Fossil Q Motion

Now the owner of Misfit Wearables, Fossil have added to their activity tracker lineup with the Q Motion which isn’t so different from the Misfit Ray in terms of aesthetics.

The cylindrical-shaped Fossil Q Motion is built with a satin brushed aluminum casing and has interchangeable bands which come in a variety of colors. Although all of the features are yet to be announced, we know the Q Motion keeps track of your steps, monitors sleep and buzzes when get an incoming notification, and the notifications can be customized.

On the top is an LED display in the shape of the Fossil diamond which lights up to let you know someone’s trying to get in touch. The fashion-focused Fossil is due to be released sometime in the summer.

Main Features

• Release Date: September 2016

• Display: LED

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Calories Burned

• Water Resistant: 50 Meters

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text, Email, Social Media, Calendar Alerts

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.4 + / iOS 8.0 +

• Battery Life: Replaceable Coin Cell – Lasts Around 6 months

Fossil Q Motion

Garmin Vivoactive HR

The Garmin Vivoactive HR is probably the most advanced fitness tracker of the waterproof bunch. Like the original Vivoactive, the new HRM-enabled model is a smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid that blends smart features such as music control, VIRB remote, phone finder, weather reports and notifications with advanced sports and fitness tracking.

Sports modes include: running; walking; cycling; golf; swimming; and some cool new additions – paddle boarding; rowing; skiing and snowboarding. Also new to the Vivoactive HR is Garmin’s automatic exercise detection technology, Move IQ. Plus, Varia remote and  support.

As the high-end fitness wearable supports the Connect IQ platform, you can download watch faces by Garmin and third-party developers; widgets; apps; data fields; training plans; golf courses and more.

Apart from being among only a few waterproof fitness trackers with a built-in heart-rate monitor; the Vivoactive HR uses Garmin’s Elevate tech which is one of the most accurate optical HRMs available.

Main Features

• Release Date: May 20 2016

• Display: 0.8 x 1.13-inch / 205 x 148 px Color Touchscreen

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Speed, Pace, Floors Climbed, Intensity Minutes, continuous Heart Rate, Time/Date

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: Yes (and GLONASS)

• Swimming: Automatic Swim Detection, Lengths, Distance, Pace, Stroke Count/Rate, Calories

• Water Resistant: 5 ATM (50-Meters)

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text, Email, Social Media, Calendar Alerts

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS iPhone 4S + / Windows 10 / Desktop/Laptop

• Battery Life: 8 days (HRM + Activity Tracking) / 13 Hours (GPS Mode)

Garmin Vivoactive HR

        

Garmin Vivofit 3

Announced at the same time as the Vivoactive HR, the Garmin Vivofit 3 is the latest wearable in the GPS giant’s basic activity tracking series.

The most notable revision with the Vivofit 3 is Garmin’s effort to make it fashion-friendly with the option of designer bands: Gabrielle and Alexandra for women and Jonathan Adler for men.

The Vivofit 3 also brings some of Garmin’s new tech to the fitness tracking feature set, including: Move IQ which automatically detects exercises, including: running; walking; biking; swimming, elliptical; and Intensity Minutes – moderate and vigorous. Also onboard is the Move Bar, a motivational feature ubiquitous with the Vivofit series, plus the addition of audible alerts to get you jigging.

Although it lacks features such as heart rate monitoring, GPS and smart notifications, the Vivofit 3 is a solid and reliable activity tracker with great accuracy regarding steps and distance tracking. It’s a small, lightweight and comfortable wearable which you can almost forget you’re wearing – especially because the battery never needs to be charged.

