The Garmin vívosmart® 5 is a versatile and user-friendly fitness tracker that offers a range of features to help you monitor your health and achieve your fitness goals. With its long-lasting battery, comfortable design, and extensive connectivity options, it aims to be a reliable companion for your everyday activities. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the Garmin vívosmart® 5 and provide insights on its performance and functionality.
Having used various fitness trackers in the past, I was excited to try out the Garmin vívosmart® 5. The setup process was straightforward, and once connected to the Garmin Connect app, I was able to customize and navigate the device with ease. The touchscreen and button interface, along with the bright and clear display, made it convenient to access different features and read notifications.
One aspect that impressed me was the battery life. With up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, I didn’t have to worry about frequent charging. I also appreciated the waterproof design, as it allowed me to wear the tracker while swimming and showering without any issues.
The vívosmart® 5 offered comprehensive health monitoring features, such as respiration tracking, Pulse Ox (not available in all countries), and body battery energy levels. While these metrics provided valuable insights into my overall well-being, I found the step tracking to be slightly inaccurate. It often underestimated the number of steps I had taken, which was disappointing.
The Garmin Connect app, although visually appealing, could be improved in terms of user-friendliness. It had icons that were not clearly explained in the user guide, making it challenging to navigate and understand certain features. Additionally, the app only worked on one device at a time, which was inconvenient for users like me who prefer to access their data on multiple devices.
Design and Interface
The Garmin vívosmart® 5 features a simple design that is both sleek and professional. Unlike other smartwatches, the vívosmart® 5 has a fully built-in strap, giving it a seamless and integrated look. It also offers the option to personalize the watch face, allowing you to customize it to your style. The curved square design, along with the adjustable data button on the right-hand side, adds to its overall appeal. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen), on the other hand, offers a more minimalist design with a touchscreen interface and a button on the side. It allows you to see the date and time, as well as other features like the music indicator. Both smartwatches provide comfortable wearing experiences with flexible and adjustable straps made of silicone.
Fitness and Health Tracking
When it comes to fitness and health tracking, the Garmin vívosmart® 5 offers a wide range of features. It can monitor various aspects of your health, including respiration, Pulse Ox (in select countries), body battery energy levels, women’s health, hydration, stress, and heart rate. It also provides low and high heart rate alerts. Additionally, it offers sleep tracking with insights on how to improve your sleep quality. The built-in sports apps feature activity profiles for walking, running, yoga, cardio, pool swim, and more. It can also connect to your smartphone’s GPS to track outdoor activities. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers similar fitness tracking capabilities, including step tracking, calories burned, intensity minutes, and fitness age. It also has built-in sports apps for various activities. However, it does not offer some of the advanced health monitoring features found in the vívosmart® 5.
Connectivity and Notifications
Both the Garmin vívosmart® 5 and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offer connectivity to your smartphone. They can provide smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, and calendar events. When paired with your smartphone, they allow you to stay connected even when you’re on the go. The Garmin vívosmart® 5 goes a step further with its incident detection feature, which sends messages and live location information to emergency contacts during select outdoor activities. However, it is important to note that this feature requires setup and network coverage. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a more seamless integration with your smartphone, allowing you to access and respond to notifications directly from your wrist.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Garmin vívosmart® 5 is its long battery life. It can provide up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for those who want an uninterrupted picture of their health. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen), on the other hand, offers a shorter battery life and typically needs to be charged every day or two, depending on usage. While the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) may require more frequent charging, it does offer a faster charging time.
App Experience
The Garmin vívosmart® 5 comes with the Garmin Connect app, which allows you to access and analyze your health and fitness data. The app provides detailed insights and allows you to set goals and track your progress over time. However, some users have found the app to be less user-friendly and have difficulty navigating through its features. On the other hand, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) integrates seamlessly with the Apple Health app, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for tracking and managing your health and fitness data.
Overall Performance
In terms of overall performance, both the Garmin vívosmart® 5 and the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offer reliable and accurate fitness tracking capabilities. However, there have been some complaints about the accuracy of step counting on the vívosmart® 5. Users have reported discrepancies between the vívosmart® 5 and other fitness trackers, including the Fitbit. The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen), on the other hand, offers accurate heart rate tracking but lacks some advanced health monitoring features found in the vívosmart® 5. Ultimately, the choice between the two smartwatches depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Pros:
- The Garmin vívosmart 5 has a long-lasting battery, with up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. This means you don’t have to worry about charging it frequently.
- The fitness tracker has a simple design that is easy to use and comfortable to wear. It has a touchscreen and button interface, as well as a brighter and bigger display compared to previous models.
- The Garmin vívosmart 5 offers a range of features to monitor your health and fitness, including respiration tracking, Pulse Ox (where available), body battery energy levels, women’s health, hydration, stress, and heart rate. It also provides low and high heart rate alerts.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the home screen of the Garmin vívosmart 5 does not display the number of steps, which is a key feature for many fitness enthusiasts.
- Adjusting the screen display settings on the Garmin vívosmart 5 can be challenging as it needs to be done on the small watch screen. Users with poor eyesight or larger fingers may find this frustrating.
- The accuracy of step tracking on the Garmin vívosmart 5 has been questioned by some users. It may not provide accurate step counts, especially during certain activities like all-day music festivals.
Read also:
- Fitbit Inspire 3: A Versatile Health Tracker for Your Fitness Journey
- Garmin Vívofit 4: A Reliable Activity Tracker with Impressive Battery Life and Customizable Display
- Roundup of Top Activity Trackers for Fitness Enthusiasts
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Garmin vívosmart® 5 is a reliable fitness tracker with a range of features that cater to different health and fitness needs. Its long-lasting battery, comfortable design, and extensive connectivity options make it a suitable choice for everyday use. However, the accuracy of the step tracking and the limitations of the Garmin Connect app are areas that could be improved upon. Despite these drawbacks, the vívosmart® 5 remains a solid option for individuals looking for a versatile and easy-to-use fitness tracker.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Can I track my sleep quality with the Garmin vívosmart 5?
Answer: Yes, the Garmin vívosmart 5 provides a sleep quality score and insights on how to improve your sleep through the Garmin Connect app.
Question: Does the Garmin vívosmart 5 have GPS for outdoor activities?
Answer: Yes, the Garmin vívosmart 5 connects to your smartphone’s GPS to track outdoor walks, runs, and rides.
Question: Can I receive notifications on the Garmin vívosmart 5?
Answer: Yes, when paired with your smartphone, the Garmin vívosmart 5 can receive smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, and calendar events.
