Customer Ratings & Reviews

I did quite a bit of research before buying the vivoactive. I decided upon it because it brings the step counting feature of a fitness band with the heart rate and GPS tracking of a running watch. I realize some fitness trackers have an optical heart rate monitor. But these monitors are not accurate when you are actually elevating your heart rate during cardio such as running. I really like checking out my stats online after a run and seeing my route on a map along with my heart rate, pace, speed, and cadence. The one feature that appears to be lacking is the ability to create interval workouts and use them on the watch. The garmin connect website lets you create the workout but the vivoactive doesn't seem to support them like the forerunner watches do. If this feature were integrated, I would have given it 5 stars.

As someone who likes to track/upload exercise like cycling, hiking, walking etc., have tried Fitbit Surge (2...one just quit) and Apple Watch thinking there would be lots of apps available. The watch was a disappointment with activity tracking diminishing battery life way too much. The Surge is wed totally to Fitbit software and gps web sites with diminished battery life tracking gps activities. I have several garmin gps's -- Edge 520, Edge 800, 310XT -- and like them as well as the garmin connect site. So why not try the Vivoactive -- on sale too! -- and compare. I did and had a very pleasant surprise with long battery life (days even with lots of gps use/activity), great software (steps, sleep, cycling, running, walking, apps. with potential for lots more), thin, and nice looking. Found a really nice looking watch face app! Better -- superior battery life! -- than the other two in my opinion.

The Vivoactive has just enough smart watch to be useful, but not too much to be distracting. I like being able to see notifications on the watch instead of having to pull my phone from my pocket [though not all apps work with it]. The health tracking is the main reason I bought it though I have not been as active as I used to be before the car accident. I plan to use it to try to get back into shape to hopefully lose the weight I gained while recovering from the car accident injury. I like how there is constantly new widgets being created for it to expand the functionality of the watch, though overall, there could still be lots added to the software for data crunchers like myself. I do like how you can change the watch face to have different looks and styles while still being able to track your health data. I got the heart rate monitor bundle and have rode an exercise bike to test it out and seemed to be pretty accurate. The sleep tracking does not seem to track my sleeping well since I do not go to bed at a constant time every night [you set it up with a typical sleep and wake time which it seems to use to try to determine when you are sleeping]. It does seem like it just monitors movement during the time you put in rather than track actual sleeping despite showing deep and light sleep patterns [Maybe if the HR monitor was built-in it could track this better? Not sure...]. Anyways, this is a great option for someone wanting a little more than just a basic health tracker and has/wants the heart rate band for much more accurate heart rate information.

The Vivoactive is a smart watch. Wait the Vivoactive is a step counter. No, the Vivoactive is a GPS runners watch. Actually it serves all those functions and does it in a waterproof body that Garmin advertises that you can wear in the shower or for a swim. It has been a great compromise solution for me. Although the software can occasionally be buggy, it isn't a big problem. Garmin seems to be committed to continuously update the software, so even if they "break" a feature, a fix isn't far behind. I love that it truly is waterproof and not just water resistant. The step counting seems to be accurate and the move reminder is an appreciated feature.

Absolutely love this thing! I have a Garmin 910XT that I use for my multi-sport activity, so I had my reservations about getting this too, but I'm super glad that I decided to go ahead and get it. I pretty much love everything about the Vivoactive: It fits like a normal watch it's great that it interfaces with Garmin Connect Swim lap/distance tracking without having to use my 910 Finds GPS signal very fast Battery life is great! depending on how much I use one of the GPS apps, I'm charging once per 3-4/days. If there was anything I could change, it'd be to make it slightly brighter when indoors, but really, I'm fine with it. Outdoors, it's very bright.

I was a bit skeptical about buying this watch because of my past experience. I had a FitBit Surge before this and I have to say, this is 10 times better in my opinion. I love this watch for many reasons, one it's multi purpose function. The battery last a good amount of time, so that's a plus. I use it everyday and have the calorie count constantly on, not to mention using it to track my runs... It still lasts a good week before the battery runs low. Overall it was a great buy. It would be nicer if the backlight was a bit brighter but it's a minor inconvenience.

I am an Apple everything kinda person, So when I bought this Garmin smart watch I was a little skeptical but I'm glad that I did. It did everything I wanted to and way more. It even comes with a precise heart rate monitor that you can wear while working out. It keeps track of my bike rides on different trails. The best part is that it gives me a daily goal for me to beat. Overall it's amazing buy!

