Most folks who regularly check out my web site, are probably aware that I am no lover of “smart” watches. This is because I don’t particularly like the idea of a device that sits there and duplicates what you’re doing on your cell phone. Usually as both the “smarty” and the Cell, are only about a foot or so apart, so doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Then there is the battery life, which as a mechanical and quartz watch collector, I see as almost always laughable. Now where IS that damned charger?
But recently, after a few heart scares, I looked around and checked out some of the models that tell you something about your health. I wanted one that was more geared towards health than so called fitness.
I eventually decided on this “health” model – and it’s surprisingly good. I have seen the same software and App with other names and a few different watch models and shapes too, but this is the one I got.
It’s the H Band EP03 and whilst it has the ubiquitous and rather bland, black rectangular look, the stuff inside is actually pretty useful and the display is outstanding.
And no, I am NOT taking up jogging!
First and foremost, it tells the time and the 5 or so choices on the watch are enough for me (they have others). I picked one that was big and clear (as main pic above) and swiping left or right leads you to the main functions, health-wise and I show here some of the display views.
Coupled to this is the App (I have iPad) which gives a comprehensive detail and interpretation of any results. It certainly does a lot more than the classic pump your arm up and read the basic dial of my old Boots unit.
Incidentally I got it on the 8th and the battery is still going after a week – they quote around 15 days standby? It’s charged via a tiny magnetic fool-proof connection to a USB thingy- and takes about 4 hours I think to charge.
My selected ‘Watch dial’ – shows the time, the day, my last manual pulse check figure and also the number of steps so far for the current day. Basic stuff I know, but that’s fine for me. Swipe it to the right or left and we’re on to the other functions. And Up takes you to some other options and Down to messages/emails etc.
There’s the usual Pedometer with Step numbers, Calories burnt and Distance covered, if you’re into that, though quite useful, especially as I’m on a diet and needing some exercises to assist.
Cycling (sorry) through the next few swipes in order – and note the watch runs and records all the time on most functions – you get constant readings of Pulse and Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Blood oxygen, Body temperature, Sleep patterns (constant at night) and the weather (local using your location). You can run an ECG (there is a sensor plate on the left side of the watch) and in addition it has a chest sticker and lead to assist too, if more detail is required.
But you can manually do all the above ON the watch itself.
It’s as easy as swipe the dial through the different tests and either press the screen or the arrow and that’s pretty much it.
The App I have discovered (I have iPad and iPhone) has an amazing amount of detail versus the basic test figures shown on the dial and has some really detailed analysis data. I don’t think you can print these out – but I took a screen shot of some of the data pages and it works for me.
You can of course add notifications for all today’s media stuff (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and all that stuff – none of which I subscribe to, but also phone messages, email, alerts and lots of things I’ve never heard of!
I’ve got notification of emails, which I confess was handy as a reminder to check my email!
But all the main stuff is easy to see, easy to use and gives comprehensive data to reassure you that are still alive! Though in my case, at times – just!
I tend to wear it all day until I have bath at night, then wear it again before bed, then repeat the next day etc.
Blood Pressure and Pulse accuracy –
Now this has always been a bit contentious according the folk who know and all I can do is to use it, then compare both BP and Heart Rate against my Boots upper arm cuff Unit, which IS accurate.
It is fact that wrist cuffs as opposed to upper arm cuffs give different readings. The wrist cuffs are roughly +5% higher for Systolic and around +10% for Diastolic readings. Basically this is owing to positioning (wrist is lower than upper arm).
I have found that this unit, which uses an Optical sensor system is around +5% for Systolic and +10/12%% Diastolic and for BP is just about on par with the Boots Unit.
The instructions say that for BP and Pulse readings, the wrist should be palm down and level with the heart for best results Knowing this you can have a reasonably accurate set of measurements. And when sleeping, the figures are possibly more accurate, being on the same horizontal plane.
As to the App – this is surprising – as it interprets the data and gives an assessment based on the overall readings over 24 hours – and that is very useful.
In fact, it can show you issues that are either pre-existing or factors you might be advised to see your Doctor about – you never know.
The analysis of the recorded data is quite remarkable and could pick up heart anomalies, of which you may not be aware. Heart Rate readings are taken every 5 minutes from midnight to 07.00am and present in groups of 5 readings usually, which gives an excellent indicator during sleep. Also Blood Pressure is taken constantly over the 24 hour period. You can review these on the App, as it stores 3 days readings, so you can get a good idea of how you’re doing.
It also checks out your heart health Index, which surprisingly is 72 for me, which is in the normal range (60 – 100 is in the normal range). There is also a very interesting analytical reading displayed as the Lorentz Scatter diagram, which can give indications as to your heart wellbeing.
So overall a pretty comprehensive set of checks and analysis – all on your wrist. Clever stuff indeed.
However, as with all these new and available to all systems and software – if in doubt – see you Doctor. Remember that medical checking and monitoring equipment used by the professionals are checked for accuracy regularly. (this unit, you buy and use at your own discretion).
Sleep pattern – discovered mine wasn’t great and could be a LOT better and as a result, I’ve modified my life habits accordingly, and to my benefit I have to admit. Now my deep sleep has increased and I feel fitter and have a little bit more energy.
Pedometer – Well, I don’t subscribe to the 12,000 steps a day rubbish it suggested I should do for optimum health (at my age?).
I say this as in the News recently, the latest science says- maybe 5,000 steps – but the current medical view seems to suggest 2500 steps is acceptable to keep joints and muscles working reasonably well. And at my age, well, I do what I can do (I have set 2500 as my goal).
But I’m impressed with this ‘device’ (wow! That’s a modern expression for me) as it does what I want it to do, clearly and easily.
(I understand it can also do routes and fitness programs IF needed, because it has a GPS function – I mean it also gives our local weather – AND it is very local and accurate, which surprised me!
But for simplicity it’s great, because that’s what I want. I use it purely for the basic heath stuff and for that I have to give it 5 stars.
It also didn’t break the Bank at under £60, so it was worth giving it a shot. And I’m pleased I did. And it has a Water Resistance spec to IP67, so if you’re caught in the rain or if you dunk it in the sink, you should be OK. There’s no facility on the App, as far as I can see, to Print the data, but you can “share” data – which seems to be an image file of the selected App screen results, to email or any other App that will accept it – so you could print that.
But, don’t let this thing rule your life – I know a couple who do everything with their ‘device’ and some of what they do, seems distinctly unhealthy to me!
But hey! They’re young!
However I’ll repeat what I wrote earlier – As with all these new and available to all systems and software – if in doubt – see you Doctor.
Remember that medical monitoring equipment used by medical professionals are checked for accuracy regularly (whereas, this unit, you buy and use at your own discretion).
For me though, I like this little unit. It gives an insight into your general health and a general set of clues as to how you are doing – and that has to be good.
Note – This review updated 26/08/2023 – added “share” info. Unit is working flawlessly and I’m working too! not flawlessly, but OK for me.
Watch space 