Help Gear advice

[atrain311]

Hello all. I know this might not specifically be the best place to post this, but you've always done right by me, so I'm giving it another try.

My birthday is this week and through my little daughter I found out my wife was planning on getting me the gear. While I know you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, I'm looking for your advice. My wife now knows that I know, I told her I'm so excited that she actually thought of a techy gift for me...blah blah...but would you steer her towards the gear watch or maybe another brand like Sony?

I'm reading SO many mixed reviews, I wanted to hear it from my Phandroid peers. The biggest thing that scares me is the getting it wet thing. As a teacher of first graders, I wash my hands incessantly. Would a little water be a problem?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[luvmynad]

Wait for the gear 2. The first gear was a test run and not what it really could be which i anticipate the 2nd gear watch to be. I guess someone had to be the guinea pigs. the gear 2 will be the real deal.

 

[ocnbrze]

yeah but as of right now it is only rumor when that will be.

i have the gear and i love it....the latest update really opened up the potential.......by allowing all apps to send notifications to your gear.

i know the gear 2 is coming but when and how long are you willing to wait is the question.

the main question is why do you want a gear watch? is it to be an extension of your phone......then the original gear is fine.....if you are looking for more then you might want to wait for the new watch.

however,if your wife is dead set on getting it, i think you will be happy with it.....i would be......just my .02 cents

 

[drexappeal]

"Rumor" is talking about the Gear 2 releasing in conjunction with the S5 release, which has been linked to March/April release (not confirmed, just "rumor" also).

The difficult thing is that, while it's a gift for you, it's still something that has to be considered when it comes to being a gift from your wife (as , in many cases, that translates to you actually paying for it as well).

If I were in a similar/same situation, I'd actually tell them to not spend the full retail price. In fact, I'd lead them to a4c.com, to get a refurbished one for me:

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smart Watch (Refurbished) - $239.95

That extra $60 can be spent on something else and with a family, that's worth a lot more than people might think.

Now, the only exception to not getting at a4c, is if Best Buy has another "Deal of the day" where they offer the gear for $249, like they did on Saturday (it was either Friday or Saturday, but can't remember).

 

[clitrenta]

Waiting for something to come out is a mixed bag. I recently seen the Gear demo'd when I was in Best Buy. I really liked it and would certainly consider getting it if I had the money right now. I'd say at least go check it out. Oh and they look nice too.

 

[atrain311]

This board never fails me. Thank you all very much. I very politely mentioned that the next incarnation could be out within a few months and I would love to see that one is more water resistant. I'm so OCD that in cannot stop washing my hands or think of my new toy getting ruined if wet. She totally understood. And got me a PS4 instead. I'll save up for the gear two down the road. Again, thank you all very much.

 

[drexappeal]

This board never fails me. Thank you all very much. I very politely mentioned that the next incarnation could be out within a few months and I would love to see that one is more water resistant. I'm so OCD that in cannot stop washing my hands or think of my new toy getting ruined if wet. She totally understood. And got me a PS4 instead. I'll save up for the gear two down the road. Again, thank you all very much.

I think the PS4 is a MUCH better gift anyway! Nice gift. What a great spouse you have there. I just got mine a week and a half ago. Can't wait until Sony releases the android app that'll allow remote play of games from Android devices (hopefully, not limited to Sony Android devices).

 

[ocnbrze]

This board never fails me. Thank you all very much. I very politely mentioned that the next incarnation could be out within a few months and I would love to see that one is more water resistant. I'm so OCD that in cannot stop washing my hands or think of my new toy getting ruined if wet. She totally understood. And got me a PS4 instead. I'll save up for the gear two down the road. Again, thank you all very much.

well just so you know i also wash my hands a lot and a little water in it has not hurt it what so ever.

and congrats on the ps4!!!!!!!!!!

 

[atrain311]

I think the PS4 is a MUCH better gift anyway! Nice gift. What a great spouse you have there. I just got mine a week and a half ago. Can't wait until Sony releases the android app that'll allow remote play of games from Android devices (hopefully, not limited to Sony Android devices).

Sorry so delayed in response. Yes, she's a great spouse. We've been together since teenagers and I'm pushing 40, so you do the math. Thankfully, she knows my only vice is my gadgets and gizmos. Oh, and I'm no fool...her birthday is just before mine in January so getting her 2 coach bags is a great set-up to be sure I get something pretty nice too.

Again, thanks to all of you for the information. Best board in the business.

Off topic:
Oh, and yes, the PS4 is awesome. I was loving CoD on my XBONE since November and Battlefield on the PS4 is a like a breath of fresh air. It's really nice to have the video gaming world on lock-down by getting both systems, which I've always done. I'd hate to think there's something out there better, so just get'em both! Playstation and Xbox people seem to argue a lot, but I don't know, my XBONE and PS4 sit side by side in my entertainment center and get along quite well.

 

[breadnatty08]

Just for what it's worth, I love my Pebble. Don't wear it every day since I'm usually covered in dough, but when I do I love it. The new metal ones look great too (though I hate the branding on the front).

 

[drexappeal]

Just for what it's worth, I love my Pebble. Don't wear it every day since I'm usually covered in dough, but when I do I love it. The new metal ones look great too (though I hate the branding on the front).

LOL...At first, when reading what you wrote, I was thinking to myself..."if you're covered in dough all day, why wouldn't you have the money to buy all the smart watches." Then I looked at your avatar and realized that you meant the literal use of the word, not the figurative (e.g. money) use...hahaha

 

[drexappeal]

Sorry so delayed in response. Yes, she's a great spouse. We've been together since teenagers and I'm pushing 40, so you do the math. Thankfully, she knows my only vice is my gadgets and gizmos. Oh, and I'm no fool...her birthday is just before mine in January so getting her 2 coach bags is a great set-up to be sure I get something pretty nice too.

