New Gear S3 User - Samsung Gear S3

New member here. 41/Montana
I picked up a S3 2 weeks ago and have a few questions. I own Note 8 and used to wear a Garmin but wanted the call and text feature the gear offered. I have a few questions and concerns.
1: would you recommend any apps for hiking. As of now I'm using the one that comes up in the Samsung Health app. I also use it when in the gym for running on the treadmill.
2: while in the gym in the Samsung health app I dont see any options for just working out. I don,t want to change between different exercises I would like something just to track time and heart rate while lifting weights.
3: While on a hike this Sunday it tracked me all the way up and when i started coming back down all the tracking stopped. It kept the time but it didnt show distance, elevation decent or calories burned.
While i was hiking I was about 2 miles from my truck and didnt have wifi and I received a text from a friend on my phones number, not my watch number. Can anyone explain that. I thought when away from your phone the only way to receive text was if someone used the Gear phone #.
Im really trying to like this watch. I loved my Garmin. I have been looking all over the internet for things i can do with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
thanks,
Corey

Related

S-Health on S2

Hi All,
I have bumped into limited activities on S2 s-health app such as circuits, HIT, aerobics, weight training or just simple sports tracking. The ones pre-loaded on s2 are very limited and really useless. So if i want to track my exercising i have to set up on walking or running which records useless parameters such as speed, why on earth would you need your speed whilst training in weights section
I can see that there are a lot more selections on s-health app but you can only track it fro your phone standalone from s2 gear.
now is there a way to sync or add more sports activities into s2?
I would appreciate if you could guide me.
Thanks
Id like to know this too!
For now unfortunately no.
I have the exact same problem! I don't understand why Samsung hasn't included more activities? There is so much more space to turn the bazzle for more activities!
I just want, at least, an "other" category that tracks heart rate and estimates calories burned
Jrobsky said:
I just want, at least, an "other" category that tracks heart rate and estimates calories burned
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah "other" or general gym would do as well. Not practical to measure your gym workout under walking
Any solution yet anyone?
I agree with the rest, this would be very useful, i like to go kayaking, it would be very helpful to have that as an option on the watch. You would not think it would be to difficult for them to make the ability to have the same activities on the watch as on the phone. Hopefully they will get something done with it soon.
You would think that this new amazing watch would do at LEAST what the crappy little Gear Fit did from which I upgraded... So far I'm not overly impressed... no Google Now, no sleep monitoring, no real customization... maybe with time there will be more functionality, but I am wondering (since I just got it 3 days ago) if I should have went with the Moto 360 g2 instead...
That sums up Samsung great hardware but piss poor software integration and updates, so an article the other day saying their own employees say this !!!
Look at the picture i post, it is the same with sleep tracking, i am so disapointed ... my last sam**** product ...
svavrek said:
You would think that this new amazing watch would do at LEAST what the crappy little Gear Fit did from which I upgraded... So far I'm not overly impressed... no Google Now, no sleep monitoring, no real customization... maybe with time there will be more functionality, but I am wondering (since I just got it 3 days ago) if I should have went with the Moto 360 g2 instead...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what i have been able to gather from outside sources.
It is the Tizen OS.
I have used an app for working out called JEFIT, i use the Pro version.
This is a very good app.
I contacted them to see about future app updates and watch integration. With Tizen, Android Wear, and Apple.
They did not give me a full answer but did answer with using the Apple watch as an example.
I do see that there should be something very soon to be able to get this watch in the field it should be.
The other problem:
most people that want a smartwatch are not Lift Junkies, more of cardio junkies.
So the market to create and adapt for the lifters to utilize isnt as high as everyone else who wants to use the GPS to track distance and speed, as well as how much cardio they did.
I have been rethinking the whole watch thing too.
Im beginning to think i should have gotten the Moto 360 g2
I ended up saying F Samsung. Traded in, got the LG Urbane and the new V10 and sooooooooooooo happy! Never looking back.
Anybody ever figure this out? I don't understand why there isn't other options other than running and walking and hiking and biking
Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk
svavrek said:
I ended up saying F Samsung. Traded in, got the LG Urbane and the new V10 and sooooooooooooo happy! Never looking back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your battery life like and does Google actually offer many more apps ?
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app

Returned the watch today...

Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Returned my Frontier, too
The Samsung Gear App isn't shown in the Playstore for my Huawei MediaPad X2 Phone, so I loaded it as unknown application
I'm able to install the app and to start it
The gearS3 is also recognized by bluetooth, but prepairing the watch fails, because the app closes without any notification
The Samsung Page
apps.samsung.com/gear
for receiving the gear app direct by Samsung shows:
"This URL is only supported on mobil devices" (translated from german language)
on my Huawei Mediapad X2 mobil device
So I returned the watch to Amazon without any possibilty to test it
Edit
My AndroidWear Huawei Watch works without any limitations on the MediaPad X2
bye felicia.
Sampson0420 said:
bye felicia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh?
