Review Garmin Vivomove HR
Review Garmin Vivomove HR

Review Garmin Vivomove HR – Elegant 24×7 Tracker

In this Garmin Vivomove HR review we take a look at the everyday usability of the 24/7 tracker. Although the watch can also be used for sports, Garmin has completely different (GPS) calibers for sports use. This tracker is for the elegant and stylish use. But the tracker doesn’t hold back on modern tracking features.

Our Garmin Vivomove HR Review at a glance:

Garmin Vivomove HRProduct Page Amazon Logo

Review Garmin Vivomove HR
Review Garmin Vivomove HR

Recommendation

The Garmin Vivomove HR is especially suitable for people who want to track their fitness 24×7 and are looking for a good looking tracker with a classic watch look. If the sports features are not enough for you, take a look at the Garmin Vivoactive 3, which also has a round design.

Pros

  • Suitable for self-optimizers
  • Comfortable & daily all-rounder
  • Hidden Display
  • Sophisticated and powerful App & Fitness platform for the browser

Cons

  • Clock hands difficult to read in very dark environments (but the digital display is easy to read)
  • Not always intuitive handling

Change Log

  • 02/09/18: Garmin Vivomove HR Review Release

In this review

Garmin Vivomove 3/Connect App tested with:

  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • Android 7.1.2

Garmin Vivomove HR Review: Outer appearance

Design

Vivomove HR has undergone major changes compared to its predecessor. While the external design has changed only slightly, internal features have changed all the more. There are only a few sports watches on the market in elegant watch design with modern tracker technology. Only Withings Steel HR and the newer Nokia Steel HR offer similar looks and similar features.

Garmin Vivomove HR Unboxing
Garmin Vivomove HR Unboxing

The new design is appealing for several reasons. While the predecessor looks somewhat bulky, the Vivomove HR looks much more elegant in review, because the material selection is more successful and the watch body is flatter and smaller. But the battery doesn’t last that long, more about that later. The completely “round” appearance is also due to the fact that the device lacks buttons.

Garmin Vivomove HR Review
Garmin Vivomove HR Review

Watch Body

In general, Vivomove HR is well manufactured. This applies to the case and display as well as to the replaceable silicone strap. It is so good that you can swim in the swimming pool with your watch, because the body is waterproof (5 ATM) according to the manufacturer.

Garmin Vivomove HR side view
Garmin Vivomove HR side view

Instead of a silicone band, a leather band can also be mounted. The watch glass is made of chemically reinforced glass as Garmin writes, without giving more details. The bezel is made of stainless steel, and the case of fiber-reinforced polymer and stainless steel.

Garmin Vivomove HR rear panel
Garmin Vivomove HR rear panel

Band

The silicone band makes a pleasant impression, because it is soft and cuddly. The wearing comfort is very good. It can also be replaced with another 20mm standard band. This allows you to adapt the look of the watch to your own wishes. The Vivomove HR is equipped with the so-called Quick Release mechanism, which enables quick and uncomplicated replacement.

The locking mechanism is similar to a classic watch, which simplifies handling.

Garmin Vivomove HR Closure
Garmin Vivomove HR Closure

Readability and display

The OLED display of the Garmin Vivomove HR is very easy to read, but only visible if you perform a corresponding arm movement or tap the display twice. Otherwise, the Vivomove HR looks like a classic analog watch. We find this look very appealing.

The time is less easily readable with the help of the hands, because in darkness especially the hands for the hours are not easily distinguishable from the color of the dial. At least with our sports version of the watch. There is also the premium version with a leather strap, where this is solved better, because the colors are better. However, the OLED display is always at hand so that readability is always guaranteed.

Garmin Vivomove HR watch display
Garmin Vivomove HR watch display

Handling

The menu navigation and control of the Vivomove HR is carried out exclusively by typing and swiping gestures on the display. Also, if the option is active, use the arm movement to activate the OLED display. This works well and reliably, but in some situations it is not always intuitive. Especially if you are in some nested menu structures or within a smartphone message and try to move back to the standard display via gestures. All you can say here is: practice makes perfect.

Garmin Vivomove HR: The Practical Test

To use the Vivomove HR’s online features, it must be connected directly via the Garmin Connect Mobile App and not via the smartphone’s Bluetooth settings. This worked well in the review with an iPhone 8 and an Android smartphone.

In everyday life

When the OLED display is activated, various widgets are available. If you press the touch screen, you can browse through the widgets. If you tap on one of the widgets, the watch provides additional information, e. g. a heart rate graph or the total number of steps of the previous day. To use some widgets, a smartphone must be paired, for example for the weather widget.

Some examples of widgets follow. A picture gallery further down in the article shows much more measurement data and long-term trends in the Garmin Connect App.

The first example shows the total number of steps for the day and the daily target steps. Successful: the device is capable of learning and strikes a new one for every day.

Garmin Vivomove HR Step number
Garmin Vivomove HR Step number

The current heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) and the average heart rate at rest for seven days can also be displayed:

The tracker also records the ascending and descending floors by means of a barometric altimeter. To ensure that the device measures the floors reliably, at least 10 to 12 steps should be covered:

Garmin Vivomove HR floors
Garmin Vivomove HR floors

The calorie consumption for the day, including active calories and calories at rest:

Garmin Vivomove HR Calories
Garmin Vivomove HR Calories

Features for your phone’s music player:

Garmin Vivomove HR Music Player
Garmin Vivomove HR Music Player

The current temperature and weather forecast from a paired smartphone.

