Garmin - vívosmart 5

I recently got a Garmin Vivosmart 5 to replace my Fitbit Charge I had for many years. Can’t believe I just made the switch, personally, the Garmin blows the Fitbit out of the water!

I’ve been using a Vivosmart 5 on one arm, and a traditional watch on the other, as the most minimal Body Battery compatible wearable Garmin makes… but I, too, would like something even more minimal, similar in scope to a Whoop where it doesn’t even bother to display data, just record it, so I could get body battery and resting HR and training status data without the need to wear a Garmin watch full time. I’ve submitted a suggestion over the years but not sure what else to do.

It’s… sort of in a middle ground I don’t really love though. As a fitness watch it’s absolutely skeletal - minimal delay, no GPS tracking of its own instead relying on your phone, limited pairing options (can’t connect it to a power meter on my bike for one), limited activity types… and as a wearable. It’s a little, well, TOO - feature heavy; it has a screen, for one, making it too bulky to wear under a buttoned shirt cuff; its band isn’t breathable or that stretchy, etc. I’d rather it have fewer features, just measure HR and HRV and send it to Garmin connect with no other frills. Barring that, I’d rather it be a bit more of a full featured fitness watch. It’s just in this middle ground where it’s not quite either.

Yeah agreed. It’s still the best option I’ve found, but - as a guy who works in an office and occasionally has to suit up - I wish it was smaller.

I have a Vivosmart 5 which has steps, but there's still the issue of having to tell it you are doing yoga to get HR alerts.

I used it for 9 months. Recently upgraded to a Venu 3s because I wanted more functionality for activities. The smart 5 was just what I needed: an activity and sleep tracker which I could wear with my watch. It was very good at detecting stress levels and does everything at a basic level. It has a plastic screen, so scratches are to be expected. Would recommend for entry level.

In yoga mode the HR alert is immediate! It uses battery faster though.

As a long term user of Garmin devices I my suggestion biased towards garmin vivosmart 5. Have used multiple garmin devices over last 15 years and all have been great for activity tracking. Used it so far for steps, cycling, swimming, running, strength training, open water rowing, hiking (My garmin instinct has a 24 day battery life which can do gps tracking for a long 20+ day hike without 2nd charge). Garmin connect is one hub for all my Garmin devices. Tracks activities which in my case currently is gym, steps, swimming, sleep, HR monitoring, O2, body battery (recovery from workouts). Can setup challenges for myself and friends. Have goals and track progress. I don't pay for any premium subscriptions. I would say it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes if you just want a simple health and wellness device. Garmin are built to withstand abuse and for training.

Are you wanting an actual watch? Can you get by with just a fitness band? The Vivosmart 5 will do everything you need.

I need to replace my vivosmart 5 and there hasn’t been an upgrade in like 4/5 years?

There’s tons they could improve - battery isnt good, no altimeter etc

My battery is now running out daily, that’s with a reset to factory settings/low display etc etc - super annoying

Started seemingly out of nowhere a couple weeks ago. Very frustrating to go from 100-10 percent over the course of an afternoon - hardly able to see display. Would buy new one but figure it’s time to think about other purveryors since this model is so outdated

My Apple Watch is the specific reason I am healthy. However, I do like Garmin's data. So, I did the reasonable thing and wear both. But, it's the vivosmart 5, which doesn't capture everything a Garmin watch can; I am happy with what it does, though.

I have the Vivosmart 5. It’s a perfect no-frills fitness watch.