Techy advice needed
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Re: Techy advice needed
Thanks for the mini tutorial guys. It might be worth my while just tolerating my TV speakers for now as i'm a bit space constrained for finding a suitable place to put speakers without trading off quality/depth/balance.
Re: Techy advice needed
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGC7NTX/ ... RBbCP19NK8
Something cheap and cheerful like that. You can always stick them on done deal when you can afford something better.
Or use them with a pc or whatever.
Something cheap and cheerful like that. You can always stick them on done deal when you can afford something better.
Or use them with a pc or whatever.
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Techy advice needed
Watches (aka fitness trackers v sports watches)
I currently have a 3ish year old Garmin Forerunner 220. There's nothing wrong with it but I fancy a change.
I don't do much running these days but would like something that measures HR(without an extra strap), can track my gym activities (crossfit style) and is useful on climbing mountains. I don't know if I want/need GPS functionality in terms of walking/hiking as usually phone and GPS signal is pretty poor (i.e. I know most will track where I've been but the higher end ones seem to be able to preload with a route and it will direct me to follow it)
I don't want something that plays music or does me emails etc. I want a watch, not a phone!
The choices out there are a bit bewildering tbh and budget is an issue.
Can anyone help point me in the direction of what it is I want (activity tracker v smart watch?) and then any recommendations as to brands/ models (suunto v garmin v fitbit)?
Please and thank you.
I currently have a 3ish year old Garmin Forerunner 220. There's nothing wrong with it but I fancy a change.
I don't do much running these days but would like something that measures HR(without an extra strap), can track my gym activities (crossfit style) and is useful on climbing mountains. I don't know if I want/need GPS functionality in terms of walking/hiking as usually phone and GPS signal is pretty poor (i.e. I know most will track where I've been but the higher end ones seem to be able to preload with a route and it will direct me to follow it)
I don't want something that plays music or does me emails etc. I want a watch, not a phone!
The choices out there are a bit bewildering tbh and budget is an issue.
Can anyone help point me in the direction of what it is I want (activity tracker v smart watch?) and then any recommendations as to brands/ models (suunto v garmin v fitbit)?
Please and thank you.
Re: Techy advice needed
Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.
Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3
Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3
Re: Techy advice needed
I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....kermischocolate wrote:Watches (aka fitness trackers v sports watches)
I currently have a 3ish year old Garmin Forerunner 220. There's nothing wrong with it but I fancy a change.
I don't do much running these days but would like something that measures HR(without an extra strap), can track my gym activities (crossfit style) and is useful on climbing mountains. I don't know if I want/need GPS functionality in terms of walking/hiking as usually phone and GPS signal is pretty poor (i.e. I know most will track where I've been but the higher end ones seem to be able to preload with a route and it will direct me to follow it)
I don't want something that plays music or does me emails etc. I want a watch, not a phone!
The choices out there are a bit bewildering tbh and budget is an issue.
Can anyone help point me in the direction of what it is I want (activity tracker v smart watch?) and then any recommendations as to brands/ models (suunto v garmin v fitbit)?
Please and thank you.
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/
I like your right leg. A lovely leg for the role.
I've got nothing against your right leg.
The trouble is ... neither have you
I've got nothing against your right leg.
The trouble is ... neither have you
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Techy advice needed
Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.jimbobjoe wrote:Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.
Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Techy advice needed
Thanks i'll have a look.The Doc wrote: I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/
I never know what review sites are real reviews and not basically ads from big companies.
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
- Posts: 10706
- Joined: April 12th, 2008, 11:33 pm
- Location: Eight miles high
Re: Techy advice needed
Yeah Kermi, I'd second the Xiaomi (and add Huawei's offering to the mix), they're much cheaper and serious Chinese brands. They are very dependent on the phone but their apps are good.
There are many generic Chinese watches that the hardware is probably fine in but the apps are appalling. I'd check user feedback on the apps to see how they work with your phone to be sure.
There are many generic Chinese watches that the hardware is probably fine in but the apps are appalling. I'd check user feedback on the apps to see how they work with your phone to be sure.
Re: Techy advice needed
That's what I like about Wirecutter - big selling points are that they are not sponsored content and they don't just put up lists - they review a batch of things and give one top recommendation with a few optionskermischocolate wrote:Thanks i'll have a look.The Doc wrote: I can't specifically help but I find a good spot to start checking things like this out is "The Wirecutter" - not a lot of waffle and they just pick their top choice and a couple of alternatives. It at least cuts the field down to the main options....
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-b ... -trackers/
I never know what review sites are real reviews and not basically ads from big companies.
I like your right leg. A lovely leg for the role.
I've got nothing against your right leg.
The trouble is ... neither have you
I've got nothing against your right leg.
