Garmin Vivoactive HR
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
51 reviews
Ideal for many outdoor activities
I have used the Garmin Vivoactive HR for cycling, hiking and paragliding (acoustic vario is still missing).
It is worth spending time configuring the Vivoactive to your own needs, activity data fields, widgets and watch designs from Garmin's Connect IQ.
The altitude display is not preconfigured in any activity, so I had to consult the manual.
The Vivoactive can be used as a cycling computer. ANT+ sensors can be connected for a more accurate speed display, including for cadence.Pro
- Price/Performance
- barometric altimeter / GPS / pulse measurement continuously without belt
- Connect external sensors via ANT+
- Individually configurable for many outdoor activities
- Price/Performance
- Can also be used offline without a permanent connection to the smartphone
- Upload to Garmin Connect via smartphone or PC
The VAHR is a top sports watch that I can highly recommend.
After a long and intensive research for a sports watch with smart features, I decided to buy the VAHR and I am very satisfied. I have had the watch for about 2 weeks now and wear it 24/7. I use it for jogging (indoor), mountain biking, hiking and swimming.
I also have a Suunto Ambit 3 with a heart strap. When I compared my heart rate with the two watches, the VAHR did well overall, except for mountain biking when I rode short, steep sections. The values of the VAHR were rather inaccurate there.
The VHAR is criticised by some buyers on other platforms because of the display, especially when it is rather dark and the lighting conditions are not so good. However, I can only partly understand this criticism and am satisfied with the display overall. I also expect that Garmin will correct this point in one of the next software updates, as the display is repeatedly criticised by buyers.Pro
- GPS (certainly one of Garmin's strengths)
- Very many functions
- Good app on my iPhone
- Long battery life, approx. 6 days for me
- Optical HR works well
Contra
- Display when it is dark?
Unfortunately, my expectations were not met. Perhaps with the next Garmin...
I was really looking forward to the Vivoactive HR. After using the Fitbit Surge for 4 months, I wanted to buy the Garmin Vivoactive HR.
According to the data sheet, it should be the perfect watch for me. At least that's what I thought... It is waterproof, has a colour display and the battery has enough endurance.
But when I switched it on for the first time, I was disillusioned. The colour display is... Well... Apart from the fact that it is coloured, there is nothing positive to report about it. Without illumination, it is hardly readable depending on the lighting conditions. It is also quite small compared to the size of the watch. And the resolution could have been a little higher.
Unfortunately, the Vivoactive was quite inaccurate in terms of distance run compared to a Polar and my old Fitbit. This inaccuracy was also the reason why I gave the watch away.
What is extremely positive, however, is the battery performance. Without GPS and with daily tracking of sporting activities, the watch can easily last a week (probably due to the poor display ;)).
The Connect app is not the best either. In my opinion, it is not customisable enough and therefore rather confusing. But that's a matter of taste. In any case, it provides a lot of information and statistics.
Unfortunately, my euphoria turned into disappointment. I have since switched back to the Surge...Pro
- waterproof
- Wristband interchangeable
- Battery
- Apps
Contra
- Seems kind of cheap for the price
- Poorly readable display
- inaccurate with me
Absolutely cool, top
Everything is correct for me. Plus 1-2 deviations from the blood pressure monitor. Synchronisation with Android runs perfectly. Setting data fields and personalisation top. Only with the floor count it doesn't work so well (is also not so important to me). Great for cycling (my main sport). Replaces my bike computer. Let's see how it does in winter when skiing.
I can only recommend it.Pro
- Setting options
- Battery
- Heart rate monitor
- Price-performance
- Synchronisation with APP
- Personalisation Garmin App Shop
Great device to start with!
I've had the Garmin for a good 4 weeks now and still think it's great.
The reasons for buying this device were:
- waterproof
- different programmes
- no 08/15 design
What also surprised me
- very long battery life
- good app which runs under Windows 10, Android and other OSsPro
- waterproof
- no 08/15 design
- Very long battery life
- Good app, which is available for various OS
- various programmes
Contra
- Display not easy to read under strong light
Excellent for now; looking forward to future/ better generations of fitness trackers.
Well-rounded fitness tracker. I had it now for a few months, very happy with it.
Coupled with some competitions (Garmin challenge, GCC, Strava or so on) it can become a powerful motivator to be more active.Pro
- Includes most functions of top models (heart rate, sleep monitor, gps, barometer, water-resistant)
- OK battery (lasts a week, if you don't use the GPS a lot)
- Screen always on, legible outdoors
- Covers many sports and offers a lot of statistics
Contra
- Design/ bulkiness (although only in size, otherwise weight is similar to a normal watch)
- Accuracy of sensors, while very good for the category, is still far from ideal
6 out of 51 reviews
How do ratings
work?