![]() ![]() In day-to-day use, however, we found ourselves often wishing for buttons. The idea of swiping through screens of data and getting exactly what you want with the tap of a finger can seem magical. We are, however, constantly checking our heart rate so we moved it directly below the time of day screen on the menu so we could get to it quickly by swiping up once. We’ve never been all that interested in the number of calories we burn each day, so we just hid that data screen from the menu. Garmin’s Connect app allows easy editing and reordering of the data screens, so setting up a customized experience is simple. Getting to the vivoactive HR’s data screens require a swipe up or down across the screen. One nice thing about Garmin’s growing range of fitness devices is that they all pair to the same free Garmin Connect smartphone app. It definitely flattens the learning curve for those who stay in the Garmin family. Because all the devices use the same app, it doesn’t matter which Garmin fitness device you use (from the vivofit to the Index Smart Scale) all the data are displayed in the app the same way, on the same pages, in the same colors. Click on the the vivoactive HR and follow the directions. Click the “more” button in the bottom right of the app, scroll down and select “Garmin Devices,” then tap on the blue bar at the bottom of the screen that says “Add Device.” The following screen has a list of all of Garmin’s products. Once you’ve downloaded the app and set up an account by answering a few personal metrics questions it is quite easy to add a new one. One nice thing about Garmin’s growing range of fitness devices is that they all pair to the same free Garmin Connect ( Android | iOS) smartphone app. The Garmin vivoactive HR we tested arrived with the watch and band, a USB charging cable, and a start-up guide. If that isn’t enough, the watch is also compatible with Garmin’s Connect IQ store were even more apps, widgets, and watch faces can be downloaded to add even more customized functionality. The vivoactive HR also gives remote control access to Garmin’s Virb action cameras and Varia smart bike lights. For cyclists the vivoactive HR tracks speed and (with an optional sensor) pedal cadence, but is unable to pair with power meters. ![]() It will record speed, distance, and pace but lacks deeper running metrics. The running functions are a pared down version of Garmin’s specialized Forerunner watches. This means, that while it will track pool swimming, cycling, and running metrics, it cannot track a triathlon. But it doesn’t have “multisport” app functionality. It tracks cycling (indoor and out), walking, stand-up paddling, rowing, running (indoor and out), pool swimming, and golf (with access to metrics for 40,000 golf courses). The vivoactive HR has most (but not all) of the activity tracking features of Garmin’s high end fenix 3 line of watches. The vivoactive HR blends the look and shape of the company’s fitness bands with the technology found inside Garmin’s high-end smartwatches. The silicone strap fits the case so closely that it appears to be one piece with the case, however, the vivoactive HR’s band is both removable and replaceable. Where the original vivoactive was thin, sleek, and stylish (so much so that it was often mistaken for the Apple Watch), the vivoactive HR is bigger, thicker, and comes in only one color: black. The functional styling suggests that Garmin built this watch more for the fitness crowd than for fashionistas hoping to track a few activities. Aside from sticking with a rectangular touch screen, everything else about the case and band have changed. ![]() The vivoactive HR is a complete redesign of Garmin’s do-almost-everything GPS fitness watch. When we first heard about the vivoactive HR we assumed Garmin had simply added an optical heart rate monitoring to back of the vivoactive, but it did much more. The most recent evidence is the vivoactive HR, a latest addition to the company’s popular vivo series of fitness bands. Garmin hasn’t let competition from Fitbit, Samsung, or even Apple slow down its quest to build the perfect GPS fitness watch for every single segment of the activity tracking market. Heart rate monitor not reliable during vigorous exercise ![]()
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