I see the orange sport band was discontinued - I waited too long to pick one up. Has anyone seen these in the stores recently? They're not available online any longer to even check store stock - Hoping to snag one before they're totally gone.
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Orange Sport Band Still In Store?
- Thread starter ckiggins
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I just ordered one of these instead...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP367Y
These are just as nice as Apple ones IMO...I own about 7 different colors of this brand and not a single complaint about any of them. Save yourself some $.
They feel slightly thinner and maybe a bit more slick than Apple's but on your wrist, you'd never know.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP367Y
These are just as nice as Apple ones IMO...I own about 7 different colors of this brand and not a single complaint about any of them. Save yourself some $.
They feel slightly thinner and maybe a bit more slick than Apple's but on your wrist, you'd never know.
Wow! Thanks for that! Ordered 3 (yellow, purple, midnight blue) so I get free shipping.
I am sure it is just me, but has anyone seen a hunter green sport anywhere? Apple is now down to just a mint green.
These ines are nice. Look and feel 99% like the real thing. Fair warning, my wife's grey strap tore by the "clasp" (the part where you stick the excess in under itself, if that makes sense) after about six months of daily use. Don't know if it was a fluke or what.
Apple replaced their Orange colour with Apricot (before they pulled that one as well) but I never felt Apricot looked as "right".
I did buy a yellow one off AliExpress and while I really liked the colour, I think these 3rd party silicone bands really have an affinity to anything fluffy. Stands out even more against the light colours. I was even able to detach of them without sliding the band all the way past the Case... It otherwise locks in securely and looks the part - until it picks up fluff and lint.
I did buy a yellow one off AliExpress and while I really liked the colour, I think these 3rd party silicone bands really have an affinity to anything fluffy. Stands out even more against the light colours. I was even able to detach of them without sliding the band all the way past the Case... It otherwise locks in securely and looks the part - until it picks up fluff and lint.
The LNKOO brand from Amazon is awesome! The only possible downside for you is that they only come in the smaller size and do not include the longer band. I have almost every color of the LNKOO and they look and feel just as good as the Apple brands. Now to find a Nylon that is similar and cheaper...
Umm, no, they don't.
Do you own any Apple sports bands? (I have a few).Let me preface this - for $11.99 a band, you really can't complain...but they don't compare to the Apple sports bands.
The 3 I ordered from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP367Y (Yellow, Purple and Midnight Blue) all arrived today.
The Yellow and Purple ones have discolouring at the connector which is visible when connected to the watch:
(the discolouration of the yellow band is green)
How they look on my SBSS 42mm:
They're considerably thinner than the Apple bands. The connectors also aren't as good (took some fiddling to get the yellow one to actually lock) - something to be wary of. Always test your connectors before setting out.
Really like the midnight blue one. Quite nice.
I'm going to contact them about the yellow & purple ones. Not sure if they have any that came out of manufacturing without that defect. That it's visible means I won't be wearing those. Most people wouldn't notice, but I certainly will, every time I would wear them.
I own 3 different Apple bands and 6 of these knock-offs. I don't have yellow or purple but I haven't seen any coloring issues on the colors I have from memory - (black, red, orange, darker (than Apple's) blue, white and glo-green). The Apple brand ones I have are blue, grey and pink (my wife is a breast cancer survivor).
I have a problem getting the real apple ones to click in. In fact, I had to exchange the Milanese Loop band because it stopped clicking in...and that's a $150 band. To be fair, I have the same issue sometimes with the knock-offs. The trick is, when you get them more or less centered, wiggle them a little as you very slowly slide them into place.
I have 4 friends who have bought these and not one of them has had issues or complaints that I'm aware of. Given that I was the one who told them about these, they would more than likely bitch to me if they had issues.
Obviously being more inexpensive, they've done something to cut costs (even though Apple's are overpriced like all of their stuff) so sometimes you get what you pay for but I'll never buy another Apple sport band as long as these are around. I'm not normally a "cheap" person, I can easily afford the Apple ones but when you attain a measure of wealth, you don't maintain it by wasting your money.
