mvswmr
mvswmr's Stats
- Review Count1
- Helpfulness Votes11
- First ReviewSeptember 12, 2014
- Last ReviewSeptember 12, 2014
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count1
- Helpfulness Votes1
- First Review CommentSeptember 12, 2014
- Last Review CommentSeptember 12, 2014
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
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- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count3
- Helpfulness Votes2
- First AnswerSeptember 12, 2014
- Last AnswerSeptember 12, 2014
- Featured Answers0
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mvswmr's Reviews
Garmin - Vivosmart Activity Tracker (Large) - Black
Garmin Vivosmart Activity Tracker: Track your steps, calories, sleep and other health data, and enjoy access to a free online fitness community. This activity tracker reminds you to move when you sit still for too long, automatically sets a daily step goal based on your current activity level, and has a sleek, invisible OED display that comes to life when you get a call or text.
Very good, but niche product… a bit overpriced
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: mvswmr
from Mountain View, CA
on September 12, 2014
What's great about it: Simple, smart watch-lite, waterproof
What's not so great: expensive
As soon as the apple watch was revealed and the entire first generation of smart watches that included integrated heart rate monitoring (sorry pebble) was verified to be IP67 rated (good for the shower, but not for swimming), I decided to go the separate HRM & fitness band route. I was disappointed to learn that most of the fitness bands were also IP67. I can't stand chest straps for swimming, so I decided on the mio link wristband HRM paired with the vivosmart (on the same wrist). This specific use case is, admittedly, very niche. However, about the only thing it does not do for me is log swimming-specific metrics (laps/strokes/SWOLF/etc.)… the device has the necessary sensors for better swim tracking, but I'm guessing they do not want to cannibalize their swim watch or higher-end products.
I now have a VERY basic smart watch in a fitness-band form factor that gives me alerts, allows me to do HRM training in the pool (while recording HRM data for later transfer)… allows me to skip songs while running while keeping my phone in my pocket and using my favorite earbuds (i.e. ones without these controls), all while recording steps/distance/pace/HR/calories.
The Garmin Connect software is OK, but the integration with myfitnesspal makes it very usable. It would be nice to have more data options (e.g. raw accelerometer output) and export to CSV, as well as better training of activities/motions (recognizing different activities automatically), but that is a lot to ask for a fitness band.
My watch has had no quality issues at all (vibrate works fine, etc.)… still learning the quirks of the device, so might need to update review after more use. For example, when the device is wet, the swiping on the oled touchscreen does not work easily (need dry screen and fingers), so best to have the 'activity' screen up and going before hopping in the water, or a towel handy poolside. Need highest brightness for outside daytime use, so I guess it could be a bit brighter as well.
Overall, very pleased thus far.
This product has... Attractive design, Right size, Useful features, Easy to wear
About me... workout enthusiast
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
MIO - LINK Sport Wristband Heart Rate Monitor (Large) - Slate
(8)Age:35-44
+9points
11out of 13found this review helpful.
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mvswmr's Answers
Fitbit - Flex Wireless Activity Tracker - Teal
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Tracker: Keep an eye on your activity levels, sleep quality and calories burned with this wristband, which features LED lights that let you easily track progress toward your daily fitness goals. The silent alarm makes it easy to wake on time.
On an average ....how much data does it use?
My husband and I share 2GB's per month and usually only use 50%. Would I have to increase my plan?
The device syncs with your phone over bluetooth, and Garmin connect does not appear to use cellular (and is thus limited to one device for syncing). If you link your garminconnect account with myfitnesspal, myfitnesspal will use cellular data (I'm using about 3MB per day as a pretty active user), and of course, you can disable the app from using cellular data in your phone 'cellular' options… in which case, you'd sync with your computer rather than with your phone.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
mvswmr
from
Mountain View, CA
Garmin - Vivosmart Activity Tracker (Large) - Black
Garmin Vivosmart Activity Tracker: Track your steps, calories, sleep and other health data, and enjoy access to a free online fitness community. This activity tracker reminds you to move when you sit still for too long, automatically sets a daily step goal based on your current activity level, and has a sleek, invisible OED display that comes to life when you get a call or text.
so here is a question; i am a 5 9" male that plays tennis and cycling; what size shld i use?
so here is a question; i am a 5 9" male that plays tennis and cycling; what size band shld i use?
measure the circumference of your wrist above the wrist bone… I have 6.5" wrist and the large fits fine… the small would fit as well, but at the upper limits for the band. (they have sizing info on the Garmin site, BTW).
9 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
mvswmr
from
Mountain View, CA
Garmin - Vivosmart Activity Tracker (Large) - Black
Garmin Vivosmart Activity Tracker: Track your steps, calories, sleep and other health data, and enjoy access to a free online fitness community. This activity tracker reminds you to move when you sit still for too long, automatically sets a daily step goal based on your current activity level, and has a sleek, invisible OED display that comes to life when you get a call or text.
How does it recharge?
The description says it has rechargable batteries but the "What's included" only shows the band and a manual but no cable. So how do you recharge it?
It comes with a USB cable that clamps on the band for charging.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
mvswmr
from
Mountain View, CA