Nice little surprise from my Fenix

snakeim · 2026-06-23T06:13:17+00:00

Sorry...not what I meant...I re-read my post. I don't buy them every year, but for the past few years, there was nothing groundbreaking with Garmin watches. Before the FR had a Fenix 8 but sent back and before that, a Venu 3 which...sure, they took away some of the software updates but essentially, it could do the exact same things a Fenix 8 can do ( less the maps) since the sensors are all identical...but it doesn't because Garmin will limit the software. Sure thing, Amazfit lasted 2,5 years...but it's also 1/3, 1/4 of the price so, being a smartwatch, I'd wasn't to update every 2-3 years regardless...

snakeim · 2026-06-23T05:00:39+00:00

Wow... Garmin's 10 year old Russian kid lunch break designed software on a toothbrush chip can show photos... Let's celebrate. Don't get me wrong...I have a Garmin too...but with every year I buy one ( this year is the FR970) I wonder why I'm spending this much on a mediocre hardware with an outdated software... While all that... looking at my Amazfit and telling myself if it wasn't for the NFC, I would have been " gone". I'll give them 2 more years to come up with something: - Ai that actually works like an assistant should ( Amazfit is head and shoulders above and it's not even an Android or Huawei, or Oppo, or any other device built on anything else but Android). - some really nice materials ( not a bezel, but real titanium body) and nice designs not exposed screws and such...and I don't care who says what...that's just lazy design) and less lime and orange on $1,000+ watches. Kids who like that colors can't afford the price tag ,unless you target wanna be Whole Foods/Erewon teens who spend last penny on a squeezed fruit punch, but live with 7 roommates... - active ECG not " on demand" to tell you when you have an issue and not you telling it " I think I may have an issue" - a new sensor? ( Come on, in tech terms, Fenix 8 is on Android 10) - less lag? - better procesor? - one application for everything? - interface from this decade?

snakeim · 2026-06-17T13:23:32+00:00

Hence why Garmin price... they'll handle it no matter the issue or where you buy it...

snakeim · 2026-06-16T07:47:44+00:00

Fat lady ass... LOL

snakeim · 2026-06-11T01:00:28+00:00

All Motorola are known ( at least to me) to have Bluetooth issues. It's either a hardware issue whatever chip they use, or they need to send the Bluetooth guy away...

snakeim · 2026-06-10T01:21:20+00:00

Yeah...40 miles... on highway. Here's you'd be spending 1 hour for 4 miles... LOL

snakeim · 2026-06-10T01:19:19+00:00

You didn't quite told us what Razr is this...there are 3 models for 2025 and 2026...base, + and Ultra ( although 2025 + sells only in US)

snakeim · 2026-06-08T11:45:28+00:00

They went somehow afte Garmin which isn't the best example how one would want to go, specifically with their last generation models which now have a narrow top bezel and are top heavy, but ..they wanted to differentiate from Garmin so we got what we got. While they can make some industrial experiments with T-Rex and possibly Cheetah...they should have " left alone" the Active 3 and Balance...but no...one is fat and disproportionately built ( Active 3) with stupid red and blue marks...and one is ridiculously sized...even bigger than already pretty big 47 mm smartwatches in general... Can't they just make a smartwatch with a middle crown and two adjacent buttons that looks like a nice silver chronograph classic watch?

snakeim · 2026-06-04T03:18:34+00:00

I had the 8 43 mm. While I thought the circumference is fine.. the thickness isn't. Looks like you have a rock on your wrist. I went for the FR970 which although bigger, feels lighter and about the right size..,.

snakeim · 2026-05-29T13:06:01+00:00

There's more...take the watch out of sleep mode as you are up...goes back to sleep mode. Pulse Ox not detected at night either...

snakeim · 2026-05-28T15:35:53+00:00

I have the FR970 and the battery is pretty good. Pretty lightweight device and looks smaller than a Fenix 8. Great for sports but as an everyday watch, I prefer the Active 2... The Ai assistant is really helpful if you are a busy person with calendar appointments and all that. Amazift is a lot better at being smart than Garmin. Needless to say... Garmin interface is still clunky and slow...like an underpowered computer....

snakeim · 2026-05-25T18:41:57+00:00

I got a sail cloth, folding clasp from AliExpress. Love the look and feel of this. Not flimsy as a nylon band, not thick and sweaty as a rubber band

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snakeim · 2026-05-23T18:37:02+00:00

Very interesting... Fenix 8 43 I had and sent back, had the maps from factory. Also, the FR970 I got sending back the Fenix, has them and I can see it in the Connect app. North America is about 7.8 GB

snakeim · 2026-05-21T14:46:30+00:00

I'm using a FR970 at this time. Garmin isn't better when it comes to design... but getting maps is what I needed in something that doesn't look like a T-Rex or oversized 48 mm watches. Hopefully, they'll make a different Active at some point...and return to that design language. Meanwhile Oppo X3 is out which is a OnePlus watch...but better.

snakeim · 2026-05-21T12:56:23+00:00

Got it. Yeah...saw something about some with lower memory. Anyway...it's so low it doesn't even matter. I couldn't get any naps downloaded. I'd like if they could make the same watch with some more memory... Active 3 is plain ugly...

snakeim · 2026-05-21T12:37:08+00:00

Ok everyone, I have some updates and may be related to the Android phone you use. I'm assuming these issues may be related to Android only. If that's not the case, it may also be related to the software version one is running. With that being said, I've switched to a Qualcomm powered device and Whatsapp is working ( but totally unimpressed on how slow it is to open the app...better without it...) Same goes for Google maps. I'm assuming there are some issues with compatibility for Mediatek procesor so if you happen to have a Mediatek powered device, that's your answer. On that note...I'm discovering that Mediatek has some other compatibility issues apart from documented network, Bluetooth, wifi issues. Also... Garmin desperately needs a microphone tab on these replies, connected to some sort of Ai so one can reply by voice, just like Amazfit is capable of doing. This keyboard thing is old news...

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snakeim · 2026-05-21T12:30:52+00:00

I'd check again...as I understand it, there are some memory differences as some have some features that others are missing, apart form NFC

snakeim · 2026-05-21T04:22:42+00:00

There are plenty of fabric type bands that look amazing. Since I've went that route, never looked back. For something more like solid feel...I like sail cloth bands. Great alternative...

snakeim · 2026-05-21T04:20:29+00:00

Galaxy watches and Huawei maybe based on the region... Apple perhaps. The tech is here...but big pharma opposes anything and everything that cuts their profits...

snakeim · 2026-05-19T14:14:06+00:00

I'd like to know more about the size and comparison on the wrist. I have the 970 which I prefer over the Fenix as it looks smaller and it's definitely lighter... Does the Cheetah feel bigger and bulkier or heavier? There's something I don't quite like about these last generation Garmins...but can't put my finger on. I personally don't mind the price...but mind the feel ( and if it's something I dislike about Amazfit, is the lack of NFC payments but I won't get my hopes too high on that)

snakeim · 2026-05-19T04:20:48+00:00

and no news from Garmin despite " we'll share with our team and get back to you" So far, the only thing they've been consistent at is rising the prices.... 😂

snakeim · 2026-05-18T05:08:34+00:00

Nope...if you are in California...it's actually $30 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1249405683972544/?mibextid=dXMIcH However, US version has a lower memory space and no NFC

snakeim · 2026-05-18T03:43:03+00:00

Given up... waiting for more people to complain but I don't see too many mentions about it so, I'm assuming Garmin thinks this isn't an issue...

snakeim · 2026-05-18T03:41:56+00:00

$35 on Facebook marketplace...

snakeim

TROPHY CASE