Hey! Excuse the weird audio, I got a pretty rough cold an had to record with an unusual microphone setup. Anyway, go sign up for NordVPN: nordvpn.com/techaltar
I just finished a dive adventure in the Bahamas. The app was buggy right out of the start and wouldn’t sync with the iPhone. There was a minor upgrade to watchOS and IOS a few days before. Needless to say, the watch was packed away and I’m not likely to ever use or recommend Apple Watch for dive tracking.
Not a diver myself, but my impression from this is that support for diving seems very much like a gimmick on the apple watch. A paid subscription for the service sounds terrible. If Id consider diving, Id get a real divers watch instead
You dont dive so you dont understand the premise behind it. Most people who do dive, dive maybe twice a year while on vacation. For under 1k, you're getting an amazing Smart watch and fitness tracker that functions a dive computer that more than meets the needs of the casual recreational diver. Why pay for a dive computer that you will only use a handful of times over the years. A few bucks to use the App when needed is more cost effective than dumping cash on a dive computer.
@@superfast30 I guess that makes sense if your in that group of users who were planing to buy the watch any ways and the dive functionality is just a fun bonus you dont really care about. But if your considering getting into diving and then see this video, I would rather buy a proper dive watch instead. It just dosent seem like a good enough product to do diving more than from the beach with a snorkel. If your getting on a boat and wanna do some serious diving, this seems like a terrible deal
@@superfast30 Vast majority of people will not buy $800 Apple watch they will buy cheaper apple watch. So your point about this watch being for vast majority of people who might dive on holiday is already invalid. This is a specialised watch, which needs subscription for it to do half of its job.
Love this type of content!! I'm not a diver, so I'm quite curious how diver think about this watch! Thanks for testing irl and giving a comprehensive review!
the fact that you have to pay for a subscription to use it as a dive computer is a turn-off. also if you go just barely below 40m, the watch locks out as dive computer. so much for safety. it's just an expensive toy.
I’m just your everyday guy who happens to be crazy about scuba diving. And I can honestly say I’m more than happy with how my Apple Watch Ultra (plus the Oceanic app of course…) has handled the 10 dives I’ve worn it during. I’ve not triggered any of its warning functions (yet…) so strange though it may sound I’m quite looking forward to seeing (and hearing & feeling) when it warns me to slow down when ascending or exceeding the maximum depth I’ve set it for. I’ve bitten the bullet and subscribed to the app for a full year - which means I’m only paying pennies for every day the app stays on my watch ready to be used at a minutes notice! (FYI, my usual dive computer is a Mares which at full brightness seems to not be on when compared to 2000 nits on my Apple Watch Ultra. 😊
@@oLoSTo44 Don't ask me, I also think it has nothing to do with dedication when someone invites you over to the other side of the globe for free, having a great time playing with the coolest toys at the coolest location. Just to be clear, I'm not criticising Marton. His dedication is shown in the depth of his videos, not in following an invitation.
That battery life when used for diving is a no-go for me. Like you I usually do 4 dives a day on my trips and having to worry charging on a liveaboard. Hard pass for it being your primary dive computer.
Yeah, I think it's useful if you already have the Ulta and decide to learn diving, so you have a dive computer without having to buy one. For anyone that does any sort of semi regular diving any basic dive computer will be way better and more reliable, which you definitely want when diving.
Hey there! I have the Ultra and have recently used it for diving. They improved the efficiency significantly because I was able to get through a full day of dives (3 though, not 4) and get back to my hotel with 60% battery each time. So for me, the battery is not really a concern. I simply recharged it every night, that was more than enough.
Apple paid for the trip so there's not much to write off. Big tech companies pay for influential reviewers' flights, accomodation, and food. It makes the reviewers happy and that very often creates a bias from the reviewer's end to rate the product highly or they won't get invited on an all expense paid vacation anymore. This is why I trust reviewers who buy their own products and don't take sponsorhips from the products they're revieweing in the video. A much better system where reviewers get to earn money as they should while keeping bias to a minimum are the 30 second VPN ad segmenhts in the video that's obviously an ad pays highly and the reviewer isn't beholden to the company they're revieweing. There's obviously a bias to the ad segment but it's like an advert on any other medium, you know it's been bought and paid for so you know it's going to be biased. Reviews like these however, are less trustworthy.
The entire review is also carefully planned by Apple. Which hiking trail they use, where they go, what kind of an environment it is. The time slots are also decided by Apple so all of the 25 reviewers Apple paid for get the time Apple decides with the watches. Obviously that doesn't mean that the actual watch doesn't perform in said conditions, but I like reviewers who put in their own time and creative thinking into testing a product rather than list the specifications and give a rudimentary rundown in the time allotted to them by Apple to review their product
When I started diving we used dive tables. While maybe not the best dive computer, it's certainly better. Regardless, I still use the tables just incase things don't go as planned. It's never a bad idea to know your bottom time, decom time and interval before jumping in.
A very easy on the eye video review of what I personally think is a fantastic piece of Apple tech. But I was a little surprised to not see a “diver down” flag being displayed anywhere on either of the two boats! We once refused to make the two dives we had paid for (including lunch & unlimited soft drinks) during a trip to Egypt - because our “dive boat” wasn’t carrying a diver down flag in an area used by many divers each day plus curious jet ski users who continuously buzzed around over our heads causing a little panic in the less experienced divers in our group! Other than what I’ve just mentioned about the diver down flag being missing we really enjoyed watching your video. 😊👏🏻 👍🏻👎🏻👌🏻🤚🏻👊🏻 Thorvald, UK.