Main Features

• Release Date: May 4 2016

• Display: 0.39 x 0.39-inch / 64 x 64 px (Not Touchscreen)

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Intensity Minutes, Time/Date

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Automatic Swim Detection, Calories (No Advanced Swimming Metrics)

• Water Resistant: 5 ATM (50-Meters)

• Smart Notifications: No

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS iPhone 4S + / Windows 10 / Desktop/Laptop

• Battery Life: Replaceable Coin Cell – Lasts Around 1 Year

Garmin Vivofit 3

        

Misfit Ray

The Misfit Ray is a charming and versatile little wearable with a spring bar attachment design which allows it to be worn with almost any fashion accessory, such as bracelets, necklaces and watch straps. It comes in Carbon Black or Rose Gold and ships with either a sport band or leather band.

It includes the essential activity tracking features and a multi-color LED display that glows in various colors to tell you how close you are to your daily fitness goals, and different colors for notifications – a cool way of keeping an eye on things without reaching for your smartphone.

The fashionable fitness tracker allows you to tag different activities, including: running; walking; cycling; swimming; tennis; dancing and yoga. This enables Ray to more accurately award points (calories etc) for your efforts.

In addition to taking care of your fitness, sleep and notifications, the Misfit Ray works with the Link app which features IFTTT integration – opening up a new realm of connections, such as managing your smart home gadgets and controlling your music playlist.

Main Features

• Release Date: March 2016

• Display: Multi-color LED

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Automatic Swim Detection, Calories (No Advanced Swimming Metrics)

• Water Resistant: 50 Meters

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: iOS 7 + / Android 4.3 + / Windows 8.1 + / Desktop/Laptop

• Battery Life: Replaceable Coin Cell – Lasts Around 6 months

Misfit Ray

       

Garmin Forerunner 235

The Garmin FR235 has replaced the FR225 as Garmin’s mid-range sports watch come activity tracker; there’s also a few smarts thrown in as well. I know this guide is focused on waterproof fitness trackers – which the FR235 is, but it doesn’t have any modes for tracking swim metrics like the Vivoactive HR.

Saying that, it is safe to swim with, and since it has a built-in GPS you could use it for logging distance if you’re swimming open water. The FR235 is very much geared up for running, with advanced features that normally come at a higher price, such as VO2 max; recovery advisor; race predictor; pace alert; auto lap; and audio prompts. It’s also one of the most accurate wrist-worn heart rate monitors – using Garmin’s Elevate optical HRM technology.

The FR235 brings automatic sleep monitoring, notifications galore, and can be used to control your smartphone’s music playlist. It’s also compatible with Garmin Connect IQ, meaning it’s highly customizable as watch faces, apps, widgets, data fields and more are freely available to download. Unfortunately though, it doesn’t include Garmin’s new Move IQ exercise auto-detect feature like the Vivoactive HR and Vivofit 3. Nevertheless, it’s still a top option.

Main Features

• Release Date: December 2015

• Display: 1.23-inch / 215 x 180 Color LCD (Not Touchscreen)

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories, Speed, Pace, Heart Rate, Intensity Minutes, Time/Date

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: Yes (and GLONASS)

• Swimming: Calories (No Advanced Swimming Metrics)

• Water Resistant: 5 ATM (50 Meters)

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text, Email, Social Media, Calendar Reminders

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS (iPhone 4S +) / Windows 10 +

• Battery Life: Up to 9 Days (Watch Mode) / 11 Hours (GPS Mode With HRM)

Garmin Forerunner 235

       

Misfit Shine 2

The popular and user-friendly Misfit Shine 2 can be worn as a bracelet, necklace or simply clipped onto clothing, there are also accessories available from Swarovski if you’re in the mood to bling up your activity tracking.

Tapping the multi-color 12 LED display allows you to see how close you are to your fitness goals, tell the time and keep track of notifications. The Misfit app allows you to tag different activity types, including: running; walking; swimming; cycling; yoga; dancing; tennis; soccer and basketball so you can be awarded the correct amount of points towards your goal based on the intensity of the activity.

Shine 2 works with the IFTTT integrated Misfit Link app, which means you can use your wearable to control your music playlist and connect to a growing number of apps.