Sampson0420 said:
bye felicia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it.
My Gear S3 LTE is my fourth Gear and the third with 3G/LTE connectivity. It's the best of the four and, for me, the only wearable worth buying. They all have limitations by the way. The Gear family works best with Samsung phones and with Samsung's apps (EG: e-mail, MMS, contacts, etc.). Used that way it's literally a stand-alone alternative to your phone. And that's why I buy it. That and the Gear S3 has impressive battery life, a great display, a neat always on display, a fantastic UI, the ability to pay with your watch at any terminal, and the "write with your finger" really solves text entry on a wearable problem. For those with non-Samsung phones, especially iPhone users, know what you're buying before you buy it and you'll reduce your chances of being disappointed. None of what's been discussed hasn't been discussed a year ago on the Gear S2 forum.
Sounds like you expected it to be a phone on your wrist. No smartwatch will acheive that in the forseeable future.
Of course Garmin devices will track more accurately. That's their primary function. ON the Gear S3, it's an addition to it's main functions.
It's targeting the average consumer, not the fitness fanatics.
S3 is not cooking aldente pasta too...
All the reasons you mentioned are ridiculous, as everybody knows such limitations of the smartwatches.
the_scotsman said:
Sounds like you expected it to be a phone on your wrist. No smartwatch will acheive that in the forseeable future.
Of course Garmin devices will track more accurately. That's their primary function. ON the Gear S3, it's an addition to it's main functions.
It's targeting the average consumer, not the fitness fanatics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So based on the things I listed, what exactly is a smartwatch supposed to do? Notifications, email, text, etc...
And it's funny it's not targeted for fitness fanatics considering there was a commercial with a girl climbing a rock wall taking wait for it, a phone call. Additionally, why all the effort in creating all of the different exercise tracking if its not to be used as a fitness tracker? Being able to run with a watch that can provide text and email notifications and make actual phone calls, eventually stream Spotify without the need of an actual phone would be a huge advantage for any fitness fanatic. But the fact that it can't accurately track a run and provide split times renders it useless for fitness fanatics.
Gio999 said:
S3 is not cooking aldente pasta too...
All the reasons you mentioned are ridiculous, as everybody knows such limitations of the smartwatches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good reference.
So all of the things they tout that it will do it just does those half ass... Oh, now I get it. Those be the limitations you mentioned.
awilson181 said:
So based on the things I listed, what exactly is a smartwatch supposed to do? Notifications, email, text, etc...
And it's funny it's not targeted for fitness fanatics considering there was a commercial with a girl climbing a rock wall taking wait for it, a phone call. Additionally, why all the effort in creating all of the different exercise tracking if its not to be used as a fitness tracker? Being able to run with a watch that can provide text and email notifications and make actual phone calls, eventually stream Spotify without the need of an actual phone would be a huge advantage for any fitness fanatic. But the fact that it can't accurately track a run and provide split times renders it useless for fitness fanatics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're 100℅ correct that they've targeted athletes or people who want to track their various outdoor adventures. I was shocked that I couldn't do a manual lap in the s health running app as I like to track splits for my sprint workouts.
Apparently there is an update that improves GPS that should arrive soon.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
cdd543 said:
You're 100℅ correct that they've targeted athletes or people who want to track their various outdoor adventures. I was shocked that I couldn't do a manual lap in the s health running app as I like to track splits for my sprint workouts.
Apparently there is an update that improves GPS that should arrive soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, saw that yesterday...you know exactly the same day I returned it. Maybe by time Verizon gets it all the kinks will be worked out.
I love my g Gear S3, but I agree with the author of this thread. I have had the original Gear, Gear 2, Gear S, Gear S2 3g, and now the Gear S3 LTE. I have also had several AW watches (LG, Moto, Moto 2, LG Urbane 2 LTE). The Gear S3 is by far the best smartwatch I have owned. I pair it with a Sammy Note 5 so I get full capabilities.
I also have always owned a fitness band to track my workouts and runs since all the watches I mentioned above do a mediocre job as it relates to fitness tracking. I currently wear a Garmin Vivosmart HR+ on my other wrist. I use it for my fitness tracking. I haven't given the S3 a thorough test period yet, but on the few runs I have taken it on, it has performed above average. The GPS was almost exactly the same as my Garmin. The heart rate was close but annoyingly different from the Garmin. Basic step tracking is always 1000 plus below my steps on the Garmin at the end of the day.
It works great streaming downloaded music to my BT headset when I run and the challenge workout coaching is fun (speed up, run faster, you are on pace nice job, etc...).
When I first saw ads and videos of the S3 I too thought it would be the perfect solution and I could give up wearing another fitness device. For 1st time Gear owners I am sure many were also expecting Garmin or Fitbit type results. I don't think the S3 is delivering on it.
awilson181 said:
Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True about Garmin vs s3. I returned my Garmin Fenix hr which was stupid of me.
awilson181 said:
Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A smart watch is not the same thing as a specific fitness band or other such device. Neither can perform the others tasks.