@@captainharpoon RUclips has had real aspect ratio support for years now, this is either 16:9 or 18:9 with black bars added. Notice how this real 21:9 video ruclips.net/video/L14nXRxJILg/видео.html looks compared to this
@@ventilate4267 I was thinking that it was weird that it didn't auto scale in landscape mode like the video in the link you just sent. Thx for that. My b. 🙂
Lots of hate in the comments here for the Apple Watch Ultra. I think the AWU with the Oceanic app seems like a perfectly fine substitute for a dedicated dive computer or dive watch. Most recreational divers aren't going out more than a few times a year. You can rent a dive computer when you go or you can buy a separate watch. Getting a $10 1-month subscription to an app to replace that expense seems perfectly reasonable. Note the the Garmin Descent 1 doesn't have air integration and it's $650 and you can't make a phone call or send a text message, get on the subway, or have your grocery list on your wrist at the store. A quick search and there are a lot of wrist-based dedicated dive computers for $350+ that don't seem to give any more dive detail than the Oceanic app. The app seems like a great alternative. Regarding hiking and running, the native watch app is pretty basic, but third party apps like workoutdoors provide lots of functionality for offline maps and routing and lots of different customization of data screens. It's missing a few features that watches like Garmin use, but overall it performs well. The use case for the apple watch ultra is not someone who only *needs* a Garmin or a Coros; it's for someone who wants some of the features of those watches plus wanting an actual smart watch. If you need several days of battery life in GPS mode or an air-integrated dive computer that will go below 40m, then the AWU is not for you. But most people don't need that. Most garmin watches are used for local park runs and 1/2 marathons (not ultras) and the same will be the case for the AWU... but with the AWU, you'll be able to get in contact with your people at the finish line without needing to have urn the entire race with a phone. And for those longer races, the AWU gets about 15-18 hours in GPS mode... I think that will suit most people.
Your comments are actually why I'm considering the AWU. I have(d) various Garmin's over the years, I currently wear a 945, switch between that and Apple Watch Series 5. Although I really wanted the 945 LTE, simply for the emergency LTE features, which is why I wear the Apple watch. I can truly leave my phone behind. For a runner, IMO, not having to strap on a waste pack or arm band to carry my phone along, and still have cellular and music, is nice and worth the peace of mind to me. The only reason I go back to the Garmin's from time-to-time, is simply battery life. The wife and I also like to dive, typically a few weeks out of the year. On dedicated dive trips, we do max 4-5 dives a day, we usually use Mares Puck computers that sit in a box 50 weeks out of the year. The majority of trips consist more of relaxation and maybe 2 dives a day, 3-4 days out of 7. So for a seasonal diver, I think the AWU looks great. Sure I'd prefer 2 weeks battery life, but until Garmin makes a watch I can dive with and make a phone call from if I break my ankle on a hike or run without having to carry my phone, the AWU looks pretty good.
I guess someone at Apple watches your videos. I still remember one of your Friday checkouts where you said you'd like to try the new Apple watch. Congrats on the Apple collab!
The watch that try to compete againts Garmin Fenix watches for more money and worse performance. Everyone will buy it because of his battery life, 2 ridicolous days but it's great againts the normal Apple Watches. Sport people will keep buying Garmin watches instead.
I dunno. I chose the AWU over the Fenix (which the sapphire solar edition is $100 more than the AWU). I go trail running and also do some day hiking with my kids. The AWU gets 15-18 hours in normal GPS mode (that's more than 95% of fenix purchasers will ever need), and you can get offline mapping with routing on the workoutdoors app. And with the AWU you can call your people to coordinate after you finish any race without carrying your phone. The AWU is not for everyone, but there are plenty of "sport people" who would be just as happy with an AWU as with a Garmin.
This man deserves more views. Seriously dude, you make excellent videos and I appreciate all of your input. I'm a long time viewer and love your content. Please keep doing what you're doing.
I am generally fine with Apple creating a device & then opening it up to 3rd party app developers (most of the apps on my iPhone fit this category). However, I’m finding this same approach wearisome when it comes to fitness/outdoor activities. I don’t want subscriptions to oceanic, strong, outdoors maps etc. I’d rather just buy a Garmin & have all that holistically taken care of.
Great video! Quick question: Can you make a video about quick charging in phones? It's unreasonable that I can't find a non-chinese phone that charges at a reasonable speed. It seems like BBK & Xiaomi are the only ones that know how to do it. Drives me crazy!
My question would be if this will support CCR. I’m still waiting for this to get a bit smaller, rated for deeper, longer battery life. If it can do dive computer free it would be awesome.
Irgendwie verliere ich ja immer ein bisschen den Respekt, wenn jemand vom Hersteller für Produkttests bezahlt wird. Ganz gleich wie ehrlich die Disclaimer gemeint sind. Da dieser Kanal davon lebt, ehrlich Meinungen, Analysen und Einschätzungen abzugeben, ist das meiner Meinung absolut fatal! Betrifft nicht nur dieses Video sondern alle zukünftigen Videos, die auf diesem Kanal über Produkte, Strategien, Themen, die diesen Hersteller oder seine Konkurrenten betreffen. Btw: Dass das inzwischen praktisch alle RUclipsr so machen, ändert leider nichts an dem Problem. 🤷♂🤷♂
Absolute Zustimmung. Und wie alle Beteiligten auch noch in ihren Videos zeigen, wie sie kollektiv und gleichzeitig auf ihre Uhren starren. Sehr befremdlich.
Hier steht doch normalerweise immer Android im Fokus. Und das Video kam ja nicht ausm Nichts, in einem Friday Checkout hat er ja erwähnt, dass er gerne und viel taucht und die neue Apple Watch ausprobieren möchte. Ich seh ehrlich gesagt das Problem nicht.
For hiking AW is far from perfect. Most of the hiking needs are route guided navigation (like komoot phone app does), altitude profile (when you are now comparing where planned route), time estimation to complete the route or to teach given POI on it, live map preview. AFAIK, note of these are supported.
I find the workoutdoors app pretty handy. It has offline maps and routing. It's got contour lines on there as well. It is missing a quick view of the elevation of a planned route.
The main thing of apple watch is that it works with iPhone. That's all. Battery and all the extra software for sports ecc is not so good. Garmin is still at the top for sport smartwatch
@@lores996 not so good? I'll grant you the battery life thing and it's personal preference whether that's a deal breaker, but I've seen lots of comparisons of the AWU to the Garmin Fenix (for example), and the heart rate monitor on the AWU is more accurate, the GPS has the same level of accuracy, and the AWU has stride analytics (just like Garmin), plus you can get offline mapping and routing via third party apps. The main thing AWU is missing relative to the Garmin is device support (like being able to pair a bike power meter and a chest strap) and the more advanced recovery metrics. But I'm of the opinion that most people don't actually need those things and won't miss them (especially the recovery analytics). Again, I think many people are looking at it from only their use case when the AWU has much broader appeal and similar utility to the more advanced sports watches.
I’m in the market for one of these, but rumor is a 2nd gen unltea will be released alongside the iPhone 15. I’m curious if any of these issues will be addressed. The battery life and 3rd dive app is very disappointing and somewhat surprising because Apple priced themselves on being on a close eco system.
