Are you struggling to decide between a personal alarm watch and a smartwatch from a retailer?
In this article, we’ll compare the MePACS Solo Connect, a personal alarm watch, to two smartwatches – namely the Galaxy Watch6 and Apple Watch Series 10. We’ll examine the devices for design, safety features, health and fitness tracking capabilities, connectivity options, user requirements and pricing to help you understand which might best suit your needs.
The MePACS Solo Connect personal alarm watch is discreet and stylish, blending the peace of mind of a monitored personal alarm with the look and functionality of a premium smartwatch.
There are some similarities between a smartwatch and the MePACS Solo Watch. Both devices can tell the time, have falls detection, GPS, health apps and other features. However, there are also some key differences. Let’s get started with our review.
Quick comparison – Solo Connect vs. smartwatch
See how the MePACS Connect compares to a smartwatch below.
Feature |
MePACS Solo Connect |
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 |
Apple Watch Series 10 |
| Fall detection | Yes, included | Yes, included | Yes, included |
| Connectivity and Compatibility | Uses Telstra 4G mobile network; no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity; cannot call or text other people; designed to contact MePACS | Supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity; can make calls, send texts and use various apps | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity; syncs with iPhones; can make calls, send texts and use various apps |
| GPS | Yes, included | Yes, included | Yes, included |
| Health and Fitness Apps | Essential health and wellness apps | Extensive health and fitness apps | Extensive health and fitness apps |
| Medical Information |
Watch doesn’t store medical data. MePACS keeps clients’ up-to-date medical data securely on file and provides it to emergency services when needed |
Watch stores your health information, but does not provide it to emergency services | Watch stores your health information, but does not provide it to emergency services |
| Emergency Features |
Dedicated 24/7 rapid emergency response by trained MePACS staff; single-tap activation when help is needed Direct 2-way voice communication with MePACS professional emergency response team |
Emergency SOS features; relies on notifications/SMS to pre-set contacts No dedicated emergency response centre integration |
Emergency SOS features; alerts pre-programmed contacts |
Design and build
MePACS Solo Connect:
The Solo Connect is built on the Samsung Galaxy Watch6, offering a modern, stylish design. Available in 2 sizes: 40mm and 44mm and colours Graphite and Cream Gold, it features a premium sapphire crystal display for enhanced scratch resistance. The Solo Connect watch is water resistant and can be worn in the shower, bath or swimming pool. The watch is crafted with an aluminium casing and a sweat-resistant band, making it lightweight (28.7g to 33.3g) and comfortable for everyday wear.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: The Galaxy Watch6 also features a high-resolution display and various style options.
Apple Watch Series 10: The Apple Watch design includes an aluminium casing available in multiple colours and sizes.
Safety and emergency features
MePACS Solo Connect: The Solo Connect is a dedicated emergency alert device which integrates MePACS’ rapid emergency response technology, providing 24/7 monitoring through the MePACS emergency response centre. Clients can connect directly to the MePACS emergency response team with a single tap. The watch includes hard fall detection, 2-way voice communication and GPS location tracking, ensuring immediate and reliable help during emergencies.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: While the Galaxy Watch6 offers hard fall detection and emergency SOS features, it primarily relies on notifications or SMS to pre-set contacts. The effectiveness of this approach depends on the availability and responsiveness of emergency contacts, which can potentially delay assistance. The Galaxy Watch6 lacks the dedicated emergency response centre integration present in the MePACS Solo Connect.
Apple Watch Series 10: Similar to the Galaxy Watch6, the Apple Watch Series 10 provides hard fall detection and emergency SOS features. However, like other smartwatches, it alerts pre-programmed contacts or emergency services, which may lead to longer response times compared to the immediate assistance available from the Solo Connect. Further it does not deliver vital information to emergency services to enable effective triage of the call or message.
Health and fitness Apps
MePACS Solo Connect: The Solo Connect personal alarm watch covers essential health tracking features, including a 3-in-1 BioActive sensor for real-time ECG tracking, heart rate monitoring, body composition analysis and sleep tracking. It also tracks basic fitness metrics like steps and calories. Other apps cannot be installed on the Solo Connect because they can interfere with the MePACS emergency response software installed on the watch.
