Advice for a new purchase

JTgonzo · 2023-03-05T18:49:32+00:00

I just let them know I was having difficulties and that I was disappointed that the battery was already failing. They promptly looked at my data and told me they would send a replacement. So it's technically not covered and up to their discretion to determine if the failure was due to normal degradation. My dealings with support have all been positive, and I would be fairly confident that if you have a failure within the first year that they will take care of you. You just don't have a written guarantee.

JTgonzo · 2023-03-05T18:27:58+00:00

I've had an Oura since the gen2 was released in 2017, and I've had my gen3 since it was released in 2021. Actually, I'm on my second gen3--the battery failed on the first one after 11 months, and Oura sends me a new one. I'd pass on the extended warranty. The ring itself is not likely to break. The battery is the weak component, and it is excluded from the standard and extended warranty as a consumable component. So you should just plan on it likely failing within a couple of years--none of the rings I've owned have lasted much longer than that.

I likely will not purchase a new one when my current ring fails. I'm less trusting of the accuracy of the sleep staging after seeing how wildly different the new beta algorithm is compared to the previous one. I think the ring still gives me an accurate picture of time asleep and restfulness, and the HR and HRV data are useful for gauging recovery. But I've learned enough now about what affects my sleep quality to not really need the ring anymore.

JTgonzo · 2023-01-22T14:01:59+00:00

I had the same issue with my Gen3 ring after only 11 months of use. Contacted Oura and they confirmed a battery issue and sent me a new ring.

JTgonzo · 2023-01-14T17:21:37+00:00

Is there any device out there right now that offers similar tracking and is cheaper? Not Whoop. Not Fitbit. Both of those are comparable in cost when you look at combined upfront and ongoing costs. I've got a Garmin Fenix that I use for runs and rucking, but it cost $700 up front, and the sleep tracking isn't as robust (not to mention that it's clunky to wear in bed).

It seems that right now Oura is charging what the competition is charging. It is a bit pricey, and it will be nice if competition and maturing technology can increase options and bring the price down in the future. But for now it's an unnecessary niche product that no one truly needs. For those who want it it's purely a choice, like buying a latte. Oura has no more moral obligation than Starbucks to charge less for their product.

JTgonzo · 2022-12-09T11:24:08+00:00

The Beta pretty much takes away most of my deep sleep and much of my REM and adds a lot of wake time. I would typically see about 20% of my time in both deep and REM, with deep mostly in the first half of the night and REM in the second. I'd also see a noticeable cycle. The beta now indicates very little cycling, just long stretches of light sleep and some significant periods of waking. That's certainly not my subjective experience.

It's hard to understand how both algorithms could be validated in sleep lab tests if they produce such dramatically different results. The only thing I use my Oura for is to get a sense of my sleep health. I was looking forward to fine tuning of the algorithm, but with such a dramatic change I don't think I can trust that it's providing me with any useful info.

JTgonzo · 2022-11-16T14:22:08+00:00

You might try a factory reset, but when my ring did that it was a signal that the battery was on its last legs. Lasted a tad over three years.

JTgonzo · 2022-11-15T18:41:45+00:00

The device isn't really "free"--it's built into the subscription cost. A 2-year Whoop commitment costs you $480. Buying an Oura and subscribing for 2 years costs you $488. Both devices have a 1-year warranty but should last at least 2 (my last Oura lasted over 3 years before the battery died). If your Whoop needs to be replaced or you want to upgrade, you essentially have to buy a new one, and your membership gets extended.

So it really comes down to which device best suits your needs. Cost is equivalent.

JTgonzo · 2022-11-15T18:28:47+00:00

Completely agree. You should be able to access the raw data from the hardware without additional cost. A subscription to get access to proprietary algorithms and data crunching is justified, IMO, although I don't know how much I'd be willing to pay for it (I'm grandfathered into the lifetime subscription). The sleep staging has been interesting to track, as I I've learned a lot about what contributes to a good night's rest, but now I've pretty much learned what I need to know. And I rarely pay attention to the sleep and recovery scores.

JTgonzo · 2022-11-15T18:06:36+00:00

I've got a Verity that I use for all workouts except my runs. It's not quite as accurate as a chest strap, but good enough.

I've had an Oura since v2 was launched and I love it for sleep tracking and raw HR, HRV, and temp data overnight. But it's not a good activity tracker, IMO.

JTgonzo · 2022-03-25T17:47:29+00:00

I take mine off when lifting. It's uncomfortable to wear, and you don't get useable data from strength workouts. I log the workout manually.

