04 Jan
Blog

Garmin Venu 2 Plus Review: Premium in All the Right Ways

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is an excellent smartwatch.

Garmin Venu 2 Plus in the test: Premium in the right way

RRP $ 449.99

“The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is a premium smartwatch in every way, also in terms of price. But if you consider rock-solid connectivity, a lot of data and control by voice assistants, it deserves its price. "

benefits

  • Solid connectivity

  • Telephone calls and assistant

  • Battery life

  • Strong GPS

  • Lots of data

disadvantage

  • High price

  • Unintuitive user interface

  • Some services are missing

I think it is very important that we get this review right by saying that I am not the target audience for the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. I'm on the wrong side of 300 pounds and the wrong side of 40, although the former is more likely to disqualify me. My idea of ​​a great workout is to park down the block to go to the donut shop. When Garmin contacted me and asked if I would like to check out their latest smartwatch, of course I took the chance. Well I didn't jump because fat men don't jump, but you get the idea.

I've been using the Garmin Venu 2 Plus for two weeks and while I'm not the ideal Garmin wearer, I can see where this watch is the ideal smartwatch for me. For most of my trial period, I wore the Garmin smartwatch that was paired with a Pixel 6, and also wore an Apple Watch SE that was paired with an iPhone 13 Pro for comparison purposes.

Here are my thoughts.

Design and comfort

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is an excellent smartwatch.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus has a bright and crisp 1.3-inch AMOLED screen that is bright and easy to read in all situations. It's comfortable to wear, even though it's a little thicker. The three buttons on the side are easy to press and provide correct feedback when pressed. Each button has its own function, from starting an activity to entering menus, but new to the Venu series are the microphone and speaker.

The Venu 2 Plus is the first Venu smartwatch that makes and receives calls and controls your phone's assistant.

The Venu 2 Plus is the first Venu smartwatch that makes and receives calls and controls your phone's assistant. This is actually the feature I was looking forward to the most as I use the Google Assistant a lot throughout the day. Also, especially since I picked up the Apple Watch SE, I've gotten used to leaving my phone on my desk when I'm moving around the house and answering calls on my watch.

Using the wizard is similar to most other smartwatches, except that they can be woken up with a command word. The Venu 2 Plus requires you to press and hold the center button for a few seconds to connect. It's a little slower than I'd like (about three seconds), but it's not terrible in any way. Verbal responses play through the watch, just as you would expect when accessing the Google Assistant through a watch or headphones. Overall, it's a seamless experience.

Software and connectivity

What I liked most about the watch is the absolutely solid connectivity. As mentioned earlier, I wore both the Apple Watch SE and Garmin Venu 2 Plus at the same time, and both watches rang simultaneously for notifications each time. I expect this type of connectivity from the Apple Watch. After all, Apple is Apple. But with so many smartwatches and fitness trackers, frequent disconnections can be problematic. It even happens when you wear a Samsung smartwatch with a Samsung phone. But the Garmin stayed connected all the time, even when my phone was a house away.

However, the software of the Venu 2 Plus takes some getting used to. Most smartwatches use gestures in each individual direction for different things. The Garmin mostly sticks up and down, with only occasional swiping movements. The buttons all have different functions and rely on a press or a long press for different functions. I understand that there is only a limited amount of programming possible for three buttons, but even at the end of my two-week trial period I was still not used to all of the functions.

Notifications are extensive and detailed. The only gripe I could make is that the notification icons are limited. Weather, Google Photos, and Vivint Home Security notifications are all shown with the message icon. In fact, the icons that work and don't work are very different. It can get a little confusing trying to find specific messages. Also, some options for responding to messages are not straightforward. For example, when you reply to an e-mail, the phone opens the reply window. Replying to a text message is limited to a few preprogrammed replies.

The Garmin App Store has a decent number of apps and watch faces that mingle with other app stores, including Samsung and Google Play, that far outshines most fitness trackers like Fitbit and Xiaomi. Supported music services include Spotify and Deezer, but it lacks YouTube Music. Unfortunately, that's the service I'm subscribing to. Of course, the app functionality pales in comparison to the Apple Watch, but that would assume that both devices want to serve the same customer, which they aren't.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Before we dive into the fitness tracking aspects of this watch, let's pause to talk about philosophies. Apple certainly puts a lot of emphasis on health tracking and data. However, Garmin did not set out to develop a smartwatch. It should first create a health tracker that happens to work with your smartphone. This can be seen in areas like the Garmin Connect app, which is designed to give you as much data as possible. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus also tracks your heartbeat multiple times per second instead of once per second or even every few minutes.

