How to repurpose your RingConn Gen 1 after upgrading to Gen 2

You’ve bought yourself a RingConn Gen 2, but still have the Gen 1 device. You’re not keen on getting rid of your old ring just yet. Here are some options on how to keep Gen 1 as an alternative to Gen 2.

I have the Gen 1 ring and have recently published my hands-on review of the Gen 2 device. As I note in that article, the upgraded ring brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a more compact design, extended battery life of over 10 days, enhanced water resistance, and the addition of Sleep Apnea tracking. The highlight for me is the fact that the device needs to be charged far less often.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

It’s no wonder so many have opted to support the crowdfunding campaign. With 16 days left before it closes RingConn Gen 2 has raised over $3.2 million so far on Kickstarter. This makes it the most crowdfunded smart ring ever. Nearly 14,000 people have backed the device and some of them are owners of the Gen 1 model. They might be wondering what to do with their original device. Fortunately, there are several options for those who wish to keep both generations of RingConn in use.

Keeping both generations of the RingConn smart ring offers users a range of practical benefits. The Gen 1 ring can serve as a reliable backup, for example. Additionally, having two rings allows for specialized usage scenarios – for instance, wearing the more durable Gen 1 during high-impact activities or water sports, while reserving the sleeker Gen 2 for daily wear and sleep tracking. Users might also appreciate the opportunity to compare data between the two generations.

Options for those with both generations of RingConn

When setting up the Gen 2 ring, you will find that the smartphone app automatically removes the Gen 1 device from your account. However, this doesn’t mean the older model becomes obsolete. Users can still connect the Gen 1 ring to the app, effectively using it as a second smart ring. The caveat is that only one ring can be connected to the app at a time, requiring users to unpair one device before connecting the other.

For those who wish to switch between rings, the process is straightforward. Users need to navigate to the ring settings within the app (tap “Me,” then the ring picture), remove the connected device (but don’t remove it from Bluetooth devices on your smartphone), and then initiate the pairing process for the desired ring. It should take just a few seconds.

Another option for utilizing the Gen 1 ring is to set up a new account with a different email address and password. This approach allows the older ring to function independently, recording data separately from the Gen 2 device. This setup can be particularly useful for those who want to use the rings on different fingers, with separate devices and sets of historical data.

It’s worth noting that while switching between rings requires a few steps, but all the data remains intact within the app. It will not be deleted. This ensures that users don’t lose any valuable information when transitioning between their Gen 1 and Gen 2 devices.

RingConn Gen 2 can be ordered from Kickstarter, with early-bird prices starting at $209 – significantly down on the $299 it will sell for when it hits retail. RingConn Gen 1 can currently be purchased for $259 on the manufacturer’s website. For $10 off on Gen 1, at checkout use discount code: BFD50EC113.

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