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- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes45
- First reviewNovember 15, 2015
- Last reviewNovember 15, 2015
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- Average rating5
- Review comment count2
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentNovember 15, 2015
- Last review commentNovember 19, 2015
- Featured review comments0
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- First answerNovember 15, 2015
- Last answerNovember 15, 2015
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Nell's Reviews
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
Customer Rating
5
Good tracker - better than Fitbit Charge HR
on November 15, 2015
Posted by: Nell
This is the class leading product. I view the Garmin Vivosmart HR as a direct competitor to the Fitbit Charge HR. It is a smart activity tracker with optical HR. It also serves as a watch and a simple notification screen to avoid needing to looking at the 80's super computer we carry in our pockets (smart phone).
My wife and daughter both have the Fitbit Charge HR, so I had the opportunity to test both products. The Garmin Vivosmart HR is superior in a variety of ways.
Heart Rate - There are two modes - activity mode and every day mode. The Heart Rate is accurate when it is in activity mode. I have done several cycling rides and compared the heart rate with a heart rate strap - and it was almost equal. In contrast the Fitbit - was not accurate when the heart varied. The second mode, the all day mode, is designed to test your heart every so often, the more activity it detects the more frequent it will test. This was accurate enough for me. FWIW it uses three Leds instead of two on other devices.
Battery - Since it tests the heart rate every 1-20 minutes depending on activity the battery lasts 3-5 days. In contrast to the Fitbit HRs we have, which need to be charged everyday.
Messages - I find this quite helpful - instead of having to pull the phone out my pocket or reach for it. I can sit in a meeting and see I got message (or a call), or reminder to finish the meeting. The vibration seemed just right for me, enough so I can feel it but quiet enough that others can't hear it (unless they are dead silent). The vibration was strong enough so that I would feel it while cycling hard. With an IPhone it will push notifications to the phone for those apps that you set up to receive messages on the IPhone - using the standard iOS.
Screen Size - The screen is good for what it is designed to do - much more usable than the Fitbit, in size and with touchscreen. But small enough so it fits on the wrist. With that said - it can't display a whole txt message with scrolling through it, but the first line or two are typically enough (in relatively small font).
Heart Rate Broadcast - This is more for cyclists, runners, triathletes etc... The VSMHR will broadcast the heart rate in ANT+ mode to other ANT+ devices - for example a Garmin 510 Cycling computer. So you can wear it all day and during workout pair it with your more advanced athletic tracker.
The Garmin software is good and improving – sometimes a bit awkward, make sure you get the most recent update for the device.
After looking at some other reviews some other comments:
- This is an activity tracker – not a $450 fitness watch – but it does offer 24/7 heart rate tracking
- In order to get good HR response, you need to use the workout mode
- The wrist strap needs to be snug to get good HR readings
- Don’t expect the accelerometer to detect the difference in activities – it can not tell the difference between walking, cycling, bowling, skiing or swimming – it is not currently designed to do so.
- All the activity trackers approximate your calorie usage, by tracking your heart rate and movement – You naturally use calories while you sleep, and much more during exercise – the longer and higher you heart rate – the more. These are approximations – don’t base your sugar intake based on these approximations
- You enter your typical sleep time once – as long as you go to sleep during that 6-8 hour window it tracks your sleep
- This does not have GPS built in (it is only $150)
- This is not the right activity tracker if you need precise heart rate updates on a minute by minute basis 24 hours a day (for health reasons)
- This is an activity tracker – not a $450 fitness watch – but it does offer 24/7 heart rate tracking
- In order to get good HR response, you need to use the workout mode
- The wrist strap needs to be snug to get good HR readings
- Don’t expect the accelerometer to detect the difference in activities – it can not tell the difference between walking, cycling, bowling, skiing or swimming – it is not currently designed to do so.
- All the activity trackers approximate your calorie usage, by tracking your heart rate and movement – You naturally use calories while you sleep, and much more during exercise – the longer and higher you heart rate – the more. These are approximations – don’t base your sugar intake based on these approximations
- You enter your typical sleep time once – as long as you go to sleep during that 6-8 hour window it tracks your sleep
- This does not have GPS built in (it is only $150)
- This is not the right activity tracker if you need precise heart rate updates on a minute by minute basis 24 hours a day (for health reasons)
My Best Buy number: 2712788450
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+44points
45of 46voted this as helpful.
