When referring to smartwatches or fitness trackers, what usually comes to mind for most of us is watches with a digital screen or weird bracelets. Meanwhile, merely hearing the word "Garmin" instantly makes us think of GPSes, since this is what the company is mostly known for. Today, we will see how that company created one of the most stylish watches on the market, the Garmin Vivomove.
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Who is Garmin?
Garmin is an American tech company that is known for its automotive, aviation, sailing, and other sports GPSes.
During these past few years, Garmin has been producing accessories and competing with companies like Fitbit and Apple.
Garmin Vivomove Smartwatch
The analog smartwatches are hybrid devices, consisting of a fitness tracker embedded in the body of an analog watch. Garmin Vivomove is the company's first attempt at creating such a device.
The company managed to hide the real identity of the device really well. Garmin Vivomove tracks our steps and sleeping schedule without the fact that we are wearing an ugly fitness tracker becoming obvious.
Even more impressively, we don't even have to charge it. This is thanks to the regular watch battery it has.
Apart from the fact that we might even forget we wear a smartwatch, according to Garmin, the battery lasts for about a year.
Specifications
Garmin's Vivomove dial consists of metal and plastic, covered with glass. The strap is made from leather or silicon, depending on the style we prefer.
In the right and left side of the hands, we will see distinct curves. The left one counts how close we are to completing our daily step goal. While walking, it fills up with small black bars.
On the other hand, the right one fills up with red bars while we are sitting still. We will need to get up and walk around for a bit if we wish to deplete it.
Garmin Vivomove counts our steps with the help of an accelerator. It doesn't have a GPS, it doesn't vibrate, and no notifications pop up.
The dimensions of the device are 0.5 x 1.6 x 1.8 inches, and it weights 1.8 oz. The battery is a simple lithium CR2032.
Vivomove connects to our device via Bluetooth 4.0, and it's compatible with Android 4.3, iOS 7.0, and Windows 10 and above.
The smartwatch can withstand 5 ATM pressure and is water-resistant up to a depth of 165 feet. That's why we can shower with it on, or go swimming.
On the contrary, the leather strap isn't an ideal choice if we intend to give the watch a hard time. According to Garmin, we need to be very careful since it's not as durable, and it might tarnish if it comes in contact with water.
Of course, we can't place our device in the water without wetting the strap.
Garmin is one step ahead, however, and made the strap removable, so that we can buy any strap we wish and replace it by ourselves.
Unboxing and preparation
Garmin's Vivomove package is simple and stylish, as is the device inside.
In the back, we can see the device, with a simplistic explanation of how the curved bars work in different languages.
When we open the package, we will see that minimalism is a theme they stick to. The only thing that seems to break character is the manual, which comes in six different languages.
The weight of Garmin Vivomove is noticeable, not light nor heavy in hand, revealing a sturdy frame.
It's easy to notice the premium construction of the device. Meanwhile, just by touch, we can tell how comfortable the strap is, and how soft the inner side is, which also prevents any irritation.
The crown was clasped with a plastic clip, to prevent the needless activation of the smartwatch.
On the back side of Vivomove, there was a sticker with various specifications, which we removed.
Garmin Connect
The bars will still function whether we use the app or not. However, if we want to access a few extra settings and receive detailed statistics, we must have the app.
Basic Settings
Garmin developed the Connect app for its devices. The app connects with other various apps like MyFitnessPal and Strava. It's also available for Android, iOS, and Windows.
We installed Garmin Connect on the Huawei Nova 2 we previously presented.
The app is only available in English, and after installing it, we need to create a Garmin account. After creating the account, we need to provide a few details about us.
Next, we enable our device's Bluetooth, and by pressing the watch's crown for three seconds, the pairing of the two devices starts.
The clock and app time values are not connected in any way. We set the time on Vivomove as we would do in an analog watch. The app syncs with our phone's time.
The data Vivomove records sync automatically with the app, as long as we have our device's Bluetooth enabled.
In case we want to perform the sync manually, we press on the crown for a second, and we will see the left curved bar filling and emptying.
User Environment
The app is divided into five tabs: my day, challenges, calendar, news, and notifications.
In the tab "My Day," we see the steps, calories, and hours of sleep we get every day.
We can see a more detailed report for each, just by pressing on the corresponding option.
Since Garmin Vivomove doesn't have a GPS, it cannot track our current activity. Nonetheless, we can manually add the exercise.
On "Challenges," we can participate in the weekly steps challenge, in which we compete with other users who have similar stats with us.
Thus, an average office worker will never go head to head with a professional marathon runner.
The next tab is "Calendar," in which we see a summary of our activities. By clicking on each day, we see more detailed graphs.
On the "News Feed" tab, we can connect our social networks and see our friends' activity. Meanwhile, on "Notifications," we get notified of various events.
Profile
Through the app's menu, we have access to various tools. There, we will find the "Settings."
If nothing else, the User Settings are what should concern us the most. Through them, we can add our age, height, weight, etc. Moreover, we can provide additional information, such as the time we go to bed, and when we wake up.
Lastly, another setting would be our specific step length, so that the app will be even more accurate, and personalized just for us.
Where can I find Garmin Vivomove?
Garmin Vivomove was a sponsorship from the well-known e-shop, Gearbest.
The price of the device ranges from $150 to $298, based on the style and color of our choice.
Is Vivomove worth buying?
For the hardcore gadget and exercise fans, this isn't the best choice. It doesn't give us access to emails or calls and doesn't track data such as heart rate.
For those of us who want a basic fitness tracker, without having to carry a piece of silicon on our hands, which we must also charge every day, this is the best option.
Garmin's smartwatch accurately tracks our steps and sleep. Meanwhile, it offers detailed data and an assistant who aids us to move.
The Vivomove's design is excellent, and many will assume it's a normal watch. We give Garmin a big like for this first attempt.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Accurate sleep tracking
- A year of battery life
- Instant activity reading thanks to the side bars
- Strap Personalization
- Auto Sync
- Water-resistant at up to 50 meters deep
Cons
- No vibration
- Larger dial in diameter and thickness compared to a regular watch
What do you think of Garmin Vivomove?
Vivomove's exceptional style is easily noticeable. Especially since it might look like a regular watch, which has a hidden fitness tracker.
The question is, would you buy such a smartwatch? Are the available functions enough for you?
Feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments, and if you own a similar device, share your impressions with us and our readers.
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