Withings - Scanwatch - Hybrid Smartwatch with ECG, heart rate and oximeter - 38mm - Blue

love it would recommend it to friends and family. it pairs with my phone and i bought the whitings scale also

The long awaited Withings ScanWatch is much more than just a fitness tracker. The Withings ScanWatch technology augments common fitness tracker features with health monitoring and sleep monitoring functionality. The ScanWatch has been available in Europe since having received CE approvals; availability in the US was delayed until the FDA approvals were issued. The Withings ScanWatch is available in a few different styles with either a black or white face of either 38mm diameter or 42mm diameter. I ultimately selected the slightly smaller and thinner 38mm, black face version. The ScanWatch was designed in France, but it is manufactured in China. The ScanWatch has the appearance of a typical wristwatch. The case is stainless steel, with a rounded profile on the sides. The crystal is sapphire, which is more durable and scratch resistant (although not scratch-proof) than mineral glass. This model is equipped with a black, fluoroelastomer band, which is replaceable with standard watch bands. The analog watch hands are not luminous. There is no sweep second-hand nor are there individual tick marks on the face; two features which I find valuable and miss on this watch. At the 12 o’clock position there is a 13mm, PMOLED digital display, which remains inactive when not in use, and is activated by depressing the crown. Settings for the digital display are selectable in the Health Mate app (Customize Screens option). The PMOLED screen can display oxygen saturation (SpO2) irregular heart rhythm, smartphone notifications, heart rate, steps, floors climbed, distance, calories, activities and settings. Workout mode displays up to five activities from a very comprehensive list, as well as a timer and heart rate (continuous tracking). The Clock menu includes alarm, stopwatch and timer. The Notifications selections include displaying previews of incoming calls, text messages, calendar events and over 100 smartphone apps. At the 6 o’clock position is a 13mm analog sub-dial which displays daily progress towards your specified step goal, as a percentage (available range: 3,000 – 15,000 steps per day). The analog hand on my sub-dial does not zero-out precisely, and orients slightly to the left of center. Having been a user of the Withings BPM Connect blood pressure monitoring system for the past year, I have become very familiar with the free Withings Health-Mate smartphone app and web portal. The initial setup and configuration of the ScanWatch is accomplished through the use of the Health Mate app, (available for both iOS and Android). The ScanWatch required two attempts to finally pair successfully via Bluetooth (Wi-Fi is not supported). Health Mate is a robust Health Tracking app which can store and display data from certain other fitness and health related devices as well as the ScanWatch. It provides a dashboard for up to eight users per account, and analytic capabilities including graphic display of aggregated data over time. The feature activation and configuration process is guided by the app, with explanatory information offered throughout the process. Configuration was accomplished quickly and easily. The ScanWatch does not have imbedded GPS; it can only use the GPS of the paired cellphone. The Health Mate app on the paired smartphone synchronizes with the ScanWatch and imports the ScanWatch data. When not within range of paired smartphone, the ScanWatch buffers data until the smart phone is within Bluetooth range. Withings does not specify the internal data storage capacity of the ScanWatch, or how much data can be buffered on the ScanWatch. I experimented and found that if I synchronized only once in a 24 hour period, all accumulated data was preserved and successfully transferred. The data which the ScanWatch is capable of measuring and tracking include, notifications of high or low heart rate, irregular heart beat, Heart rate (BPM), Breathing disturbances (oxygen saturation), Electrocardiogram (30-seconds ECG tracing on a grid, which can be displayed in real-time in the Health Mate app), Oxygen saturation level (SpO2), Walking and running (automatically detected) steps, distance and calories, Swimming (automatically detected), Sleep - deep and light sleep phases, irregular heartbeat detection, sleep interruptions, Fitness Level assessment via VO2Max estimation, Elevation in feet and floors climbed. All of the tracked data is displayed in the Health Mate app Dashboard. Activity can be viewed for a day, week, or month on a timeline, while sleep tracking produces an hour-by-hour timeline for each sleep period, which also may be observed on a daily, weekly or monthly trendline. The ScanWatch performs on-demand electrocardiograms (ECG) in 30 seconds and is capable of detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib). The ScanWatch performs a, single