Skip to main content

Apple Watch Series 2 -- 42mm - Space Grey

I took the plunge and picked up the 42mm size Apple Watch Series 2 in Space Gray for $399.  The Apple Watch looks and feels a lot better than I had thought and it was worth the wait to get the basic improvements like GPS and 50M Water Resistance in the 2nd Generation release vs. the 1st Generation.

Initial Reaction -- Positive
I've only worn it for a few hours and haven't really tried much beyond the basic functions of Email, Text Messages, Phone Calls, Music, etc.  It'll take me at least a week or more to really get a better understanding of how useful this watch will be, but I do like the utility of being able to control & access some features of my iPhone without having to access it.  Sounds silly to say, but makes more sense when you have the Apple Watch and your iPhone jammed inside your pants pocket.

Overall, the Apple Watch is very well designed and has an appealing look & feel.  The build quality is good and like most Apple Products they focus on form meeting function when they design their products.

Four Days In
I'm starting to like the Apple Watch and find it as a useful device that complements the iPhone.  Battery Life is quite good and after 16 hours of use it often still has 60% Battery remaining.  True, I barely use it beyond a few basic feature (Time, Date, Notifications).

What I find most interesting are the health monitoring like my Heartbeat, Pedometer (steps) and other metrics that help me realize that I already am fairly active and walk a good 8k - 10k steps a day already. 

The only bummer has been I tried my best to wear both my Rolex or Omega along with the Apple Watch, but my wrists felt too 'busy' wearing two (2) watches so I've been exclusively wearing only the Apple Watch.  I guess I will relegate my Swiss Automatic Watches for special occasions.

One Month
I've been wearing the Apple Watch almost everyday.  On occasion, I switch to a Casio G-Shock for activities that would destroy an Apple Watch, but otherwise it's been mostly this on my wrist.

Overall, it's meh...it's nice to have, but you can live without it fine and rely on just the iPhone.  Probably sounds silly, but if this could work as stand-alone smartphone so I could ditch the iPhone, that would be awesome...but I'm not sure how they can resolve handling various features that are more convenient on a larger screen.

Update -- Two Years
Has it really been that long? Yes, it has and I'm impressed at the quality, beauty and utility of the Apple Watch.  My Series 2 is starting to show its age, but still works as expected and has performed admirably and reminds me of my Casio G-Shocks in terms of utility.

I will certainly consider keeping a smartwatch in my collection and when its time to retire my Series 2, I'll look at what Apple has to offer and hope it'll be not until the Series 8 or 9.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX310 Series Headphones

By happenstance I own several Sony ZX Series Headphones: ZX-100 ZX-110 ZX-310 Build Quality (ZX-310 Wins) They use mostly a Plastic Build that is quite durable; the ZX-100 I've had for over 2 1/2 years and been thrown about in my Backpack & Car.  The ONLY issue with the lower model ZX-100 & ZX-110 Series are the crappy Earpads that disintegrate and create a flaky vinyl mess.  Those flakes then get stuck to your ears & hair.  The ZX-310 wins in that regard with much better quality Earpads. Cost (ZX-100/110 Wins) ZX-310's cost about twice that of the ZX-100/110 and I've been able to find several 310's for about $18 at Discount Retailers.  ZX-110's should go for about $10. Specs They are all 30mm Drivers.  The ZX-310 has a wider Frequency Range of 10 ~ 24,000 Hz and a Gold 1/8" Plug.  The ZX-100/110 are roughly identical going 12 ~ 22,000 Hz. Sound (ZX-100 Wins) Surprisingly, I prefer the ZX-100's Sound Signature vs. the 110 and 31

Casio G-Shock 5600 vs 6900 vs 9000

Having now owned several G-Shocks I've come to appreciate certain features of various models.  For most part all I care about primarily is 'size'.  Features are secondary and so long as it has World Time, I'm happy. Size (5600 wins) In terms of size the 5600's are my favorite, but the convenience of the illumination button front and center on the 6900 is beautiful. The compromise?  It has to go to the 9000 series Mudman.  While the buttons are difficult to press it is the right size and button arrangement that just connects with me as one of my favorite G-Shocks thus far.  Now Module versions this is probably a bad selection to compare as I have a GLX, G and DW types.  But form factor wise they are roughly equivalent representatives of their model series.  There are certainly much larger G-Shocks, but for me the 6900 is where I will draw the line for now. Features (G9000 Wins, GLX5600 Good Second) Most G-Shocks have the standard basics down pat and all I car

Eton Microlink FR160 Radio -- Sticky Residue

I bought an Eton Microlink FR160 Handcrank Radio for my Emergency Kit a few years ago and it's great, except for one thing....over time a sticky residue coats the radio's external surface.  It was driving me nuts and I thought something was wrong. Fortunately, rather than dump it I researched online and learned Eton Radios are coated with a substance to make them easier to grip, but over time it degrades and becomes a sticky mess.  Some isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls can clean most of the gunk.  Some paint maybe lost in the process, but the radio at least is not sticky anymore.