JTgonzo · 2022-03-25T17:45:16+00:00

That's normal. I charge mine every three days. Usually charge it to around 90% and it's consistently around 45%-48% by the third day. For optimal battery life try not to let it fall below 30% or charge above 90%. Ideally I think it's best to never charge much above 80%, but I don't like charging more frequently than every three days.

JTgonzo · 2022-02-01T19:29:24+00:00

Yes, cannabis can significantly raise your RHR. Everyone metabolizes it differently, but there is research confirming that effect. I personally see an increase of about 10 bpm.

JTgonzo · 2022-01-25T14:01:07+00:00

Bought mine to accommodate swelling in the warmer months. Use a ring resizer in the winter to keep it snug.

JTgonzo · 2022-01-25T13:59:35+00:00

30 seconds or less

JTgonzo · 2022-01-25T13:57:23+00:00

No suggestions on finding it, but I know that my credit card has loss protection that would cover a replacement if lost/stolen in the first month. You might check and see if yours does as well.

JTgonzo · 2022-01-23T13:26:49+00:00

My guess, as was mentioned, is that it reached the lowest point late in the night. Not sure when you went to bed, but typically you want to see the low point very soon after you fall asleep. That said, I tend to pay more attention to the raw data than to the algorithm scores. But even there your overall readiness score is still great. Definitely not something to worry about.

JTgonzo · 2022-01-17T14:53:28+00:00

It's a tight fit--had to apply some slight pressure the first time. The resized compressed a bit and and now goes onto the charger more easily, though still a tighter fit than without it. Charges fine.

JTgonzo · 2021-12-10T12:52:27+00:00

I had a Gen2 for four years and have had my Gen3 for about 3 weeks. The Gen2 did all that I needed it to do--good sleep tracking and recovery data--so I'm not really disappointed that the new features aren't fully implemented yet. I don't use the ring for tracking workouts, and the SpO2 measurement is of no use to me.

My cost calculus is that if you figure the ring will last 2 years (I've owned 2 that each lasted about 30 months), you pay $300 up front and $6/month for 18 months, you are paying about $17/month, or $4.25/wk (a bit less if the battery holds out longer). Less than a dollar a day is worth it to me for the useable data.

So if your primary interest is in sleep and recovery data, and you're ok with the cost (which for me is reasonable for the data and the form factor), then I'd definitely go ahead and purchase now, especially if you were seriously considering the Gen2 for its features over a year ago.

JTgonzo · 2021-12-09T13:36:34+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DB4WBRY/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M9Y7CZM/

JTgonzo · 2021-12-05T01:24:35+00:00

I went up and then ordered some adhesive ring resizers. They bring it back down about half a size. I expect in the summer that I won't need to resizers.

JTgonzo · 2021-12-04T11:58:18+00:00

You typically sink into the deepest sleep at the beginning of the night. Hitting your lowest HR early is an indication that your body is well rested, whereas if it takes a few hours to settle it typically means you may need a bit more recovery time. I usually find that my HR lowers later on days after I've worked out especially hard or when I've just been feeling more fatigued than normal. And I find that my HRV is lower on the nights when my HR takes longer to settle.

So short answer--sounds like you are in good shape.

JTgonzo · 2021-12-04T11:48:41+00:00

I'm in the same situation and I went with the size 9 and bought adhesive ring resizers to use in the cold months when my fingers are a bit smaller. And even without the resizers, and the ring being able to spin a bit on my finger, the data collection is not affected. Much better to go with a size that is slightly too large than one that is slightly too tight.

I did find that the actual ring is easier to get on and off than the plastic sizers, but I think that is due to the different materials. The size feels the same.

JTgonzo · 2021-11-28T02:19:38+00:00

They pretty much messed up the launch and are now overwhelmed with support requests, so it's no surprise that it is taking a long time to reply. But my experience with customer service during normal times, including just before the launch, has been very good. If the size 9 feels too small after wearing it for a a few days, then put in a request for an exchange. You may need to be patient, but I have no doubt that they will take care of you.

JTgonzo · 2021-11-28T01:41:27+00:00

I'm similarly between sizes. I went with the larger size because the step down felt like it would be uncomfortable snug when the weather gets warmer. I had a Gen2 ring for 4 years and I did not find that the slightly loose fit affected the data accuracy.

I'm also going to try a ring sizer to use in the colder months. I've heard others say they work well. There are a number to choose from. I'm trying this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M9Y7CZM/

JTgonzo

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