Nell's Review Comments
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5Doesn't really do anything well
By BPBK
from NJ
I was contemplating between this and the charge HR. I have an iPhone and liked that you could get smartphone alerts and that it was waterproof.
Fit - it's not very comfortable at all, the ideal place to wear it for heart rate is above your wrist bone, so if you're active and sweat even a little, it will fall to your wrist - this got annoying rather quickly.
The heart rate was +/- a few BPM at resting heart rate but as you get more active, the more unreliable this tracking became - combine that with the wearable continually sliding up and down your wrist and it renders the HR function all but useless.
The smartphone notifications were sporadic and hard to read. The music playing functionality only works with the native iTunes app - no third part support for spotify or the like.
For being a new best buy exclusive product with no real reviews - literally no employees at the store had a clue what it did or how it compared to other products.
Wearables are getting there but are still very far off.
Nell
Park City, Utah
Heart Rate
November 15, 2015
To get an accurate Heart Rate during workouts you need to put it in workout mode. The heart rate on optical sensors uses LEDs to track the blood pulses, if it doesn't fit snuggly it can't detect effectively.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5WoW Totally Disapointing!
By Holsen
Here's the threaded discussion between me and Garmin Support which should tell the whole story.
---------------------------------------------
Me to Garmin:
I just bought this but I am questioning it's accuracy. It's giving me an average resting heart rate of 42. I've been wearing 2 days. I dont think so, Furthermore, when I swipe from clock to HR reading, the indicator shows me that the senor is looking for a reading and displays a very low (like 50 or 48) HR reading; then the indicator stops flashing and my HR displays at 62. It's like the HR sensor goes to sleep. I'm certain that I'm getting artificially low averages and readings. It will be interesting to get this thing out for my first bike ride to compare the HR reading from the VivoSmart with Previous averages recorded by my MIO Link. The MIO is very accurate and unfortunately I have a feeling this VivoSmart is going to be returned. I'll give it a week. Any Comments?
------------------------
Garmin to Me:
Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I'll be happy to help. I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with the vivosmart HR's heart rate data. I do have a few questions.
What is the software version on the device?
How much lower is the heart rate data than your average?
Please advise, we look forward to hearing from you.
----------------------
Me to Garmin:
---------------------------------------------
Me to Garmin:
I just bought this but I am questioning it's accuracy. It's giving me an average resting heart rate of 42. I've been wearing 2 days. I dont think so, Furthermore, when I swipe from clock to HR reading, the indicator shows me that the senor is looking for a reading and displays a very low (like 50 or 48) HR reading; then the indicator stops flashing and my HR displays at 62. It's like the HR sensor goes to sleep. I'm certain that I'm getting artificially low averages and readings. It will be interesting to get this thing out for my first bike ride to compare the HR reading from the VivoSmart with Previous averages recorded by my MIO Link. The MIO is very accurate and unfortunately I have a feeling this VivoSmart is going to be returned. I'll give it a week. Any Comments?
------------------------
Garmin to Me:
Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I'll be happy to help. I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with the vivosmart HR's heart rate data. I do have a few questions.
What is the software version on the device?
How much lower is the heart rate data than your average?
Please advise, we look forward to hearing from you.
----------------------
Me to Garmin:
My Software has been updated to 2.50
I’m not sure what my resting heart rate would be but it must be above 40 at least in the mid 50s. I’m 50 years old and not super fit. I would say I am of average fitness.
Let me tell you what happened today.
I went to the gym and did a 45 minute high intensity spin class. I was about 10 minutes into the work out and the heart rate read out was 66 – there’s no way, I know my body and was at minimum 110 t 120 bpm. When I was 20 minutes into the work out I checked again, swiped to the HR screen and the first thing I saw was a flashing HR icon. It took a few seconds then the flashing stopped and the readout came to the screen and showed me 70, then is started going down 68, 67, 66 …. At that point my actual HR must have been somewhere around 140. The screen went to sleep, I swiped back and then it showed me 168. Then back to 70 about a minute later.