The trouble is ... neither have you
Re: Techy advice needed
After this I talked myself into getting an Amazfit Bip for the GPS/workout tracking. Cost £60 and I absolutely love it - battery has only dipped to 85% after a week (supposed to last up to 45 days between charges!), GPS is very accurate and there's some excellent supporting info on heart rate/pace/elevation etc. It's also got an always on display with optional faces so it works well as an everyday watch too without having to do the flick to wake thing or press a button to read.kermischocolate wrote:Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.jimbobjoe wrote:Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.
Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3
Re: Techy advice needed
Anyone any advice on HDMI Switches.
I want to attach 3 devices to one HDMI port.
I want to attach 3 devices to one HDMI port.
Treat life like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Techy advice needed
Cheers. I'll have a look.jimbobjoe wrote:After this I talked myself into getting an Amazfit Bip for the GPS/workout tracking. Cost £60 and I absolutely love it - battery has only dipped to 85% after a week (supposed to last up to 45 days between charges!), GPS is very accurate and there's some excellent supporting info on heart rate/pace/elevation etc. It's also got an always on display with optional faces so it works well as an everyday watch too without having to do the flick to wake thing or press a button to read.kermischocolate wrote:Awesome will check it out. I'm all for a cheaper/ better alternative.jimbobjoe wrote:Not in the same realm as a Garmin or Suunto but if you want a fitness tracker with heart rate monitor I recommend the xiaomi mi band 2 or 3. Does as much as a fitbit for around £20-25 and imo looks better. The Mifit app is very good once you now where everything is. Battery life is also up to 25 days depending on how frequent you have the heart rate on so basically better than anything else out there.
Xiaomi also make larger smartwatches in their Amazfit range (£55-£180) they're supposed to also have an excellent battery life and a good bit more on screen info than the mibands. I haven't seen any of them up close though so I'm unsure what they're like on-wrist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Mi-Band ... +mi+band+2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Band-Fi ... +mi+band+3
I think I've worked out I want a cheapish fitness tracker for gym stuff and a separate proper GPS system for being out on hills etc.
- Peg Leg
- Rob Kearney
- Posts: 9823
- Joined: February 1st, 2010, 5:08 pm
- Location: Procrastinasia
- Contact:
Re: Techy advice needed
@IanD
https://www.lindy.ie/kvm-c6/kvm-switche ... udio-p8677
Hard to bit lindy for value/performance. They are a bit lightweight for commercial use but rock solid for home use.
https://www.lindy.ie/kvm-c6/kvm-switche ... udio-p8677
Hard to bit lindy for value/performance. They are a bit lightweight for commercial use but rock solid for home use.
"It was Mrs O'Leary's cow"
Daniel Sullivan
Daniel Sullivan
Re: Techy advice needed
Bit cheaper than Peg Legs kit but probably much less functional, but I use this for my blue ray player and consoles.IanD wrote:Anyone any advice on HDMI Switches.
I want to attach 3 devices to one HDMI port.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0020426AG/ ... XBbZQ4W20S
Anyone But New Zealand
Re: Techy advice needed
Peggy's kit is a kvm. For sharing several PCs on 1 monitor keyboard and mouse.
If you just want to use 1 hdmi port on your telly for 3 devices there are way cheaper options.
Fairly generic stuff. Probably shitloads of them on amazon
If you just want to use 1 hdmi port on your telly for 3 devices there are way cheaper options.
Fairly generic stuff. Probably shitloads of them on amazon
Re: Techy advice needed
HDMI Switch, GANA Gold Plated 3-Port HDMI Switcher | HDMI Splitter | Supports Full HD1080p/3D with High Speed Cable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075R2DFJ1/ ... XBbZ5DJNJ1
Here is a super cheap £6.99 one. Probably worth spending a bit more
Here is a super cheap £6.99 one. Probably worth spending a bit more
- Peg Leg
- Rob Kearney
- Posts: 9823
- Joined: February 1st, 2010, 5:08 pm
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- Contact:
Re: Techy advice needed
Woops wrong linkjohng wrote:HDMI Switch, GANA Gold Plated 3-Port HDMI Switcher | HDMI Splitter | Supports Full HD1080p/3D with High Speed Cable https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075R2DFJ1/ ... XBbZ5DJNJ1
Here is a super cheap £6.99 one. Probably worth spending a bit more
This 18e one should be a bit more palatable
https://www.lindy.ie/audio-video-c2/spl ... pact-p9546
Last edited by Peg Leg on October 16th, 2018, 10:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"It was Mrs O'Leary's cow"
Daniel Sullivan
Daniel Sullivan
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
- Posts: 10706
- Joined: April 12th, 2008, 11:33 pm
- Location: Eight miles high
Re: Techy advice needed
That one is a bit more but it's 4K which may be important. All the others weren't.
Re: Techy advice needed
Yep that one is perfect. I just chose at random to illustrate how cheap and generic they were. Only noticed flip's post after I posted
Re: Techy advice needed
Johng, 433, Flip and Peg Leg.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
Treat life like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!