Sleep data in particular is great information, and unlike the Apple Watch, tracking sleep doesn't cut your battery life by half or more.

I don't have the professional equipment to reliably record some training data (e.g. chest strap, BMI scale, O2 sensors, etc.), but the data I got from the Garmin Smartwatch is valuable. Sleep data in particular is great information, and unlike the Apple Watch, tracking sleep doesn't cut your battery life by half or more. For those who really collect data, the watch can also process inputs for tracking water usage or women's health. These have to be entered manually, of course, but it's nice to have all of this information in one dashboard.

Exercising, which to me means walking around the block, gives you even more data, including a map of your route, speed, average heart rate, climbs, pace, and more. The Apple Watch gives you similar data, both in bed and on the go. Apple even adds other protections like AFib detection and fall detection, both of which are important from a day-to-day safety perspective. Garmin has a feature that detects high-G events (read: falls) while a measured activity is in progress, which notifies emergency contacts if you trip and fall while running. That's nice, but only during measured activities, not all the time.

Performance and battery

Simply put, the battery life is amazing. Garmin advertises with around nine days of battery life, with a full AMOLED display and heart tracking that measures several times per second. The battery is drained when you add GPS and music streaming, but for everyday use this watch just keeps going.

When testing alongside the Apple Watch SE, the difference in battery life was sobering. I had to replenish the SE almost every day. In contrast, I only charged the Garmin watch twice during my two-week trial period. Even before I set up the Apple Watch SE for sleep tracking, it was maxed out for two days before the charger was needed.

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is an excellent smartwatch.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

When I talked to Garmin about my upcoming Disney trip, they asked me to start a hiking activity with full GPS at the beginning of a day in the park and to check the available data at the end of the day. The battery can handle constant GPS contact and aggressive health measurements for an entire day. While this review was being written prior to this vacation, I'll be testing this out.

When I first started using the Apple Watch, I was amazed at how Apple was able to create apps that were so fully featured compared to the rest of the industry. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus offers an equally enlightening experience when it comes to battery life. Even if you turn on the GPS and keep playing music, you still get eight hours. Nothing else I've tested before comes close.

Price and availability

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus will hit the market on January 4, 2022 and can be purchased from Garmin for a fairly high price of $ 450. Garmin is quick to point out that all health monitoring is done without a subscription, which is fine, but Garmin has a legacy of high-priced hardware and the Venu 2 Plus definitely continues that.

Our opinion

Overall, the biggest thing about the Garmin Venu 2 Plus is the price that makes me pause, but that too comes from a man who doesn't work. Still, the battery life is fantastic, the connectivity is hard to beat, and the additional ability to take calls and use a voice assistant really rounds off the package for me. There are cheaper alternatives, and just as the Apple Watch SE taught me that apps are important, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus taught me that battery life is also very important.

From a software standpoint, the Garmin has a steep learning curve, but once you get it, it's easy to use and surprisingly robust. Receiving notifications as soon as they touch and respond to your phone is often not as smooth on devices that are supposed to be a smartwatch first and then a fitness tracker. Garmin really offers a complete package here with very few compromises.

There is no doubt that this is a premium device after a niche clientele. Garmin is number one in the fitness world, even above the Apple Watch, and it's not hard to see why. Not only are you a device dedicated to monitoring your health, with a range of accessories to help you do so, but you also get a fully functional smartwatch that has those basics too. That makes the Venu 2 Plus a compelling product if you have the budget for it.

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is an excellent smartwatch.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

Is there a better alternative?

If you fall into that category of customers Garmin is looking for, no. This is it, with the possible exception of other Garmin offerings. If you're a general smartwatch user, the answer becomes less clear. If you're using an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 7 is better in many ways, with the notable exception of battery life. In the world of Android, the water is getting murky. The Samsung Watch 4 with Google and Samsung's new version of WearOS is very appealing. Regarding less expensive options, boy, hello, there are options. But none of them will keep up.

How long it will take?