It’s supposed to be a basic diving computer. Not a dedicated 200+£ computer solely focused on diving. It’s like calorie tracking it’s supposed to be an indicator not the full experience.
@@octny then why are you even considering this product? That is like saying you are a professional filmmaker and you are using an iPhone to film a 100 million dollar movie.
@@hercules6380 because they advertise it as a reliable dive computer and before going in depth, i really thought it might be one. but a dive computer is not a toy, it's a safety instrument, unlike a phone camera.
What a shame this video hasn't done well for you. I was really excited for it. Might just be because your core audience isn't Apple fans. (I'm not either)
The App Store and it’s apps are a feature not a flaw. Apple INVENTED the App Store because it recognized early on they could build wonderful hardware and software, but no single company can do EVERYTHING, excel in every human genre. Unlike Microsoft, by using “contractors” to develop specifically for their niche, Apple created devices for more specialized uses for a broader population. The App Store was a genius concept. They have always had a Developers Conference and parade partners on stage who utilize Apple’s UI, sensors and data processing to the fullest. “There’s an app for that” was a selling point that EVERY platform has copied since Apple introduced the platform.
Considering the price of the Ultra is the same as buying an Apple Series 8 AND a Suunto D4i or Suunto Vyper dive computer it doesn't seem to make much sense from a diving standpoint. (Plus carrying all that bulkiness on the wrist all year for the ocasional dive seems a bit meh)
I've got $1200 to blow. So can I switch from my daily Seiko/Casio leave my phone behind, go for a 4 hour hike, make calls, payments, hike tracking for the day?
I found the experience to be too intrusive to the review. ie. "I found hiking with the Apple Watch absolutely fantastic" is a marketing phrase that tries to make the product the cause for an activity being fun, instead of discussing what the product actually does.
Not sold on the idea of apple. to many if's the only thing that this watch has is the bright display and that's it. Not enough to be a volunteer to give my money on a monthly basis and be in fear that it fails at the worst time.
Does anyone need the Apple Watch Ultra? Nope Is it equal or better than any other brand at handling any of the sports advertised? Absolutely not, in fact probably worse in any imaginable aspect. I can only speak for mountaineering/hiking and let me tell you, this is just such a useless device for anything serious in the mountains, like Apple advertises in their marketing. Why? - Double band GPS and all this stuff, well good luck being in the Alps, or Rocky Mountains, or Himalayans using Apple Maps or any other maps service. What you need are proper terrain, elevation and topographic maps. Apple doesn't offer them, nor do they implement good third-party maps. TLDR; Useless, every serious person will just keep using conventional paper maps or an app on their phone. - Setting waypoints to find your way back. Really? If you are in the wilderness and get lost, because you didn't bring proper maps and preparation, nor experience from the region, and get lost because you solely relied on the way back feature, you're nuts. Also, people usually don't plan to get lost, so if they don't set waypoints from the beginning, and it doesn't always automatically record the path you walked, what's the point? - Probably some other things I missed. Don't get me wrong, I use an Apple Watch 6, but the marketing Apple is doing with the Ultra is beyond misleading and gives people a false sense of confidence to rely on an Apple Watch, when clearly, it's just a funny, useless gadget.
The ultra is the perfect dive computer for the casual vacation diver such as myself. It's extremely convenient not having to bring two devices along with me. Apple Watch Ultra does a great job of being a fitness tracker, dive computer and a top tier Smart watch that can be worn all day long. It's better at being a dive computer than any dive computer is at being a Smart watch.
I really like this content but I think it could work better with things like subtitles or graphics, to let viewers summarize the points more easily. Thanks!
When Apple announced the Ultra, I had a serious thought about switching to the iPhone + Ultra despite all the shortcomings of the ecosystem compared to Android. I love diving (both scuba and free). And I do need a reliable device for them. I'm using Garmin Descent MK.1 for the past 4 or 5 years and my biggest complaint about it is that I can't leave the phone at home when going out for some activity. For that I need mobile data connectivity. I truly envy my wife when she goes for a run with her Apple watch. She can stream the music, make a call in case of emergency and even pay for something. But all the shortcomings of the Ultra in dive mode, make it no go. I can't trust a device with such quirky operation and unacceptable battery life. It is my health and maybe even my life that depend on the diving computer. Even more, being a Dive Master, I play a role of the "responsible adult" when diving with my wife or in a group on dive safaris.
for diving, cause apple user are very stupid and always willing to pay for everything they sells.... hence they make them pay. great review of the Ultra for diving.
Hmmmm for some reason this video did not popup on my notifications, is that the case with many people? It seems to have very low traction also considering it's an Apple product video which usually do well on most tech channels, kinda sad if it's true. Tin foil hat off.
What are you doing with that huge dive computer dude? Are you just trying to make the Apple watch look better? The Apple watch is not tough enough for serious diving and getting down and dirty in underwater caves, scrabbling around on the bottom or checking out shipwrecks. No way is it suitable. Why not compare it with a REAL divers watch such as my own G-Shock GWFA 1000 Frogman which is tough enough for every activity. The Apple watch is ok at everything here, but not as good as something like the Frogman or a Mudmaster. No serious diver is going to use that watch, except for marketing videos like this. It should be ok for snorkeling though. And you have to PAY to use the dive functions?? No chance.. Plus and a huge plus, the Frogman and the Mudmaster are solar powered. No need for charging every 2 or 3 days. You could actually get 2 dedicated G-Shocks to handle all these activities better for less than the price of an Apple watch, including connecting to a dedicated app.
Your G-shock is a dive watch, not a dive computer. The two are different, do different things and can’t be compared. I explained as much in the video but maybe look up the difference yourself if you didn’t seem to get my explanation.