lead (Lead 1) ECG. The ScanWatch performs automated heart rate monitoring, pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation) and respiratory scans (breathing disturbances during sleep) through the use of a Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor comprised of multiple LEDs which measure volumetric changes in peripheral blood flow near the surface of the skin. In order for the medically related functions to be accomplished successfully, the sensors on the back of the ScanWatch must be in close, reliable contact with the skin. This requires wearing the ScanWatch with a relatively snug fit, which I find uncomfortable, particularly when worn at night for sleep / respiration monitoring functions. I found the battery capacity to be generally excellent unless using continuous overnight respiratory monitoring, which depletes the rechargeable battery at a higher rate. The ScanWatch charging stand is powered from a computer USB port and provides a magnetic “latching” of the ScanWatch to the electrodes. It is obviously not possible to independently determine the accuracy of the medical functions of the ScanWatch, such as ECG and pulse oximetry, without utilizing known reliable medical devices to serve as reference standards. We have to rely upon manufacturer testing and FDA approval. Even with strict adherence to the instructions for administering tests, on many occasions it was necessary to repeat ECGs, as their results were frequently reported as being “inconclusive”. Similarly, on-demand oxygen saturation (Sp02) pulse oximetry was frequently reported with “inconclusive” or “noisy signal” results, requiring repeating until a result is obtained. Sleep monitoring can have several potential benefits. I utilized the ScanWatch for a three night cycle of sleep monitoring with continuous respiratory scanning, then took a two night hiatus, after which another three night cycle was performed. Without professional monitoring, the degree of accuracy for the ScanWatch performing these functions cannot be definitively determined. However, I found multiple discrepancies in the data for those six nights of monitoring. The errors included reporting deep sleep during periods when I was actually awake, and conversely not reporting sleep periods (exceeding the three hour threshold which ScanWatch applies to differentiate “sleeping” from “napping”), that should have been reported. The “Sleep Score” is evidently based on several metrics, and manually editing sleep data will change the associated Sleep Score. I am therefore not completely persuaded of the reliability, or the value of the data being reported. I also found that it can be challenging to review the granular data segments on the timeline, as its width is compressed on a smartphone screen, making precise selections difficult. The automatic activity detection of the ScanWatch also demonstrated some inaccuracies, such as detecting “bicycling” while I was operating my lawn tractor, and reporting stair climbing when there was none. Withings provides an extensive collection of valuable and interesting information pertaining to the ScanWatch on their website, as well as in the Health Mate app. Several downloadable PDF documents are available on the Withings website, which provide comprehensive information about the underlying technologies integrated in the ScanWatch. There is also a 104 page User Guide, which contains a great deal of explanatory information. The Health Mate app is quite good. It does a good job of integrating the data elements collected from Withings devices. It is beneficial to have blood pressure data, ECG data, Sp02 data, etc. integrated into the same user friendly dashboard. The data is presented intelligently and usefully. All data is exportable from the app or the Withings web portal. For the ScanWatch, formatted PDF reports are produced which may be emailed to medical providers (or others) when necessary or desired. Overall, I find the Withings ScanWatch to be interesting and potentially valuable for monitoring physical activity, and more importantly several medical / health indicators, including monitoring for Afib, irregular heartbeats and oxygen saturation levels. Although the data obtained from the ScanWatch is not definitive diagnostic data, it can provide the user with early indications of potentially dangerous medical conditions. I suspect that the software which analyzes sleep monitoring might be a work-in-progress, which will likely be refined over time. The ScanWatch software was already updated twice in the short period of time that I have owned it, and presumably additional improvements will continue to be forthcoming. The Withings ScanWatch is another tool in the health, wellness and fitness toolbox. I would encourage accessing the Withings website and reading the many informative FAQs and informational documents available there. It is valuable to gain a good understanding of how the ScanWatch technology works, and the value that the ScanWatch may have for you.