Garmin products are known for their build quality, and I can confirm that with this smartwatch too. The watch has a Gorilla Glass 3 dial and can be worn for swimming up to 5 ATMs or about 50 meters. Garmin products also typically come with a one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Venu 2 Plus is a fine smartwatch and shouldn't even be a smartwatch. PR talk aside, this is a really nice wearable that gives you a ton of health data and features in a single, admittedly expensive, package. If you are into sports (which some may refer to as something other than "fitness") this watch is a breeze. If you want a smartwatch that will last more than a weekend, you have it. If you're not sure that your next smartphone has the same operating system as your current one, this watch works both ways. Your bank account might not be a huge fan, but you can love a lot here.

Editor's recommendations



04 Jan
Blog

Garmin Vivomove Sport Review: Hidden Screen, Obvious Talents

Garmin Vivomove Sport real hands.

Garmin Vivomove Sport in the test: the fashionable smartwatch with a hidden display

RRP $ 179.00

"The fashionable Garmin Vivomove may have a hidden screen, but once you put it on, the watch's extensive technology and health tracking talents are evident."

benefits

  • Looks like a fashion watch

  • Screen completely hides when not in use

  • Gesture control is reliable

  • Comprehensive health and activity tracking

disadvantage

  • OLED screen has a low resolution

  • Battery life just average

Garmin's new Vivomove Sport for 2022 is literally a hybrid smartwatch as it has physical pointers that move around the watch face and a screen that stays completely hidden until needed. It's the opposite of the Fitbit Versa 3, which is its biggest competitor and will appeal to anyone who finds the Fitbit's boring design off-putting. The good news is that it's not just the design that I like about the Vivomove Sport, as I found out.

draft

The Garmin Vivomove Sport is very good at disguising its hybrid smartwatch status as the small OLED screen is completely hidden until needed. When I say whole, I mean it too. I challenge you to look at the photos with the screen off and tell me there is one at all. I really like this approach, especially as more and more hybrid smartwatches are increasingly integrating active e-ink screens, where the design is away from the "watch" and much closer to the "smartwatch".

Garmin Vivomove Sport screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Not like this here, and it looks great for that. The dial is simple, with Garmin branding stamped on it, six hour markers, and some redundant chronograph-style markings on the bezel. The surface has a subtle vinyl record finish that is barely noticeable if you don't look closely while the baton hands are silver. There is no second hand, no buttons on the case and no crown.

Garmin Vivomove Sport watch face close-up.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The case is made of fiber reinforced polymer (which Garmin has used on other models, including the Fenix ​​range) and has glass over the dial with a very slight curve around the edges. It feels smooth and warm, but it can get greasy. It's attached to a simple rubber strap, which on my test device is black, but you can also get the Vivomove Sport in Ivory, Cocoa or Cool Mint. The Vivomove Sport is very light and comfortable to wear at just 34 grams. I wore it 24 hours a day for five days with no irritation or overnight problems or even the need to adjust the strap because it got too hot or sweaty.

Garmin Vivomove Sport Screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the design. It's very understated, but the simplicity means it goes with anything, especially black, and the 40mm case size is modest and fits most wrists. You won't make a statement with the Vivomove Sport, but because of the hidden screen you won't advertise wearing a smartwatch either. It just looks like a pretty ordinary fashion watch. This is exactly what a good hybrid smartwatch should be and ideal for anyone who doesn't like the sportiness of a fitness band or the geekiness of a full touchscreen but understands the need for a screen to increase its utility but doesn't want to see it all the time.

Screen and menu

Garmin's decision to hide the screen works from a design perspective, but what if it's on? It activates when you raise your wrist or double-tap the glass to view the time, battery status, and date information. You also tap the glass skillfully to operate the menu system, so Garmin can do without buttons on the case and it is an accurate and reliable system. Swipe the screen to view steps, heart rate, health data, and more. The pointers automatically rotate out of the way when you look at these screens.

Garmin Vivomove Sport step count.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sport Body Battery data.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sports Heart Rate.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Long press the screen to open the exercise menu, where you can quickly activate a walking, running, cycling, weight training, yoga, meditation or swimming session. Dig deeper and you'll find more detailed health functions like VO2 Max, blood oxygen and fitness age, as well as some settings for the watch. The on-screen options may seem small, but they're actually easy to find and press with your finger due to the accuracy of the watch's touch-sensitive glass.

