December 29, 2015 at 17:26About replacing, repairing, and operating the Pebble Watch
In the article I’ll talk about how to replace my watches with new ones now, how to fix old ones and share my operational experience after almost two years of using Pebble Watch and Watch Steel.
At the beginning of the year, Sasha Lyapota made a video about replacing the first Pebble, in which the screen began to “roll in” over time. Closer to summer, my watch suffered a similar sore and I easily changed them for new ones. Delivery took 2 weeks, and sent directly from China.
Pebble has a really cool service and if something is wrong with your watch, then it’s a sin not to use it. However, recently the company has ceased to send its products directly to Ukraine, as it was in the summer. Russia is also closed for delivery, so you have to resort to the services of intermediaries, which will cost 10-15 dollars (I'll tell you about the verified ones later). Text instruction for those who did not understand the video:
Next, the choice of intermediary begins. In two cases I used shopfans.ru and once - litemf.ru . Both coped with their task and delivered parcels in value and safety. The difference is only in terms and price.
LiteMF, in view of the low demand for delivery to Ukraine, have been carrying my watch for almost a month (+4 days for delivery in the USA). Shipping cost is only 9 dollars. As far as I understand, Dnipro is engaged in transportation . In Russia, according to the assurances of managers and reviews on the forums, the terms are much better.
Shopfans managed in 2 weeks (+6 days for delivery in the USA). Meest Express brought the parcel to Ukraine, and the delivery cost a total of $ 15. Moreover, it was courier delivery directly to the apartment.
I fixed the entire purchase process in text form and took screenshots. And if someone is still afraid to use intermediaries or simply did not understand the work of the service, then write in the comments about the desire to read such material. Writing is not a problem, but having shown my initiative I can get into read-only for advertising.
Okay, we got new beautiful watches, but what to do with the old ones? Do not rush to throw them away, because great chance to defeat the annoying byak. Through preparation and some tests, a problem was identified in the face of the zebra.
Okay, just kidding. ZEBRA ® is a display connector with a printed circuit board, an analog cable, but not a cable. A cheaper and more effective solution in production, as I understood from the information on the official website. I can’t establish the exact reason, because I am not an expert, but over time, something happens with the watch case (both plastic and metal) and the connection of the zebra with the board or screen begins to weaken. Those. maybe plastic “dries out” over time, but in metal ... I don’t even know. But as for me, the company miscalculated somewhere in the materials and something is shrinking. But this is only my guess.
The bottom line is that restoring the clock is a matter of 10 minutes, a piece of a match or a coil of electrical tape and one special screwdriver, which, however, is not found in every house. My asterisk-shaped bit for a Chinese screwdriver is called CR-VT4, I suspect that the Torx-T4 (or T5) is its counterpart. I'll show the disassembly using the Pebble Watch Steel as an example. First, unscrew the four screws around the perimeter of the back cover and remove it.
Try to push in the place marked below in the photo. Are artifacts gone? - We pressed the printed circuit board to the zebra, and to the display, respectively.
I will show how the watch looks from the inside. To do this, you need to pry a plastic frame on which all the electronics are installed. It comes out of the case quite easily.
We return the frame to its rightful place. Just in case, we press again in the place that I designated above. Works? “So it's time for the match.” By the method of scientific poking and calculation, we select such a match length that it rests on the lid and creates pressure on the board. We collect and voila - no artifacts.
A match can be replaced with any other part that can fulfill the duties assigned to it. Adhesive tape or electrical tape in this case can also be used, but a solution with a match is more optimal. ;)
If you have one of the first generations of watches, when they were not collapsible (that is, with glue), you will have to sweat thoroughly, because disassembling them without damage is quite difficult. You can watch video guides on YouTube - there, users simply remove the top glass, and after they sculpt (in the literal sense) it from improvised materials.
If the screws, then everything is much simpler. Unscrew them, install a gasket (I used foam double-sided tape) between the battery and the back cover and the problem disappears.
The first I tried on myself the usual Pebble Watch Jet Black and quickly fell in love with them. During the time of use, I realized that vibration alerts on the hand, the display of time and a small calendar (I use the Timely watch interface) - greatly simplify life. Especially notifications that completely turn off experiences regarding a missed call or message in noisy places where the sound signal is simply not heard.