I like the Nike band though...wonder if I can find a knock-off of that
I have a problem getting the real apple ones to click in. In fact, I had to exchange the Milanese Loop band because it stopped clicking in...and that's a $150 band. To be fair, I have the same issue sometimes with the knock-offs. The trick is, when you get them more or less centered, wiggle them a little as you very slowly slide them into place.
I have 4 friends who have bought these and not one of them has had issues or complaints that I'm aware of. Given that I was the one who told them about these, they would more than likely bitch to me if they had issues.
Obviously being more inexpensive, they've done something to cut costs (even though Apple's are overpriced like all of their stuff) so sometimes you get what you pay for but I'll never buy another Apple sport band as long as these are around. I'm not normally a "cheap" person, I can easily afford the Apple ones but when you attain a measure of wealth, you don't maintain it by wasting your money.
I like the Nike band though...wonder if I can find a knock-off of that
My wife owns a white sports band. It's what the Watch came with. I can go ahead and look up where she got her knock off but you really couldn't tell the difference. It was the slate (I think that's the name; darkish gray).Umm, no, they don't.
Let me preface this - for $11.99 a band, you really can't complain...but they don't compare to the Apple sports bands.
The 3 I ordered from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP367Y (Yellow, Purple and Midnight Blue) all arrived today.
The Yellow and Purple ones have discolouring at the connector which is visible when connected to the watch:
View attachment 650669
(the discolouration of the yellow band is green)
How they look on my SBSS 42mm:
View attachment 650670 View attachment 650671
View attachment 650672
They're considerably thinner than the Apple bands. The connectors also aren't as good (took some fiddling to get the yellow one to actually lock) - something to be wary of. Always test your connectors before setting out.
Really like the midnight blue one. Quite nice.
I'm going to contact them about the yellow & purple ones. Not sure if they have any that came out of manufacturing without that defect. That it's visible means I won't be wearing those. Most people wouldn't notice, but I certainly will, every time I would wear them.
The pics you provided are telling though. Her band looks absolutely nothing like that.
Edit: looked it up. This is what she bought. It was $12 but is now even cheaper. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017...+band+38mm&dpPl=1&dpID=315ClHCyj5L&ref=plSrch
Yep, sounds like you got yours elsewhere. Think I'll be returning all 3. We'll see what they say. Really like the colour of the midnight blue - but don't want to pay Apple their pound of flesh for one of theirs.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017...+band+38mm&dpPl=1&dpID=315ClHCyj5L&ref=plSrchYep, sounds like you got yours elsewhere. Think I'll be returning all 3. We'll see what they say. Really like the colour of the midnight blue - but don't want to pay Apple their pound of flesh for one of theirs.
It's called "fog". It came in a sealed baggie. No box or anything.
One other thing: you must choose s/m or m/l. It doesn't come with both, as I believe stock bands from Apple do.
There are a number of knok-offs on Amazon and some are indeed not good. The specific brand I bought were these "MoKo Soft Silicone Fitness Replacement Sport Band":
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AJP367Y
The only negative things I can say about them are they do tend to attract more lint than the Apple ones but it really only shows up on the black band I have. Second, the fit is a tiny bit off on the connection to the watch meaning the corners of the band protrude out just slightly. I'm pretty particular about things and this doesn't bother me (who's looking at my watch that closely anyway) but I know some people are super AR which will make these a big NOPE for them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AJP367Y
The only negative things I can say about them are they do tend to attract more lint than the Apple ones but it really only shows up on the black band I have. Second, the fit is a tiny bit off on the connection to the watch meaning the corners of the band protrude out just slightly. I'm pretty particular about things and this doesn't bother me (who's looking at my watch that closely anyway) but I know some people are super AR which will make these a big NOPE for them.
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Different reseller, same bands (or at least the same brand - MoKo). Maybe they have different bands?
Description on the label is "MoKo Silicone Strap for iWatch 42mm" - dated August for the yellow and purple, May for the Midnight Blue (the one without the discolouration). All 3 are very flimsy though (and the locking of the connector is a little temperamental).