Unfortunately, the OLED screen is bright, but not very high-resolution with only 72 x 154 pixels. The information displayed is noticeably blurry, almost like it's a little blurry or the glass is smeared, and it looks out of place next to the physical pointers and markers on the dial. It doesn't affect functionality or readability, but it's distracting and looks cheap.

Software and app

I used the watch with the Garmin Connect app connected to a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 before it was released, and it's compatible with iOS too. I didn't have any connection issues and syncing was flawless. It lacks some features like the Google Assistant or the Siri integration you'll find on competing models like the Fitbit Versa 3.

Garmin Vivomove Sport screen.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove sports cleats.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sport side profile.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sport.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Notifications are delivered reliably, but the screen is small. So don't expect anything other than basic information. Tap the incoming notification and you'll get more details, but it's of little use as a message spans multiple screens. The notifications work exactly the way you want them from a hybrid smartwatch: as a prompt to make a decision whether to pick up the phone or not.

By default, the vibrating alert isn't very strong, but exploring the settings menu can make it longer for the buzz, although battery life suffers. This is not the only customization option as many aspects of the watch can be changed from within the app, from the watch face to the exercise options displayed to gesture control options to the orientation of the hands.

The Garmin Connect app is colorful to look at and quick to use. It's packed with information and data, but I found it to be often tightly presented and awkward to find. A slide-in menu offers even more options, and navigating through it can be confusing and time-consuming. It's definitely for the data junkie, and I've rarely found anything that gives me advice on what to do with the data or how to make improvements. Instead, Garmin urges you to be motivated to participate in Community Challenges, either pre-generated or created with friends.

The Vivomove Sport may not be an expensive Garmin sports smartwatch, but with Connect it's definitely still comprehensive enough to be used by both casual coaches and serious athletes. There are features like adding details about your shoes and bike, saving routes you have run regularly and then navigating with Garmin's PacePro pacing system, as well as the ability to create custom workouts for the watch. All of your statistics, from sleep to stress to heart rate, are visible on individual screens with historical data for up to a year.

It's as complex as you want it to be, and if you only want to record a workout or two a week it's as ready to do so as it is all more strenuous.

Health tracking

I've followed workouts with the Vivomove Sport and the Apple Watch Series 7 together, and the Garmin returned significantly higher values ​​than the Apple Watch. The average heart rate during Vivomove Sport was about 10 beats per minute higher, which probably had an effect on calorie burning, which was usually 50 or 60 kcal higher as well. When comparing Garmin's sleep tracking with the Oura ring, neither of the two agreed on the timing of the sleep phases, but were almost identical for heart and respiratory rates.

Garmin Vivomove Sport training mode.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sport training mode.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Garmin Vivomove Sport GPS mode.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Neither of these are medical devices so results will always vary, but in my experience, the Apple Watch tends to match most other wearables in terms of activity tracking and heart rate. I am using the Garmin Vivomove Sport before its official announcement and with a special version of the Garmin Connect app, so adjustments to the watch's firmware and algorithms can be made after its release.

What else? There is menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, a way to manually log fluid intake, GPS tracking with your phone, various security features including emergency location sharing, and some mindfulness style relaxation features. Garmin's Body Battery is an unusual addition that might come in handy, but it's not implemented very well. It assesses your energy levels to understand if it is a good time to exercise or to make an effort in general. I didn't find it helpful in everyday life, mainly because you have to look for your battery level in the app. The Oura Ring has a similar Readiness Score, but it appears first thing in the morning on the app's home screen, making it more helpful for planning your day.

The Vivomove Sport covers my basic health needs very well, with a lot of leeway even for the more enthusiastic athlete

The touch-sensitive glass and the quick and easy activation of exercise tracking are welcome, as the process can often be a frustrating combination of keystrokes on hybrid smartwatches. Not so here, and by swiping the small screen, you can also see live heart rate and calorie consumption data. The Vivomove Sport covers my basic health monitoring needs very well and also offers plenty of leeway for the more enthusiastic exerciser, but the accuracy can benefit from some tweaks.

battery

Connected to an Android smartphone and with notifications as well as all-day heart rate monitoring, a few recorded training sessions and overnight sleep, the Garmin Vivomove Sport's battery lasted five days before it needed to be charged. You charge the battery with a proprietary cable included in the scope of delivery.

