Garmin Vivoactive

sydneybound

I'm unsure if this is the best place to post but I'm really keen to buy the Garmin Vivoactive and wonder does anyone here have any experience using it?

I'm running a marathon in the coming months, doing a big city triathlon in August, picking up my first road bike this week while I play golf every weekend too. So this watch would covers all the bases so to speak.

After April the running shoes will be hung up so it will mainly be cycling and golf from there. From what I gather this is a fairly basic gps watch, no heart rate monitor, but given its garmin made it must be of a decent standard?

Macy0161

sydneybound wrote: »

After April the running shoes will be hung up so it will mainly be cycling and golf from there. From what I gather this is a fairly basic gps watch, no heart rate monitor, but given its garmin made it must be of a decent standard?

I'd try dcrainmaker for a review - the best assessment of watches/ computers.

I was looking at vivoactive before Christmas as I wanted a watch for pool swims. The only real insight I have is that it didn't seem to have the swim functionality of the Garmin swim, or the 920xt or fenix3. I already have a 310xt, so the pool swimming was what I was really looking for. (I went with the Garmin Swim)

So it probably doesn't have the full functionality of the top end multi sport watches (which don't tend to have the full functionality of the sport specific computers/ watches), but whether you want or need that is up to you. My impression was it was aimed more as a smart watch/ fitness tracker.

Hauki

I've had Vivoactive for some months now. I'm using it for casual cycling and running and so far I've been happy with it.

Depending on chosen activity you get slightly different sets of data.

You can flip through data screens and for running they show:
1.) Total distance, time and pace
2.) Lap distance, lap time and lap pace
3.) Heart rate, HR zone and avg. HR

Cycling screens show:
1.) Total distance, time and speed
2.) Lap distance, lap time and avg. speed
3.) Heart rate, HR zone and avg. HR

You can customize the content of the screens or get new data screens by downloading different apps from Garmin store.

You can also pair it with your smartphone and automatically upload stuff to Garmin connect, Strava etc. and also receive push notifications for new emails, whatsapp messages, SMS's, etc. and control music, answer calls and so on. I actually use it as everyday watch for most of the days because of these smartwatch features. And yes, it works as HRM as well. Just get the bundle with HR strap if you don't already have one.

Few things that I've noticed:
- Battery lasted about 6 hours with GPS on when strapped to handlebars in cold, near zero January bike ride so on super epic riding days you might run out of juice
- If you don't use GPS you'll get about week with one charge
- Watch loses connection to phone sometimes mysteriously and requires to a bit of fiddle to reconnect
- Screen is a bit too small to be easily readable when strapped to handlebars or when moving fast
- Pretty decent looking, light and comfortable to wear

Hope this helps.

bp_me

Two points to reply to previous post...

I never use the GPS and easily get 2 weeks between charges (very frequent notifications all day long).

If its dropping your phone its likely caused by the phone. If its not on the garmin compatible list there is no guarantee it will work properly (they had trouble with Motorolas for a long time for example... Not sure if resolved)

bp_me

Two points to reply to previous post...

I never use the GPS and easily get 2 weeks between charges (very frequent notifications all day long).

If its dropping your phone its likely caused by the phone. If its not on the garmin compatible list there is no guarantee it will work properly (they had trouble with Motorolas for a long time for example... Not sure if resolved)