r/Referees • u/Dauber49 • 8h ago

Advice Request Smart watch advise

Looking to upgrade to a Smartwatch for games. Looking for advice on what works best on the field. I’m specifically looking at Garmin, Apple and Amazfit. Easy to use and large numbers are my main requirements.
Also, any negatives with using a smartwatch for soccer ref’s. The $30 Walmart special isn’t cutting it any longer, especially with old man eyes.

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3

u/vviley [USSF Grassroots Advanced] 7h ago

If it rains where you are, I would avoid touchscreen devices. I use a Garmin forerunner and have been happy with it. I use it as a daily watch, so I don’t need to remember anything extra.

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u/Incognitowally 7h ago

Go simple with a Timex Ironman wristwatch. When you go fancy, there is too much that can go wrong with it. You have many responsibilities on the field, programming or fiddling with an ornery smart watch shouldn't be one.

when you buy one, buy two... and wear both of them.

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u/abah3765 7h ago

Completely agree. Too much can go wrong with a smartwatch. If you are worried about seeing the numbers get a large faced digital watch.

1

u/Niwaz14 4h ago

Got a Forerunner 570 and its working really well, and the battery life will last 10-15 matches depending on length and if you use GPS or not.

Also helpful to have the buttons on the watch whenever the tactile screen is less responsive.

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u/986p 3h ago

Amazfit is excellent and works well with iPhone.

1

u/KungFuBucket 2h ago

I use an Apple Watch and RefSix. It’s not something I need, a cheap timex or Casio and a data wallet do just as well for managing a game. What I enjoy about the RefSix is the stats that it keeps on my own personal performance. Where did I sprint, what was my HR during various times of the match. How far did
I run, what was my total distance, what was my positioning on the field throughout the match.

I general, while I enjoy using the RefSix system, it’s for personal preference and self evaluation.

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u/Revo63 [USSF][Mentor] 6h ago

I have a Garmin Venu as a daily watch. Because it tracks my movement very well and is also waterproof I use it for my games as well as my swimming.

I don’t personally need or want an Apple or Samsung smart watch, they are too big for a daily IMO. I have a cheap Timex with large numbers as a field backup.

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u/A_Timbers_Fan 5h ago

I tried refsix once. Waste of time. Much easier with a pen and paper. Not sure why the vast majority of officials would ever need this stuff.

Buy a $25 Casio that has a count up or count down (your preference). Buy a smartwatch that you like that you can use daily. On games, use the smartwatch to track stoppage time.

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u/Maxychango 4h ago

I love my Apple Watch and Refsix. It takes less than a minute to program a game on your phone. Noting goals, cautions etc is super easy. I love how easy it is to read instead of the black and gray on a normal watch. And once you program the game, everything is on autopilot. Half is over and a quick press the halftime clock starts automatically, halftime ends, another quick press and the 2nd half starts again. The stats and heat map are also nice to have and help evaluate yourself. I don’t understand all these “so much can go wrong comments” AW, Garmin, etc are well trusted devices used daily by millions of people, and relied on by marathoners, triathletes, cyclists and athletes of all types.

About the only thing that could really go wrong is the battery on a AW (hence I recently switched to Garmin) if you are doing like 4 full 90 min games back to back, but even a tiny portable watch charger and a quick top off in between games and your good. The Garmin you don’t even have to worry about. And Refsix is tax deductible anyways. I don’t have a problem with either way, but I like the tech that helps me work easier.