Need suggestions for a good cheap smartwatch for elderly person

[Indus]

I am thinking of getting a smart watch for my dad!

I don't use a smart watch so I'm totally clueless about what is good and not. Basically I want to be able to monitor his health and how much he walks.. nothing fancy.

Can you give me a suggestion for something that you guys have experience with that isn't too complicated to use for an elderly person and something I might be able to teach him to use?

Budget max $125 - so not an Apple watch.

 

[jpiniero]

A crappy Android phone.

 

[nakedfrog]

It sounds like you're maybe looking for more of a fitness tracker than a smart watch. To get the most out of a Fitbit you need to pay a subscription fee, I think a low-end Garmin might be a good option, and includes some kind of feature to automatically start tracking an activity. But it's also only a couple taps on the wrist to start tracking an activity, too, if that's the preference.

 

[highland145]

Been using the Amazfit T-Rex 2 for almost a year. Can do a ridiculous amount of stuff. Saw it on sale last Christmas for $140. Bluetooth to the phone app which tracks different data. Not sure how you'd track him if you're not in the same house.

edit: It's on the large side.

edit2: HR and O2 works like a pulse/O2 finger reader using light so the strap has to be tight.

 

[manly]

It sounds like you're maybe looking for more of a fitness tracker than a smart watch. To get the most out of a Fitbit you need to pay a subscription fee, I think a low-end Garmin might be a good option, and includes some kind of feature to automatically start tracking an activity. But it's also only a couple taps on the wrist to start tracking an activity, too, if that's the preference.

Google has thoroughly enshittified Fitbit after acquiring the SF company, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Might not be a good idea, but Walmart is dumping Galaxy Watch 4 for $100 (the price is right, but this is dated):

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[lxskllr]

Can he handle this kind of stuff? Nobody's tracking anything if it doesn't get charged, worn, and the right buttons twiddled.

 

[nakedfrog]

Can he handle this kind of stuff? Nobody's tracking anything if it doesn't get charged, worn, and the right buttons twiddled.

Good point, the charging connector on my Garmin has gotten picky the older it gets (starting acting up after maybe a year), so something with wireless charging may be a better option. But using it is super easy, and as I mentioned, has an option to automatically figure out that you've gone on a walk (no idea how well that feature works).

 

[WelshBloke]

It sounds like you're maybe looking for more of a fitness tracker than a smart watch.

Definitely get a fitness tracker. Second hand Samsung fit 2? Battery lasts about a week and it'll track your HR and steps.

It kinda depends on what phone he has as well. If it's a Samsung id definitely go for the fit2 (or a fit3 if you want a grey import)

 

[Indus]

Definitely get a fitness tracker. Second hand Samsung fit 2? Battery lasts about a week and it'll track your HR and steps.

It kinda depends on what phone he has as well. If it's a Samsung id definitely go for the fit2 (or a fit3 if you want a grey import)

Samsung A54!

It sounds like you're maybe looking for more of a fitness tracker than a smart watch.

Yes definitely.

I'll combine both your suggestions and look into Fit 2 or 3.

 

[Greenman]

I'm nearing the point where I don't need a watch so much as a count down timer.

 

[BoomerD]

Can he handle this kind of stuff? Nobody's tracking anything if it doesn't get charged, worn, and the right buttons twiddled.

Yeah...because us old people are so fucking tech-stoopid...

(but that's exactly why I'd never buy a smart watch for my wife.)

 

[Indus]

@WelshBloke What app works with the Fit 3?

I read some stuff like that samsung app doesn't work with it or something.. I'm wondering if there's an alternate app that would work

 

[WelshBloke]

@WelshBloke What app works with the Fit 3?

I read some stuff like that samsung app doesn't work with it or something.. I'm wondering if there's an alternate app that would work

I'm using the Samsung health app with my fit2. I've not heard anything about it not working with the fit3. The fit3 isn't officially for sale in the US (or the UK) so you'd have to be happy getting a grey import and the fit2 is discontinued but there's plenty available.

 

[Indus]

I'm using the Samsung health app with my fit2. I've not heard anything about it not working with the fit3. The fit3 isn't officially for sale in the US (or the UK) so you'd have to be happy getting a grey import and the fit2 is discontinued but there's plenty available.

Interesting. I saw it for sale on Amazon!

Just out of curiosity.. if fit3 isn't the one for me, what's a good one to look at?

 

[WelshBloke]

Interesting. I saw it for sale on Amazon!

Just out of curiosity.. if fit3 isn't the one for me, what's a good one to look at?

Like I said, I have a fit2 (thinking about getting a fit3 for the wife) and I'm happy with it. It tracks all my stuff and syncs it to Samsung health on my phone. I went camping in the Welsh hills and the battery lasted the 8 days I was there.

I suspect that the fit3 you saw on Amazon was an import and not supported by Samsung (if you are in the US), that's not really something that worries me but it might be relevant to you.

I'm guessing that if you just want step counts and HR monitoring you could get a cheap Chinese tracker but I'd be more worried about the software than the hardware there!

 

[manly]

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Probably no warranty after the 30 day return window.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Does he even want this? I know I don’t. I’m constantly charging my tablet and my phone so I am perfectly happy with my completely analog watch that just tells the time and date.