@@TechAltar Actually the Frogman does everything a dive computer can do. I've used both. As I said that thing you put on your arm was merely to make the Apple watch look a lot better. I suppose a paid for holiday has to be paid for. 😉
Serious Scuba app, overpriced gimmick or bit of both? Subscription based for an app most of us only use a few times a year? Disappointing to say the least when already purchased the hardware for USD800/Eur1000!😌 Besides, imho outright dangerous that this Oceanic app v1.0 won’t display (no-)decompression-info (after being submerged) below 130ft/40m! Because even in recreational diving to a wreck, at a wall a/o with currents an occasional short dip below certified depth is not uncommon but with experience and training nowhere near as dangerous as a computer NOT ALWAYS showing (no-)dec-time (like serious diving computers do). This requirement is a ‘must have’ not a legally-bound ‘nice to have’ an app-developer can simply lower in priority and exclude. #legalmadness If you guys really want to understand where the ‘Zürich’ ZH-72 model and ZH-L16C / ZH-L8ADT derivatives for dive-computers in more scientific details with background all the way back to Haldane tables for bell-diving, I can advise reading this: amzn.eu/d/ixa3mNG With Bradley I share more detailed ‘educated’ insights under their comments of: ruclips.net/video/d90j0abTGjQ/видео.html I want my 🤿 tech to be robust and fail-safe NOT failing ‘by design’ if the unexpected or occasional ‘legal’ exception happens. Just because of some legally bound firm restricting the perfectly capable ZH-L16C algorithm of prof. A.A. Bühlmann for use below 40m/130ft. This to at least stay informed and potentially NOT making the ill-advised/ UNwanted deep-dive situation for a 🤿 diver even worse by this 🌊 Oceanic app currently deliberately depriving a 🤿 diver under such conditions of vital (no-)decompression information. For the record, also this 40m/130ft limit was adopted from the 1960’s by emerging certification bodies such as CMAS, PADI etc. as the universally 🌎 accepted certified limit, to lower nitrogen (N2) related risks for recreational divers. On the other side, NO theoretical 🤿 limit can 100% protect you against these risks. Especially if your bodily characteristics a/o condition differs from the tested standard where most decompression models and computers are based on (i.e. healthy ‘army-style’ males). Really, I’ve witnessed fellow divers getting mild decompression sickness (i.e. bends) by only multi-diving for a few days in relatively shallow waters or N2 narcosis far from this ‘maximum’ depth-limit. To be very clear, I consider myself a risk-averse 🤿 diver. Yet we all know that 🤿 diving means taking calculated risks only for the suitably trained befitting our biological constraints (we’re not fish 🐠 after-all).😇 So Apple🍏 and Oceanic🌊 please stop ‘covering your legal bums’ by deliberately omitting vital and required (no-)decompression info also under ‘non-compliant’ but realistic real-life 🤿 circumstances. After-all nobody can predict the unknown, the unwanted and every 🤿 diver is responsible to dive within their personal abilities, knowledge a/o (as much as possible) their certification-level. Thank you! Anyway, as a gimmicky backup ‘show-off’ to my 15 year old wireless air-integrated Uwatec Air Z Nitrox, the Ultra with this app should do fine. This way only replacing my 1st 🤿 computer, a 1995 Suunto Solution at a premium price!😝 No wireless air integration for the Ultra is indeed a bummer anno 2022 especially with all the other radios this 🍏 watch already carries. As e.g. Uwatec-Scubapro implemented this in the past: for submersed wireless transmittance of air-mixture consumption, the radio technology needs to be different from in the Ultra already included GSM, LTE, GNSS, WiFi and Bluetooth radios. If I remember correctly a much lower frequency is required for this. This means yet another radio-tech needs to be added to an Ultra successor to make this work. But since this Ultra version seems to be aimed at only entry-level Scuba 🤿, I don’t believe Apple will ever add this 1990 radio-tech to their ‘Ultra’ successors primarily aimed at ‘Ultra’ activities for land-mammals?🌳 The limited battery capacity of the Ultra for general use and multi-day Scuba diving, I also don’t find this an “issue”. I simply accept this as a result of the abundance of innovative smart watch features this Ultra delivers, restricted by the current battery🪫 state-of-tech. If anticipated, I just bring my compact 10k mAmp 🔋🔋🔋 pack along with ⌚️charging puck on any multi-day trip when far away from 110V/230V ⚡️outlets, in case the Ultra (or mostly my iPhone 12mini for that matter🙃) has less juice than it requires in between multi-dive days. Finally on a positive note, NO other smart watch today includes soo many valuable features as this Ultra does. Yes delivering soo much diverse functionality the Ultra is quite ‘basic’ compared to some ‘specialty’ watches being only great at their niche (the 80-20 rule?). Yet, it’s great Apple 🍏 finally nudges these specialty brands to do better after decades of hardly any innovation a/o terrible UX, including the same ol’ same ol’ 💤 Scuba business since the great 🇫🇷🤿 inventor Cousteau. Factually, for real Scuba innovation, at least since the past century.🤓
Hey! Excuse the weird audio, I got a pretty rough cold an had to record with an unusual microphone setup. Anyway, go sign up for NordVPN: nordvpn.com/techaltar
I just finished a dive adventure in the Bahamas. The app was buggy right out of the start and wouldn’t sync with the iPhone. There was a minor upgrade to watchOS and IOS a few days before. Needless to say, the watch was packed away and I’m not likely to ever use or recommend Apple Watch for dive tracking.
A tech enthusiast that actually go outside to test the product. Nice.
tech enthusiasts don't go outside
@@Enrico- No true Scotsman, eh?
This channel and MKBHD from the top of my head aren't tech enthusiasts?
Not a diver myself, but my impression from this is that support for diving seems very much like a gimmick on the apple watch. A paid subscription for the service sounds terrible. If Id consider diving, Id get a real divers watch instead
You dont dive so you dont understand the premise behind it. Most people who do dive, dive maybe twice a year while on vacation. For under 1k, you're getting an amazing Smart watch and fitness tracker that functions a dive computer that more than meets the needs of the casual recreational diver. Why pay for a dive computer that you will only use a handful of times over the years. A few bucks to use the App when needed is more cost effective than dumping cash on a dive computer.
@@superfast30 I guess that makes sense if your in that group of users who were planing to buy the watch any ways and the dive functionality is just a fun bonus you dont really care about. But if your considering getting into diving and then see this video, I would rather buy a proper dive watch instead. It just dosent seem like a good enough product to do diving more than from the beach with a snorkel. If your getting on a boat and wanna do some serious diving, this seems like a terrible deal
@@jimmiejohnsson2272 Like I said, it not ideal for every diver but for the vast majority, it's sufficient!
@@superfast30 Vast majority of people will not buy $800 Apple watch they will buy cheaper apple watch. So your point about this watch being for vast majority of people who might dive on holiday is already invalid. This is a specialised watch, which needs subscription for it to do half of its job.
@@georgekingiv8171 The vast majority are even less likely to buy a dedicated dive computer!