Buyers remorse is a horrible thing and despite doing all our 'home work' prior to purchase there will always be some devices we purchase that we just don't like so return them.
Most important thing to remember though is the Gear S3 is a highly accomplished smart watch and if you didn't enjoy its ownership I would question if any smart watch would fit your requirements. Samsung make their own fitness band have you tried that?
The more I look at your list of disappointments the more I ponder if any smart watch can comply with that list? There are not that many choices of OS.
I do hope you find what fits your needs, let us know how you get along. :highfive:
Ryland
For the Nth time. No fitness tracker/smartwatch is ever accurate. You might find it accurate/ close to accurate at times- but various studies over time has proved them to be varying in accuracy over extended trials. Also, various company representatives like from Fitbit etc have made it clear that "these devices are designed to provide meaningful data to users to help them reach their health and fitness goals, and are not intended to be scientific or medical devices".
So unless you have a chest strap, you never get an accurate HR reading. So its time to focus on important things like get moving. Look at what you are trying to accomplish- if you plan to lose weight, your smartwatch/ fitness tracker should help you get closer to that goal and provide motivation. Now if you are a professional athlete and wants accurate reading and sh*t u probably already know what you need.
Hi
anoopjylive said:
For the Nth time. No fitness tracker/smartwatch is ever accurate. You might find it accurate/ close to accurate at times- but various studies over time has proved them to be varying in accuracy over extended trials. Also, various company representatives like from Fitbit etc have made it clear that "these devices are designed to provide meaningful data to users to help them reach their health and fitness goals, and are not intended to be scientific or medical devices".
So unless you have a chest strap, you never get an accurate HR reading. So its time to focus on important things like get moving. Look at what you are trying to accomplish- if you plan to lose weight, your smartwatch/ fitness tracker should help you get closer to that goal and provide motivation. Now if you are a professional athlete and wants accurate reading and sh*t u probably already know what you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ran a 10 mile certified race with my Garmin. That watch measured 10.18 which given the fact that I didn't run all the tangents I'd say that's really accurate. Been this way for any race I've done. Now a half a mile(or more in some cases) off like the gear 3, that's too much especially when the watch is determining split times. Or in the case of this watch, average mile time over the entire run since it can't provide mile splits for some reason.
awilson181 said:
Hi
I just ran a 10 mile certified race with my Garmin. That watch measured 10.18 which given the fact that I didn't run all the tangents I'd say that's really accurate. Been this way for any race I've done. Now a half a mile(or more in some cases) off like the gear 3, that's too much especially when the watch is determining split times. Or in the case of this watch, average mile time over the entire run since it can't provide mile splits for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you already got what you needed. And If accuracy is one thing that's very important, smart watches are not probably gonna fit your needs. We still gotta wait couple generations more I guess.
For me it's simple.
If you want a watch you buy a watch
If you want a smartwatch you buy a smartwatch
If you want to track your fitness you buy a fitness tracker
If you want all of the above and like gadgets get yourself a smartwatch. In which case the S3 is a good choice.
There is an old saying that accurately describes the S3: jack of all trades, master of none. The S3 is packed with every feature currently imaginable on a watch. It does each of these things to the 80th percentile. If you need the upper 20% you're going to have to get a focused device that's willing to sacrifice breadth of function in exchange for greater depth.
It isn't reasonable to expect the S3 to outperform a dedicated running watch, cycling computer, GPS, sleep monitoring device, or any other specialized gadget.
Me to going to return it back to amazon(classic)
The reason for that.
1.Too heavy,big and uncomfortable wearing it for many hours plus less attractive design than Zenwatch 3 I'm also having and gone keep at end.
2. I'm having several disconnection issue with plenty of Bluetooth stereo headset.
But one think I ll be missing is Tizen OS that to me is much more polished and friendly than android Wear.
Also the rotation mechanism I found it very comfortable and enjoyable.

Samsung Gear 3 Frontier and Golf GPS apps

Has anyone used any GPS apps on the Samsung Gear 3 Frontier? i'm keen to get the watch but want it to have this capability, in particular to use as a golf GPS
nashman888 said:
Has anyone used any GPS apps on the Samsung Gear 3 Frontier? i'm keen to get the watch but want it to have this capability, in particular to use as a golf GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one of the main reasons (ok, in truth there are probably closer to 5 main reasons :laugh I have my order patiently waiting at Samsung.com since 11/20/2016. I believe there is an app called Navi or Navi+ that is supposed to work with S2, and apparently will work with S3 as well. I currently use both my phone and my MS Band 2 for golf, but with MS apparently dropping releasing further iterations, the S3 was a clear winner for me based off my other "smartwatch" needs (although I still intend wearing both the Band 2 and the S3).
