Garmin - Vivoactive HR

Currently have a Fenix 6, since June 2021. I had a vivoactive HR for 3.5 years before that.

Yep, I agree. I've been using Garmin devices since 2006 from the Forerunner 101 (where I had to manually input my data into an Excel spreadsheet) to the Forerunner 935 that I currently have and the Garmin fitness ecosystem is really good. I can tack mileage on my shoes and gear, use ANT+ devices on my bike, etc... The Apple Watch Ultra 2 I have gets closer to the Garmin (especially with Precision Start) but its still way behind. The only Garmin I've had that died was the Vivoactive HR. I think it was one too many OCR's that did it in.

There’s a decent downloadable app that handles open water pretty well. I think the vivoactive 5 has open water built in. (I have the 4, but used the app on my old Vivoactive HR.)

This. I got mine two days ago. I love what it can do, the sizing, the weight, the price etc. I HATE the screen. I used to wear Garmin Vivoactive HR way back and it kinda reminded me of that dim screen. I returned it. I couldn’t justify having a watch that I would hate looking at.

I flip back and forth every now and then. First Garmin was a vivoactive hr. Then Apple Watch s3 Then back to Garmin with a Vivoactive 3, back to Apple Watch s5, Fenix 6 pro, Epix then Epix pro. Currently wearing aw s10, other than for kayaking. Apple Watches are getting better and better, buttons and battery are the only major benefits for me, and with an Epix battery isn’t that much better. Training info in the Garmin app is better too but the gap is closing, and subscription apps are probably even better. Bevel is great but a bit spendy. I think I’ll probably always have at least one of each now, eying up an aw ultra 3 next, Fenix line is getting too expensive now.

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 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

You need to ask yourself what she’ll actually be using it for. If you’re just doing basic fitness tracking, then she likely doesn’t need a Fenix and a Vivoactive or Venu series would be the best bet for her. Use the website to compare devices with the activities she does regularly.

The Lily is not a place to start they are an insult and described by Garmin as a fashion watch it doesn't even have built in GPS unless you buy the Lily 2 Active, the Vivoactive series lack altimeters. Coming from an Ultra and running at a few marathons a year the Fr255/265/955/965 would all suit you at a reasonable price. Garmin has outdated software and the UI and UX is terrible but they track activities well. Any of these watches will give you a great deal of data that is fun to look at but around 80% of it is not needed. You can use the compare tool on the Garmin website to compare the features of 5 watches at a time. That is a good place to start. Are you set on a Garmin or would you be interested in another brand? Sunnto and Coros have great watches at far better price points and with better feature to price ratios. As for you U2 you can control what notifications you get (FYI you don't have to get any) and you would get a great deal more battery if you just bought a chest strap for your runs.

Venu 3, S for smaller wrists, in particular women, is probably the closest to a traditional smart watch experience with 'health and fitness' features.. "Style and design meet health and fitness" is pretty much the advertisement for it on the official page. Vivoactive series is also a slightly cheaper option..