Ha, they call it iWatch...sounds creepy
Those don't look like the boxes I got...mine came in plain white boxes that said something like "Apple Sport Band" on them. They almost looked like official Apple packaged.
Those don't look like the boxes I got...mine came in plain white boxes that said something like "Apple Sport Band" on them. They almost looked like official Apple packaged.
Hmm. That link really didn't resolve. (but, when I quoted you, I was able to get the shorter link) - https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Band-Silicone-Replacement/dp/B017IAK1WQ/
Wow! Fantec really has a lot of clone Apple Watch bands! Everything! Even the link bands!!
This is much more encouraging. Think I'll get a couple of these. Thanks a bunch!!!!
[doublepost=1473714564][/doublepost]
Heh...and yet we're not allowed to pick on people that call it that here
. (they really need to lift that rule already)
I hope you enjoy them. My wife sure did. Hers tore (as I mentioned in the first comment in which you quoted me) but it was a daily driver she used every day. It may have just been a fluke too. Who knows?Hmm. That link really didn't resolve. (but, when I quoted you, I was able to get the shorter link) - https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Band-Silicone-Replacement/dp/B017IAK1WQ/
Wow! Fantec really has a lot of clone Apple Watch bands! Everything! Even the link bands!!
This is much more encouraging. Think I'll get a couple of these. Thanks a bunch!!!!
[doublepost=1473714564][/doublepost]
Heh...and yet we're not allowed to pick on people that call it that here
[doublepost=1473715882][/doublepost]Just found these. Super cheap and very few ratings but $5... I may order a few and see.
BESSKY Sports Silicone Bracelet Strap Band for iPhone Watch 38mm (Orange) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FHCW0YY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_m5X1xb16DQK9P
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Hmm. That link really didn't resolve. (but, when I quoted you, I was able to get the shorter link) - https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Band-Silicone-Replacement/dp/B017IAK1WQ/
Wow! Fantec really has a lot of clone Apple Watch bands! Everything! Even the link bands!!
This is much more encouraging. Think I'll get a couple of these. Thanks a bunch!!!!
[doublepost=1473714564][/doublepost]
Heh...and yet we're not allowed to pick on people that call it that here
If you order a band from Fantec, I'd be curious to know if it really is as flush as they show in their Amazon close up side shot photo. Also they show the side section being flat and smooth. My silicone bands have a ridge in comparison and are not completely flush with the metal. Both things I've seen others comment on for knockoffs.
Here's my purple band as an example. There's a little overage, not bad, solid coloring throughout, and locked fine although the long strap was a bit tight fitting into the channel. Don't see the ebay U.S. Seller listed any more. It wasn't a Moko.
Of the 2 silicone knockoffs I've ordered (from different sellers off of eBay), both bands to some extent stick out from the metal surface (my purple one is better than my pink one) and both bands you see a side seam especially at the connector end on the side as shown above.
Both of my bands also attract lint but my purple one shows the white lint pretty well and pretty much always has a white fuzzy surface. Silicone is so bad in this regard. I do think the silicone, while soft, feels super cheesy thin. The pink band almost seems translucent when I hold it. I don't wear either band that often so for the few times I wear them to coordinate with an outfit, for the 6-8 bucks I spent on them plus shipping they are what they are. If Apple had the same colors in their sport band line, I would replace mine with the genuine stuff and toss these. I really do love the material Apple used and in this case I think you do get what you pay for.
The other thing I noticed on these flimsy silicone bands is that the "breathe" channel that Apple designed on the underside they try to replicate isn't as pronounced and rigid and so the silicone being more flexible sits closer to your wrist and I feel I perspire more wearing them.
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Yep, understood (on hers tearing). Those others I wouldn't feel safe about, they were too thin
Please post how you find those $5 bands!
[doublepost=1473729586][/doublepost]
Yep, I'll let you know on the Fantec bands. It was encouraging to see SO MANY Apple clone bands on their site! Will let you know what I think of their quality. I ordered the yellow and the midnight blue. (may order the purple again if these pan out).
