Bytten stacks make sure your Apple watch and Fitbit activity trackers stand out from everyone else’s Apple watches and Fitbit trackers.
They are plated brass rings that stack up to add some extra bling to the Apple watch band and some Fitbit activity tracker bands.
They come in different sets that include gold (14K gold-plated), silver (white rhodium gold-plated), and rose colored (14K rose gold-plated) rectangular rings that slide over the watch band and stack together in the order you choose to create the look you desire.
Bytten sets start around $44.95. You can read more about them at bytten.com and order sets from The Grommet and Amazon.
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Bytten stacks make sure your Apple watch and Fitbit activity trackers stand out from everyone else’s Apple watches and Fitbit trackers.
They are plated brass rings that stack up to add some extra bling to the Apple watch band and some Fitbit activity tracker bands.
They come in different sets that include gold (14K gold-plated), silver (white rhodium gold-plated), and rose colored (14K rose gold-plated) rectangular rings that slide over the watch band and stack together in the order you choose to create the look you desire.
Bytten sets start around $44.95. You can read more about them at bytten.com and order sets from The Grommet and Amazon.
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If you read the Gadgeteer with any regularity you know that I love new and unique Apple Watch bands. So when I got the chance to review the new Nomad Sport Strap for the 42mm Apple Watch, I didn’t hesitate. Nomad is known for making premium leather replacement bands for the Apple Watch, with the Sport Strap they’re offering a silicone replacement band designed specifically to withstand the stresses of all forms of sports and exercise. Let’s check it out.
Nomad’s Sport Strap is made of Vulcanized LSR silicone, a naturally biocompatible, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic material. Silicone’s inherent ultraviolet resistance means that the strap will maintain its sheen through exposure to nature’s elements. It’s available in two-color combinations, black & slate or black & volt. And it’s priced @ $49.95. Currently, the Sport Strap is only available for the 42mm series 1 & 2 Apple Watch.
The Sport Strap came in a box with a slide out tray that the band was attached to. I like that the box gives me a place to store the band when I’m not wearing it. I already have way too many things cluttering my nightstand as it is.
One thing stands out right away when you put the band onto the watch. Unlike the Nike band, the Nomad Sport Strap’s face spans the width of the watch itself. This along with the chamfered edges and crosshatch surface give the Apple Watch a whole new look. Rugged yet sleek and sporty, and it pairs nicely with any outfit. You can easily go from the gym to a night out without having to switch bands. And putting the Strap onto the Apple Watch is easy, it just slides right into place and locks in.
The Sport Strap attaches to your wrist using a high-performance Polyamide buckle, which is designed to hold up to all environmental conditions. It uses a peg-and-notch system, which gives the band a very clean, secure fit. The Strap is one size fits most, designed for wrist sizes ranging from 150mm to 210mm. 75 mm length (buckle side) and 135 mm length (adjustment side). I have small wrists and still had 2 notches to spare. It can resist a 5-20 kg lateral slide-out force when installed in Apple Watch. Which means that no matter what you do while wearing it, it’s not going anywhere.
Comfort wise this band is a 10. It’s very comfortable and very light weight. The smooth silicone feels soft against your skin and it doesn’t pinch or feel clunky. The big test for me was wearing it to the gym and It passed that test with flying colors. The Sport Strap felt very secure on my wrist during my workout. One very small complaint I had while wearing it during my workout was that my wrist seemed to sweat more than usual. But since the Sport Strap is water and sweat proof it’s not a big concern. I also noticed that it tends to pick up dirt and lint fairly easily. But simply running it under warm water and shaking it out easily takes care of that. If you do happen to get some dirt wedged into the cross hatched surface it’s easy to remove using a soft brush while running it under the faucet. I used an old toothbrush and it worked great.
Final Thoughts
Nomad, the company behind the Sport Strap has what I think is a great philosophy, “own fewer things, be resourceful and seek adventure.” To me it means they design their products to be versatile, simple yet productive, and capable of going almost anywhere. With the Sport Strap, they accomplished this. It’s versatile enough to wear to the gym or out on a hike or run, yet you can leave it on for a night out on the town. The band is simple in design and uses a material that’s thin, yet strong and is both waterproof and hypoallergenic. And as far as the adventure part, well that’s up to you. But rest assured no matter what adventure you chose the Nomad Sport Strap will be up for the challenge. At $49.95 the Sport Strap is a worthy addition to any collection. In fact, I liked the Sport Strap so well that it has earned a permanent spot on my Apple Watch. Well, at least to the next really cool watch band comes along.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nomad. Please visit their site for more info and to order.
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I really like my Apple Watch and about the only thing I like more is looking for unique bands for it. So when I had the chance to review the Carbon Fiber Apple Watch band from Real Carbon Fiber Gear, naturally I jumped at it. The band combines actually carbon fiber with a soft black leather. The result is a modern, high-tech looking watch band that’s ultra lightweight and extremely durable.