Again, thanks to all of you for the information. Best board in the business.

Off topic:
Oh, and yes, the PS4 is awesome. I was loving CoD on my XBONE since November and Battlefield on the PS4 is a like a breath of fresh air. It's really nice to have the video gaming world on lock-down by getting both systems, which I've always done. I'd hate to think there's something out there better, so just get'em both! Playstation and Xbox people seem to argue a lot, but I don't know, my XBONE and PS4 sit side by side in my entertainment center and get along quite well.

If I had more time to play, I probably would get both (and justify it by saying that PS4 only cost me $100 out of pocket w/ the accessories and games I got). I've been a PS fan, more-so than Xbox, but Xbox grew on me when some of my friends got the 1st gen and I started playing games like Halo and other exclusive titles like Forza.

The battle between PS and Xbox fans are no different than Android vs. iPhone fans...but yeah, there are some that are completely fanatical about all that.

 

[superairwolf]

Just for what it's worth, I love my Pebble. Don't wear it every day since I'm usually covered in dough, but when I do I love it. The new metal ones look great too (though I hate the branding on the front).

Man, my sentiments exactly. That branding on the watch face of the metal model really ruins it.

 

[drexappeal]

Hmmm...If the price does get dropped in the US, to $180, I may actually consider it (even with the Gear 2 on the verge of being released).

Samsung Galaxy Gear price drop comes to India

Then again, when the Gear 2 is released, the Gear 1 might have special sales that will drop the price even more. $150 or less would be an automatic buy for me.

 

[drexappeal]

Just purchased a Rose Gold Gear for $149! I guess the price drop was accurate (especially with the rumors of the Gear 2 being released alongside the S5). True to my word, $149 and below was a "no brainer" purchase, so I'll be picking that up at lunch today.

 

[clitrenta]

Just purchased a Rose Gold Gear for $149! I guess the price drop was accurate (especially with the rumors of the Gear 2 being released alongside the S5). True to my word, $149 and below was a "no brainer" purchase, so I'll be picking that up at lunch today.

Well that figures. I just picked one up recently for $250. Losing something there but such is life. I wear mine all the time and I love it. Definitely getting my money's worth at least.

 

[drexappeal]

Well that figures. I just picked one up recently for $250. Losing something there but such is life. I wear mine all the time and I love it. Definitely getting my money's worth at least.

It was a best buy deal of the day.

 

[clitrenta]

It was a best buy deal of the day.

Yah I seen that. I guess timing is everything and mine pretty much sucked.

 

[atrain311]

I'd have a very hard time passing that up at $150. Now, I've got to keep my eyes peeled.

 

[clitrenta]

I suspect when the Gear 2 comes out (some time this spring?), the price of the 1st one will go down. You may also see more of these "one-day" deals again

 

[drexappeal]

I suspect when the Gear 2 comes out (some time this spring?), the price of the 1st one will go down. You may also see more of these "one-day" deals again

Supposedly, the Gear 2 is going to be announced at the Samsung Unpacked event next Monday, alongside the S5:

Samsung to debut Tizen-powered Galaxy Gear sequel along side the S5 next week [RUMOR]

But if Samsung trully goes with Tizen over Android, I'll swoop up another Gear 1 for a cheap price, no problem.

After having this thing for a few days now, I agree with the reviews on the battery life. Lasts me maybe a day and a half at most...LOL. But I have no problem with that. I just charge it up every night and it lasts me the entire day with battery life to spare.

 

[drexappeal]

For those that missed the Best Buy deal, ATT has the Gear for $199

Samsung Galaxy Gear Oatmeal Beige

$50 more than the Best Buy deal, but pretty decent.

A4C.com's deal of the day has the Gear for $189, but only color available is black:
Samsung Galaxy Gear Smart Watch (Refurbished) - $189.95

 

[clitrenta]

Supposedly, the Gear 2 is going to be announced at the Samsung Unpacked event next Monday, alongside the S5:

Samsung to debut Tizen-powered Galaxy Gear sequel along side the S5 next week [RUMOR]

But if Samsung trully goes with Tizen over Android, I'll swoop up another Gear 1 for a cheap price, no problem.

After having this thing for a few days now, I agree with the reviews on the battery life. Lasts me maybe a day and a half at most...LOL. But I have no problem with that. I just charge it up every night and it lasts me the entire day with battery life to spare.

Totally agree. If the price drops, I may try and get one for the hubby. I honestly don't see anything in the Gear 2 that would make me want to run out and get it. Besides, I absolutely prefer the design of this one with everything in the strap including the camera. Not crazy about Gear 2 changes. My Gear's battery is like yours and I charge mine every night too. What's thebig deal? You charge your phone every night too.

 

[atrain311]

Decisions Decisions! It's killing me.
My fear is how I will feel having the one when the 2 is out. And it is not really warranted, just OCD. Grrrrr.

 

[clitrenta]

Decisions Decisions! It's killing me.
My fear is how I will feel having the one when the 2 is out. And it is not really warranted, just OCD. Grrrrr.

I am SO like you (lol) but in this case, it will NOT bother me. Ive seen the pics and description of the 2 and it doesn't make me feel bad knowing I just got this one. I don't know what the differences are in capability but I do know that I absolutely prefer the way the 1st Gear is designed over the 2nd. All I ask is that they clear up a couple of minor issues with notifications. Adding functionality to some others would be nice too (ability to answer text from ChatON and Hangouts).