However, I have not been able to clearly identify any apps that will "definitely" do what I require for a golf app (track score, show distances, and work independently from my phone). My golf buddy who has an Apple Watch 2 is still waiting for a decent golf app on that.....so I'm holding out hope that something decent will be done for the S3 before his watch. Anyone know if Navi or any other app is workable yet on S3?
hsolo said:
This is one of the main reasons (ok, in truth there are probably closer to 5 main reasons :laugh I have my order patiently waiting at Samsung.com since 11/20/2016. I believe there is an app called Navi or Navi+ that is supposed to work with S2, and apparently will work with S3 as well. I currently use both my phone and my MS Band 2 for golf, but with MS apparently dropping releasing further iterations, the S3 was a clear winner for me based off my other "smartwatch" needs (although I still intend wearing both the Band 2 and the S3).
However, I have not been able to clearly identify any apps that will "definitely" do what I require for a golf app (track score, show distances, and work independently from my phone). My golf buddy who has an Apple Watch 2 is still waiting for a decent golf app on that.....so I'm holding out hope that something decent will be done for the S3 before his watch. Anyone know if Navi or any other app is workable yet on S3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw a post on another forum that someone had used Golf Navi on a S3 and was impressed with the speed and accuracy of the readings. I've been watching for reports also and was told that Golf Navi ran natively on the watch. There is also another app by Golfzon called Smart Caddie that looks encouraging.
I bought a S3 Frontier LTE 2 days ago and set it up with the IOS beta app but unfortunately I could not download the golf apps from the store using the beta app. I'm returning it until the S3 and iPhone play well together.
For you Apple Watch friend: I have a AW2 and am using FunGolf. It's not free but has the best graphics of any Golf GPS app or standalone watch I've ever seen. Also will use the AW2 GPS when the iPhone is not present or out of range. If they would convert the app for the Gear S3 it would be a real winner!
TScottTX said:
I saw a post on another forum that someone had used Golf Navi on a S3 and was impressed with the speed and accuracy of the readings. I've been watching for reports also and was told that Golf Navi ran natively on the watch. There is also another app by Golfzon called Smart Caddie that looks encouraging.
I bought a S3 Frontier LTE 2 days ago and set it up with the IOS beta app but unfortunately I could not download the golf apps from the store using the beta app. I'm returning it until the S3 and iPhone play well together.
For you Apple Watch friend: I have a AW2 and am using FunGolf. It's not free but has the best graphics of any Golf GPS app or standalone watch I've ever seen. Also will use the AW2 GPS when the iPhone is not present or out of range. If they would convert the app for the Gear S3 it would be a real winner!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like me - I had thought about buying a golf watch for a couple hundred bucks, and for another hundred I get this?! Sold!
I've got those two apps, and GolfPad ( http://golfpadgps.com/#golf-pad ) installed on my S3, but it's been too cold to play since I've had my watch!
All three will keep score, and show distances on the watch (although GolfPad does it only on the premium, $20/yr version). When you say independent of the watch, I assume you mean the GPS distance. You're still going to have the phone in the bag/cart, right? Unless you've got the LTE version, you'll need the phone to download courses. But it does look like all three will use the watch GPS to show distance.
GolfPad will use the GPS on the watch, but only in the premium version. ($20/year). It does say that they are a "Samsung Strategic Partner" right on their home page, so I'm thinking they should have pretty good compatibility! (It does already list our watch as a supported device). They also have the tags that you can put on the end of your club to track distances on clubs, and supposedly, will account for current and target elevation, and give you a club recommendation. Sounds great, but curious on real-life usage. (Some reviews say the tags are annoying because you have to tap them against your phone or a belt sensor before each shot. (So I'm considering Arccos, but it's way more expensive).
"When you say independent of the watch, I assume you mean the GPS distance." Absolutely....yes, download the course via the phone's connection for my Band 2 days before I play......but then don't need the phone anymore for yardages because I can use the GPS in the Band 2. Exact same way I want the S3 to work. It's no good having my phone in a golf cart 20 yards away at my partners ball, when I want to see the yardage from my ball.
I had a quick look at Golf Pad (free version), and will give that a shot prior to me taking delivery of my S3. If it works great, I have no problem paying a yearly subscription.
I could never bring myself to put tags anywhere on my clubs (unless at the range). Besides, isn't part of the fun for golf the mental arithmetic used in calculating your yardages hit in your head? Or am I just weird.......
Awesome info everyone. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I'm going to go ahead with the purchase. I might just wait till after xmas when the silly season ends
Saw this YouTube review on the watch with GolfNavi. It's over 1/2 hour long - he does a whole unboxing, taking it out on the course, and a lot of filler, but if you fast forward to 21:08, he gives his review.
Still a little long, but does answer a lot of questions. It can be used by itself without a phone, but doesn't have a lot of features you'd find on a phone - for example, distances to hazards. Basically says it would be a good supplement to a phone app.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJPbGUa13v8
More good info here from a fellow forum member using the GolfPad app...
http://forum.xda-developers.com//ge...best-1-day-t3512736/post70305030#post70305030
I used the Gear S3 Frontier (non LTE version) Golf Navi App on Monday. Before the S3, I used the Motorola MotoActiv.
