Comments on: Picking between Garmin Vivoactive 3 and Fenix 5/Forerunner 935

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 23:40:48 +0000

In reply to Marko Maslakovic. Hard to believe, because 935 uses exactly the same HR sensor as VA 3.

By: John

John — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 17:21:27 +0000

In reply to Michael Lim. I'm extremely disappointed it doesn't have a touch screen and neither do most if not all of the current forerunner series. I'm not running 23h a day and either is anybody else. A touchscreen is needed for those 23h, buttons only needed during the run/workout. I'm interested in the forerunner series, just won't get one until they add a touchscreen. I currently use the VAHR.

By: Marko Maslakovic

Marko Maslakovic — Mon, 28 May 2018 09:04:00 +0000

In reply to Tony. My device of choice is the Forerunner 935. A bit pricey but pretty accurate.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 28 May 2018 08:48:00 +0000

In reply to Scott.

Vivoactive 3 heart rate accuracy
Sat on an indoor cycle i was cranking up the resistance and the watch told me i was at 70 bpm while the machine read 160 bpm. It felt around 140 so i believe the machine.
Now I realise the false readings of the vivoactive 3 was misleading on previous squash matches.
Had a previous Garmin Forerunner with chest strap monitor. I think the watch has to be returned.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement?

By: Michael Lim

Michael Lim — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:42:09 +0000

In reply to Michael Lim. Forgot to mentioned that after being in a couple of tri races with my 935, I am EXTREMELY GLAD it does not have a touch screen, when there's so much moisture from the swim and sweat that usually messes up touch screen effectiveness and accuracy. Physical buttons never fail in those conditions, and you can press without looking when you know your watch well.

By: Michael Lim

Michael Lim — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:38:47 +0000

My experience is exactly like Marko’s. Solid 935 on my wrist at all times and super long battery life. The only issue I had was with BT 3 weeks ago (not recognizing phone and had to constantly delete and add 935 as a device). However, turns out it was another app on my desktop and phone causing the drops. Once I uninstalled all works. So those of you with BT drops, might want to trace back when issue started and what you may have installed, changed, or activated.

By: Marko Maslakovic

Marko Maslakovic — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:53:43 +0000

In reply to Scott.

I’ve got a 935 on my wrist. The best sports watch I’ve ever owned, lots of physiological metrics to delve into. I pretty much forget about charging and plug it in maybe once every two weeks for an hour or so. No touch screen, just 5 physical buttons. I’ve also had no issues connecting to my iPhone. You are right – it is very pricey though.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:05:14 +0000

I have the Vivoactive 3, very disappointed in this unit. I started with Vivoactive.. then moved on to the HR model… loved it… hated the look and difficulty to reading screen during activity. Then along came the 3…. looks great… but Battery dies wayyyy to fast, unless you turn off features, and it disconnects from my phone all the time. The touch screen can be annoying, super senstive and the single side button I seem to hit all the time during activity, and yes I have tried having the button on both sides. I’m doing triathlons but I’m hesitant to get the 935 and find the same issues are present… but cost more.

By: Marko Maslakovic

Marko Maslakovic — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:58:49 +0000

In reply to Rob. Thanks for your comments. My device of choice is the Forerunner 935. Same as Fenix 5, but slightly cheaper. It has it all if you are really into fitness.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:41:51 +0000

I’m thrilled with my vivoactive 3, and don’t have the same experiences as Jeff and Peter at all. Perhaps I have benefited from a later firmware update.
GPS connections are blistering fast. Just a few seconds, and the mapping ( here in Victoria BC at least) is pretty exact.
I run around 50 k a week and I find the battery lasts around 3 days, depending on how far I have run. In any event it charges very quickly, a 15 minute boost before a run gets a low battery back up to 50% or so.
99% of time bluetooth connection works fine, I have had a few of “no connection” freezes, but on these occassions either reloading app, or restarting watch has fixed the problem.
Prior to buying the Vivoactive 3, I had considered the apple watch and fitbit Ionic. However decided to go with Vivoactive 3, because of; lower price, it felt more robust, and the app seemed better. I have mild regrets over not having splashed out for Fenix 5, for its better fitness/training stats, and look.