Main Features

• Release Date: November 2015

• Display: Multi-color LED

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories, Activity Type, Time

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: No

• Swimming: (No Advanced Swimming Metrics)

• Water Resistant: 50 Meters

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: iOS 7 + / Android 4.3 + / Windows 8.1 + / Desktop/Laptop.

• Battery Life: Replaceable Coin Cell – Lasts Around 6 Months

Misfit Shine 2

   

Polar A360

The Polar A360 is one of a small number of swim-friendly fitness trackers to feature a built-in heart rate monitor. A vibrant, color LCD touchscreen which can be activated with a twist of the wrist (gesture control) or with a button press, gives it a kind of smartwatch hybrid appearance. Despite its swanky aesthetics though, it doesn’t really have too many smartwatch features, apart from smart notification excerpts and a few different watch faces that can be changed by holding down on the display.

The A360 is a comfortable fit and has interchangeable straps. Onboard you’ll find a training app with modes for various activities, including: running; walking; cycling, crossfit; strength training; group exercise; customizable indoor and outdoor activities; and swimming.

There are no advanced swimming metrics, but a Smart Calories feature which combines with the HRM to estimate your calorie output when you train, means greater accuracy regarding calorie burn in the pool and other chosen activities.

The Polar A360 HRM is not continuous and only monitors your BPM when you’re working out. If you’re looking for high HRM accuracy and a nice color display to go with it, you have the option to pair the A360 with Polar’s H7 chest strap.

Main Features

• Release Date: November 2015

• Display: Color LCD Touchscreen

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories, Heart Rate, Time/Date

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, Alarm

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Smart Calories (No Advanced Swimming Metrics)

• Water Resistant: 30 Meters

• Smart Notifications: Calls, Text, Social Media, Calendar Reminders

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS 7 +

• Battery Life: Around 10 Days

Polar A360

        

TomTom Spark Cardio + Music

The TomTom Spark Cardio + Music is equipped for both outdoor and indoor activities with mulit-sport modes which include swimming, running, cycling, gym workouts, training bike and treadmill.

Onboard the Spark is a standalone music player with 3GB of storage, so if you have a pair of waterproof Bluetooth headphones you should be able to listen to tunes while you’re swimming, although water degrades the Bluetooth signal, so depending on how you’re swimming, it might not sound too good.

There’s a built-in GPS, one of the most accurate wrist-worn heart rate monitors available with voice cues to help you train with heart rate zones, and a full set of activity tracking features, including sleep monitoring.

The Spark’s swimming features include: number of laps, swim distance, swim duration, speed, calories burnt, stroke rate and SWOLF score.

There’s no smartphone notifications with the TT Spark, and no control for your smartphone’s music apps, but the 3GB music player onboard kinda makes up for that.

Main Features

• Release Date: October 2015

• 3GB Standalone Music Player

• Display: 22 x 25mm Monochrome LCD (Not Touchscreen)

• Tracking: Steps, Calories, Distance, Speed, Pace, Elevation, Active Minutes, Heart Rate

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration

• GPS: Yes

• Swimming: Laps, Stroke Rate, Distance, Duration, Speed, Calories

• Water Resistant: 5 ATM

• Smart Notifications: No (Maybe Coming in the Future)

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS 7.1 +

• Battery Life: Up to 3 weeks (Activity Tracking), Up to 11 hours (With GPS), Up to 5 Hours (Activity Tracking + GPS + Music Playback)

TomTom Spark Cardio + Music

       

Note: There are different versions of the TomTom Spark. If you want the music player and heart rate monitor, make sure you go for the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music.

Moov Now

The Moov Now sets itself apart from the Fitbits and Jawbones of this world with its mix of live audio coaching and basic activity tracking. Upon trying the Moov, we soon realized it’s quite an intense little gadget that did actually succeed in getting our *sses into gear with its real-time training.

