REVIEWS
record . Select the activity ; the watch seeks a GPS signal very quickly . Once the GPS is found , push again , and you ’ re recording what you ’ re doing . It ’ s that quick and easy .
An important point here is about the twisting of the middle dial to unlock the watch and end an activity , which can be fiddly , especially at the end of a run . So my advice is to go into settings and adjust it to where you alternatively depress the button for a few seconds to unlock – so much easier .
The Apex Pro has an almost flush wrist-based optical heart rate sensor , and it ’ s pretty accurate from what I can gauge ; however , the sensor has to stay in contact with your skin . Otherwise , you are wasting your time . This means the watch has to be tight to the skin , and not everyone enjoys the sensation . It also means you cannot wear the watch over the sleeve for cold runs , so you would have to wear a chest strap . This isn ’ t a criticism of the Apex Pro , as the same applies to any watch using a wrist-based sensor .
Having said that , once you ’ ve strapped it on , you ’ ll barely notice it on your skin , weighing in at only 59g - it feels impossibly light ! The silicone strap is soft , too , with a quick-release - no screwdrivers needed !
The next big plus for the Apex Pro is the battery life - it just keeps going and going and longer than any other smartwatch I ’ ve worn , including Apple , Polar , Garmin , etc . A clever feature is that the backlight automatically illuminates when you turn your wrist upwards . In settings , you can configure it to switch on all day , off altogether or to come on during the hours of darkness only .
To conclude , this is a fine example of a smartwatch that is easy to use , comparatively cheap compared to the opposition with a few nice touches . Both app and watch are easy to use and give indepth analysis , with the ability to connect to third-party apps like Strava and Garmin , adding more functionality and all sharable to social media too .
Personally though , the three big plusses are the rotating crown ; the longevity of the battery and number one has to be the weight - or lack of it – a great introduction to the brand .
RRP – £ 449.99
Comparitive size with the Garmin Quatix ( blue strap )
ThePADDLER 27