Keeping fit is a never-ending pursuit, and tracking your fitness has become a national sport. Fitbit has lightened the Versa launched last year, and the new Versa Lite may be the smart device you are looking for.
Steven Ambrose goes running, and swimming to test out the new Versa Lite.
The Versa was Fitbits answer to other smartwatches and fitness trackers when it launched last year. The Versa is an attractive, simple-looking watch that does a great job of behaving like a smartwatch with notifications music storage and all sorts of sensors that also make it a very competent fitness tracker.
The Versa lite shaves off some of the features of the Versa and costs around 30% of the price in South Africa.
The hardware
The hardwareThe Versa range is well made with an aluminium frame that bears a passing resemblance to an Apple watch. There are changeable bands and many fresh colours to chose. The Versa and Versa lite look identical from the outside the differences are in what was left out.
The good news is that the Versa lite uses the same screen and processor as the Versa and this shows in operation which is fast smooth and slick. The Versa Lite leaves out a few features such as WIFi, which makes the unit slow to update via Bluetooth and using apps. You must have your phone handy or apps, such as the weather will not work.
For avid swimmers, the omission of the Gyroscope means that while waterproof the Versa lite will not count laps in the pool but will track heart rate and count calories. The Versa lite also does away with onboard music memory and an altimeter, which means no elevation measurement and floor climbing measurement.
Many people will not miss most of these and I think they are a reasonable tradeoff for the price.
The curved edges and silicon strap make the Versa one of the most comfortable devices I have worn. Comfort is critical if you sleep with your watch.
Battery life has improved slightly as a result of its pared-down features, and four days minimum is easy to achieve between charges.
There is also only one control button, unlike the full blow Versa, but this really does not affect the functionality in any significant way and keeps the use of Versa lite effective and straightforward.
Using the Versa Lite
Setup is relatively simple, even though I had to restart my phone twice to finish an update which also takes a long time via Bluetooth. Once set up the actual use is accurate and straightforward swiping though the screens, starting tracking of activities, and seeing apps loaded via the companion IOS and Android app was simple slick and smooth.
I did find that you have to be reasonably deliberate to light up the Versa lite when you glance at it during the day and it also seems a little slow when you tap it to get information. This, however, is only in comparison the other more expensive fitness trackers.
The Versa lite does offer automatic tracking of exercise and generally does an excellent job of recognising what you are up to. A brisk walk was quickly identified and the long run was properly tracked without any input from me.
More static exercises, such as a session at the gym, had to be started manually. The Versa lite also offers alarms and a gentle reminder via a little buzz to get off the couch or the chair and go for a walk every hour.
The sleep monitoring is also some of the best available from any tracker. The Versa Lite uses the heart rate monitor to figure out your stage of sleep, and the app shows a clear picture of your sleep stages and also shows how you are sleeping compared to averages.
There is also a breathing app which reminds you to stop what you are calm down and breath a little. This is a great feature to make your day a little more manageable.
Via the companion app, you can choose what apps you want notifications from and although you can’t answer calls from the Versa lite you can see who is calling and decide if you’re going to respond.
The Versa Lite comes in a range of colours including Silver Blue and lilac. There is a range of straps to match your every mood.
Conclusion
The Fitbit Versa Lite is a fantastic entry-level smartwatch and fitness tracker. The price is right for what it offers and the tradeoffs against the more expensive Versa and other similar fitness trackers reasonable for the money.
The Versa Lite is aimed at the first time buyers of smartwatches come fitness trackers. Its lightness comfort and battery life alone make it an easy device to recommend.
If you are looking for a full-function smartwatch with excellent fitness tracking credentials and you are not a swimmer or a pro sportsman, then the Versa lite is for you. Like its more expensive brother the Versa its well-made, the screen is easy to see outdoors, and the straps can be swapped out with ease.
Available at dealers countrywide from R2,699.00
Steven Ambrose | Techhuman | @ambio | mail me |