There’s no way this is accurate. I finished my spin class then hit the weight room, did a bunch of sit ups, squats and did some reps with weights. When it was all done I had been I the gym for 90+ minutes and as of right now as I write this the VivoSmart HR shows me 0 of 150 intensity minutes. I don’t trust this device at all. Is it this particular device which is flawed or is it a problem for the product in general?
--------------------
Garmin to Me:
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I would be happy to help. The optical heart rate sensor on your vivosmart HR uses light to penetrate your skin and estimate your heart rate. This allows you to get heart rate information without the need for an external sensor. To ensure best possible accuracy, follow the below guidelines.
For best heart rate accuracy:
• Ensure wrist is clean and dry
• Ensure snug fit on wrist
• Wear watch on outside of wrist, away from wrist bone
• Avoid wearing it over dark tattoos
• Ensure green lights are functioning
I’m not sure what my resting heart rate would be but it must be above 40 at least in the mid 50s. I’m 50 years old and not super fit. I would say I am of average fitness.
Let me tell you what happened today.
I went to the gym and did a 45 minute high intensity spin class. I was about 10 minutes into the work out and the heart rate read out was 66 – there’s no way, I know my body and was at minimum 110 t 120 bpm. When I was 20 minutes into the work out I checked again, swiped to the HR screen and the first thing I saw was a flashing HR icon. It took a few seconds then the flashing stopped and the readout came to the screen and showed me 70, then is started going down 68, 67, 66 …. At that point my actual HR must have been somewhere around 140. The screen went to sleep, I swiped back and then it showed me 168. Then back to 70 about a minute later.
There’s no way this is accurate. I finished my spin class then hit the weight room, did a bunch of sit ups, squats and did some reps with weights. When it was all done I had been I the gym for 90+ minutes and as of right now as I write this the VivoSmart HR shows me 0 of 150 intensity minutes. I don’t trust this device at all. Is it this particular device which is flawed or is it a problem for the product in general?
--------------------
Garmin to Me:
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I would be happy to help. The optical heart rate sensor on your vivosmart HR uses light to penetrate your skin and estimate your heart rate. This allows you to get heart rate information without the need for an external sensor. To ensure best possible accuracy, follow the below guidelines.
For best heart rate accuracy:
• Ensure wrist is clean and dry
• Ensure snug fit on wrist
• Wear watch on outside of wrist, away from wrist bone
• Avoid wearing it over dark tattoos
• Ensure green lights are functioning
Please let us know if you need further assistance.
------------------------
Me To Garmin:
Thank you for your considered email but you didn’t really tell me anything.
• My wrist is clean and dry
• The Device is snugly fit on my wrist
• I am wearing watch snugly above the wrist bone
• I don’t have any tattoos
• Green lights are functioning
I don’t mean to be offensive but I’m not an idiot. You simply cut and pasted the info from your FAQ page. I also have a Mio Link which is an optical wrist worn HRM and is perfectly accurate and my Garmin Edge 510 cycle computer picks up . I bought the Vivo smart because the Mio unit doesn’t have a display; it is only a transmitting device which is fine but the Mio product is has short battery life, and with no display, I never know how much battery is left before it drains.
------------------------
Me To Garmin:
Thank you for your considered email but you didn’t really tell me anything.
• My wrist is clean and dry
• The Device is snugly fit on my wrist
• I am wearing watch snugly above the wrist bone
• I don’t have any tattoos
• Green lights are functioning
I don’t mean to be offensive but I’m not an idiot. You simply cut and pasted the info from your FAQ page. I also have a Mio Link which is an optical wrist worn HRM and is perfectly accurate and my Garmin Edge 510 cycle computer picks up . I bought the Vivo smart because the Mio unit doesn’t have a display; it is only a transmitting device which is fine but the Mio product is has short battery life, and with no display, I never know how much battery is left before it drains.
I was hoping this VivoSmart HR would address that. So I have come to the conclusion as one of two possibilities:
1. I either have a faulty unit or
2. This product wasn’t ready for release (similar to the way Microsoft releases operating systems)
1. I either have a faulty unit or
2. This product wasn’t ready for release (similar to the way Microsoft releases operating systems)
I have written in to support because I’m looking for support. Do you stand behind this product? I have written a detailed account of the behavior of my device and I want to know if it is normal and I’m going to return it, or if I can get a replacement. I want to love this thing, that's why I bought it. I just can’t trust it because it hasn’t given me any accurate readings and after several works outs now, tells me I have had no intensity minutes.
