Need a Budget Apple Watch Short-Term for Health Monitoring App

No on 23/04/2025 - 12:30
Last edited 23/04/2025 - 14:17 by 1 other user

Hi all, I need to use a health monitoring app called StrivePD which is only available on Apple devices. It’s used to measure tremors, and I need to track this throughout the day for a few months to help determine if my medication is working. The tremors come and go, so I’m trying to identify any patterns.

I’m firmly in the Android camp and usually use a Pixel and Galaxy Watch, but I do have a work iPhone I can install the app on but I'll need to buy a Apple Watch. I’ll likely sell it after a couple of months.

The requirements are:

Must support the StrivePD app

Minimum 24-hour battery life

Reasonably presentable (second-hand is fine)

Would any Apple Watch do the job? I am thinking Apple Watch Series 3 GPS 38mm Aluminium Case .

Any suggestions for a cheaper model or place to buy it?

Thank you

Find Me A Bargain Apple Smartwatch

Comments

  • jugsy on 23/04/2025 - 12:36
    +3

    I would ask Strive directly to avoid any disappointment - probably worth providing feedback to the GP/prescriber/admin that this was inconvenient, health tools shouldnt be ecosystem locked

    • No on 23/04/2025 - 12:40

      I have decided to do this on my own, the specialist hasn't asked for it but I think the data would help. I'm on a heap of medication for this and its difficult to work out what is doing what.

      It is a shame that there is no equivalent Android app.

      Good idea about reaching out to strive. I'll contact them. Edit: Looks like it just needs watchOS 10 or later.

      • CodeXD on 23/04/2025 - 16:02

        I have decided to do this on my own

        If you have decided to do it on your own, you are not tied down to that particular app, especially when you already have android phone + galaxy watch. There are a few available for android from my 2 mins of googling

        https://youngonsetparkinsons.org.au/symptom-tracker/

        https://parkinsonseurope.org/2015/04/14/top-apps-for-the-par…

        • No on 23/04/2025 - 17:18

          Thanks, I have spent a lot of time trying to find a android version and asked on Parkinson's forums. None of them will automatically track the tremor via the watch as StrivePD does.

          I know my galaxy has the capability because I installed a app that allowed you to set a shortcut when you shake your wrist and my watch went bonkers activating constantly I just can't find a app that will use the sensors and record it automatically.

  • geekcohen on 23/04/2025 - 12:36
    +1

    Minimum 24-hour battery life

    Minimal chance with an Apple Watch. I have a Series 9 GPS + Cellular and mine is at 30% from 6am until 9pm at night. It does charge pretty quickly though.

    • No on 23/04/2025 - 12:41

      Ahh that's annoying! I thought Samsung was bad. I can live with it if it charges quickly.

    • sumyungguy on 23/04/2025 - 13:48
      +1

      Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are rated to 36 hours, but perhaps more money than OP is intending to allocate

    • spackbace on 23/04/2025 - 13:52
      +1

      If it's only for health monitoring though, you could disable all other notifications etc and get more life out of it

  • Muffinman01 on 23/04/2025 - 12:45
    +1

    Assuming this is the app you're talking about, the specifications show minimum software to run it on a watch is WatchOS 10, which would mean you would need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer.

    Reading through the StrivePD app page, there's nothing there that jumps out, but there may be features of the app that are only supported on newer devices.

    A quick search (not at all thorough) shows something like this that might suit your needs better.

    • No on 23/04/2025 - 12:48

      Thanks! I'll find something that uses WatchOS 10.

  • CheapandUsed on 23/04/2025 - 13:43

    but I do have a work iPhone I can install the app on

    Unless you want your employer to know how your health is tracking, do not do this.

    If it has to be apple, buy the cheapest used iPhone that supports the app and have control of your health data.

    • No on 23/04/2025 - 14:18
      -1

      My employer uses intune for device management. The most intrusive thing I can see from there is a list of discovered apps so I'm not too concerned about that.

    • MrMcHairyHead on 23/04/2025 - 15:08

      I don't know how anyone would be able to see data from specific, non-company third party apps, even on an MDM'd phone. I could be wrong but I've never heard of that.

  • try2bhelpful on 23/04/2025 - 20:15

    Costco has a 90 day returns policy on electronics.
    https://www.costco.com.au/member-care/refunds-and-return/wha…

    According to the T&Cs this also applies to smart watches. It depends on how many months you want to test for.

    Do some research on what you are after but the Apple Watch Ultra has the longest battery time.

    We went to Europe last year, just before the new watches were released, so I bought the Apple Ultra 1 from Costco at a good price. I figured if the new ones were a significant step up then on my return I would get my refund and buy a later one.As it turned out the new Ultra model wasn’t a huge enough improvement over the one I bought to take the old one back.

    Just a thought.

    Pity you aren’t in Melbourne. I have an old Apple 5 watch that is sitting in a draw I don’t use. The battery is pretty crap but it would make a decent proof of concept.

    There are second hand places around.

    Best of luck on the search and your treatment.

    • No on 23/04/2025 - 21:12

      I don't have it in me to return a device to costco. I wish I did, that'd be perfect!

      I think I'll just find the cheapest WatchOS 10 device I can find. Looking on facebook marketplace there are a fair few out there. I'll deal with the poor battery life for a couple of months.

      Thanks for your suggestions.

      • try2bhelpful on 23/04/2025 - 21:18
        +1

        Be careful on Facebook that you don’t get ripped off.

        • No on 30/04/2025 - 15:28

          Thanks for your help. I got a series 7 for $140 from the ocau classifieds. Just waiting to see if the data goes into strive.

  • kiwijunglist on 25/04/2025 - 06:12
    +1

    Are you going to use the monitoring device prior to starting the medication as well for a baseline measurement, otherwise i don't see it providing any useful metric, and your subjective experience might be a better comparison.

    • No on 25/04/2025 - 09:19

      I take the medication 3 times a day. I want to see how long it takes to take effect & how long it lasts. Some people need to take it 5-6 times a day.

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