When you’re in the market for a smartwatch, you want something reliable, rugged, and packed with features. You need a device that stands the test of time, performs under pressure, and offers useful features like fitness tracking, heart monitoring, and of course, the ability to take calls and receive messages seamlessly.
That’s where the Njord Gear Watch initially caught my eye. But after using it for a while and comparing it with other popular brands, I have to be honest with you—there are some things you should know before making a decision.
Let’s get into a detailed breakdown of my experience with the Njord Gear watch, from what it promises, to what you actually get, to whether or not it’s worth your investment.
Why You Might Be Tempted To Buy The Njord Gear Watch?
At first glance, the Njord Gear watch looks like it has everything.
Titanium casing, military-grade durability (including claims of being waterproof and able to withstand extreme temperatures), and even a 100-day battery life.
It’s designed to appeal to anyone who’s into rugged, outdoor gear and tech.
The watch is promoted as a jack-of-all-trades with a sleek design that mimics a mechanical watch, but with smart features packed into it.
Think about it: having a watch that can track your fitness, monitor your heart rate, and serve as an extension of your phone, all while looking like a transformer straight out of an action movie.
It sounds pretty good, right?
Here’s the thing though—while the watch has its merits, after spending some time with it and comparing it to other brands, the Njord Gear watch doesn’t live up to the hype. Let’s break down why.
Pros of The Njord Gear Watch
While the cons ended up outweighing the pros in my experience, it’s important to acknowledge the things this watch does well.
- Rugged Build: The Njord Gear watch is built tough. I won’t argue with that. The titanium casing definitely gives it a robust, solid feel on the wrist, and it’s clear that this smartwatch is built to take some wear and tear. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just have a rough job, the watch seems like it can handle the physical stress.
- AMOLED Display: The 1.96″ AMOLED screen is pretty impressive in terms of brightness and clarity. It’s sharp, colorful, and even outdoors, in direct sunlight, the screen remains legible, which is great for anyone who’s on the move.
- 100-Day Battery Life (Well, Kind Of): Njord claims the watch can last up to 100 days on standby, and for normal use, the battery should give you about 30 days. While I didn’t hit those exact numbers, I was able to use the watch for a solid two weeks without needing to recharge. That’s still better than many smartwatches on the market.
- Health Monitoring: The watch does come with decent health monitoring features. You get heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, and even blood oxygen measurement. If you’re into tracking your health metrics on the go, the Njord Gear watch can provide some useful insights.
Cons of The Njord Gear Watch
Now, this is where things start to go south. Despite some nice features, the Njord Gear watch has some significant drawbacks, many of which are simply hard to overlook if you’re considering this watch as your daily driver.
- Reliability Issues: This is probably the biggest complaint I have with the Njord Gear watch. I wasn’t the only one either—many customers have reported that their watches simply stopped working after a few months. Whether it’s refusing to charge or failing to pair with a phone, the watch just doesn’t seem to hold up over time. My unit worked fine for a couple of weeks, and then suddenly, the battery started draining faster than expected, and it became unresponsive.
- Bluetooth Connectivity Problems: For a smartwatch that touts its ability to take calls and receive messages via Bluetooth, this feature was shockingly inconsistent. When it worked, it worked fine, but there were many instances where the Bluetooth connection just dropped for no reason, leaving me disconnected from my phone. The worst part? Reconnecting was a hassle, often requiring me to restart the watch entirely.
- Not as Waterproof as Claimed: One of the most significant selling points of the Njord Gear watch is its claim of being waterproof. However, based on user reviews and my own experience, this isn’t entirely accurate. The watch might handle a splash here and there, but several users (myself included) experienced issues after exposure to water, like a quick dip in the pool or even getting caught in the rain. A smartwatch in this price range, marketed as waterproof, should absolutely not fail after minimal exposure to water.