Love this type of content!!
I'm not a diver, so I'm quite curious how diver think about this watch! Thanks for testing irl and giving a comprehensive review!
the fact that you have to pay for a subscription to use it as a dive computer is a turn-off. also if you go just barely below 40m, the watch locks out as dive computer. so much for safety. it's just an expensive toy.
I’m just your everyday guy who happens to be crazy about scuba diving. And I can honestly say I’m more than happy with how my Apple Watch Ultra (plus the Oceanic app of course…) has handled the 10 dives I’ve worn it during. I’ve not triggered any of its warning functions (yet…) so strange though it may sound I’m quite looking forward to seeing (and hearing & feeling) when it warns me to slow down when ascending or exceeding the maximum depth I’ve set it for. I’ve bitten the bullet and subscribed to the app for a full year - which means I’m only paying pennies for every day the app stays on my watch ready to be used at a minutes notice! (FYI, my usual dive computer is a Mares which at full brightness seems to not be on when compared to 2000 nits on my Apple Watch Ultra. 😊
I did not imagine that you would actually go and try n test all those features.
That's the dedication we want from tech reviewers
Well... He was invited from Apple to do so. Why wouldn't he?
@@oLoSTo44 Don't ask me, I also think it has nothing to do with dedication when someone invites you over to the other side of the globe for free, having a great time playing with the coolest toys at the coolest location.
Just to be clear, I'm not criticising Marton. His dedication is shown in the depth of his videos, not in following an invitation.
Just started watching, great video quality!
That battery life when used for diving is a no-go for me. Like you I usually do 4 dives a day on my trips and having to worry charging on a liveaboard. Hard pass for it being your primary dive computer.
Which watch do you currently use now?
@@ballinboxer3676 Cressi Leonardo
Yeah, I think it's useful if you already have the Ulta and decide to learn diving, so you have a dive computer without having to buy one. For anyone that does any sort of semi regular diving any basic dive computer will be way better and more reliable, which you definitely want when diving.
Hey there! I have the Ultra and have recently used it for diving. They improved the efficiency significantly because I was able to get through a full day of dives (3 though, not 4) and get back to my hotel with 60% battery each time.
So for me, the battery is not really a concern. I simply recharged it every night, that was more than enough.
Amazing review! You’re actually using the watch for what it was meant to do, instead of just a status symbol
The crown works flawless underwater.
Curious to know if you could write off the trip as a business expense since you were testing the watch? :D
Pretty sure he can
Apple paid for the trip so there's not much to write off. Big tech companies pay for influential reviewers' flights, accomodation, and food. It makes the reviewers happy and that very often creates a bias from the reviewer's end to rate the product highly or they won't get invited on an all expense paid vacation anymore. This is why I trust reviewers who buy their own products and don't take sponsorhips from the products they're revieweing in the video. A much better system where reviewers get to earn money as they should while keeping bias to a minimum are the 30 second VPN ad segmenhts in the video that's obviously an ad pays highly and the reviewer isn't beholden to the company they're revieweing. There's obviously a bias to the ad segment but it's like an advert on any other medium, you know it's been bought and paid for so you know it's going to be biased. Reviews like these however, are less trustworthy.
The entire review is also carefully planned by Apple. Which hiking trail they use, where they go, what kind of an environment it is. The time slots are also decided by Apple so all of the 25 reviewers Apple paid for get the time Apple decides with the watches. Obviously that doesn't mean that the actual watch doesn't perform in said conditions, but I like reviewers who put in their own time and creative thinking into testing a product rather than list the specifications and give a rudimentary rundown in the time allotted to them by Apple to review their product
Awesome insight! I had no idea you were a diver!
When I started diving we used dive tables. While maybe not the best dive computer, it's certainly better. Regardless, I still use the tables just incase things don't go as planned. It's never a bad idea to know your bottom time, decom time and interval before jumping in.
Nice ad.
This is the high-quality nuanced insights that I subbed for. Keep it coming. Great video!!
The Ultra can go up to 100 meters but the building app will only show you up to 40 meters. You will need the Oceanic+ app to show you up-to 100 meters
Love your videos man, been watching since the very first ones. Just one question though, if you live in Berlin, where do you go diving???
A very easy on the eye video review of what I personally think is a fantastic piece of Apple tech. But I was a little surprised to not see a “diver down” flag being displayed anywhere on either of the two boats! We once refused to make the two dives we had paid for (including lunch & unlimited soft drinks) during a trip to Egypt - because our “dive boat” wasn’t carrying a diver down flag in an area used by many divers each day plus curious jet ski users who continuously buzzed around over our heads causing a little panic in the less experienced divers in our group! Other than what I’ve just mentioned about the diver down flag being missing we really enjoyed watching your video. 😊👏🏻 👍🏻👎🏻👌🏻🤚🏻👊🏻 Thorvald, UK.
Nice to finally see more smartwatch content.
Please do some for WearOS next.
Love you analysis and candor in the review! Thank you for sharing
It's like car play for diving
First!! This is straight up top notch video quality!
Loved the review!
06:57 "bugs" hah nice one
Great video. Just the True.
Why the fake aspect ratio?
it's 21:9. It matches with a lot of new phones like mine.
Still not a very standard aspect ratio tho :/
@@captainharpoon RUclips has had real aspect ratio support for years now, this is either 16:9 or 18:9 with black bars added. Notice how this real 21:9 video ruclips.net/video/L14nXRxJILg/видео.html looks compared to this
@@ventilate4267 I was thinking that it was weird that it didn't auto scale in landscape mode like the video in the link you just sent. Thx for that. My b. 🙂
It seem hypothetically is the goto for diving, thats what keeps you alive. All of your hypothetical which are just possible scenarios are valid.
Appreciate the real world and wha-iff scenario analysis as well as overall comparison.
I love this type of content
Been waiting for this video! FINALLY 🎉
Lots of hate in the comments here for the Apple Watch Ultra. I think the AWU with the Oceanic app seems like a perfectly fine substitute for a dedicated dive computer or dive watch. Most recreational divers aren't going out more than a few times a year. You can rent a dive computer when you go or you can buy a separate watch. Getting a $10 1-month subscription to an app to replace that expense seems perfectly reasonable. Note the the Garmin Descent 1 doesn't have air integration and it's $650 and you can't make a phone call or send a text message, get on the subway, or have your grocery list on your wrist at the store. A quick search and there are a lot of wrist-based dedicated dive computers for $350+ that don't seem to give any more dive detail than the Oceanic app. The app seems like a great alternative.