Charge the Garmin Vivomove Sport.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I didn't turn on blood oxygen monitoring for sleep, which would likely further reduce usage time, but with these settings it is in line with Garmin's expectations for battery life. It's longer than a full-fledged smartwatch like the Apple Watch, but less than very energy-efficient smartwatches like the Huawei Watch GT 3. Five days of use is good, but given the Vivomove Sport's small screen, I would have liked to have had it longer.

Price and availability

The Vivomove Sport is priced at $ 179 and is available now from Garmin's online shop.

Our opinion

The subtle design that goes with everything and the real hands make the Garmin Vivomove Sport an excellent hybrid smartwatch for everyday use.

The precise gesture controls and the bright OLED screen make it quick and easy to use, it works with Android and iOS and the Garmin Connect app is full of data. On the less positive side, the five-day battery life is decent but not overwhelming, and the OLED screen's low resolution is distracting, but the area that is most worrying is the tracking accuracy. Discrepancies between the Vivomove Sport and other smartwatches indicate that there may be too many reports and an update is needed to optimize performance.

I've worn the Garmin Vivomove Sport for 10 frustration-free days at the time of writing. I only had to charge it once, it tracked my activity and sleep, reliably delivered notifications, looked great on my wrist and didn't get uncomfortable. Definitely recommended for the reasonable price of $ 179.

Is there a better alternative?

Garmin's Vivomove Sport's biggest competitor is the Fitbit Versa 3, valued at $ 230. Throughout my time, I've been reminded how convenient and easy the Versa 3 is to use, traits it shares with the Garmin watch. However, I prefer the design and the real hands of the Vivomove Sport by far, and it's significantly cheaper, but I think the Versa 3 is even more comfortable to wear 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you want a hybrid smartwatch with real pointers on the dial, the best alternative is the $ 195 Skagens Jorn HR, which has an e-ink screen behind the pointers. It shows as much information as the Garmin Vivomove Sport, but is not as easy to use and has no touchscreen. However, it is more customizable, and the design and materials used make it more desirable.

For a hybrid watch with a digital screen, we recommend the Casio G-Shock GBD-200 for $ 149 or its surf-oriented brother, the $ 180 GBX-100NS. Both come with basic fitness tracking and notifications, as well as all of the durability you'd expect from the brand. If you're still considering a full smartwatch, here are the best models right now.

How long it will take?

The Vivomove Sport has a water resistance of 50 meters and is suitable for swimming, while the plastic housing should prove to be durable. Garmin is a well-established company so there shouldn't be a problem with the Connect app continuing to work for years to come.

The Vivomove Sport allows you to grow if your exercise routines or needs or interests change too, making it a safe buy even if you are just starting out with tracking and are unsure of what the future will bring. It's not a high fashion piece so it should look fresh in a couple of years, and the 20mm strap is on quick release pins so it can be easily replaced if it breaks. You get the Vivomove Sport for three or more years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's a great alternative to a Fitbit, with a more watch-like design and a reasonable price.

Editor's recommendations



14 Sep
Blog

Garmin Enduro Review: An Endurance Watch You’ll Never Outrun

Garmin Enduro

Garmin Enduro Test: Durable sports watch for long distance fans

RRP $ 799.00

"The Garmin Enduro sports watch provides long-lasting power for ultra-endurance athletes"

advantages

  • Stunning battery life

  • Outdoor focused sports tracking

  • Comfortable nylon strap

  • Spacious, easy to read display

disadvantage

  • No topographic maps

  • Expensive costs

Fitness watches will keep you on track in the long run, but powering such a watch is a challenge. Long distance runners sometimes carry a charging cable and bulky portable batteries to charge their watch. Step inside the Garmin Enduro, Garmin's latest sports watch that offers an incredible 70 hours of run time on a single charge. Is the enduro a game changer for the ultra-running crowd or just hype?

Solid construction, prone to scratches

The Garmin Enduro is a hybrid watch that borrows heavily from the brand's outdoor-focused Fenix ​​line and the Forerunner running watches. The Enduro has a sturdy stainless steel bezel and a metal-polymer case that can withstand the elements. I've used it for hiking, biking, and climbing, and I still have to scratch the body of the watch.

Garmin Enduro worn on the wrist.