Regarding the lint thing. Have you thought about spraying them with Armour-All? The Apple bands have a coating. And, yes, they are a different material altogether, but you have to wonder if the coating wasn't to defer attraction of lint.
If you don't have sensitive skin, maybe try giving the outside a good coating of armour-all to repel the lint. See how well that works!
[doublepost=1473730261][/doublepost]
I own 3 different Apple bands and 6 of these knock-offs. ...
I like the Nike band though...wonder if I can find a knock-off of that
Agree with everything you said. And then you said you LIKE the Nike band? Dude? How? That's just fugly!
Hehe.Guaranteed, there will be knock-offs. Hell. Maybe BEFORE the Apple bands are available (based on how quick the Chinese manufacturing facilities are)
I have a few of the Apple sport bands, the SBSS Link Band that came with my watch and several of the ClockworkSynergy NATO bands (which I wear more often than all of the others). They do start out a little stiff, but they become so comfortable, you almost don't know that the watch is there. Super durable too.
I have a number of OEM bands and have been pleased with them. I bought one knockoff band (a dark grey, since Apple did not and still does not sell such a thing) and was unhappy with it. The material the knockoffs use is not only thinner but also seems slicker and causes a mild skin irritation which over the course of a day drove me nuts both times I tried the band. I have not worn it since. I guess there's some proprietary formula used in the fluoroelastomer plastic/rubber material used to make the OEM bands.
I have learned my lesson to purchase Apple band colors that I like before they disappear; I jumped on Cocoa immediately for that reason and purchased a light pink band thrugh B&H Photo once I realized that I did still want one (fell in love with it ages ago at an Apple Store, but they were out of stock at the time and just had the display band). The light pink is now gone through most sellers. I am considering whether to get the lighter blue band at B&H as they do still have it in 38mm.
I do like the idea of thirdparty bands, but the repeated issues with material, fit and finish (a thirdparty 38mm leather loop I got was the wrong width, too) has me turned off to thirdparty. I also don't like the fact that everybody making nylon bands puts very visible stitching all over the bands while the OEM bands don't have any.
I'm eyeing the Hermes double tour, if the Series 3 still has such a thing when it comes around, for my next watch. It's likely that for thirdparty, I'll just pick up a Clockwork Synergy Bond NATO band and stop there, and stick with Apple bands for a while. I really do want to see third-party makers put out some good stuff, but for the kinds of bands I'm looking for, I just haven't seen good quality.
Has anyone else had problems with skin irritation with their thirdparty sport straps? I don't really see much being said in this thread about that.
I have learned my lesson to purchase Apple band colors that I like before they disappear; I jumped on Cocoa immediately for that reason and purchased a light pink band thrugh B&H Photo once I realized that I did still want one (fell in love with it ages ago at an Apple Store, but they were out of stock at the time and just had the display band). The light pink is now gone through most sellers. I am considering whether to get the lighter blue band at B&H as they do still have it in 38mm.
I do like the idea of thirdparty bands, but the repeated issues with material, fit and finish (a thirdparty 38mm leather loop I got was the wrong width, too) has me turned off to thirdparty. I also don't like the fact that everybody making nylon bands puts very visible stitching all over the bands while the OEM bands don't have any.
I'm eyeing the Hermes double tour, if the Series 3 still has such a thing when it comes around, for my next watch. It's likely that for thirdparty, I'll just pick up a Clockwork Synergy Bond NATO band and stop there, and stick with Apple bands for a while. I really do want to see third-party makers put out some good stuff, but for the kinds of bands I'm looking for, I just haven't seen good quality.
Has anyone else had problems with skin irritation with their thirdparty sport straps? I don't really see much being said in this thread about that.
Some of them do! But I think my occasional need for a dressy watch band would be best served by the warm brown band they offer. Right now, when I want to look nice I wear the Milanese loop. (I'm female, so I think the link bracelet would be out of place for me, though I know some women wear it. Go, them, I just don't like it).