While the Solo Connect does not store medical information, MePACS does keep client medical history, allergies and other relevant health data on file. In an emergency, MePACS provides all your relevant health information to the ambulance service in advance, so they can prioritise the call and tailor their response to your needs.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: The Galaxy Watch6 offers health and fitness tracking, including advanced sensors for heart rate, ECG and body composition. It also features stress monitoring and skin temperature tracking.
A Samsung Galaxy Watch6 can store your health information such as allergies and medical conditions, but it cannot provide those details to emergency services until they have arrived at the scene. Paramedics will also need to know how to access and navigate your smartwatch to obtain your health data.
Apple Watch Series 10: The Apple Watch Series 10 is equipped with a range of health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking and fitness metrics like steps and calories burned. It also offers fall detection and emergency SOS features.
The Apple Watch Series 10 stores health information, including allergies and medical conditions. However, similar to the Galaxy Watch6, the Apple Watch Series 10 may require paramedics to navigate through the watch to access this information in an emergency.
Connectivity and compatibility
MePACS Solo Connect: Operating independently, the Solo Connect uses the Telstra 4G mobile network and a dedicated SIM card, enabling it to function anywhere in Australia where there is good mobile reception.
The MePACS Solo Connect also features GPS location tracking, allowing for precise location services in emergencies. The Solo Connect deliberately does not connect via Bluetooth, ensuring the integrity and reliability of emergency alerts. This design choice prioritises safety and direct communication with the MePACS emergency response centre, avoiding potential interference from Bluetooth connectivity.
The Solo Connect personal alarm watch cannot be used to call or text people other than MePACS. It is designed primarily as a personal alarm device for emergencies.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: The Galaxy Watch6 supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, allowing pairing with smartphones. It also includes GPS functionality for tracking location and navigation. This feature enables functions like making calls, sending texts and using various apps.
Apple Watch Series 10: The Apple Watch also offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing it to sync with iPhones and access various apps. It also includes GPS functionality for location tracking. You can make calls from the Apple Watch, provided it is connected to a paired iPhone or has its own cellular plan.
User requirements
MePACS Solo Connect: The Solo Connect personal alarm watch is designed for clients who can comfortably operate touchscreen technology. It is ideal for people who do not have dexterity limitations or vision impairments, as the watch relies on intuitive touch interactions and simple controls for emergency activation. You can raise an emergency alert and access the wellness apps with just a single tap.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: Similarly, the Galaxy Watch6 requires wearers to interact with its touchscreen interface. However, it supports a range of apps and functionalities that may demand more complex gestures and interactions. Some people might find the Galaxy Watch6’s features challenging to navigate, particularly when managing its broad range of health and fitness apps.
Apple Watch Series 10: The Apple Watch also relies on touchscreen interactions, but its complex user interface may make navigation more challenging for some users.
Price and subscription
MePACS Solo Connect: Priced at $795 for the 40mm and $825 for the 44mm, the Solo Connect personal alarm watch also has a monthly charge of $59. This covers SIM costs and access to the MePACS response centre, ensuring 24/7 monitoring and immediate assistance during emergencies. Government funding options that help cover the cost of the Solo watch can be available for eligible clients. Contact us to find out if you can be eligible.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: The Galaxy Watch6 starts from $549, depending on the model and features. Additional costs may apply for phone plans if used independently of a smartphone.
Apple Watch Series 10: The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at around $649, but prices can vary. Ongoing costs may apply for a mobile plan if used independently of a smartphone.
Conclusion
In summary, the MePACS Solo Connect Watch and smartwatches cater to different needs.
A smartwatch, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Apple Watch, is essentially an entertainment and wellness device with more features than you may actually need. While it does have some SOS features, it isn’t a dedicated personal alarm and in an emergency it may take longer to get help. You may also have to rely on friends or family to know what to do.
The Solo Connect is a dedicated monitored personal alarm and designed to provide fast emergency response around-the-clock. With a direct voice-to-voice link to the 24/7 MePACS emergency response team, you can enjoy genuine peace of mind knowing that help is at hand. Our trained response monitors are knowledgable and experienced. They assess the situation and know exactly what to do to get you the right help.
Ultimately, when it comes to personal safety, the Solo Connect offers dependable support tailored for emergencies, ensuring you’re never alone when it matters most.