I can't say that about the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display. After about a month the watch will have a few light, superficial scratches. I probably got them from rough rock climbing or from sticking my hand through spokes, pedals, and chains while fixing my bike. The scratches do not affect the performance and are only visible at an angle.

The Enduro has a color display, but don't expect to be blown away by a rich, colorful user interface. Color is used wisely to either indicate critical statistics or convey information. The 1.4-inch display is easy to read in sunlight and is large enough to check your stats without slowing down.

Chunky but comfortable design

The Enduro competes with the Fenix ​​series in terms of size, but surpasses them in terms of comfort. Instead of the standard elastomer sports strap, the Enduro is equipped with a very comfortable nylon strap. The strap wraps around your wrist and is fastened with Velcro. The band reduces sweat and doesn't rub my wrist like other sports bands.

Close-up of the Garmin Enduro watch strap.

If you don't like the nylon strap, you can simply swap it out for a different version. Like the Fenix, the Enduro is a bit bulky, especially for smaller wrists, but relatively light, the steel version weighs 71 grams.

Fitness tracking for outdoor people

The Garmin Enduro records a wide range of activities including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. Like most Garmin watches, the Enduro quickly grabs a satellite signal and keeps it safe even in thick forests. It's chock-full of metrics like ClimbPro that let you know when you hit a steep climb and a Trail VO2 max calculation that takes altitude into account. The enduro is over the top for gym goers and yoga fans, but die-hard outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate these extras as they climb mountains and cover kilometers.

Limited smartwatch functions

The Garmin Enduro is packed with fitness and outdoor-oriented features, but its smartwatch features are limited. You can receive incoming phone calls and notifications, but you can only answer them if you have an Android phone. Even on Android, you can only reply to text messages.

Thanks to its widget-based interface, you can view the weather, sunrise and sunset times and upcoming calendar events. The Enduro supports Garmin's Connect IQ app repository, but most of the apps available are wellness or music oriented and don't complement the watch's already rugged multisport feature set.

Stunning battery life

I thought the Coros Vertix and Suunto 9 had great battery life, but the Enduro blew them both away. With normal use, the Enduro lasted more than a month between charging processes. Charging was an afterthought – something I only did when the watch reminded me when it got low. The worst part was finding my charging cable after not using it for more than 30 days.

The Enduro lets you explore for days and weeks without a power source

In contrast to the Apple Watch, I didn't have to worry about the battery life even with activated GPS and fitness tracking. I've used the Enduro while hiking on both day trips and overnight trips. A full-day hike in GPS mode hardly harmed the battery life. It was so liberating not to have to worry about running out of juice before my hike was over. On a multi-day trip, I didn't have to carry a charging cable or power source with me. I turned off GPS tracking at the end of each day and still had enough battery after four days.

Solar provides a power boost

The battery life is further increased by an integrated solar cell that surrounds the bezel and is embedded under the glass display. Power Glass technology is designed to only provide extra power, so don't rely on it to fully charge your watch. You have to be out in the sun for a while to see a difference. I hardly saw a difference on short trips in the woods, but it did improve battery life on a day hike in the bright sun.

Missing maps and music

The Enduro's overwhelming battery life has its price. Garmin had to trim battery-guzzling features like navigation and music found on the Fenix ​​6 and Forerunner 945 models. You get breadcrumb tracking and uploadable routes on the Enduro, but you don't get the highly detailed topographic maps you find on the Forerunner 945 or Fenix ​​6 Pro. There is also no music memory. Yes, you can control music playback on your phone with the Enduro, but you cannot use the watch as a standalone music player.

Our opinion

The battery life is the killer feature for the Garmin Enduro. If you hike, bike or run long distances, the Enduro is a breeze. The sports watch is comfortable to wear and the battery lasts forever. You don't have to carry the extra weight of a battery pack or charging cable, or worry about running and charging at the same time. Its high cost of $ 800 may be a hard sell to some people, but it certainly covers everything an outdoor enthusiast craves.

Is there a better alternative?

The Garmin Enduro is a niche product for endurance runners, bikers and hikers. Unless you want longer battery life, a Fenix ​​or Forerunner series watch should save you some money and add some features. The Fenix ​​has map and advanced navigation features that can be more appealing to outdoor enthusiasts than battery life. Likewise, the Forerunner 945 has advanced run metrics for those who run for hours rather than days.