Regarding hiking and running, the native watch app is pretty basic, but third party apps like workoutdoors provide lots of functionality for offline maps and routing and lots of different customization of data screens. It's missing a few features that watches like Garmin use, but overall it performs well.
The use case for the apple watch ultra is not someone who only *needs* a Garmin or a Coros; it's for someone who wants some of the features of those watches plus wanting an actual smart watch. If you need several days of battery life in GPS mode or an air-integrated dive computer that will go below 40m, then the AWU is not for you. But most people don't need that. Most garmin watches are used for local park runs and 1/2 marathons (not ultras) and the same will be the case for the AWU... but with the AWU, you'll be able to get in contact with your people at the finish line without needing to have urn the entire race with a phone. And for those longer races, the AWU gets about 15-18 hours in GPS mode... I think that will suit most people.
Your comments are actually why I'm considering the AWU. I have(d) various Garmin's over the years, I currently wear a 945, switch between that and Apple Watch Series 5. Although I really wanted the 945 LTE, simply for the emergency LTE features, which is why I wear the Apple watch. I can truly leave my phone behind. For a runner, IMO, not having to strap on a waste pack or arm band to carry my phone along, and still have cellular and music, is nice and worth the peace of mind to me.
The only reason I go back to the Garmin's from time-to-time, is simply battery life.
The wife and I also like to dive, typically a few weeks out of the year. On dedicated dive trips, we do max 4-5 dives a day, we usually use Mares Puck computers that sit in a box 50 weeks out of the year. The majority of trips consist more of relaxation and maybe 2 dives a day, 3-4 days out of 7. So for a seasonal diver, I think the AWU looks great. Sure I'd prefer 2 weeks battery life, but until Garmin makes a watch I can dive with and make a phone call from if I break my ankle on a hike or run without having to carry my phone, the AWU looks pretty good.
I guess someone at Apple watches your videos. I still remember one of your Friday checkouts where you said you'd like to try the new Apple watch. Congrats on the Apple collab!
Great analysis
Very cool to test the product with tech masters
A helpful and honest review. Thanks. 👍
amazing video! Congrats
Awesome intro and review 👏👏
The watch that try to compete againts Garmin Fenix watches for more money and worse performance. Everyone will buy it because of his battery life, 2 ridicolous days but it's great againts the normal Apple Watches. Sport people will keep buying Garmin watches instead.
I dunno. I chose the AWU over the Fenix (which the sapphire solar edition is $100 more than the AWU). I go trail running and also do some day hiking with my kids. The AWU gets 15-18 hours in normal GPS mode (that's more than 95% of fenix purchasers will ever need), and you can get offline mapping with routing on the workoutdoors app. And with the AWU you can call your people to coordinate after you finish any race without carrying your phone.
The AWU is not for everyone, but there are plenty of "sport people" who would be just as happy with an AWU as with a Garmin.
This man deserves more views. Seriously dude, you make excellent videos and I appreciate all of your input. I'm a long time viewer and love your content. Please keep doing what you're doing.
I am generally fine with Apple creating a device & then opening it up to 3rd party app developers (most of the apps on my iPhone fit this category). However, I’m finding this same approach wearisome when it comes to fitness/outdoor activities. I don’t want subscriptions to oceanic, strong, outdoors maps etc. I’d rather just buy a Garmin & have all that holistically taken care of.
Great review!
Damn, this is wildly different from your usual content, but I love it!
Serious about any sport: Garmin/Polar/Suunto/Coros
Toyboy: Apple WU
Great video!
Quick question: Can you make a video about quick charging in phones?
It's unreasonable that I can't find a non-chinese phone that charges at a reasonable speed. It seems like BBK & Xiaomi are the only ones that know how to do it. Drives me crazy!
love you my man
A tad sycophantic!!
My question would be if this will support CCR. I’m still waiting for this to get a bit smaller, rated for deeper, longer battery life. If it can do dive computer free it would be awesome.
Hi, it would be nice a video about VPNs on the future
Looks like Apple is having a hard time selling this absurdly expensive watch? May be the end of a cycle for Apple..
Is it absurdly expensive? Several Garmins and Coros watches are around that price point (or higher). I thought it was selling pretty well.
So you've heard what the sales figures are? Like to share your source?
Titanic Apple Watch always charges the same amount of money, and every gen AW has the titanic steel version.
Why the hell didn't this show up in my notifications!?
Irgendwie verliere ich ja immer ein bisschen den Respekt, wenn jemand vom Hersteller für Produkttests bezahlt wird. Ganz gleich wie ehrlich die Disclaimer gemeint sind. Da dieser Kanal davon lebt, ehrlich Meinungen, Analysen und Einschätzungen abzugeben, ist das meiner Meinung absolut fatal!
Betrifft nicht nur dieses Video sondern alle zukünftigen Videos, die auf diesem Kanal über Produkte, Strategien, Themen, die diesen Hersteller oder seine Konkurrenten betreffen.
Btw: Dass das inzwischen praktisch alle RUclipsr so machen, ändert leider nichts an dem Problem.
🤷♂🤷♂
Absolute Zustimmung. Und wie alle Beteiligten auch noch in ihren Videos zeigen, wie sie kollektiv und gleichzeitig auf ihre Uhren starren. Sehr befremdlich.
Hier steht doch normalerweise immer Android im Fokus. Und das Video kam ja nicht ausm Nichts, in einem Friday Checkout hat er ja erwähnt, dass er gerne und viel taucht und die neue Apple Watch ausprobieren möchte. Ich seh ehrlich gesagt das Problem nicht.
For hiking AW is far from perfect. Most of the hiking needs are route guided navigation (like komoot phone app does), altitude profile (when you are now comparing where planned route), time estimation to complete the route or to teach given POI on it, live map preview. AFAIK, note of these are supported.
I find the workoutdoors app pretty handy. It has offline maps and routing. It's got contour lines on there as well. It is missing a quick view of the elevation of a planned route.
The main thing of apple watch is that it works with iPhone. That's all. Battery and all the extra software for sports ecc is not so good. Garmin is still at the top for sport smartwatch
@@lores996 not so good? I'll grant you the battery life thing and it's personal preference whether that's a deal breaker, but I've seen lots of comparisons of the AWU to the Garmin Fenix (for example), and the heart rate monitor on the AWU is more accurate, the GPS has the same level of accuracy, and the AWU has stride analytics (just like Garmin), plus you can get offline mapping and routing via third party apps.
