Ask HN: Any dumb watch with only GPS-tracker?
I don't mind smart watches, but right now I'd be looking for a cheap, long battery life, dumb watch with only a GPS tracker. (I don't need heartrate monitoring, step counter or any other feature.)
Is there any out there? Plus points if it is hackable in any way, but not a hard requirement.
Edit: I am looking for a watch with independent GPS chip, not one that needs to be connected to a phone all the time.
Comments
Check out the Fossil Hybrid line of watches, I have one and love it (although it does more than you require)
If you use Android then they're completely hackable with alternative open-source firmware[1]. Actually if you follow the link there's a whole list of hackable watches you could check out
1: https://www.gadgetbridge.org/
Some of the Garmin watches have built in GPS, limited smart watch features, and battery life of several days. I had an older vivo something or another that was perfect for this, light and cheap. It had a HR sensor I never much bothered with it, just used the GPS for hikes and bikes.
Importantly, the tracking works fine without a phone. I would go exercise without having to bring a heavy phone along.
The newer models are more expensive, but have built in routing it seems. Shrug.
I don't use my old one any more and I'd be glad to mail it to you if you want.
These do more than you want but are affordable and have long battery life. They behave like watches, not like an extension of a phone:
https://g.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/1660/Garmin-Fitness.htm...
Casio Rangeman https://gshock.casio.com/mea-en/products/rangeman/gpr-b1000/
Nice one!
I get that this sells, but geez...
Amazfit BIP is pretty nice, except it.stops recording randomly ( not often)
Apple AirTag.
AirTags don't have built-in connectivity, but rather use bluetooth to run off of other devices' cellular connections. If no compatible devices are around, they won't function as intended.