- Limited Features for the Price: Compared to other smartwatches in a similar price range, the Njord Gear watch doesn’t offer much beyond basic health monitoring and fitness tracking. While it does have Bluetooth calling, other smartwatches at this price point (or cheaper) offer more reliable app ecosystems, better performance, and additional features like NFC payments or more advanced fitness tracking.
How Njord Gear Watch Compares To Other Brands?
If you’re considering the Njord Gear watch, you’re probably also looking at other rugged smartwatches like the Garmin Fenix or Casio’s G-Shock series, and here’s where the comparison gets interesting.
- Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 is a direct competitor in the rugged smartwatch market.
While it’s priced higher, the Fenix 7 offers significantly more advanced features, including multi-GNSS support (for more accurate GPS tracking), preloaded maps, and the ability to download music directly to the watch. It’s also genuinely waterproof and offers much better battery life during GPS usage.
Sure, you’re paying a premium for the Garmin Fenix, but you’re getting a feature-rich, reliable smartwatch that delivers on its promises.
- Casio G-Shock Move
Another alternative is the Casio G-Shock Move, which, while not as feature-packed as a Garmin, offers a tough build with more reliable performance. It has basic smart features like notifications and fitness tracking, but it excels in its durability and battery life, lasting weeks on a single charge. If ruggedness is your priority, the G-Shock Move is a better option than the Njord Gear watch.
- Apple Watch Ultra
Now, if you’re looking for an all-rounder that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Apple Watch Ultra is an obvious contender.
It’s definitely not as rugged as the Njord Gear, but it offers a far better user experience, including top-tier fitness tracking, ECG, and an enormous app ecosystem. While you may not get the 100-day battery life, the Ultra gives you a reliable, consistent performance with waterproofing you can count on.
Maintenance Tips For The Njord Gear Watch
If you do decide to purchase the Njord Gear watch, here are a few tips to help you maintain it and get the most out of it:
- Keep It Clean: After workouts or exposure to sweat, it’s essential to wipe down the watch and band to prevent build-up of grime. You should also clean the charging ports to ensure they remain free of dust and debris, which can impact charging efficiency.
- Avoid Full Submersion in Water: Despite being marketed as waterproof, it’s best to avoid submerging the Njord Gear watch in water. While it may handle some splashes, too much exposure could cause the watch to malfunction.
- Regularly Check for Software Updates: The watch doesn’t have the most reliable software, but keeping it updated can help with some of the Bluetooth and battery issues. Always check for firmware updates through the Njord Gear app or your connected device.
- Battery Maintenance: To keep the battery healthy, avoid charging it overnight or letting it drain completely. A good habit is to charge it when the battery drops below 20%, and unplug once it reaches full charge.
Also Read: Here Is Why Shark Watches Are So Expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the Njord Gear watch can be paired with an iPhone. However, some users have reported connectivity issues, especially when trying to reconnect the Bluetooth after it drops.
While the Njord Gear watch is marketed as waterproof, multiple users have reported issues with water exposure. It’s more water-resistant than fully waterproof, so it’s best not to submerge it.
Njord Gear watches are likely manufactured in China, based on industry standards for similar types of electronics. However, the specific manufacturing details aren’t widely disclosed.
To pair your Njord Gear watch, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Open the Njord Gear app, and follow the pairing instructions within the app. Once connected, ensure all permissions are granted for proper functionality. However, note that the connection might drop periodically based on user reviews.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Njord Gear Watch?
In all honesty, unless you’re getting this watch at a significant discount and are okay with the potential flaws, I would recommend looking elsewhere. The Njord Gear watch looks good on paper but doesn’t deliver consistently in real-world use.
For the price, you can find better, more reliable options that offer greater durability, feature sets, and long-term value.
The Njord Gear watch has potential, but it’s not the all-in-one solution it promises to be. If you want something reliable, especially in terms of Bluetooth connectivity, waterproofing, and long-term performance, I’d advise you to explore other brands like Garmin, Casio, or even Apple.