But if you are like me and are testing more than one watch, or if you train with a Garmin device for running and another one for cycling, this function is great. This might not be so useful if you have only one device (most of people).
Once you have installed the app on the phone and paired the device, your activities will automatically sync and you’ll be able to explore them all in the software – either on your phone or on the web version.Ī function called “Physio TrueUp” will sync your activity data across devices. Garmin has a top notch software eco-system called “Garmin Connect”. Last, if you opted for auto laps, once your distance is completed the watch will shortly vibrate and the screen will briefly show stats for this last lap. This said, the choice of data fields available and the possibility to customise up to 3 screen with 4 data fields in each gives you potentially all the information you want to track ready at your wrist. Personally I like to scroll through them myself, because I don’t want to look at a screen one time and the middle field is “current heart rate” and the next time it being “cadence”.
You will then decide if you want to have the screen fixed by default and swipe up/down to look at the other ones, or you can opt for the screen periodically rotating.
You have 3 screens full of data (plus a 4th, non-modifiable one, with heart rate gauge) available for you to populate with whatever data you find useful. This said, the other thing I like about the VivoActive 3 screen during the run is how customisable it is. While a commendable feature, I like being able to just glance at my watch to peak at the data, rather than having to perform the exaggerated movement that will wake up the screen. I have been logging a decent amount of miles in both the Polar M600 and the Samsung Gear Sport who automatically dim the screen when you are not looking at it in order to save battery. The “Run” screen is first of all very readable in all lighting conditions and does not auto turn off. I really enjoy running with my VivoActive 3. I would go as far as saying that you get almost all of the sensors that are present in the Garmin ForeRunner 645 Music, which costs a cool $150 more. It’s quite an extensive list and – honestly – quite amazing for the price of the watch. Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor.On the back you’ll find the socket to connect the charger cable and the Garmin Elevate wrist heart-rate sensor. The watch is quite large at 43.1mm diameter, but it doesn’t feel or look too big at all once on the wrist – thanks also to the low weight of 40 grams. The screen itself has a resolution of 240×240 pixels which not as “dense” as smartwatches such as the Apple Watch or Samsung Gear, but is the current standard for activity trackers and gps running watches. The glass is chemically strengthened glass and after almost 2 months of use it does not have a single scratch on it This button is used to start/pause/stop sport activities. The screen is touch-screen and only one physical button is present at 3 o’clock, where the crown would be in a normal watch. The VivoActive 3 Music continues the latest design trend from Garmin with a round watch face and a 20mm wide silicon band with quick-release system.