24 hour review. I'm pleased so far with the Ionic I've purchased. This is the first Smartwatch I've owned, but like many of us I've had a variety of personal digital devices in my life over the decades.
Grumbles:
The information on setup and configuration supplied with the retail package is woefully deficient. It is about enough to get the device powered up and connected to App installed on your phone, tablet or PC but that is about it. The fact that greater detail can be found on the net is great, but I rather like having physical instructions for new toys.
Grins:
1. I like the GPS mapping on a walk or run. I did a bit of exploring on today's test walk with the device. While not pinpoint in agreement with map on the app, it was pretty darn close for gadget that is strapped to one's wrist. I can't wait to test this on known & unknown routes up in the hills.
2. Changing the watch face is very nice (remember, first Smartwatch). I've picked the retro-digital look of the 1970s since I thought it was cool back when it was first introduced and well, now I I think it makes an amusing if trite comment on modern technology.
3. Real time information on heart rate. This is why I bought the device (The Device? I think I like that better) in the first place. I've had other heart rate monitors in the past, always of the type that used a strap around the chest. Which frankly is not a good design for me. The strap tends to migrate down due to innate shape of my torso; most annoying. With The Device however it stays in place on my dominant forearm (aside from one short interval today) and is unnoticeable aside from my constant checking of status driven by the novelty of The Device.
4. Music play back. This is a nice bonus that sealed the deal for me. I've been using my iPhone for aural distractions/pace setting while on my daily walk. The earbuds supplied are adequate for the task and generally work well along side my hearing aids. The chance to leave the phone at home was quite the allure. Although the process to transfer an iTunes playlist took a minor bit of research, once the settings were done the transfer took place with out a hiccup.
4.a. Fitbit Flyer - In for a penny, in for a pound. Since there is no physical earbud jack on the Ionic, picking these up on a gamble seamed to be the logical choice. One that has proven to be prudent and correct, although not without its own irritations. The range on these is great to my impaired ears, I've heard tones and layered background tracks in my music of choice that I have not heard in years if ever. It IS irritating that the supplied changeable Si buds are just too large for my ears. I guess I'm an outlier when it comes to size of the ear canal. I have ordered a foam material based aftermarket alternative. Foam hearing protectors were never a problem for me, but I did have to mash them down pretty small and be quick about insertion to get them to work.
5. Alarm and Sleep. Another bonus from my stand point. I set an alarm 0-Dark Thirty the first day, to see if it would wake me from sleep. It did. Looked at the dark sky and went back to sleep for another two hours. Which the The Device dutifully tracked and logged for me. Said log confirmed my issues remaining asleep early in the night. As well as noting the few minutes I was awake from the alarm.
Summary: I quite like The Device so far. It logs my pulse over time, walking pace, cumulative elevation gain, distance traveled & time thereof. Makes a decent wrist watch due to its modest customization options. Is an easily portable music playback gizmo. Durability is still a question of course. I would like to see a Slow Watch face for The Device, or maybe the YES Solunar design.
Best Answer
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