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Have you moved onto the Garmin vivoactive?

thefredelement

thefredelement

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 10, 2012
1,247
780
New York
The Apple Watch has been a great motivator for me but I've hit a really hard plateau and now it seems somewhat useless as I've transitioned to mostly iPhone apps and a separate HRM strap.

Were you in the same boat and did you move on or back to a more dedicated fitness tracker? Were you happier?
 
thefredelement said:
The Apple Watch has been a great motivator for me but I've hit a really hard plateau and now it seems somewhat useless as I've transitioned to mostly iPhone apps and a separate HRM strap.

Were you in the same boat and did you move on or back to a more dedicated fitness tracker? Were you happier?
Click to expand...

So you used your Apple watch for fitness only? Why didn't you just get a fitbit?
 
Armen said:
So you used your Apple watch for fitness only? Why didn't you just get a fitbit?
Click to expand...

I had a FuelBand that I really liked but wanted to try out the Apple Watch, so I did, and I really liked the idea of getting more accurate fitness tracking than just Nike Fuel after a little bit, then I started training more seriously. As I learned more and moved into other apps, training methods and accessories I realized I'm not using the Apple Watch at all. I never look at it while running or cycling, it's calorie count is always off compared to my chest strap HRM app. It always needs at least one 3rd party app to accurately track stuff for semi-serious athletic activities. I know some of this will be "fixed" via software but Watch OS2 hasn't really stepped up the game compared to what else is available now on the iPhone or in a different watch.

I like the ability to raise my wrist and make a phone call, I've done it 2 or 3 times while washing dishes or preparing dinner, so that's not really worth it to me.
 
I moved FROM the Vivoactive to the Apple Watch. While the fitness related functions of the Vivo are probably more robust, the smart watch capabilities were more important to me. The Apple Watch just does much more and doesn't miss things.

If you're not using the Smartwatch features or don't care about them, then the Vivoactive is darn good option if you want to focus on fitness. I've tried the Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Surge and Jawbone Up3. I liked the Vivo the best. The mobile app and web app may not be as slick as Fitbit's, but they'll get the job done.
 
I went back to my vivosmart after having the watch for six days.

The dictation for text/iMessage/email replies were nice but my vivo lets me read all the same notifications which is all I really need. I work in an environment where I can't just pull my phone out at any time. Being able to see what's making my phone buzz and stepping out if necessary is sufficient for me.
 
Well I'm really interested in the comparison of people who have the watch who moved to it, I'm not sure it's just about an alternative but more the transition and a short analysis.
 
thefredelement said:
Well I'm really interested in the comparison of people who have the watch who moved to it, I'm not sure it's just about an alternative but more the transition and a short analysis.
Click to expand...

Your interest and this thread is valid. It is sometimes hard for Apple people to accept someone turning their back on an Apple product but if you only get one side of a story. . . . .

I have moved back to my FitBit Surge which tracks my HR all the time, has built in GPS and even displays text and email headers if you want. It is no Apple watch but is a dedicated fitness device.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I have moved back to my FitBit Surge which tracks my HR all the time, has built in GPS and even displays text and email headers if you want. It is no Apple watch but is a dedicated fitness device.
Click to expand...

How does the Surge compare to Apple Watch in terms of how it feels on your wrist?
 
Night Spring said:
How does the Surge compare to Apple Watch in terms of how it feels on your wrist?
Click to expand...

Well first of all the Surge is VERY forgiving as how tight or loose you can wear it and never be unable to get your HR. It tracks my HR even when quite loose and sitting o top of my wrist bone.

The watch is rubberized or soft and is not uncomfortable to wear. It does not have the style of an Apple watch but that is not why I tried the AW. I bought the AW for the fitness hype which is MOST important to me, WAY more important than looks.

There is no comparison when it come to fitness as the Surge hardware and app for tracking excercise/fitness is so superior and it works. Do not get me wrong as I loved the AW. The size of the Surge is nothing compared to my honker gold Rolex.
 
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Vivoactive, that is one ugly watch. Looks like strapping a tiny square phone on the wrist. One will need a big square eyeglasses to match the watch to complete nerd factor. Fenix 3, Epix looks a little bit better, but there is no comparison on style point for Garmin watch, if there is any, with Moto360 or AW.
For me, watch is 50% style 50% function, and 100% expressing who you are.
 
