Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
I recently put theWithings ScanWatch 2back on my carpus , and within a few minute , I wanted to take it off again .
When I first reviewed the ScanWatch 2 , I did n’t have a problem with the supplied strap . But this fourth dimension , it rag me so much that I almost abandoned the smartwatch altogether . I lick the issue in a slightly unusual way , only to discover some other offspring that made me think a different wearable was the better purchase .
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Changing the strap
When I first used the ScanWatch 2 , I do n’t remember own any job with the strap at all . I hardly mention it in the review itself , confirming how inconsequential it was at the prison term . The problem with the ScanWatch 2 ’s shoulder strap this time was the paroxysm . It ’s a long strap , and I either have to use the last available hole — which produce it too tight — or the second - to - last hole , where it is too loose and uncomfortably works its way around my wrist joint .
Why did n’t I notice it before ? Perhaps it was the change in ambient temperature due to it being a different time of year , or perhaps I ’m moreeasily irritated by small thing in 2024 . Either means , it had to go . The Withings ScanWatch 2 has a 20 mm strap attached , and as it occur with quick - freeing tholepin , it ’s really easy to remove . The doubtfulness was , what should be the replacement ? I have a collection of watch straps , but none of them mate the small Lugh width on the ScanWatch 2 .
Amazon is awash with 20 mm straps , but I did n’t want to buy one and have it be every bit uncomfortable . Further , Withings ’ own alternative are quite expensive . I looked through my own watch and smartwatch collecting instead and came across an old , now unused Emporio Armani smartwatch with a pure black rubber 20 mm shoulder strap . Seconds later , it was attach to the Withings ScanWatch 2 , and it transformed the comfort — so much so that I wish well I ’d done it before .
What is there to find out here ? Change the strap on your smartwatch ( or your normal watch ) , as it can make a monolithic difference of opinion to how it feels to wear down every day . Just because it was comfortable at one point does n’t intend it will be that way forever .
What about the rest of the watch?
Now that I have an unofficial Withings x Emporio Armani ScanWatch 2 on my wrist , how has it been to use again ? It ’s a very low - maintenance smartwatch . It indicate apprisal and movement reminders , but it ’s easy to quieten them , give up it to fade into the background . While I appreciate the lack of interruptions , this is a problem for the ScanWatch 2 .
Unfortunately it ’s just not a very exciting sentinel . The design is very good , but it does n’t really make a statement despite the high - tone materials and build . There ’s a okay line of products between a smartwatch defecate itself known too much , and being a completely silent partner , and the ScanWatch 2 is silent to the distributor point of being comatose if you ’re not deliberate with the options .
The minimalist , classic purpose and want of apps and a touch screen are appealing , and are undoubtably a grounds why some mass will consider the ScanWatch 2 the only smartwatch they ’d ever wear out . But if I ’m blend to make the effort to wear a smartwatch , then I need to notice the benefit , otherwise what ’s the point in time ? Worse , the ScanWatch 2 ’s seeming indifference to its position on my wrist sadly extends into the app .
Pay up or shut up
The Withings app exhibit the data collect by the ScanWatch 2 , include step , consistence temperature , median heart rate , sleep , and more . However , it does n’t tell you anything about it and does n’t aggregate all the dissimilar data point to give you an overview of your wellness , at least not in a cohesive and simple way . That is , unless you pay .
That ’s correct , Withings+ is a subscription service that unlocks your health improvement grade , insights into your health , trend reports , and ways to ameliorate . It also provides memory access to physical exertion plans , articles , and formula . It costs $ 10 per month or $ 100 per year . What ’s more , the app includes data point points that are unlocked by buying other Withings products , such as its smart scale leaf , which gain the already quite firmly - to - fathom layout even less helpful at a glimpse . The app seems to go out of its style to make it vindicated you should be pay to get the most out of the smartwatch and the data it collects .
revisit the Withings ScanWatch 2 has left me a little disappointed .
A greater business concern is the grade of accuracy of the watch ’s sensors . On multiple nights , the sentry has failed to properly acknowledge slumber and would count some of it as a nap and the respite as true nap , then give me a very inadequate Sleep Score in the morning . The data recorded during the day looks like representative of my activity , and the nerve rate matches results from other devices . But when you know some results are ill-timed , it does retch doubtfulness over the others .
The Oura Ring may be the better choice
Revisiting the Withings ScanWatch 2 has left me a little disappointed . It ’s very well - made , and I have intercourse a lot of people be intimate the classic look . However , the app , information presentation , and truth come down behind the competition . Using it made me feel like I ask to pay for Withings+ to get much from it , but little about the free experience encourages me to do so .
When I considered all this , I wondered why I would use it long - term rather of another intent - direct , no - touch screen wellness and activity tracker : theOura Ring . Oura charges $ 6 per calendar month for its app , which you need to pay as it ’s useless without it , and the smart ring itself costs about the same as the ScanWatch 2 . It ’s only silent on my finger , but the app present its data in a clear , consistent , and interesting mode .
Unless you are sold on the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA)-approved atrial fibrillation spying that ’s part of the ScanWatch 2 , take a close flavour at the Oura Ring before making any concluding purchasing determination . You may find it ’s the right selection .
I break the Oura app each mean solar day and trust the information it shows , but I rarely feel the same about the ScanWatch 2 and its app . This is really of import , as if you do n’t jade an activity tracker or checker the app regularly , what ’s the detail in own it ?