I'm used to using a stand alone golf watch without the phone.
On Monday i wore both watches and compared them.
Finding the Golf Course on the S3 was as easy as determining the State and City and picking the course.
At the 1st hole the S3 gave me distance to the back, center and front of the green.
There was a minimal of 3 - 4 yards difference between the watches.
The MotoActiv allows me to set which tees I play from, it.
The MotoActiv allows me to mark where I hit my next shot from.
This lets me review my round and see my distances and where in the fairways (or rough, or out of bounds), I hit from.
I was not able to find anything like that on the Golf Navi.
Also missing from Golf Navi was scoring a Penalty Stroke and Hazard locations.
Monday was "cart path only". I had the phone in the cart and left BT on, on the Phone.
Every time i came back to the cart, the S3 vibrated it was connected back to the phone.
Throughout the 9 hole round, I got text messages, emails, and other notifications to the S3 (when i was in BT range of the phone).
I will need to play more with Golf Navi and phone companion Golf Note apps to see anything I missed.
Thanks for the replies everyone. Great info here. I think I'd be happy if i just get distance to green to be honest. Not expecting this to track shots or even show me hazard distances etc. After all its not a dedicated golf watch. I'd love to see some people who own the watch upload some more youtube videos. That review on coursr was ok but id like to see the display etc on coursr
Gear 3
Have just installed latest GolfNavi for Gear S3. One round and what a difference to the Gear S2 version. Clearer face, easier shot recording, auto advance on holes and seems to know the course better not mixing up the In and Out 9 as the earlier version which often caused confusion on Hole 10 which was the real fault of that version. I stopped using it in favour of Golfpad which doesn't have as good a face as Navi and does not auto advance of holes which annoys me (like GolfShot which was my old favourite but non Tizen) but now it seems fine and will be my App of choice for the moment! Add standalone GPS so phone doesn't need to be handy and I think it's a winner. Shame it shows elevation making it illegal for serious competitions.
Robo4609 said:
Have just installed latest GolfNavi for Gear S3. One round and what a difference to the Gear S2 version. Clearer face, easier shot recording, auto advance on holes and seems to know the course better not mixing up the In and Out 9 as the earlier version which often caused confusion on Hole 10 which was the real fault of that version. I stopped using it in favour of Golfpad which doesn't have as good a face as Navi and does not auto advance of holes which annoys me (like GolfShot which was my old favourite but non Tizen) but now it seems fine and will be my App of choice for the moment! Add standalone GPS so phone doesn't need to be handy and I think it's a winner. Shame it shows elevation making it illegal for serious competitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my S3 Frontier LTE 50% for use with a Golf GPS app. Unfortunately I'm on the IOS Gear S app and can't download any paid apps
A question or two on the GolfNAVI app; does it require any companion app on your phone or is it self contained on the watch? I'm assuming it shows front, center back of the greens - does it show any layups or hazards? Also, have you looked at or used Smartcaddie?
Samsung Gear S3 as a Golf GPS watch review
In my never ending search for the perfect Golf GPS watch I setup my new Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE last night, loaded a couple of golf apps and headed to the course this morning. Skies were sunny and temp hit ~60 degrees when I finished around 12:30.
The watch was set to cellular, no Bluetooth connection so your battery results may vary. Started with 100% battery and after a 3½ hour round I had 64% left. I fiddled a lot with the watch, watch face always on and received a few text messages.
The apps loaded were Golf NAVI and Smart Caddie, both free from the Galaxy Store, both are standalone apps that need no smartphone link as long as you download the course before you leave an internet connection. With my LTE cellular connection, the courses downloaded at the course. There are other apps available: Golf Pad and Hole19 which are also free to download but need to be paired with your smart watch. I also took along my iPhone and ran Golfshot Plus for yardage comparisons.
I’ve also owned and used various Garmin watches in the past, the Approach S6, S20 and X40. Although I liked them, they were good only for golf and notifications from them, ie texts and phone calls, disappeared quickly and the vibration was hard for me to feel. I also gave the Apple Watch Series 2 a go but there was no real standalone app for it. To be able to use its GPS chip you had to turn bluetooth off and thus had no contact with your phone for calls or text messages. Kind of defeated the purpose of a smartphone watch. The Samsung Gear S3, on the other hand, alerted me to text messages that I could easily answer. Phone calls are a snap. Bottom side however was that the Samsung Gear S3 was a little hard to see in the bright sun. I could easily see the center green yardage but the front and back readings were too small to see in the bright sun. Next time out I’ll try turning up the screen brightness but today I was concerned with battery life. My screen brightness level was set to 7.