The main thing AWU is missing relative to the Garmin is device support (like being able to pair a bike power meter and a chest strap) and the more advanced recovery metrics. But I'm of the opinion that most people don't actually need those things and won't miss them (especially the recovery analytics). Again, I think many people are looking at it from only their use case when the AWU has much broader appeal and similar utility to the more advanced sports watches.
I’m in the market for one of these, but rumor is a 2nd gen unltea will be released alongside the iPhone 15. I’m curious if any of these issues will be addressed. The battery life and 3rd dive app is very disappointing and somewhat surprising because Apple priced themselves on being on a close eco system.
Who knew u are so athletically jacked
Subscribed!
There are dive computers that will keep a charge through 100 dives? Come on, really?
Do it with a Samsung watch pls 🙏
The thumbnail is so confusing. Looks like a shorts panel
Have you been hitting the gym lately, cause you look swell.
It’s supposed to be a basic diving computer. Not a dedicated 200+£ computer solely focused on diving. It’s like calorie tracking it’s supposed to be an indicator not the full experience.
my life is not basic. I need something reliable, not a toy.
@@octny then why are you even considering this product? That is like saying you are a professional filmmaker and you are using an iPhone to film a 100 million dollar movie.
@@hercules6380 because they advertise it as a reliable dive computer and before going in depth, i really thought it might be one. but a dive computer is not a toy, it's a safety instrument, unlike a phone camera.
What a shame this video hasn't done well for you. I was really excited for it. Might just be because your core audience isn't Apple fans. (I'm not either)
Wtf the algorithm just served me this 7 days late 🔪
The App Store and it’s apps are a feature not a flaw. Apple INVENTED the App Store because it recognized early on they could build wonderful hardware and software, but no single company can do EVERYTHING, excel in every human genre. Unlike Microsoft, by using “contractors” to develop specifically for their niche, Apple created devices for more specialized uses for a broader population. The App Store was a genius concept. They have always had a Developers Conference and parade partners on stage who utilize Apple’s UI, sensors and data processing to the fullest. “There’s an app for that” was a selling point that EVERY platform has copied since Apple introduced the platform.
Considering the price of the Ultra is the same as buying an Apple Series 8 AND a Suunto D4i or Suunto Vyper dive computer it doesn't seem to make much sense from a diving standpoint.
(Plus carrying all that bulkiness on the wrist all year for the ocasional dive seems a bit meh)
I've got $1200 to blow. So can I switch from my daily Seiko/Casio leave my phone behind, go for a 4 hour hike, make calls, payments, hike tracking for the day?
No good.. pointless.. as a dive watch .
I’ll stick with my Suunto thanks
A dive computer that crashes and needs a subscription to work? Sounds suicidal.
The subscription model is ridiculous.
Why?
Intro music ? ( 0:49 )
I found the experience to be too intrusive to the review.
ie. "I found hiking with the Apple Watch absolutely fantastic" is a marketing phrase that tries to make the product the cause for an activity being fun, instead of discussing what the product actually does.
basically apple watch is all in one.
but comparing a dedicated equipment with a watch is like comparing DSLR camera with iPhone camera
Not sold on the idea of apple. to many if's the only thing that this watch has is the bright display and that's it. Not enough to be a volunteer to give my money on a monthly basis and be in fear that it fails at the worst time.
Does anyone need the Apple Watch Ultra? Nope
Is it equal or better than any other brand at handling any of the sports advertised? Absolutely not, in fact probably worse in any imaginable aspect.
I can only speak for mountaineering/hiking and let me tell you, this is just such a useless device for anything serious in the mountains, like Apple advertises in their marketing. Why?
- Double band GPS and all this stuff, well good luck being in the Alps, or Rocky Mountains, or Himalayans using Apple Maps or any other maps service. What you need are proper terrain, elevation and topographic maps. Apple doesn't offer them, nor do they implement good third-party maps. TLDR; Useless, every serious person will just keep using conventional paper maps or an app on their phone.
- Setting waypoints to find your way back. Really? If you are in the wilderness and get lost, because you didn't bring proper maps and preparation, nor experience from the region, and get lost because you solely relied on the way back feature, you're nuts. Also, people usually don't plan to get lost, so if they don't set waypoints from the beginning, and it doesn't always automatically record the path you walked, what's the point?
- Probably some other things I missed.
Don't get me wrong, I use an Apple Watch 6, but the marketing Apple is doing with the Ultra is beyond misleading and gives people a false sense of confidence to rely on an Apple Watch, when clearly, it's just a funny, useless gadget.
damn this video is amazing
Happy to hear!
Android is yesrs behind with smart watches - makes me want to get an iPhone 🤣
Live Ultra 💪🏾⌚️💯
The ultra is the perfect dive computer for the casual vacation diver such as myself. It's extremely convenient not having to bring two devices along with me. Apple Watch Ultra does a great job of being a fitness tracker, dive computer and a top tier Smart watch that can be worn all day long. It's better at being a dive computer than any dive computer is at being a Smart watch.
Never, ever apple again
I really like this content but I think it could work better with things like subtitles or graphics, to let viewers summarize the points more easily. Thanks!
I have only seen one apple watch ultra in the wild... on my bank teller's wrist.
When Apple announced the Ultra, I had a serious thought about switching to the iPhone + Ultra despite all the shortcomings of the ecosystem compared to Android.
I love diving (both scuba and free). And I do need a reliable device for them. I'm using Garmin Descent MK.1 for the past 4 or 5 years and my biggest complaint about it is that I can't leave the phone at home when going out for some activity. For that I need mobile data connectivity. I truly envy my wife when she goes for a run with her Apple watch. She can stream the music, make a call in case of emergency and even pay for something. But all the shortcomings of the Ultra in dive mode, make it no go.
I can't trust a device with such quirky operation and unacceptable battery life. It is my health and maybe even my life that depend on the diving computer.
Even more, being a Dive Master, I play a role of the "responsible adult" when diving with my wife or in a group on dive safaris.
for diving, cause apple user are very stupid and always willing to pay for everything they sells.... hence they make them pay. great review of the Ultra for diving.
it's a fail.. 😂
Why?
