, that is, the same as the Amazfit Stratos.
They have not yet reached the market, but will do so in early 2019, and are listed as possible candidates for full analysis.
Good morning, Eduardo.
I've read all your analyses on GPS heart rate monitors and I'm a real mess. My budget is 200 ? +- to buy it. I want it for daily use, mobile connectivity, messaging, WhatsApp... that it marks the keystrokes well, 24h activity and when I do some activity, that the GPS works well, it can be used for swimming and it records that activity. I've had Samsung Gear S3 and Polar M430, I've ended up selling them.
Greetings and thank you very much for your work.
The only thing you have to keep in mind is that it is not possible to answer messages, but it is possible to view all the notifications.
Good afternoon. I'm like the fellow, I've read many of your analyses and I'm between a Vivoactive 3 and a Vantage M. My question is, for cycling and looking at the results, how important is the barometric altimeter? Thank you.
If you want the data during training, it's a must. If you don't care about the data during training and you're just going to look at it after completing the activity, then you don't need it.
Hello, I have a Polar M400 for 3 years or so and I am delighted but I want to renew and go a step further, I am Trail runner,and sometimes road,,and I would like to buy a new one that includes Track or route tracking, good management of Frequency etc..and if we add some Smartwath then better ... I always run with mobile, so I have that support, for music and / or calls, discarding the high-end, more than 450Euros or so, I am between polar Vantage M, Suunto 9, Garmin Fénix 5 .., that idea we go ...even dig into the amazfit,or even wait for the new Polar Grit X, which I think is oriented to mountain runner like me.,, If I've had the M400 for 3 years, imagine the change to a new one and how much I care for them. Thanks for the recommendation!