Garmin Vivoactive 3 Review
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 is smartwatch packed with features. This watch has GPS tracking which is a perfect tracker for the fitness buff on the go, has a heart rate sensor and a selection of built-in apps that keep tabs on a range of sports activities from running to skiing to snowboarding. Garmin 3 maybe a firm favorite among those serious about fitness.
Packaging and Design
Garmin Vivoactive 3’s design looks sporty yet with smart features. It is more like a watch than a bulky fitness tracker and its standard features include a time and date display, an alarm clock function, a timer and a stopwatch. This watch maybe described more as lifestyle wearables since they care as much about step counts, sleep and stress.
There are three different style options to choose from: all black, black with silver accents and a white option. With a depth of 11.7mm, the Garmin 3 sits well against our arms. Combined with a super flexible silicone strap makes it comfortable to wear. It is flexible and very easy to get on and off. You can also to replace the strap with any other 20mm quick release band if you don’t like it.
The screen measures 1.2 inches and has a 240 x 240 pixel display which is just the right size for a range of wrist both big and small without having to sacrifice the information and you having to squint to see the stats. It also has a color transflective screen for easier reading even in direct sunlight and to make a big saving on battery life too. The display is always on but dimmed and the backlight turns on when you flip your wrist up. It has a four pin charging port which is small and can’t be felt on your skin as well as its optical heart sensor that sits flush against your wrist. The device is durable and could withstand the most grueling of workout sessions because of its screen that is Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and the case is made from reinforced polymer. Garmin Vivoactive design looks premium but most importantly for a 24/7 wearable, feels comfortable.
Performance
Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a Smartwatch that focuses on fitness but this versatile wearable include among its features the smart notifications that alert you of your text messages and calls right on your arm.
The watch comes with 15 preloaded sports profiles from running to golf and if your favorite sport is not included, you can add custom profiles too. It has onboard lifestyle features like sleep and stress tracking but is also competitive with similar multi-purpose smartwatches with its notifications and onboard contactless payment system called the Garmin Pay.
Additional features of the Vivoactive 3 like the GPS tracking, 24/7 fitness tracking, continuous heart rate monitoring that gives athletes a way to monitor their resting heart from day to day make it a well-rounded companion for those working towards goals, whether weight or fitness conscious. It tracks your sleep patterns as well and can auto-detect your wake up and bedtimes.
Vivoactive 3 is also waterproof up to 50m which is ideal for a swimmer, thus, making showering and washing-up easier since there is no need to take it on or off all the time. The battery life is up to seven days when used for day-to-day activity tracking and an impressive 13 hours with GPS as compared to some smartwatches that struggle to achieve around four hours. It uses Bluetooth Smart connectivity and charges pretty quickly as well in less than half an hour with a dead battery.
Verdict
Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a smartwatch designed with mainstream audiences in mind. It has smart notifications with fitness tracking combined with health and lifestyle features. Its stylish design is ready for 24/7 wear. Vivoactive 3 is the more affordable option when it comes to sports tracking. If you’re into more than one sport, Vivoactive 3 has you covered since it includes specific tracking features for cycling, running, golf and swimming. Considered one of the most versatile wearables which are bound to suit different people like triathletes. With its GPS capabilities, improved battery life and it’s waterproof, this smartwatch is really for fitness enthusiasts. Its focus on stress and heart rate would be ideal for someone who wants to holistically improve their health and fitness too.
FAQs
How long can Garmin Vivoactive 3 store fitness activities?
Your device stores up to 14 days of activity tracking and heart rate monitoring data, and up to seven timed activities. You can view your last seven timed activities on your device. You can synchronize your data to view unlimited activities, activity tracking data, and heart rate monitoring data on your Garmin Connect account. When the device memory is full, your oldest data is overwritten.
What is the important device care for Garmin Vivoactive 3?
Avoid extreme shock and harsh treatment, because it can degrade the life of the product. Avoid pressing the keys under water. Do not use a sharp object to clean the device. Never use a hard or sharp object to operate the touchscreen, or damage may result. Avoid chemical cleaners, solvents, and insect repellents that can damage plastic components and finishes. Thoroughly rinse the device with fresh water after exposure to chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, cosmetics, alcohol or other harsh chemicals. Do not store device where prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can occur because it can cause permanent damage.
Good: Garmin Vivoactive 3 has a subtle, sleek and stylish design, that provides accurate metrics and distance tracking, good heart rate monitor, long battery life, feature packed and great value. It tracks a range of activities and has an easy-to-read display. The watch can also alert you to incoming calls, messages and other notifications. The new Garmin Pay system allows users to use their watch for payments so there’s no need to carry around wallet, you can just use your credit card by simply adding its info to the watch and tap to pay using PayPass technology. Durability is not an issue since the Watch face is chemically toughened with sturdy stainless steel accents.
Not so good: Garmin Vivoactive 3 does not have the capability to store music on the watch. Garmin Pay is not universally accepted and the One button operation is not ideal. It also feels a little plasticky and the coaching elements are limited. You cannot choose which apps get alerts. The one-button operation is a little annoying and limiting.