Now, to the accuracy. I was a bit disappointed in Smart Caddie, at first, as the yardages were 10 to 20 yards below the reading from Golfshot. I’ve been using Golfshot for years and the yardages from Golfshot on my course are pretty close to the markers. Well, once I got home I noticed that I had Smart Caddie set to meters rather than yards and once I did the conversions the numbers were very close. Golf NAVI was spot on in yardage, maybe even more accurate that Golfshot. Golf NAVI also showed the elevation change from your location to the green. Maybe not so accurate but pretty cool nonetheless.
Attached are a couple of pics from the teeing area of our 9th green. You’ll see the marker at 129 yds, Golfshot shows 126 yds, Smart Caddie at 121 meters = 132 yds and Golf NAVI spot on at 129 yds. Results were similar around the course at fairway markers and 150 poles.
Golf NAVI has a screen named “green” that just says coming soon so that sounds encouraging. Neither Gear S3 app showed yardages other than front/center/back so some hazards and layup distances would be nice. Both apps would do scorekeeping but just score and putts, no provision for other stats or your buddies score.
All said the Gear S3 with its cellular connection will fit my needs perfectly. Leave the phone at home, be able to get important calls or messages and get accurate readings to the green. Hopefully as time goes on the apps will mature and become even more useful.
Hi. did you install golf app on G3 via an iPone (iOS) for samsung device?
I have an iOS and unable to install golf apps on my G3.
mikemakeitso said:
Hi. did you install golf app on G3 via an iPone (iOS) for samsung device?
I have an iOS and unable to install golf apps on my G3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not installed via IOS! I purchased a cheap Android phone (without service) to download the apps from the Galaxy Store. My watch is set up as a Standalone using AT&T's Numbersync so I'm able to get texts and phone calls via my iPhone number but still able to install apps via the Android phone.
"Still a little long, but does answer a lot of questions. It can be used by itself without a phone, but doesn't have a lot of features you'd find on a phone - for example, distances to hazards"
I can never understand this..why would they leave hazard distances out? It's just a set of data points like green positions and pretty essential to know (like distance to doglegs) if you are playing a new course. Being interested in the watch I also had a look at Golfpad and on their site they posted a reply to a question about stand-alone operation by saying that due to the way Samsung have implemented things you can't use the watch GPS on it's own..which is exactly what most people would want to do.
---------- Post added at 10:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------
Useful review..many thanks. Those front and back figures though are way to small, getting your reading glasses out every shot is no fun!
I'm a GolfPad user myself. I always keep my phone in my pocket anyways, while on the course, because I use their Golf Tags to mark my shot locations easily.
I've used it on the Pebble, Android wear devices, Gear S2, and now Gear S3 and all have worked great.
Also : If you ever run into any issues with the app (or the golf tags), their support is amazing. I've had multiple exchanges with their support, and my suggestions were taken into consideration and included in newer releases of the app.
I tried out all the apps available and the one I liked most overall was Golf Navi. Even though Hole 19 used much less battery power than the others, it required having the companion app open on my phone. Any of them will do me on my home course, but I play a couple of tournaments each month and knowing the distance to hazards and doglegs is crucial on courses I'm not familiar with. For that reason, I'll probably only use the S3 for my home course and go back to Golfshot for the others.
Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk
Looks like using the S3 GPS for golfpad might not happen let alone a standalone app.
http://support.golfpadgps.com/support/discussions/topics/6000042514
rahadza said:
Looks like using the S3 GPS for golfpad might not happen let alone a standalone app.
http://support.golfpadgps.com/support/discussions/topics/6000042514
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get their reasoning, since there are other standalone golf apps that work fine, but must short on features.

So Far so Good

Wasnt sure where to put this but thought this might be the best place to start
Just picked up a Watch 2 - I have owned just about every smartwatch/Fitness watch/Fitness Band you could own over the last 5 years. Apple Watches, Fitbits, Garmin Fenix Series 3 and 5, Suunto, Amazefit, Pebble, Polar, Schosche Rythm+, LifeTrak HRV Zoom, Whoop and on and on I am sure I am forgetting something
Anyways I have always been in search of the perfect mix of everryting. I want some smart features but not all. I want more fitness related features such as Running Walking Moutain Biking, crossfit, Intervals etc. I would like to see detailed fitness metrics for workouts that would include Vo2 max, HRV heart rate that works good on the wrist. I have always just paired my watch with my Schosche for Crossfit, so I take off the watch then when done stop the workout. I stumbled across the Huawei while returning a Gear S3. Love the build but the Samsung Health was horrible. YOu couldnt start a workout on your phone and have the stats sync to the watch. Insane
So anyways, fast forward to my picking up this Watch 2 and I took it for a maiden run/walk interval using the Built in HRM and then using my Schosche attached to my phone. I am was shocked to see how accurate it was. In fact I then did a Crossfit workout and it was damn close to heart rate and caloric burn. So I am stoked with this thing so far. Ordered 3 new bands on Amazon. This might be a keeper
Couple Questions - Sleep Tracking? In the Hauwei App there is sleep tracking but nothing registered last night?