The training modes include: run & walk; boxing; cycling; 7 minute workout; and swimming. The goal of the Moov Now is to help you keep up the pace and continuously improve your routines, and like I said, it works..

When using the Moov Now for running, walking and cycling, the app grabs data from your smartphone’s GPS so you get real-time distance, speed and pace stats. It’s designed to be worn on either the wrist or ankle, and two can be worn at the same time for the boxing training.

In the pool, Moov Now is smarter than Bruce Wayne.. It brings advanced metrics, including: lap time; number of laps; stroke rate/length; flip/turn time; fastest 100-meters/yards; calories burned; and swim duration. It also features automatic stroke recognition – freestyle; breaststroke; butterfly; and backstroke. You can compare your stats with Olympic gold medal winning times with the Moov app and receive tips on how to swim like a fishy.

The live coaching feature isn’t available for swimming, and as the Moov Now doesn’t have a display, you’ll need to wait until after your swim to see your stats.

Standard fitness tracking is limited with the Moov Now, i.e., it doesn’t count your steps; it also lacks smart notifications. Nevertheless, it makes up for it with its many features for live training and a plethora of swimming metrics.

Main Features

• Release Date: September 2015

• Display: None

• Tracking: Active Minutes, Calories, Live Audio Coaching – Run & Walk, Cycling, Boxing, 7 Minute Workout, Swimming

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Sleep Duration

• GPS: No (Uses Smartphone’s GPS)

• Swimming: Automatic Stroke Recognition, Stroke Rate/Length, Laps, Turns/Flips, Calories

• Water Resistant: Waterproof Up to 3 Meters

• Smart Notifications: No

• Vibration Alerts: No

• Compatibility: Android / iOS

• Battery Life: Coin Cell – Lasts Around 6 Months

Moov Now

        

Speedo Shine

The Speedo Shine is the result of the collaborative efforts from the world’s leading swimwear firm, Speedo, and the wearable tech firm now owned by the Fossil Group, Misfit.

It has the same features as the original Misfit Shine, i.e., the quantified self essentials and automatic sleep tracking, but with the addition of some advanced swimming metrics.

Like the Misfit Shine which is also swim-friendly, it can either be worn on the wrist or clipped onto clothing. It’s also worth noting that the Speedo Shine is extremely thin and lightweight, so any drag or interference in the pool is minimal.

Its twinkling twelve LED display lets you know how close you are to your fitness goals and also tells the time.

Main Features

• Release Date: September 2015

• Display: Circular LED

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Automatic Stroke Recognition, Laps, Distance, Calories

• Water Resistant: 50 Meters

• Smart Notifications: No

• Vibration Alerts: No

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS (iPhone 4S +)

• Battery Life: Coin Cell – Lasts Around 6 Months

Speedo Shine

       

Withings Activité Pop

Withings, a French company now owned by Nokia, managed to come up with a stylish fitness tracker in the Activité Pop. As you can see by the picture, the Activité Pop bears the same aesthetic profile as a traditional analog watch. However, its appeal goes way beyond good looks, as it wields a capable set of activity tracking features and automatic sleep monitoring.

The Activité Pop automatically detects when you’re running, walking or swimming; which enables it to more accurately calculate your calorie output. It doesn’t have a heart rate monitor, GPS or touchscreen, and it doesn’t deliver smart notifications; although the features it lacks, it makes up for with style and battery life.

Main Features

• Release Date: January 2015

• Display: Analog

• Tracking: Steps, Distance, Calories, Time

• Sleep Tracking: Yes – Automatic, Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration

• GPS: No

• Swimming: Automatic Swim Detection, Calories, Total Distance

• Water Resistant: 5 ATM

• Smart Notifications: No

• Vibration Alerts: Yes

• Compatibility: Android 4.3 + / iOS 7 +

• Battery Life: Coin Cell – Lasts Around 8 Months

Withings Activité Pop

         

 

 

 

 

 

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