I really like the GPS on this watch but I am disappointed in the step counter. The step counter works fine when walking but records steps when driving or sitting at my desk. I therefore ignore the step counting feature and use on the GPS to track distance.

I bought this Garmin with the Heart Rate monitor. The watch is amazing, the web based dashboards are easy to use, it synchronizes easily with my IPhone 6, and keeps me on the right pace when running, indoors, outdoors, even swimming. I love it

This watch is very good if you plan on using it primarily for the golf gps. I use the fitness apps as well, but the golf program is where it shines. Great battery life as well.

I use this mainly for my Swimming and road bike training, and I must say, the watch is excellent in both practices. The accurate stroke counter allows you to identify the (very few) miscounted laps, and it makes it virtually perfect. Compared to my previous Tomtom, this is an enormous advantage, the higher cost is fully paidback. Also, the Iphone App is pretty cool and complete. I have been recommending this Garmin Vívoactive to all my friends

I reviewed smart watches for weeks before finally making the purchase of my VivoActive. It is a great watch, doesn't need to be charged for weeks, good athletic tracker and fantastic for the golf course! I even change up the watch face every week to keep it fun.Now for the downsides although minor.... Hard to see unless there is plenty of light, There is a light button but don't care to use to hands to tell the time. the steps "move" feature is the terrible. i don't care to know I have to move every 30 minutes. This cannot be turned off...yet (please update so i can). And finally, the app does not always sync up to the watch. If i had a choice of going back and buying a watch from the beginning i would still buy this watch. I hope you enjoy yours just as much.

It's the end of December and I started exercising during the past summer. Part of my regimen was walking. I was doing about 3 miles a day. Once I got my Vivoactive and downloaded Garmen express and joined the challenge group my walking increased to 4-5 miles a day and sometimes more. On mornings when I wake up and feel too tired to walk I remember the challenge group and make myself get up and go. The only time I missed a day was when I had an early appointment and didn't have time later in the day to make it up. My purchase included the heart monitor so I could document my heart rate and know whether or not I was reaching aerobic levels. There are many activities for which the Vivoactive can be used. I have found it fun, informative and motivating. I look forward to the summer when I can use it to track my swimming. Very happy I bought it.

I had the Samsung Gearft before purchasing my Garmin Vioactive watch. Now I rarely use the gearfit. It is bigger but the battery lasts longer and I can swim in my gym pool. I got the set with the heart rate belt but haven't used it yet.

Great "smartwatch" for someone who's primary interest is in gps/fitness features rather than "smartwatch" features. Love the small low profile design as well. It's definitely a middle of road product in terms of features, lacking features of advanced gps watches like barometric based altimeter, and advanced running metrics, as well as not having advanced smartwatch features like wrist based calling, email or text. However, for the price it covers all the essential features most will need from a fitness watch, and provides notifications from your smart phone. The battery lasts for days, depending on how often you use the gps (for running, biking, etc.), so you're not constantly charging this thing every night. If you absolutely need advanced smartwatch functions or advanced fitness functions, this watch may disappoint, but if not, and you primarily want a gps watch with some smart features, this is great.

I really like the Garmin. Love that is waterproof. I am not sure about the heart rate monitor - have had some issues with getting it to register but if I wet it good before putting it on it - its better. I am not sure I like the material of the heart rate band as it is twisted already and not sure that I can get it stratightened out.

I bought this as an upgrade to the vivofit I was using to track my steps. I like the option of being able to change my display view and some of the extra options are nice. Love the weather info app and being able to see text and email notifications without having to grab my phone. I am getting at least a couple weeks on a charge. Initially it seemed like the charge was only going to be a couple days but after the next charge to full it showed the power level much better.

It is very functional - easy to use. Syn's easy with the app. I am still learning what all it will do!! I like the fact it is water proof & can use it kayaking, paddle boarding &/or swimming.

Purchased this watch to have the ability of tracking workouts in the water. Works great for lap swimming and all other features work great. Just wish it tracked sleep better without the time frame needing to be manually changed. Purchased the heart rate monitor package and it also works great.

I've had this for over a year. It works just as expected. I love that I can take it swimming and that it counts my laps, strokes and intervals. With a built in heart rate monitor it would be even better. It has occasionally reset but it's not big deal to get back the faces lost.