Emails - I am using a Google Pixel XL and only using Gmail for my Corp and Personal email. I dont seem to get notifications on my watch when emails arrive. I have dig around.
I did install Run Keeper and Under Armour Record both can connect to the extrernal HRM and then display on watch and not use the wrist based HRM. Just have to start the work out on your phone
Very cool. Now can I root and install custom roms? Is there one that adds in sleep tracking features??

Sport S-Health Workout Tracker Questions

Hey all, I have the gear s3, and the one thing I hate about it is how bad the exercise tracking is. I am currently using elliptical to track strength training for God's sake, because the latter does not use heart rate to calculate calories burned. So, my main question is, how is the new sport with tracking? Are there more options for exercise tracking? Do ones like strength training and such use heart rate now? Anything added that's cool like rep counting?
I am curious where Samsung is going with their fitness, if they're moving forward, or still stuck WAY behind AW, Fitbit, basically everyone else that matters. The Tizen 3 update will come to my watch eventually, so I'm also wondering if I should be excited or not. If they're not moving forward, this will likely be my last Sammy smartwatch/tracker.
Anyway, please and thanks! Screenshots would be amazing too!
I'm having troubles tracking in a slightly different manner. Cardio was not on the gear sport so I used other and Samsung health wouldn't let me edit it once synced on the phone. Does any one know how to track activities not on the gear device? I used endomondo to track indoor biking and it didn't count the calories. I would of liked to think once the correct activity is started on the phone it would sync to the watch while working out? I'm basically ready to return the Gear Sport.
djyosnow said:
I'm having troubles tracking in a slightly different manner. Cardio was not on the gear sport so I used other and Samsung health wouldn't let me edit it once synced on the phone. Does any one know how to track activities not on the gear device? I used endomondo to track indoor biking and it didn't count the calories. I would of liked to think once the correct activity is started on the phone it would sync to the watch while working out? I'm basically ready to return the Gear Sport.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I don't believe you can start tracking on the phone and have it sync with the watch. Only the other way around.
If you select manage items in S Health on the phone, you can pick more exercise trackers.
So, does 'other' on the watch have a heart rate monitor on it while it's tracking? Other is what I was using until I found out it didn't track heart rate and use it for calculating calories burned on my watch. On mine (gear s3 with Tizen 2), I have exercise bike, cycling, etc. and quite a few other cardio types available. Your sport does not? I'm not sure which of those track heart rate, but I use elliptical for my workouts and it does and is fairly accurate. Way more than without the heart rate tracking anyway. If the other options you are looking for do not track heart rate, you might just use elliptical buddy. Or return the watch and get an Android Wear or Garmin for better tracking options.
I'm in the same boat. I don't want to get rid of this watch, it's pretty damn secksay, but, I exercise 4-5 days a week, and it's a huge part of my life, so, I need something that will track this stuff better. I was waiting to see if Sammy fixed their incredibly lacking tracker software in Tizen 3 before I started looking elsewhere. If it's not better, I'll probably wait until spring to see if anyone updates their smartwatches then grab something from AW.
Anyway, thanks for the input!
I think I tired other and it was tracking HR for me, which I read is suppose to be slightly updated over the S3. I think GPS has been updated as it works more accurately for me than the S3 I tested. Bu, for a watch marketed as a Sport model that is also named Sport it's missing a good bit of features. Like for walking/running/hiking, it lacks a cadence score, there is no general cardio, or dance option, and lacks a general weightlifting activity. Other things I've noticed the that altimeter and baro data would not get updated unless it was connected to my phone or wifi network(even when GPS is on), which would not be good if I was outdoors hiking with no reception. If Suunto, Garmin, Polar(m600 included) and Apple can do it without data, why can't Samsung? I've been tweeting at Samsung some of the negatives I have noticed and I think it be wise if others did too.
Side note, I remember when testing out the S3 there was a GPS based Speedometer app in the store, but I can't seem to find it anymore, which either means it doesn't work with the Sport and/or Tizen 3.0
Yes the gear devices are pretty to look at. As for the "other" tracking I thought it grabbed my hr and other stats. It was not available to edit it from the health app. I'm now using Map my run and I belive I'll be OK. As I can edit the activities. Though I would still like to see aerobics which I'm not. It calls it something like gym total body workout. I really find it odd and frustrating that I have to use a 3rd party app on my gear sport. Good MFing job Samsung, way to f that up and you only had one job.
Like I said maybe if we group tweet at Samsung they maybe will think about adding stuff in an update?
bigsnack said:
Like I said maybe if we group tweet at Samsung they maybe will think about adding stuff in an update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt it. We're not the only ones complaining about it. There's a thread on Sammy's site that's been going since January this year telling Samsung how terrible their tracking is. I'm sure many others have actively complained to them, and told them what they could do to make it better. But here we are, several devices in that offer exercise tracking, without anything really worth using. For now, what I use does the trick, but I really want something similar to what AW has. I will very likely be ditching Samsung for AW or Garmin next spring.
