Vivoactive

I had an older generation Vivoactive and purchased the 165 music when it came out. The running features and metrics are worth it alone, but I also like the physical buttons. I looked at the 265 and 965 as well but the advanced metrics and better heart rate sensor wasn’t worth it for my needs, and I use a heart rate strap anyways.

I've been using Garmin watches since 2004. I've never had one fail, I've replaced them out of wanting a new feature or eventually losing battery life. Models: FR 201, 305, 225, vivoactive 1 & 3, FR 735XT, Edge 520+ 6 watches over 21 years. Plus pulling the 305 apart and replacing the battery (it still works - so did the 201 last I heard that the guy I'd given it to had passed it on)

Garmin Forerunner 265s is definitely accurate while OWSwimming, with its own factory "OpenWater" function. My previous Vivoactive 4 or Vivoactive 1 were very erratic, even trying different IQ apps.

Usually 3-4 years. Generally the battery doesn't hold a good charge after \~2 years, then Garmin will refurbish it 1-2x for free. Then I realize I am a couple models behind and there's a few cool new features, and I go around and get the newer model. I think I have had the Garmin Vivoactive 1, 3, and 5 series over the years. They've been $200-300, and the battery life and features have improved with my running as I've moved from half marathons to 50 milers. They've done everything I need, without the excess bulk or superfluous features.

Just to set expectations; I have owned Garmin and Apple Watch as a fitness swimmer who does not do tumble turns. Both are Ok at counting lengths but are often 5% out ( eg measure 19 lengths after 20). Garmin is better than Apple.  If you are swimming at home in a small pool check the minimum pool length the watch can use (eg 10m for an Garmin, no lower limit for Apple). 

I have had both the Garmin Vivo and Charge 5 and I am an android user so Apple watch is out for me. Durability wise Garmin but not sure how that compares to the Charge 6 as they fixed alot of the issues that the Charge 5 has. But wearing and comfort. Hands down the Charge 5. I have gone thru 2 charge 5 over the last 5 years and would still buy the charge 5/6 over Garmin for the comfort. The Charge 5/6 is much thinner on your wrist and surprisingly that makes a world of difference

Nice. On my Vivo a wet long sleeve shirt can change the screen which is annoying when running. You can lock the screen during an activity to prevent that but it’s an extra step to disable when the run is over. First world problems

Garmin Venu 1, 2, or even one of the newer Vivoactives would be great. You can get a Venu 2 for probably about $100-$130 on Facebook Marketplace right now. You can also get one of the older Garmin Forerunners for about the same price as well, if not a little cheaper

Vivoactive, venu, and currently have a forerunner

Happy with the vivoactive which gives all the sleep data and on sale now on Amazon

Love my vivoactive. I got it in white. It looks sporty and fashionable. It’s so thin and light I don’t even know it’s on. Wonderful for sleep tracking, spo2 monitoring, workouts, etc. I think it’s more about what she would think looks good on her wrist. I saw someone wearing this watch and asked them to let me try it on. Bought one the same day. I’m not a gadget kinda person but love this watch.

Garmin vivoactive tracks sleep including SpO2, Stages of sleep and gives an overall sleep score. I have my appointment in a few weeks and plan to share this data with my sleep Dr. Not sure if it will be meaningful or not. I bet these docs are sick of us wearing these watches that tell us something is off?!

She said everything points to this likely being sleep apnea. She ordered a “next level at home sleep study”. Stated that the blackstone was not accurate at all and was read by AI, whereas the one she has order for me is read by a physician and uses other parameters beyond just a finger pulse ox. She also said that the Garmin is recognized by the sleep study physicians as one that is accurate. So much so that they have an option to link your data to your info pages and she looks over the data. My appointment isn’t until early October for the study.