A:Answer I have the Garmin Vivoactive HR, with extra large band. Just bought the standard charging clip, and it works perfectly.
I've had the watch through everything, and it is by far my favorite- and I have compared it intensely with many brands and models.
Interfaces with all sensors, (Foot Pods, Speed/Cadence, Great GPS), Big so I can see it, still light and thin enough so the band holds it well and doesn't catch on things. Good interface to smart phone, although a remote smart phone real time larger display would be really helpful. Garmin Connect support I'd give a B+ to analyze the data, (but that is from an engineering data addict's point of view). I use the extra charging clip with an external battery if I am out of range of power for more than a day or two.
I am actually an optical sensor designer, so I understand the strengths and weakness of the optical HR sensing. Most activities I also wear a chest strap, so I watch the comparison. I found wearing the watch a little higher on the wrist helps isolate it from vibration and joint motion effects of the watch rattling back and forth in more violent activity. I also think it works better when I turn it to the underside of my wrist. Sometimes wearing something tight over it helps too. It picks up arterial pulse, but the chest strap can pick up atrial (electric) fibrillation. Comparing the two readings can be a great diagnostic.