Garmin Vivomove HR Weather Forecast
Garmin Vivomove HR Weather Forecast

The current stress level can also be viewed as a widget:

The device measures heart rate variability while inactive to determine the stress level. A low number indicates a lower stress level. The stress level is composed of training, physical exercise, sleep, food and the stress of daily life that affects the stress level. The stress level is measured on a scale from 0 to 100. A value between 0 and 25 represents a resting state. Values between 26 and 50 represent a low stress value, 51 to 75 indicate an average stress value and 76 to 100 indicate a high stress value. Observing the stress level can help to identify stressful moments occurring during the day. According to Garmin, the device delivers the best results when worn while sleeping.

The Vivomove HR provides even more information and options in review. These include distance traveled in km, incoming smartphone messages (WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and many more), the VO2max value (maximum oxygen intake (in millilitres) that can be used per minute and per kilogram of body weight at maximum performance) and breathing exercises.

During Sports Training

The Vivomove HR can also record activities with time and pulse values. You can choose between walking, running, cardio activities, strength training and “other types of activity”.

We are currently carrying out some activities and will be updating this section in the next few days.

Vivomove HR vs Vivoactive 3 vs Fenix 5

If you are not sure which Garmin watch with a round design you would prefer, the following table will help you decide. It compares and lists some important distinguishing features of the three attractive sports watches. Green indicates an improvement:

Vivoactive 3 vs Fenix 5 vs Vivomove HR
Vivoactive 3Fenix 5Vivomove HR
Watch glassCorning Gorilla Glass 3Glass or sapphire glassChemically hardened glass
Dimensions
  • 43,4 x 43,4 x 11,7 mm
  • 127 to 204 mm circumference
47 x 47 x 15,5 mm
  • 43 x 43 x 11,6 mm
  • S/M: 122 to 188 mm circumference
  • L: 148 to 215 mm circumference
Weight43,0 g
  • Silicone band: 85 g
  • Metal band: 156 g
  • Sport: 40,8 g
  • Premium: 56,5 g
Watertightness5 ATM10 ATM5 ATM
Display type
  • Clearly legible, transflective MIP display (memory in pixels) when exposed to sunlight
  • 30.4 mm (1.2 inch) diameter
  • 240 x 240 pixels
  • Clearly legible, transflective MIP display (memory in pixels) when exposed to sunlight
  • 30.4 mm (1.2 inch) diameter
  • 240 x 240 pixels
  • Clearly legible OLED display in sunlight
  • 9.6 x 19.2 mm (0.38 x 0.76 inches)
  • 64 x 128 pixels
TouchscreenYesNoYes
Battery life
  • GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
  • Smart mode: Up to 7 days
  • Smart mode: Up to 2 weeks
  • GPS/HF mode: Up to 24 hours
  • UltraTrac mode: Up to 60 hours without HR measurement on the wrist
  • Smart mode: Up to 5 days
  • Analog mode: Up to 2 weeks
Ambient light sensorYesNoNo
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Stress LevelYesYesYes
Reject calls and send automatic text (only Android)YesNoNo
Smartphone compatibility
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Android
  • iPhone
Garmin PayYesNoNo
Pre-installed gym activity profiles
  • Elliptical training
  • Stair Stepping
  • Floor Climbing
  • Indoor Rowing
  • Yoga
  • Cardio Workouts
  • Strength training
  • Automatic repetition counter
  • Indoor Rowing
  • Cardio Workouts
  • Strength training
  • Automatic repetition counter
  • Strength training
  • Cardio Workouts
VO2maxYesYesYes
% HF max.YesYesYes
Recording of heart rate during swimmingNoYes (with HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim)No
Running Training ProgramsYesYesNo
Runtime forecastYesYesNo
Virtual Partner & Virtual RacerNoYesNo
Advanced Running Metrics

(Running Efficiency, Ground contact time and Balance, vertical movement)

NoYesNo
Route guidance on RoutesNoYesNo
Extended Training statements (Recreation time, Training condition, Training load, Training effect)NoYesNo
Outdoor & Navigation Functions
  • Back to the start
  • Total ascent/descent
  • Back to the start
  • Total ascent/descent
  • Height profiledistance to destination
  • Height profile
  • Thunderstorm warning
  • Waypoint projection
  • and more
No
Golf-FeaturesYesYesNo
Swimming metrics (tracks, distance, pace, number of moves/trains, calorie consumption, swimming style recognition)YesYesNo
Swimming trainingsNoYesNo
Shopping Link Amazon LogoProduct pageProduct pageProduct page
Our ReviewVivoactive 3Fenix 5Vivomove HR

Then there is the operation: the Fenix 5 has 5 keys and does not require a touch display. It is the better choice for wet environments. The Vivoactive 3 has a button (right), the touch-sensitive left side of the housing (called Side Swipe) and a touch display.

All in all, it can be seen that the Fenix 5 offers much more advanced fitness and outdoor features that are intended to appeal to ambitious athletes and outdoor fans on the one hand.

If you are looking for a good all-rounder, choose the Vivoactive 3, and if you want to pay attention to price and elegance, you will have fun with the Vivomove HR.

Garmin Vivomove HR Review – App Gallery

Below are some more pictures we took during the Vivomove HR review.

Garmin Vivomove HR Price and Availability

The device is available from 199 Euro (UVP-price) in different versions with silicone or leather strap, for example here:

Review Vivomove HR – Conclusion

A final conclusion for this Garmin Vivomove HR review can be reached after a few more sports sessions.