This watch “sprinkled” around the 9th month of operation and was replaced with new ones. Then, after restoration, they were sold along with the replacement that arrived, as needed. A few months without Pebble finally convinced me of their usefulness, so the purchase of the coveted Pebble Steel was not long in coming. However, I decided to save money and bought a black version with two leather straps, but without a box, at a very nice price. They showered even faster than the previous ones, but there was no particular reason to be upset, due to the quick and easy replacement. Naturally, the watch was restored again, but this time it remained in my hand and for more than a month now since the preparation I have been pleased with my work. New ones were sold.
The only problem that until recently caused certain inconvenience was the lack of support for the Cyrillic alphabet, which is why every time after the release of a new version of the software, we had to install custom firmware with pens. A five-minute lesson, but nevertheless recently, this problem has been resolved. Now, thanks to Semyon Maryasin (you can upload it here ), it is enough to install the localization file in the application on your phone. You can read more about this here at Geektimes .
Well and the main thing - autonomy. In April of this year, I tried Android Wear in the face of the Moto 360 and it lasted me literally for several weeks. They look, of course, cooler, but they are endowed with a number of shortcomings that I did not want to put up with: autonomy, activation of the screen with a gesture (on Pebble I can always see the time), the latter's behavior in the sun and speed. And the price at the moment is Pebble Classic at $ 80.
Recently, the classic version of Pebble (meaning Classic and Steel models) received support for firmware and applications from Pebble Time. Now, similar to the latter, the clock interface is tied to a timeline that synchronizes with your calendars. In general, the system has become more thoughtful and convenient, but more about that some other time.
UPD Absolutely no matter where and how long you bought the watch. This program applies to absolutely all revisions of Pebble Classic and Steel.
I look forward to feedback regarding the material here, in the comments, or in social networks: Facebook , VKontakte , Twitter , Instagram . And I also have a website where I duplicate my publications from all over the Internet, so you can also look (the link is below, in the author’s card).
The text may contain and certainly contains grammatical, spelling, punctuation and other types of errors, including semantic. I strongly ask readers to point out these errors and correct me through personal messages.
Replacement
At the beginning of the year, Sasha Lyapota made a video about replacing the first Pebble, in which the screen began to “roll in” over time. Closer to summer, my watch suffered a similar sore and I easily changed them for new ones. Delivery took 2 weeks, and sent directly from China.
Pebble has a really cool service and if something is wrong with your watch, then it’s a sin not to use it. However, recently the company has ceased to send its products directly to Ukraine, as it was in the summer. Russia is also closed for delivery, so you have to resort to the services of intermediaries, which will cost 10-15 dollars (I'll tell you about the verified ones later). Text instruction for those who did not understand the video:
- As soon as you see artifacts on the screen of your watch - take a picture! Do not wait for it to pass. I will also explain the reason for the interference on the screen later.
- Having a snapshot feel free to start the recovery process. The request can be sent from the official application (it is preferable, because together with the information you send a log file about the use of the device) or through the feedback form on the site, knowing all the necessary information for recovery.
- The letter should contain:
- photo of the malfunction (i.e. display with artifacts);
- a photograph of your Pebble with a readable serial number (located on the back cover) on a piece of paper, which indicates the date of support and the email with which this letter will be sent;
- model and color of your watch;
- serial number (rewrite from the back cover);
- address where to deliver the new Pebble.
The format for filling out the address is indicated on the official website . - My letter looked like this (yes, I did not go far from Sasha):
- I changed Pebble already 3 times (two of my own and one friend) and in all cases I received the same answer a few days later (with the exception of the second case, where I was notified of the termination of sending to Ukraine):
No extra gestures should be done, at least I have never been asked.
- After a few days, you will be given a track number by which you can track the clock on the way to the intermediary.
Next, the choice of intermediary begins. In two cases I used shopfans.ru and once - litemf.ru . Both coped with their task and delivered parcels in value and safety. The difference is only in terms and price.
LiteMF, in view of the low demand for delivery to Ukraine, have been carrying my watch for almost a month (+4 days for delivery in the USA). Shipping cost is only 9 dollars. As far as I understand, Dnipro is engaged in transportation . In Russia, according to the assurances of managers and reviews on the forums, the terms are much better.
Promotion code for the Russian Federation at a discount of 300 rubles
Shopfans managed in 2 weeks (+6 days for delivery in the USA). Meest Express brought the parcel to Ukraine, and the delivery cost a total of $ 15. Moreover, it was courier delivery directly to the apartment.
I fixed the entire purchase process in text form and took screenshots. And if someone is still afraid to use intermediaries or simply did not understand the work of the service, then write in the comments about the desire to read such material. Writing is not a problem, but having shown my initiative I can get into read-only for advertising.