Now you may be asking yourself (much like I did) what exactly is carbon fiber? Simply put, carbon fiber is a super-strong fabric that’s used to make diverse products, where light-weight, strength and modern looks are valued. Some examples would be Formula One, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, yachts, MotoGP, and even items from luxury brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Montblanc and more. It is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum. The strongest carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel. Carbon fiber also has other valuable qualities; It resists corrosion, is both moisture and heat stable and has super energy absorption. Now there’s a lot more to carbon fiber, but I won’t bore you with that here – But If you would like to learn more watch the video below.
The watch band arrived in a very nice carbon fiber textured box, with the words “Carbon Fiber Watch Band” inscribed in silver on the top. Inside the box, the band is nicely displayed on a satin material, a really nice presentation. You defiantly feel like you’re getting something special.
Taking the watch band from the box, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly lightweight it was. Feather-light. And it’s incredibly thin, almost to a point of feeling cheap. But this watch band is anything but cheap. The woven design and sheen of the carbon fiber give the watch band a really rich look. I really like how the leather wraps around and is stitched into the edge of the carbon fiber. A small but nice detail. Add to that the silver oblong buckle and this Apple Watch band is as unique looking as any I’ve seen.
Installing the band is quick and easy. Simply slide the old band out and click in the new carbon fiber watch band. Voila! You’re done.
Wearing the Carbon Fiber watch band is like wearing nothing at all. It’s so lightweight you hardly feel it on your wrist, and the soft leather backing makes it extremely comfortable against your skin. Definitely the kind of watch band you can wear all day long. I only have one small gripe. I have really small wrists (my own personal gripe) so I have to wear the band on the last notch available. This leaves a lot of excess watch band to deal with. My gripe is the second loop on the band is a little large and the excess band constantly slips out of the loop. I remedied this by doubling the excess band over and then sliding it into the loop. But it would be nice if that second loop were a little tighter. Other than that the band feels great. As strong as the carbon fiber material is it’s also very pliable. There’s absolutely no stiffness to the band, which is great because there’s no break-in period. It feels great the first time you put it on.
I really like how versatile this watch band is. Its modern, high-tech look makes it perfect to wear every day, but it’s luxurious enough for a night out on the town.
This watch band has its own story to tell and is definitely a conversation starter.
In closing Carbon Fiber Gear’s Carbon Fiber Apple Watch band checks all of the boxes for me when it comes to what I look for in a watch band. It’s unique (made of carbon fiber), versatile (you can dress it up or dress it down), comfortable (soft leather backing/ultra-lightweight), durable (carbon fiber again) and most importantly it looks great on my wrist. It certainly more than justifies its $59.95 price tag. So, if you’re like me and like unique Apple Watch bands, this one should be in your collection. Currently, the band is only available for the 42mm Apple Watch series 1 & 2.
The sample for this review was provided by Carbon Fiber Gear. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.
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I have been reviewing charging stands almost since the first day having an Apple Watch. We have seen everything from metal folding stands to exotic wood travel stands to charging gizmos that take over every function on your nightstand but the controller for your electric blanket. Some have been great, others have been – um – misguided. None, however, have not required you to add your own Apple Watch charger (which adds an additional $30, minimum, plus the hassle of threading it through the stand’s wiring channels.) Until now. Kanex has just released a stand for Apple Watch that includes the magnetic charging puck, as well as a single USB port. I was sent one to test and was excited to give it a go.
Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.
The stand is disarming in its simplicity. It’s a disc almost 4″ in diameter, with a space gray plastic finish and black plastic accents. There is a simple company logo centered on the disc. The 5/8″ thick base has a rubber gasket on the bottom to keep it firmly on your desk or nightstand. A metal tube almost 1/4″ in diameter rises just over three inches from the base, and curves gently to a position centered over the base. The charging puck is affixed to a metal holder set at a permanent 29º angle. The holder is smooth and nicely rounded. The fittings between the puck holder, the tube, and the base are both smooth and tight. There is no play at all.
The unit weighs only 7.35 ounces but feels substantial. Because of the right angle between the base and the upright of the watch stand, this is not something you’re going to pack for trips or move about – it’s going to sit quietly on your desk or nightstand and do what it’s supposed to when called on.
The single USB port on the rear of the base means you can also charge an iPad, iPhone, or your partner’s Apple Watch, but you’ll need to supply your own cable. I was a bit put off when I unboxed it and found that the power was provided by a round positive-tip plug, rather than the standard mini- or microUSB. Kanex, however, took the important step of providing an extra long plug that fits deeply into the body of the base for added strain relief. There is virtually no possible way to get the plug and pin misaligned and possibly damaged. It holds tightly, and powers the charger and USB port reliably.
At $79.95, it’s a little spendy, but, remember, there’s a $30 Apple Watch charger included, and a single USB charger, which would run another $5-$10. I, personally, would not hesitate to spend $80 for a quality piece like this.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kanex. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.
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