---- Summary ---- Pros: - Stylish design - Comfortable to wear - Long battery life - Sleep tracking with cycles and sleep score - Wide range of accurate health sensors/metrics - Workout tracking - Water-resistant up to 50 meters - Customizable, unobtrusive smartphone notifications - Great smartphone app Cons: - No built-in GPS or NFC - No always-on digital display - Occasionally mistakes some movements as cycling ---- Review ---- Design: With its hybrid design, the Withings ScanWatch blends aspects of a traditional analog watch with those of a smartwatch. At first glance, most wouldn’t think this is a smartwatch, and that’s one aspect of the design that I like. It’s basically a traditional analog watch with a small digital display at the top. By default, the display is black, and if you want to turn it on, you press the crown. The display is clear and bright making it easy to read from all angles and in different lighting. I wish you could set the digital display to be always-on though. The strap is black and made of durable silicone-like material. While I haven’t tried different watch bands yet, it’s simple to remove and replace them, and it appears compatible bands are available in a variety of materials and colors. What I didn’t initially notice until reading more about all the features is that the subdial at the bottom of the watch face shows the percentage (0-100) of your step goal that you’ve accomplished. This is a neat little feature that blends right in with the traditional, classy look of the watch. On the right side of the ScanWatch, there is a pressable crown that enables you to activate the digital display and scroll through or select features like performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) or starting workout mode. More on those later. To wrap up my thoughts on the ScanWatch’s design, its metal construction and scratch-resistant glass evoke durability and quality. It’s also comfortable to wear and stylish. Mobile App: Syncing the watch to your phone takes place in the “Health Mate” app, which is also the hub for your health data and settings. I appreciated the guided setup process that only takes a few minutes. The app was thoughtfully designed to provide a glance at relevant data like your average heart rate or sleep score from the previous night. It also provides the ability to look more closely into that data for specifics and trends. Notifications from any app can be received on the ScanWatch, and I like that these can be turned off or on in the Health Mate app. While I find notifications helpful, I like that the watch isn’t centered around them. From setup to analyzing tracked data, all aspects of the app are easy to use. I enjoy using it daily because I feel that it provides me with valuable insight and motivation to reach my goals. Health Monitoring: In my view, the standout health monitoring features of the ScanWatch are an electrocardiogram (ECG) and oximeter (SpO2), as well as 24/7 activity and heart tracking. I’m not a health professional, but I recently learned that an ECG can detect heartbeat irregularities. An oximeter, on the other hand, measures the oxygen saturation of your blood. It’s exciting to see health monitoring tools such as these in a smartwatch. It’s important to follow the instructions when using these features, otherwise, you’ll receive a message stating the results were inconclusive. I feel confident in the oximeter readings because I compared the results on my watch with a fingertip pulse oximeter and they matched exactly. The ECG is designed to detect arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). For me, the ECG result just says “normal”, which is what I’d expect. In addition to the ability to manually perform ECG or oximeter tests, the ScanWatch proactively monitors your heart all day to give you important data, such as average heart rate, or even alert you of irregular heart rhythms. If you chose to wear the watch while you sleep, the sensors can detect breathing disturbances, an indicator of sleep apnea. I felt that this feature was worth mentioning because sleep apnea affects many people, and the ability to detect this via smartwatch is a new technology. I’m fortunate enough to not have sleep apnea, but I like knowing that this tool is available. What I’ve found especially intriguing about sleep tracking with the ScanWatch is the sleep score it provides in the Health Mate app. The score is based on sleep cycles, duration, regularity, and interruptions. I do notice that a lower sleep score correlates with tiredness during the following day. I’ve realized that tracking sleep and putting a score to it motivates me to improve my sleep. The wide variety of health monitoring tools in the ScanWatch provide me with peace of mind. Fitness Tracking: Steps and other activities like swimming (ScanWatch is water-resistant up to 50 meters deep), biking, and running are automatically recognized and logged in the Health Mate app without needing to press any buttons. The automatic tracking works well, but it’s not perfect. For instance, there have been several occasions where the ScanWatch registered that I was cycling when I was doing work around the house. Detailed measures, such as floors climbed or distance traveled, are tracked automatically as well. Distance traveled requires the use of your phone’s GPS though, so if a built-in GPS that doesn’t require a phone to track distance is a feature you’re looking for in a smartwatch, this may not be the one for you. For other workout types, an “Other” workout mode can be manually activated from the watch, and a summary of the workout will show in the Health Mate app, which provides measures like duration and heart rate. Each of the measures seems to be accurate, and everything is well summarized in the Health Mate app to view data specific to a workout or look at trends. The automatic capabilities of the ScanWatch take the guesswork out of fitness tracking. Battery Life: The advertised battery life is up to 30 days. I’m happy to report that seems spot on. I’ve tried to avoid charging the ScanWatch since I first got it to test the battery life, and while I’m not up to 30 days yet, it seems that it could get there with regular use. I’ve been frequently testing the health monitoring tools and using the optional sleep monitoring feature overnight, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the battery doesn’t make it the full 30 days, nonetheless I’m impressed by the battery life. I certainly don’t have to worry about charging it every night, so that’s a major perk of the ScanWatch. Verdict: The Withings ScanWatch is a beautifully designed hybrid smartwatch with a wide range of health monitoring features and exceptional battery life. Its comprehensive health and fitness tracking features make it a powerful and insightful device. While there’s no built-in GPS for phone-free distance tracking or NFC for payments, these weren’t must-have features for me. The ScanWatch is my first hybrid smartwatch, and now I’m a fan. As long as your priority isn’t built-in GPS, NFC, or other smart features that the ScanWatch doesn’t have, I highly recommend this smartwatch. Its style and important health metrics are unmatched.