GARMIN VIVOACTIVE
(Posted 2015-11-29 03:48:44 by corey_reichle)

So, I made a deal with De, that after the Turkey Trot, if I was still into
running (Today, I went for a run), I could get a running-specific watch.

I was going to get the Fitbit Surge [
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N2BWF6Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00N2BWF6Q&linkCode=as2&tag=coreyreichlec-20&linkId=ZL5NOT2Q2J7OTDNX
].  Fortunately, for me, Target stores nearby only had the small sized
units in stock (Hey, it was Black Friday, and no, I didn't go at 3AM, more
like 1PM).  They had a deal for $199 for the Fitbit.  But, I started
looking at the Vivoactive [
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RE1UL52/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00RE1UL52&linkCode=as2&tag=coreyreichlec-20&linkId=CX3ZBCZ3JQRWB5AK
], which I've been eyeballing for a while now, but ruled it out as "Too
expensive".

But, $169 was the deal today for it!  So, I pulled the trigger.

I am in love with this device!  It has the nice mix between smartwatch, and
fitness watch.  I like to have as few devices as possible for a purpose,
and I'd like to be able to leave my phone at home, if needed.  In reality,
I dread seeing each run/walk I do drain 40% of the phone battery.  I'd
prefer my phone to be able to make/take calls, and if I can offload battery
utilization to another device, I'm all for that!

Initially, when opening the box, I was disappointed because I thought (From
the box) it had an inbuilt HRM.  Not the case!  And, it only uses ANT+
HRM's, so my Bluetooth HRM is useless now. But, I really didn't use it very
often, so I suppose I'll get a new one when I get around to it.

And, the next letdown:  I went to install some new watchfaces, because the
default is rather, shall we say, non-informative (No BT status, no battery
status, etc etc).  After installing the apps, the watch kept rebooting.  I
was about to get ready to return it, but then decided to do a firmware
update.  Lo and behold:  Fixed all the issues with rebooting.

Went on a run today with the watch, and I have to say:  It sure beats
relying on the somewhat flaky linking between the phone (Running Runkeeper
[ https://www.runkeeper.com ]) and my Pebble [
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BKEQBI0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BKEQBI0&linkCode=as2&tag=coreyreichlec-20&linkId=PPEEKFPIXP2IBOYQ
]!  In fact, this is exactly what I was looking for:  The watch to focus on
tracking the run, and let the sync happen later.  I need the stats now,
without digging my phone out.

I do also love the fact that I can install apps, watchfaces, and whatever
the vendor forgot to put in.  I can even write an app myself to cover, say,
hiking needs.  Connect IQ is definitely a plus.

I am saddened I lose the Runkeeper integration, but I also canceled by
Runkeeper Go subscription, because the GarminConnect site is actually on
par with Runkeeper Go.  Runkeeper Go gave me some additional charts, and
that was really all.  I did like the music integration, and social
integration; but GarminConnect has the social part, and Music integration
was a "nice to have" really.  I wish Runkeeper would focus on fleshing out
the webapp, to offer more features, which might have enticed me to keep the
sub.  I'm not sure where they're dev work is going, but it's seemed to have
stalled out.

But, all in all, I'm thrilled with the Vivoactive.  For anyone except 10K+
race trainees, you cannot beat the nice blend of stylish smartwatch with
fitness watch.  For those more into running than I (60+ miles per week),
maybe the Fenix or another model would be more suitable.

--------

There is 1 comment on this post:

Comment #1 by Goodbye (For Now) Runkeeper, Hello Garmin Connect! –
Corey Reichle (  ) on 2016-01-30 01:51:29
[...] if you recall my last post, I ended up buying a Garmin Vivoactive,
which is a blend of running watch, fitness tracker, and [...]


To submit a comment on this post, email corey.reichle@gmail.com or visit us
on the web [ https://www.coreyreichle.com ].