How long it will take?

Garmin's outdoor watches are known for their rugged construction, and the Enduro is no exception. The stainless steel case resists scratches and the nylon strap can be closed securely. We got a few light scratches on the display from climbing rocks or repairing a bike, but you can put a screen protector on. Garmin has a one-year warranty that covers defects in manufacturing or workmanship.

Should you buy it?

If battery life is at the top of your list, then go for the Garmin Enduro. The Enduro will blow away the other watches from Garmin and even those from competitors like Suunto or Polar.

Editor's recommendations



22 Apr
Blog

Garmin Venu 2 Review: Superb Tracking With Superior Battery

garmin venu 2 review 2s

"The Garmin Venu 2 / 2S is near the height of fitness trackers and smartwatches."

  • Up to 11 days of battery life

  • Detailed tracking of important health data

  • Health alerts keep users informed about stress

  • Dozens of workout routines

  • Numerous dials

  • High price

  • iPhone users cannot reply to messages

The Garmin Venu 2 / 2S is proof that Garmin has successfully changed direction from car-mounted GPS devices to incredibly powerful, useful wearables. This smartwatch can do more than just display messages – it monitors a whole range of health information. It will also yell at you when your vitals get too out of whack. Think of the Garmin Venu 2 / 2S as your personal, health-focused Jiminy Cricket.

Minimalistic design

The Venu 2 has a simple yet elegant design. The all black band, face and bezel give the Venu 2 a subdued look, but the minimalist design goes with any outfit. It can easily take the place of a "fancier" bracelet without spoiling the overall look.

The Venu 2S is optionally available with a white band with a gold bezel. It also has a slightly smaller screen at 1.1 "compared to the 1.3" screen on the Venu 2. There are two buttons on the right side of the band that, along with the touchscreen, control most of the Garmin's functions. The band has approximately 20 micro-adjustment slots so you can get the perfect fit regardless of the size of your wrist.

The best part is that the smartwatch is convenient. I wore it to bed every night for two weeks and it didn't feel uncomfortable once, unlike many other wearables I've tried. The Garmin Venu 2 is lightweight and will quickly become a standard part of your everyday life. I don't feel it when I'm wearing it, but I definitely feel it when it's not on my wrist.

Health traits

The health features are where the Garmin Venu 2 really shines. This smartwatch takes almost all of the best features of fitness trackers and smartwatches and combines them into a single tool that has been used at almost every point in my day.

Battery life

The first thing to note is that this iteration of the Venu includes some new features that will bring it far more usefulness than before. The most important among these is the battery life. The first time I buckled up the Venu 2 was around noon on a Friday. I didn't take it off to recharge until the next Thursday evening – almost seven full days.

It has the range to provide charge for more than a week.

According to its specifications, the Venu 2 can last up to 11 days on a single charge as long as it is in smartphone mode (meaning the built-in GPS beacon is not used). I received a lot of notifications throughout the day that probably drained the battery faster than usual, but with minimal use I can easily believe it will last that long on one charge. It also charges quickly – just 10 minutes is enough to restore a single day's charge while four hours fully restore the battery.

Like the previous Venu, the Venu 2 can store songs in its on-board memory (although this version can store up to 650 songs instead of 500). Playing music and using your GPS will reduce battery life to just eight hours on a single charge. Still, it's impressive that the range is more than a week or less than a day, depending on the activity.

Health surveillance

Another useful feature is all-day health monitoring. This allows the Venu 2 to collect various health metrics throughout the day, including your heart rate, stress level, breathing, and even your pulse ox – your blood oxygen levels. Checking these stats can give you a good idea of ​​your fitness level, but you don't have to find out for yourself.

Another new feature is called Fitness Age. It gives you a rough estimate of the age of your body compared to your chronological age. You can check your fitness age on the Garmin app for suggestions on how to improve. For example, this could indicate that you are lowering your BMI or increasing your activity level during the day.

The new built-in workouts can help with this. The HIIT workouts help you keep track of your time and allow you to set up custom timers and intervals, while the Advanced Strength Training Tool keeps track of your personal bests at a glance and shows which muscle groups were trained during the workout .

Sleep score and health snapshot

The last two functions go hand in hand. The Sleep Score gives you an estimate of how well you slept on a scale from 1 to 100, as well as suggestions on how to improve your sleep. It shows you how long you've been through each phase of sleep – a useful feature when you're trying to get the most out of your lack of sleep.

