Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Review
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- The Good
- Water-resistant
- Display is readable in direct sunlight
- GPS capabilities
- Optical heart rate tracker
- The Bad
- High price point
- Bulky, unattractive design
- Lack of multisport modes
- Smart coaching not included
The new Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is being described as a “monster” of a fitness tracker. When you consider its included GPS capability and an optical heart rate tracking system, the word “monster” does seem to fit. The signature features of the Vivosmart HR+ make it most appealing to those who are all-in for physical fitness. The cost, however, makes it prohibitive for a large section of potential consumers.
- Price
- $109.99 to $219.99
The price for the Vivosmart HR+ is at the high end of the fitness tracker market. One could argue that you’re paying for the brand in addition to the features, but that’s little consolation to those who would like the Garmin but must go with a lesser known brand to fit it into the budget.
- Tracking
- Steps
- Distance
- Activity length
- Sleep
- Flights climbed
- Heart rate
There are three special features available on the Garmin Vivosmart HR+. The first is daily activity tracking; the second is a robust Smartphone notification system; the third is the GPS tracker for running. The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ also has a 24/7 heart rate tracker, which keeps a running record of your heart’s beats per minute. Comparing the data from the heart rate sensor during physical activity to numbers obtained during rest gives a more accurate picture of your health.
- Features
- Charging/data clip to attach to clothing
- Sensitive touchscreen
- Water-resistant
- Syncs to select Apple and Android devices
- Vibration alert
- Smartphone notifications for call and text
- Inactivity alert
A fitting description for the Vivosmart HR+ is “part fitness tracker, part smartwatch.” It has all the standard features of a tracker while also offering Smartphone notifications. The moving bar to remind you not to veg out on the sofa is an interesting feature that has potential to motivate some to improve their mobility level. Others could find it annoying.
- Specs
- Weight
- 8 ounces
- Dimensions
- 7.7 inches x 4.6 inches x 3.2 inches
- Battery
- Up to 5-day battery life
- Wrist dimensions
- 5 to 8 inches in circumference
- Warranty
- One year
The Vivosmart HR+ is not as light as some of the other trackers, but considering all of its extras, that is not surprising. The long battery life is a nice feature, and so is the one-year warranty.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+: User Reviews
Garmin Vivosmart HR+: Comments
The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is clearly geared toward those who have active lifestyles and are meticulous about their health. It could be quite useful for anyone who wants to keep track of their health-related activities each day. The Vivosmart HR+ allows these people to go about their active lives without thinking about the smartphone tucked into their pocket or stuffed into their bag. They simply use the Vivosmart HR+ to monitor their incoming calls and texts.
How Does Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Work?
The Vivosmart HR+ hits all the right bases as a fitness tracker. It will measure daily activities for you, such as number of steps, floors climbed, etc. It monitors your heart rate throughout the day and will automatically track your sleep patterns.
You can find these features on other fitness trackers. Others will do it at a lower price, too. It will also display iPhone or Android phone notifications, and you don’t have to panic if you jump in the pool with it on.
What Makes the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Stand Out?
The obvious icing on the cake is the GPS built into this wearable device. But it also has subtle perks that garner it the “monster” moniker in fitness tracking circles. It has a dedicated training mode especially geared for running. This includes a run/walk mode and a virtual pacer mode.
You can get a 4-hour history of your activity in the form of a graph, including your heart rate. It is a smart looking device, but it could be a bit on the big size for anyone with a small wrist. The touch screen is large enough to allow you to access your stats and smartphone functions, including music controls, with ease.
Common Reviews of Garmin Vivosmart HR+
A review of reviews for the Vivosmart HR+ finds many users comparing the size of the device to comparable products. The HR+ is bigger and thicker than its competition, it seems. While the screen is low resolution, it is still highly responsive when swiped or touched. The anti-glare feature of the screen makes it easy to read under direct sunlight.
The water-resistance is a popular feature with the physically active crowd. The accuracy of the unit in measuring steps, floors climbed, heart rate and sleep is almost universally praised. Most report that they do like the inactivity alert and the Move bar feature.
Is the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ for Me?
You’ll find the Vivosmart HR+ on the wrists of people who are always on the go and active. This “monster” of the fitness trackers is for those who love intense activities – mountain climbing, swimming, running, etc. It lets them keep in touch with the normal world through calls and text while their phones are in their backpacks.
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