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Newtons Apple said:
Your interest and this thread is valid. It is sometimes hard for Apple people to accept someone turning their back on an Apple product but if you only get one side of a story. . . . .
Click to expand...

It's not hard to accept at all. But there is a whole forum dedicated to talking about alternatives...
 
jasie02 said:
Vivoactive, that is one ugly watch. Looks like strapping a tiny square phone on the wrist. One will need a big square eyeglasses to match the watch to complete nerd factor. Fenix 3, Epix looks a little bit better, but there is no comparison on style point for Garmin watch, if there is any, with Moto360 or AW.
For me, watch is 50% style 50% function, and 100% expressing who you are.
Click to expand...

I am glad I already know who I am and looks mean less and function rules for me.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I am glad I already know who I am and looks mean less and function rules for me.
Click to expand...

I'm usually a more functions before looks person myself, but there are limits. A lot of wearable devices I've seen are just too ugly to wear. But most important is comfort -- a wearable has to be comfortable to wear.

To me, the vivoactive doesn't look very attractive, and comfort is also a question mark. And as ridiculous as the try-on experience for the Apple watch has been, at least Apple has a way, however imperfect, for people to try on the watch before they buy. Where would I go to try on a Germin product?
 
Night Spring said:
I'm usually a more functions before looks person myself, but there are limits. A lot of wearable devices I've seen are just too ugly to wear. But most important is comfort -- a wearable has to be comfortable to wear.

To me, the vivoactive doesn't look very attractive, and comfort is also a question mark. And as ridiculous as the try-on experience for the Apple watch has been, at least Apple has a way, however imperfect, for people to try on the watch before they buy. Where would I go to try on a Germin product?
Click to expand...

You local Bestbuy has them on display. If you want to try them on, bring a crowbar. :eek:

The Surge is not so pretty and kinda large. I will be replacing my Surge just as soon as FitBit releases the Charge HR in a XL size. It does everything the larger Surge does but without GPS. My 6Plus can handle the GPS so it is just perfect and smaller. Battery life on these things last for days.
 
Newtons Apple said:
You local Bestbuy has them on display. If you want to try them on, bring a crowbar. :eek:

The Surge is not so pretty and kinda large. I will be replacing my Surge just as soon as FitBit releases the Charge HR in a XL size. It does everything the larger Surge does but without GPS. My 6Plus can handle the GPS so it is just perfect and smaller. Battery life on these things last for days.
Click to expand...

Yes. crowbar. Good idea! :D

I've seen them on display, I just don't know how they'll feel on my wrist. I have the opposite problem as you, I need on-wrist devices to be extra small. The 38 Apple watch barely fits me -- it's almost too big. I use the last hole on the small sports band, and when I tried the Milanese loop, it completely doubled up and was attaching at the edge of the adapter on the other side.
 
Night Spring said:
Yes. crowbar. Good idea! :D

I've seen them on display, I just don't know how they'll feel on my wrist. I have the opposite problem as you, I need on-wrist devices to be extra small. The 38 Apple watch barely fits me -- it's almost too big. I use the last hole on the small sports band, and when I tried the Milanese loop, it completely doubled up and was attaching at the edge of the adapter on the other side.
Click to expand...

The Surge would then repulse you for its size. Look at the FitBit Charge HR. Very small for all it does.
 
Newtons Apple said:
The Surge would then repulse you for its size. Look at the FitBit Charge HR. Very small for all it does.
Click to expand...

Well, going by looks alone, the Vivosmart looks similar to the Charge, and it's more visually appealing to me. I'd have to research features, though.

See, this is another reason why staying with Apple is so tempting. There's just basically one watch, despite all the different casings and bands. Try to pick a non-Apple product, and all of a sudden, there are so many choices, it becomes overwhelming.
 
I wish the watch fit the bill but it doesn't, I'm going to try and sell it get and go for the vivoactive or fenix3. I'm sure I'll circle back again to the apple watch at some point when it's more mature and can compete feature for feature with a dedicated fitness tracker.
 
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