Repairs
Okay, we got new beautiful watches, but what to do with the old ones? Do not rush to throw them away, because great chance to defeat the annoying byak. Through preparation and some tests, a problem was identified in the face of the zebra.
Okay, just kidding. ZEBRA ® is a display connector with a printed circuit board, an analog cable, but not a cable. A cheaper and more effective solution in production, as I understood from the information on the official website. I can’t establish the exact reason, because I am not an expert, but over time, something happens with the watch case (both plastic and metal) and the connection of the zebra with the board or screen begins to weaken. Those. maybe plastic “dries out” over time, but in metal ... I don’t even know. But as for me, the company miscalculated somewhere in the materials and something is shrinking. But this is only my guess.
The bottom line is that restoring the clock is a matter of 10 minutes, a piece of a match or a coil of electrical tape and one special screwdriver, which, however, is not found in every house. My asterisk-shaped bit for a Chinese screwdriver is called CR-VT4, I suspect that the Torx-T4 (or T5) is its counterpart. I'll show the disassembly using the Pebble Watch Steel as an example. First, unscrew the four screws around the perimeter of the back cover and remove it.
Try to push in the place marked below in the photo. Are artifacts gone? - We pressed the printed circuit board to the zebra, and to the display, respectively.
I will show how the watch looks from the inside. To do this, you need to pry a plastic frame on which all the electronics are installed. It comes out of the case quite easily.
Yet
We return the frame to its rightful place. Just in case, we press again in the place that I designated above. Works? “So it's time for the match.” By the method of scientific poking and calculation, we select such a match length that it rests on the lid and creates pressure on the board. We collect and voila - no artifacts.
A match can be replaced with any other part that can fulfill the duties assigned to it. Adhesive tape or electrical tape in this case can also be used, but a solution with a match is more optimal. ;)
What if you have a regular pebble watch?
If you have one of the first generations of watches, when they were not collapsible (that is, with glue), you will have to sweat thoroughly, because disassembling them without damage is quite difficult. You can watch video guides on YouTube - there, users simply remove the top glass, and after they sculpt (in the literal sense) it from improvised materials.
If the screws, then everything is much simpler. Unscrew them, install a gasket (I used foam double-sided tape) between the battery and the back cover and the problem disappears.
Operating experience
The first I tried on myself the usual Pebble Watch Jet Black and quickly fell in love with them. During the time of use, I realized that vibration alerts on the hand, the display of time and a small calendar (I use the Timely watch interface) - greatly simplify life. Especially notifications that completely turn off experiences regarding a missed call or message in noisy places where the sound signal is simply not heard.
This watch “sprinkled” around the 9th month of operation and was replaced with new ones. Then, after restoration, they were sold along with the replacement that arrived, as needed. A few months without Pebble finally convinced me of their usefulness, so the purchase of the coveted Pebble Steel was not long in coming. However, I decided to save money and bought a black version with two leather straps, but without a box, at a very nice price. They showered even faster than the previous ones, but there was no particular reason to be upset, due to the quick and easy replacement. Naturally, the watch was restored again, but this time it remained in my hand and for more than a month now since the preparation I have been pleased with my work. New ones were sold.
The only problem that until recently caused certain inconvenience was the lack of support for the Cyrillic alphabet, which is why every time after the release of a new version of the software, we had to install custom firmware with pens. A five-minute lesson, but nevertheless recently, this problem has been resolved. Now, thanks to Semyon Maryasin (you can upload it here ), it is enough to install the localization file in the application on your phone. You can read more about this here at Geektimes .
Well and the main thing - autonomy. In April of this year, I tried Android Wear in the face of the Moto 360 and it lasted me literally for several weeks. They look, of course, cooler, but they are endowed with a number of shortcomings that I did not want to put up with: autonomy, activation of the screen with a gesture (on Pebble I can always see the time), the latter's behavior in the sun and speed. And the price at the moment is Pebble Classic at $ 80.
Recently, the classic version of Pebble (meaning Classic and Steel models) received support for firmware and applications from Pebble Time. Now, similar to the latter, the clock interface is tied to a timeline that synchronizes with your calendars. In general, the system has become more thoughtful and convenient, but more about that some other time.
UPD Absolutely no matter where and how long you bought the watch. This program applies to absolutely all revisions of Pebble Classic and Steel.
I look forward to feedback regarding the material here, in the comments, or in social networks: Facebook , VKontakte , Twitter , Instagram . And I also have a website where I duplicate my publications from all over the Internet, so you can also look (the link is below, in the author’s card).