I’ll appreciate your response. Perhaps you’d like to escalate this.
------------------------
I just sent this comment to Garmin Support:
I just made a discovery that seems to fix my problem. Using connect, I changed the settings for default screen from “Clock” to “Heartrate” and now the device is sending consistent HR data and seems to be correct. Like I said before. It’s like when the device is in the clock screen or any screen other than HR, the HR sensors go to sleep – therefore the inaccurate readings. I haven't heard any further but will monitor what happens next time I go for a ride or go to the gym. I will post the results of my new test with HR set as the default screen.
------------------------
I just sent this comment to Garmin Support:
I just made a discovery that seems to fix my problem. Using connect, I changed the settings for default screen from “Clock” to “Heartrate” and now the device is sending consistent HR data and seems to be correct. Like I said before. It’s like when the device is in the clock screen or any screen other than HR, the HR sensors go to sleep – therefore the inaccurate readings. I haven't heard any further but will monitor what happens next time I go for a ride or go to the gym. I will post the results of my new test with HR set as the default screen.
Nell
Park City, Utah
Getting a good HR
November 19, 2015
When using the Vivosmart during a workout you should select work out mode - it will then sample the heart rate on regular basis to produce a very accurate heart rate.
That said, it is a new device and it isn't obvious from the manual that you need to do this.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Nell's Questions
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Nell's Answers
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
How do you charge the battery?
To charge do you need to purchase extra cords and plugs or is that included in the purchase price.
Included - charges via USB.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell
Park City, Utah
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
How long does the battery last? How long to charge?
Fit bit hr only lasts 3 days and takes 4hours to charge. I did not want that.looking for one with a better battery life. My mom has the fit bit and isn't liking that either
The battery life is dependent upon usage - if you use workout mode a lot it will shorten battery live. Garmin says up to 5 days, 4 days is probably a good estimate for most people.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
people sweat when they exercise - is this water or sweat proof?
people sweat when they exercise - is this water or sweat proof?
Both.
To get a good heart rate it needs to fit snug.
To get a good heart rate it needs to fit snug.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
What is the accuracy for each feature (e.g. Heart rate, step, calorie, etc)?
What is the accuracy for each feature (e.g. Heart rate, step, calorie, etc)?
The heart rate in workout mode is comparable to a heart rate strap. Very good.
It approximates your calorie usage by heart rate and movement. Thus if you do an activity at a heart rate of 130 bpm for 40 minutes you burn real calories.
The steps seem accurate for an activity tracker - it is not meant to be 100% accurate.
No two people are equal. Studies show that people that base their caloric intake based on their watch gain weight.... because they get credit for sleeping and sitting.
While this is obvious - If the tracker doesn't move (pushing shopping cart) - you don't get credit unless you move your heart rate up.
It approximates your calorie usage by heart rate and movement. Thus if you do an activity at a heart rate of 130 bpm for 40 minutes you burn real calories.
The steps seem accurate for an activity tracker - it is not meant to be 100% accurate.
No two people are equal. Studies show that people that base their caloric intake based on their watch gain weight.... because they get credit for sleeping and sitting.
While this is obvious - If the tracker doesn't move (pushing shopping cart) - you don't get credit unless you move your heart rate up.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
How do you turn the sleep mode on?
I can only figure out how to put "do not disturb" mode on, and track my sleep manually.
The sleep mode works automatically - you put your typical sleep time in once (for example 11pm-6am), as long as you go to sleep before 6am it will track your sleeping.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell
Garmin Vivosmart HR Activity Tracker: Measure your daily activity with this device that helps you to set and maintain aerobic fitness goals. Vibration alerts let you receive call, text and e-mail notifications from your phone.
Does the synchronization from this device to a mobile phone require an internet connection?
Does the synchronization from this device to a mobile phone require an internet connection? because right the https://connect.garmin.com/ is down and I cannot sync any data to my IPhone.
The sync is done via blue tooth - however the app stores the data in the cloud so it requires internet to work properly.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Nell