Forge M2 Bluetooth Fitness Tracker Smart Band Review

Although the most expensive of the fitness tracker watches, it worth it for serious trackers. Highly recommend.

I bought Waves NX Head Tracker to use it with Logic Pro X in a Mac Pro Mid 2010 OS El Capitan and Bluetooth 2.1 I needed Bluetooth 4.0, so I bought this StarTech adapter. Plugged into my computer, but it was not recognized as BT 4.0. Then I downloaded Hardware_IO_Tools_for_Xcode_7.3.dmg, and installed Bluetooth Explorer in the Applications folder. Opened it, Tools menu and choose HCI Controller Selector, I clicked at the arrows and selected Broadcom Corp and clicked Activate. Done My computer recognized the StarTech adapter as Bluetooth 4, and I was able to use my excellent Waves NX Head Tracker.

Great starting sticks. And free with Alesis Forge kit purchase!

For work needs, I finally upgraded my ten year old MacBook Pro to a new M2 MAX MacBook Pro. This necessitated some other upgrades. For traveling (since I need to keep working on this contract job), and since the M2 MAX MBP has just three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, I wanted a Bluetooth Mouse, to replace my Wireless USB mouse. Initially, this Logitech mouse felt small in my hand. It IS smaller than may USB mouse. But, I quickly got used to it. The slightly smaller size (especially the slightly lower height) will pack more easily in my laptop carrying case, along with the portable SSD hard drives, I need, and other MBP accessories. Basically, it works fine. I have only good to report. Set-up was easy. I definitely recommend it as a Bluetooth mouse option, especially for going mobile, and may get a second when I update my old 2013 Mac Pro to a Mac Studio.

Great setup for the Mac Mini M2 and PC, Bluetooth connections run with no hiccups, easy to charge and super long battery life on both. Easily switchable for both platforms. Mac-PC, PC-Mac Backlit keyboard works well, fully adjustable with perfect illumination across all keys.

I first tried the M2 model but wanted the best, even they are more expensive. That was a smart uppdate as the noicecanceling now is 100% and not just "good enough". Importent to use the app both for updating the firmware and all settings. To use the Equalizer at Manuell and set the base and the rest, made a huge differense. The player app is also very important, as you can add HD songs that iPhone player not can play, and get top quality music to listen on. I can not hear myself shouting, that good is the blocking of the sound. There are also a lot of different settings for this. That it also messasure if you are on a airplane and block that sound if super. You will not regret buying these airphones...

Would still like a camera and more battery life. Perhaps someday the watch band will become smart... Maybe an optional third party watch band with a battery and camera and strap connector acts as contacts to the watch...

From a small band perspective, these are loud and clear. I wish there was a bluetooth off switch though. The only way to mute bluetooth seems to be with the app. Once it is connected to a device using the app at least it doesn't seem to be able to connect to another device usuing the app. ie. someone hijacking your speakers. The bluetooth and speaker linking does work well. The audio is very clear, and they are pretty loud. For a sub $500 40lb cabinet made out of plastic it sounds good. Certainly good enough for small gigs. As far as the voicing options, live or monitor sounds best to me using an analog mixer with no other outboard gear. Overall I think this a great buy at this price point. You will want some kind of cover or bag though, they did away this the screen and went with control knobs which is fine, but I feel like they could be a little more vulnerable to me.

I use this Bluetooth adapter with a Zoom H8 recorder when recording band practices. It drains the battery faster but is completely worth having a full-screen view of all channel inputs on my phone, as well as the indicator that shows when you are recording. I only wish that this functionality were built into the device.

Works great connecting a smart TV with bluetooth to older powered speakers.