![]() Step tracking has also been good, but as ever, as long as it's not wildly off the mark it's less use comparing results to other devices than it is just seeing how you vary day to day, as the algorithm is going to remain fixed. Often I find the on-display reading is higher, but Garmin's algorithms seem to balance things out in the app. My resting heart rate has been generally accurate and has kept in line with the Fitbit Alta HR, which I've been wearing on the other wrist. With the Vivosmart 3 I've found day-to-day heart rate tracking to be pretty good. Generally speaking, optical heart rate monitors are much better at 24/7 heart rate tracking than they are at higher-octane activities. Sadly it's not as good looking as the Alta HR, the device it feels like it's going up against directly.Īt its most basic, the Vivosmart 3 tracks your steps and heart rate through the day, giving you an on-device readout of your beats for the last hour, including the highest and lowest points. ![]() We got caught by the rain on one jog, and had to wrestle with the screen a lot more to get it to do what we wanted. You have to be direct and bold in your movements, although when water gets involved it seems to get worse. So far we've found that it too often misinterprets taps for swipes or sometimes just doesn't respond at all. For example, with data such as step count and stair climbs you can tap to see your score for the day before, or a tap on heart rate will give you a tiny readout for the past hour along with your highest and lowest readings. Skipping through the different screens is done with a swipe up or down of the finger, and then a tap to see more data. But it's also one of the Vivosmart 3's weakest points, as it can be frustratingly unresponsive, especially the raise-to-wake gesture. The good news is that it's impressively bright, even with the midday sun blasting down on it. You can also pick it up in a choice of black or purple, but the latter only comes in the smaller of the two sizes.Īnother difference is that the display is no longer always-on, but requires either a tap or a raise of the wrist to wake. ![]() You've got two versions to pick from – small/medium, and large – but its unibody build means you're stuck with whichever size you get, so make sure you pick the right one. ![]() Unfortunately it also attracts smudges and dust like they're going out of fashion – seriously, it's tough to keep this thing clean. While it might not be too inspiring to look at, it's incredibly comfortable and also waterproof enough for swimming. The monochrome display is completely invisible when off, but it's quite small when on and stops short of the curve.įitness tracker face-off : Fitbit Alta HR v Misfit Ray The textured rubber band has a more unibody look than its predecessors, giving way to a smooth black strip down the middle that disguises the screen. The design of the Vivosmart 3 is functional, but not its strongest suit. It also comes in at, so Garmin is targeting the lower end of the fitness tracking market.īut do Fitbit, Misfit et al have anything to be worried about? It does drop the GPS as a result, unfortunately limiting the new tracker's potential as a running device. This is a wearable clearly designed to go head-to-head with the Fitbit Alta HR. It's slightly less focussed on sport than the GPS-toting Garmin Vivosport, with stress tracking, guided breathing exercises and sleep monitoring joining exercise detection, rep counting, and of course a heart rate monitor.Įssential reading: Garmin Vivoactive 3 review Garmin is turning its attentions back to the fitness tracker with the Garmin Vivosmart 3, with wellness at its heart.
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