I tried the Garmin Vivoactive 3 and it was great for the most part, but GPS wasn't as fast as the Gear to catch reception, and display of course isn't as good. But, it does everything accurately for the most part(I think GPS could be a tad more accurate vs showing me crossing the street multiple times when I didn't). As for Android Wear the only watch that comes close to the Gear Sport would be the Nixon Mission which is designed for surfing, skiing, and other similar activities, but it lacks HR. The New Balance RunIQ is 5atmos rated, and has HR, but reviews said battery life meh on it, and accuracy could be better. Polar has a really good watch in the M600, but downside is size(looks are also a con for some) and it's only IPX8 rated. So, Gear Sport and Apple Watch kind of stand alone in having HR, and the ability to take it swimming in the ocean in terms of smart watches that do activity tracker, unless I am missing a model.
I tried a Huawei watch 2, and at least for strength training, it was awesome. I didn't try any of the cardio options, or really anything else though, so I cannot comment on that. For strength training though, it was amazing. Fit workout is what I used.
So, once you started it, it would guess what exercise you were doing (with amazing accuracy), and count the reps. So, if I was doing squats, or curls, or presses, whatever, it would figure out what I was doing, with a rep count, then once I hit the completed button, it would start a rest timer. It worked great with supersets too. If it didn't know what exercise you were doing, you could add it if it just wasn't there, or fix what it chose and the next time it would typically get it right. It was seriously perfect for me.
It's a huge blow for Samsung when you consider how lacking health is after trying something else. I ended up returning the Huawei because the screen was too small, and the battery life was terrible (didn't even get me through the day), and I then got a gear s3. I love my s3, it's just secksay, and the UI is way better than AW, but I need good workout tracking. With AW, I didn't have to keep my workout journal (Google sheets), it recorded everything and was available when I needed it. It doesn't seem like Sammy will ever get it right, so, I think I'm out soon. To each their own though.
What's the waterproof rating on the Watch 2? Will other Android watches be just as good for strength? If so, I may just forgo HR and go with the NIxon Mission. I really just need a watch I don't have to worry about when hiking and then decide to go into a body of water, why I really like breadcrumbing features that 3rd party apps in Android now offer and both Garmin and Suunto offer, but that display on the Gear Sport is very good, as is n navigating the OS.
bigsnack said:
What's the waterproof rating on the Watch 2? Will other Android watches be just as good for strength? If so, I may just forgo HR and go with the NIxon Mission. I really just need a watch I don't have to worry about when hiking and then decide to go into a body of water, why I really like breadcrumbing features that 3rd party apps in Android now offer and both Garmin and Suunto offer, but that display on the Gear Sport is very good, as is n navigating the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IP68, same as the gear s3. Many AW watches, like the watch 2 have HR. The watch 2 did a constant heart rate like the sport does, and it uses it to calculate calories while working out with Fit workout. Which should be on every AW watch btw. It's Google's Fit app for workouts.
Do most Android watches do strength or is that specific to certian watches?
bigsnack said:
Do most Android watches do strength or is that specific to certian watches?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Fit Workout *should* be on all AW watches, BUT, we all know how OEM's like to change Android how they see fit. Also, some smartwatches are just smartwatches, no fitness stuff. The big name ones all should though. Huawei, LG, etc. do. Go to a Best Buy and play with some. BB should have the ones you would want.
I did, and BB told me the only fitness watch with sport is the LG Sport, and the New Balance RunIQ, which got poor reviews(most of them pre-2.0, but stuff like small battery and inaccurate sensors can't really change much with software update). When I asked about the Nixon Mission they weren't sure about it other than being marketed as a surf and snow watch.
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------
Has anyone noticed apps like under armour are more reliant on the phone? Like I remember with the S3 I was testing out the apps were more independent, or do I have it wrong?
Anyone having total daily calorie burn issues? I have yet to crack much over 2000 calories burned in a day despite moderate daily activity.
Also, I noticed when using constant HR tracking my HR would sometimes spike to the 90-100 range and stick there despite being in a resting state. I also get credit for moderate activity minutes which skews my overall tracking. I put on my Polar A370 last time the spike happened and HR was low 60s. HR tracking is about the only thing the Polar did excellent. Once I turn off continuous tracking and back on it will start tracking normal again until it happens again.
I really love the watch but the fitness tracking issues may a deal breaker. Problem is I don't want to go back to my A370!
I bought the Huawai Watch 2 (Android Wear) and had a terrible time trying to integrate the applications. All I wanted was ONE application that contained my nutrition, fitness (exercise routines), and steps/stairs. After two days of trying, no luck... now too frustrated and returning the watch.
bigsnack said:
Side note, I remember when testing out the S3 there was a GPS based Speedometer app in the store, but I can't seem to find it anymore, which either means it doesn't work with the Sport and/or Tizen 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speedometer is available now on apps store.

Categories

Resources