Unlike other Misfit trackers, the Shine doesn’t have an onboard screen. Instead, it synchronizes with your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0 LE. The free app (iOS, Android) is a key piece of the puzzle; it displays your progress in big circles and breaks down your activity by sleep, exercise and more. The app also lets you configure and manage your device’s settings.
Misfit says the Shine’s battery should last up to four months. To swap batteries, you’ll need to remove the tracker from its wristband/clip and open a small door on the back of the device. It’s not a huge deal, but it is a bit of a hassle.
The Shine’s ring of LEDs can flash to notify you of call and text notifications from a paired phone, and it can act as a remote button for many popular fitness apps. It can also trigger IFTTT recipes and control smart home products through Misfit Link.
There are plenty of other waterproof, screenless fitness trackers out there (Fitzbit Flex 2, Moov HR and Misfit’s own Ray are a few), but the Shine Speedo stands out for its world-class swim tracking. It’s able to calculate lap count, distance and calories burned with impressive accuracy thanks to some clever algorithms (you’ll need to make an in-app purchase to unlock the feature).
The Speedo Shine doesn’t have as much flexibility as other Misfit trackers when it comes to wearing options. It’s only available in a single metallic color and doesn’t have the option for an extra strap. However, you can buy a firmware update to enable the swim-tracking capability on the regular Shine 2 and Misfit Ray for $10.
