Garmin Vivoactive HR Reviews

passionately_kate

Hello, I have the fitbit blaze right now and I've had it for a long time. I'm wanting something different. Wondering if anyone has any reviews on the vivoactive hr? This one looks pretty good minus the display.

Currently with my blaze, I like it for the heart rate monitor and a bit for steps but I don't try and aim for the 10,000 steps or challenges. I like it for exercise.

How do you like or don't like your vivoactive hr?

Fkika3131

Hi, I have the Garmin Vivoactive H.R. I love mine. I used to have a Fitbit and now I understand why I didn't like it lol. The Garmin Vivoactive H.R. is the best.

Tacklewasher

Love mine. Can track a bunch of different activities and I can download golf courses to it. Also, as it's waterproof, I can wear it flyfishing (haven't yet).

Just know the social aspect isn't as good as for FitBits so if you like competing or comparing to others (I don't) then it is a bit limited by the user base. Not an issue with the product, just no where near the number of users.

AnvilHead

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/garmin-vivoactivehr-review.html

^ Probably the most in-depth review you'll find anywhere. DCRainmaker's site is great for gear reviews. He's very knowledgeable, has hands-on experience with tons of gear and is very thorough and meticulous in his reviews.

Rusty740

WaterPROOF!!! for the win! Full disclosure, I have a Vivosmart HR.

You'll find that the social aspect is less with the Garmin Connect App, but oh well. Lots of other stuff is better.

I'd support your move to the Vivoactive HR. I think you'll find it is better than the Blaze. Garmin now supports a fitbit data import so that's in your favour.

passionately_kate

Rusty740 wrote: »

WaterPROOF!!! for the win! Full disclosure, I have a Vivosmart HR.

You'll find that the social aspect is less with the Garmin Connect App, but oh well. Lots of other stuff is better.

I'd support your move to the Vivoactive HR. I think you'll find it is better than the Blaze. Garmin now supports a fitbit data import so that's in your favour.

Oh? How do you import data?

jennybearlv

passionately_kate wrote: »

Rusty740 wrote: »

WaterPROOF!!! for the win! Full disclosure, I have a Vivosmart HR.

You'll find that the social aspect is less with the Garmin Connect App, but oh well. Lots of other stuff is better.

I'd support your move to the Vivoactive HR. I think you'll find it is better than the Blaze. Garmin now supports a fitbit data import so that's in your favour.

Oh? How do you import data?

You transfer through bluetooth or through the magnetic USB charger. I don't know how it works, but it does. I have the old non-HR version and like it. The waterproof feature is what drew me to Garmin in the first place. I've worn mine continuously for two years. I sleep, shower, and swim with it on. I only take it off to clean and charge it. I had to replace the band a few months ago, but besides that it still works great. I'm upgrading to a Fenix for my birthday, but only because I can use the extra features now. Vivoactive is perfect for most fitness activities.

passionately_kate

jennybearlv wrote: »

passionately_kate wrote: »

Rusty740 wrote: »

WaterPROOF!!! for the win! Full disclosure, I have a Vivosmart HR.

You'll find that the social aspect is less with the Garmin Connect App, but oh well. Lots of other stuff is better.

I'd support your move to the Vivoactive HR. I think you'll find it is better than the Blaze. Garmin now supports a fitbit data import so that's in your favour.

Oh? How do you import data?

You transfer through bluetooth or through the magnetic USB charger. I don't know how it works, but it does. I have the old non-HR version and like it. The waterproof feature is what drew me to Garmin in the first place. I've worn mine continuously for two years. I sleep, shower, and swim with it on. I only take it off to clean and charge it. I had to replace the band a few months ago, but besides that it still works great. I'm upgrading to a Fenix for my birthday, but only because I can use the extra features now. Vivoactive is perfect for most fitness activities.

How would I track the workout if I wanted to do "water Zumba" ? any ideas? Because I notice the water options are asking for laps and stuff. Thanks

jennybearlv

The swim options would not be very good for water Zumba. That activity would track the movement of your arms for calculating a swim stroke. I would look up an estimate of your calories burned and add it as a manual activity.

passionately_kate

Thank you

hemyl911

Hello!
How did you synchronize my fitness pal and garmin vivo active hr? Do not see each other

MontyMuttland

hemyl911 wrote: »

Hello!
How did you synchronize my fitness pal and garmin vivo active hr? Do not see each other

The device doesn't sync directly with MFP, just Garmin Connect. But Garmin Connect can sync with MFP which you can setup in MFP, then your two accounts share data behind the scenes. That way when you sync your data to Garmin Connect, it also updates on MFP.

fitdaly

Interestingly, I was just trying to decide between the Fitbit Blaze and the Vivoactive HR, to replace my dead Microsoft Band. I went with the Vivoactive HR for the following reasons:

1. Longer battery life.
2. WATERPROOF - I don't often swim, but peace of mind was important to me.
3. Onboard GPS - I didn't want "connected" GPS wearing down the battery of my phone AND my watch.

The Fitbit had advantages to

1. It seems a bit more stylish
2. I had WAY more friends to buddy up with in the Fitbit ecosystem. (Only a scant few on Garmin)
3. I think the app and the watch UI are easier on the Fitbit

I also helped that I found refurbished Garmins on Amazon. They are refurbished by Garmin and come with the same 1 year warranty as new. You save about $100. I paid $149.99

tinkerbellang83

passionately_kate wrote: »

jennybearlv wrote: »

passionately_kate wrote: »

Rusty740 wrote: »

WaterPROOF!!! for the win! Full disclosure, I have a Vivosmart HR.

You'll find that the social aspect is less with the Garmin Connect App, but oh well. Lots of other stuff is better.

I'd support your move to the Vivoactive HR. I think you'll find it is better than the Blaze. Garmin now supports a fitbit data import so that's in your favour.

Oh? How do you import data?

You transfer through bluetooth or through the magnetic USB charger. I don't know how it works, but it does. I have the old non-HR version and like it. The waterproof feature is what drew me to Garmin in the first place. I've worn mine continuously for two years. I sleep, shower, and swim with it on. I only take it off to clean and charge it. I had to replace the band a few months ago, but besides that it still works great. I'm upgrading to a Fenix for my birthday, but only because I can use the extra features now. Vivoactive is perfect for most fitness activities.

How would I track the workout if I wanted to do "water Zumba" ? any ideas? Because I notice the water options are asking for laps and stuff. Thanks

You would just track as Indoor Run/Walk and it will work off your heart rate to calculate the calories burned. You can then edit the activity in Garmin Connect to something like "Cardio". I do this for my strength training.

cloggsy71

I have a Vivoactive HR...

What they said /\

passionately_kate

fitdaly wrote: »

Interestingly, I was just trying to decide between the Fitbit Blaze and the Vivoactive HR, to replace my dead Microsoft Band. I went with the Vivoactive HR for the following reasons:

1. Longer battery life.
2. WATERPROOF - I don't often swim, but peace of mind was important to me.
3. Onboard GPS - I didn't want "connected" GPS wearing down the battery of my phone AND my watch.

That's a good point! I didn't even think of that. How long do you find that your garmin lasts after a full charge?