Hmmmm for some reason this video did not popup on my notifications, is that the case with many people? It seems to have very low traction also considering it's an Apple product video which usually do well on most tech channels, kinda sad if it's true.
Tin foil hat off.
1st
2nd
What are you doing with that huge dive computer dude? Are you just trying to make the Apple watch look better? The Apple watch is not tough enough for serious diving and getting down and dirty in underwater caves, scrabbling around on the bottom or checking out shipwrecks. No way is it suitable. Why not compare it with a REAL divers watch such as my own G-Shock GWFA 1000 Frogman which is tough enough for every activity. The Apple watch is ok at everything here, but not as good as something like the Frogman or a Mudmaster. No serious diver is going to use that watch, except for marketing videos like this. It should be ok for snorkeling though. And you have to PAY to use the dive functions?? No chance.. Plus and a huge plus, the Frogman and the Mudmaster are solar powered. No need for charging every 2 or 3 days. You could actually get 2 dedicated G-Shocks to handle all these activities better for less than the price of an Apple watch, including connecting to a dedicated app.
Your G-shock is a dive watch, not a dive computer. The two are different, do different things and can’t be compared. I explained as much in the video but maybe look up the difference yourself if you didn’t seem to get my explanation.
@@TechAltar Actually the Frogman does everything a dive computer can do. I've used both. As I said that thing you put on your arm was merely to make the Apple watch look a lot better. I suppose a paid for holiday has to be paid for. 😉
Bro, pls do shill scam VPN's...
Serious Scuba app, overpriced gimmick or bit of both?
Subscription based for an app most of us only use a few times a year? Disappointing to say the least when already purchased the hardware for USD800/Eur1000!😌
Besides, imho outright dangerous that this Oceanic app v1.0 won’t display (no-)decompression-info (after being submerged) below 130ft/40m! Because even in recreational diving to a wreck, at a wall a/o with currents an occasional short dip below certified depth is not uncommon but with experience and training nowhere near as dangerous as a computer NOT ALWAYS showing (no-)dec-time (like serious diving computers do).
This requirement is a ‘must have’ not a legally-bound ‘nice to have’ an app-developer can simply lower in priority and exclude. #legalmadness
If you guys really want to understand where the ‘Zürich’ ZH-72 model and ZH-L16C / ZH-L8ADT derivatives for dive-computers in more scientific details with background all the way back to Haldane tables for bell-diving, I can advise reading this: amzn.eu/d/ixa3mNG
With Bradley I share more detailed ‘educated’ insights under their comments of: ruclips.net/video/d90j0abTGjQ/видео.html
I want my 🤿 tech to be robust and fail-safe NOT failing ‘by design’ if the unexpected or occasional ‘legal’ exception happens. Just because of some legally bound firm restricting the perfectly capable ZH-L16C algorithm of prof. A.A. Bühlmann for use below 40m/130ft.
This to at least stay informed and potentially NOT making the ill-advised/ UNwanted deep-dive situation for a 🤿 diver even worse by this 🌊 Oceanic app currently deliberately depriving a 🤿 diver under such conditions of vital (no-)decompression information.
For the record, also this 40m/130ft limit was adopted from the 1960’s by emerging certification bodies such as CMAS, PADI etc. as the universally 🌎 accepted certified limit, to lower nitrogen (N2) related risks for recreational divers.
On the other side, NO theoretical 🤿 limit can 100% protect you against these risks. Especially if your bodily characteristics a/o condition differs from the tested standard where most decompression models and computers are based on (i.e. healthy ‘army-style’ males).
Really, I’ve witnessed fellow divers getting mild decompression sickness (i.e. bends) by only multi-diving for a few days in relatively shallow waters or N2 narcosis far from this ‘maximum’ depth-limit.
To be very clear, I consider myself a risk-averse 🤿 diver.
Yet we all know that 🤿 diving means taking calculated risks only for the suitably trained befitting our biological constraints (we’re not fish 🐠 after-all).😇
So Apple🍏 and Oceanic🌊 please stop ‘covering your legal bums’ by deliberately omitting vital and required (no-)decompression info also under ‘non-compliant’ but realistic real-life 🤿 circumstances. After-all nobody can predict the unknown, the unwanted and every 🤿 diver is responsible to dive within their personal abilities, knowledge a/o (as much as possible) their certification-level. Thank you!
Anyway, as a gimmicky backup ‘show-off’ to my 15 year old wireless air-integrated Uwatec Air Z Nitrox, the Ultra with this app should do fine. This way only replacing my 1st 🤿 computer, a 1995 Suunto Solution at a premium price!😝
No wireless air integration for the Ultra is indeed a bummer anno 2022 especially with all the other radios this 🍏 watch already carries. As e.g. Uwatec-Scubapro implemented this in the past: for submersed wireless transmittance of air-mixture consumption, the radio technology needs to be different from in the Ultra already included GSM, LTE, GNSS, WiFi and Bluetooth radios. If I remember correctly a much lower frequency is required for this. This means yet another radio-tech needs to be added to an Ultra successor to make this work. But since this Ultra version seems to be aimed at only entry-level Scuba 🤿, I don’t believe Apple will ever add this 1990 radio-tech to their ‘Ultra’ successors primarily aimed at ‘Ultra’ activities for land-mammals?🌳
The limited battery capacity of the Ultra for general use and multi-day Scuba diving, I also don’t find this an “issue”. I simply accept this as a result of the abundance of innovative smart watch features this Ultra delivers, restricted by the current battery🪫 state-of-tech.
If anticipated, I just bring my compact 10k mAmp 🔋🔋🔋 pack along with ⌚️charging puck on any multi-day trip when far away from 110V/230V ⚡️outlets, in case the Ultra (or mostly my iPhone 12mini for that matter🙃) has less juice than it requires in between multi-dive days.
Finally on a positive note, NO other smart watch today includes soo many valuable features as this Ultra does. Yes delivering soo much diverse functionality the Ultra is quite ‘basic’ compared to some ‘specialty’ watches being only great at their niche (the 80-20 rule?). Yet, it’s great Apple 🍏 finally nudges these specialty brands to do better after decades of hardly any innovation a/o terrible UX, including the same ol’ same ol’ 💤 Scuba business since the great 🇫🇷🤿 inventor Cousteau. Factually, for real Scuba innovation, at least since the past century.🤓
Keep this up!!! Try -> 'Promo sm'!!