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fritzman

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#324391 3-Apr-2026 10:07
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Buy or Borrow actually...

 

Does anyone have an Apple watch laying around that they are no longer using?

 

We've never owned one, but my wife is going through some health issues that I think an Apple watch may help monitor, and we holidaying shortly, so would like to either try one out or buy if we can buy one not too old (that has the medical monitoring features).

 

LMK  what's out there please.  If it helps, I have a bunch of 128Gb SSDs & M.2 drives to get rid of.

 

Bruce aka Fritzman.





Main Rig: GMKtec EVO-T1 AI Mini PC Ultra 9 285H with Terra-Master D4-320 & 40Tb storage

 

Daily: HP Elitebook X360 Lappy with a 2Tb SN850.. woohoo.. I've retired!

 

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dacraka
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  #3477596 3-Apr-2026 10:37
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What model minimum would you like?




fritzman

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  #3477598 3-Apr-2026 10:39
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dacraka:

 

What model minimum would you like?

 

 

I'm hoping for a 9-11ish, but as |I said, have never owned one so assume that the medical data capturing etc has improved a lot over the past few years?





Main Rig: GMKtec EVO-T1 AI Mini PC Ultra 9 285H with Terra-Master D4-320 & 40Tb storage

 

Daily: HP Elitebook X360 Lappy with a 2Tb SN850.. woohoo.. I've retired!

 

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RunningMan
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  #3477602 3-Apr-2026 11:36
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Minimum for ECG is series 6 if you need that. None of the SE models have ECG.




MadEngineer
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  #3477626 3-Apr-2026 13:01
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As someone who has purchased an Apple Watch for a diagnosed and medicated heart problem, make sure you're not buying the watch for the purpose of diagnosis, rather employ a medical specialist and use the watch secondary to that.

 

Feel free to PM me directly or question in the chat if that's not too off-topic.  I'm not a doctor but happy to share experiences if heart related.

 

Otherwise, if you're even thinking of getting one, just go and buy it.  So many positive features that I can't recommend them highly enough.

 

Here's an ECG I took yesterday from the watch, capturing a rare moment of my meds kicking in to half my heart rate from ~120 to 60bpm:

 





You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

bendud
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  #3477627 3-Apr-2026 13:10
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Nice trace! 

 

I’d echo the need for a proper diagnosis too. The oxygen saturation and sleep apnoea sensors may also be of use. Bear in mind if you’re wondering about sleep apnoea you need a s9 or higher and to wear it overnight for a month at least. 
The ECG still needs someone to read it. So as a doctor I can indeed tell if I’m in AF even when my watch doesn’t think I am. 
So a handy tool but needs medical input too. 
Hope things settle down for you soon

 

b





From the Antarctic Riviera

fritzman

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  #3477802 4-Apr-2026 08:31
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Thanks for such helpful advice team.. yes, my wife has had several tests and results, and is due another (of the same) again in a few months, so monitoring heart rate, BP and ECG stuff is all relevant.

 

I see that PBT have the 11 gps (we have 2degrees, so wi-fi calling should work from what I read) on special at $709, and my son is off to the USA in a month, and there they are even less, hence my desire to try one out, as he's happy to bring one back.





Main Rig: GMKtec EVO-T1 AI Mini PC Ultra 9 285H with Terra-Master D4-320 & 40Tb storage

 

Daily: HP Elitebook X360 Lappy with a 2Tb SN850.. woohoo.. I've retired!

 

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bendud
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  #3477808 4-Apr-2026 09:26
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Bear in mind I think that the US models aren’t able to do saturation monitoring due to the ongoing legal dispute with Massimo. 
Might be better to get a duty free PBT one on leaving the country rather than a US model with hobbled software

 

b





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fritzman

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  #3477828 4-Apr-2026 10:44
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Ahh, was unaware of that limitation. 
I wonder if it is a location-based thing, so when used here, it would work?  
Otherwise, as you say, better to grab here. 
I might give apple a call to clarify. 





Main Rig: GMKtec EVO-T1 AI Mini PC Ultra 9 285H with Terra-Master D4-320 & 40Tb storage

 

Daily: HP Elitebook X360 Lappy with a 2Tb SN850.. woohoo.. I've retired!

 

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bendud
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  #3477852 4-Apr-2026 11:07
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I’m pretty sure the US models have the hardware disabled. 
PBT tax free price might be close to USD anyway…

 

b

 

 





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fritzman

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  #3477863 4-Apr-2026 12:15
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Thanks. 
Yeah, checking that with Apple now. 
about $80 less by the looks. 





Main Rig: GMKtec EVO-T1 AI Mini PC Ultra 9 285H with Terra-Master D4-320 & 40Tb storage

 

Daily: HP Elitebook X360 Lappy with a 2Tb SN850.. woohoo.. I've retired!

 

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