Garmin Vivoactive 3 review
TECH RADAR, DEC 2017
In keeping with Garmin’s sports tech legacy, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 has a heart rate sensor, GPS tracking and a selection of built-in apps dedicated to keeping tabs on a range of sports activities, from running and indoor cycling to skiing and snowboarding.
Although the Vivoactive 3’s focus may be on fitness, this versatile wearable also has plenty of other features to shout about, including smart notifications, an on-board payment system called Garmin Pay (which is yet to arrive in the UK), as well as both sleep and real-time stress tracking.
And its design reflects its sporty yet smart credentials, as it looks more like a watch than a bulky fitness tracker.
It’s no surprise that the Vivoactive 3 does fitness well. After all, the Garmin brand is as synonymous with high-end sports devices as it is with GPS systems nowadays. Speak to any runner or triathlete and they’ll likely cite one of Garmin’s Forerunner, or even Fenix, bands as their favorite gadget.
But that hasn’t stopped Garmin from venturing into a more consumer-focused space either. Devices in the Vivofit, Vivomove and Vivosmart ranges may still be aimed at those who like working out, but could be described more as lifestyle wearables given they care as much about step counts, sleep and stress as personal bests and optimizing performance.