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Ask HN: Any dumb watch with only GPS-tracker?

15 points by isoos ↗ HN
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.

9 comments

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teetertater
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/

theragra
Amazfit BIP is pretty nice, except it.stops recording randomly ( not often)
rookietect
Apple AirTag.
nateb2022
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.
solardev
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.