If you want a complete overview of your health, you can use the Health Snapshot to do a 2-minute workout while the Garmin Venu 2 records your heart rate, breathing, stress and other measurements. At the end of the workout, you will receive a report of your score and a rough estimate of your health.

Body battery

The body battery is a really interesting feature that is frighteningly accurate. It measures your overall energy level from 1 to 100 based on how well you slept the night before, how much activity you have during the day, how much stress you are, and more. At the beginning of the day you can see how much you “charged” during the night, and during the day you can see how much energy is “used”.

In my time with the Venu 2, the value of the body battery is about what I feel. Every time I feel tired or have trouble concentrating, the body battery value is below 40. At least it has given me greater awareness of the ups and downs of my energy throughout the day, especially the slump after lunch.

Other properties

Aside from its numerous health features, the Garmin Venu 2 also functions as a smartwatch. You will receive notifications from your phone right on your wrist. One of the few downsides to the Venu 2 is the inability to respond to messages like the Apple Watch can.

The Venu 2 works with Garmin Pay so you can do your shopping without ever having to withdraw cash or a debit card. At a time when everyone is still trying to avoid touching objects, this feature is a fantastic option.

If you're struggling to motivate yourself to exercise, the Garmin Connect app can help. I know competition is the best way to get me going, and the ability to earn badges through badge challenges makes me want to fill my profile with whatever I can. You can also view a news feed to see how your friends fared compared to yourself this week.

And if you decide to customize your watch face to suit your personality, there are several watch faces to choose from in the Connect IQ Store. You can even create your own watch faces with pictures from your phone.

In the Connect IQ Store you can also install various music apps like Spotify or Amazon Music, navigation apps like Find My Car and even other training apps like a tracker for elliptical trainers or inline skating.

Price and availability

The Garmin Venu 2 and 2S are available now at Garmin.com for $ 400. It has not yet been announced whether it will be available from other retailers.

Our opinion

The Garmin Venu 2 / 2S is incredible technology that brings many features into one small package – and has enough customizations that you can change to be unique to your lifestyle. It's a full-fledged fitness tracker with most of the features you'd expect from a smartwatch. If iPhone users could reply to messages or post a social media post right from the watch, it would be perfect.

The depth of health monitoring features make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to get fit. However, it's especially useful for people who want to shed a few unwanted pounds before a big event. For example, if you have a wedding in a few months and want to make sure you look good in your suit, the Venu 2 / 2S will help you keep track of which exercises are best for you.

However, the $ 400 price tag is steep. As much as I enjoyed using the Venu 2 / 2S (and will continue to do so), $ 300 seems like a better price – that is, all of the advanced sensors explain the cost. It's worth noting that the screen is a little too easy to scratch for a $ 400 device. There is a small blemish on the face after banging the clock against the wall.

Ultimately, however, it's a great watch – and the health warnings are the icing on the cake. You can set your Venu 2 / 2S to notify you when your heart rate or stress level exceeds a certain level. This can remind you to stop, stand back, and take a breath.

Is there a better alternative?

The Fitbit Charge 4 offers many of the same fitness tracking features (as well as GPS) for just $ 150. While it doesn't have all of the smartwatch features, if you're looking for a fitness-only tracker it's hard to justify spending an extra $ 250.

The Apple Watch SE is another cheaper option for $ 325, especially if you're an iPhone user. At the moment, the Garmin Venu 2 / 2S is still aimed more at Android users than iPhone users (although I had no difficulty connecting or operating mine via iOS).

How long it will take?

With proper care, the Venu 2 / S should last quite a long time. Even so, the screen is a bit fragile and easily scratches. Be careful, but don't worry about water – the Garmin Venu 2 / S is rated at 5 ATM, which means it should withstand a pressure of around 50 meters. You should be able to shower with the water without worry. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty that covers defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, without a doubt. The Garmin Venu 2 / 2S is the best fitness tracker I've ever used, and it will continue to be used for the months to come as I get in shape for my upcoming wedding.

Editor's recommendations




05 Mar
Blog

Garmin Lily Review: Bring Fashion to Your Fitness Watch

Garmin Lily Rating Wrist

Garmin Lily Women's Fitness Classic Smartwatch

"The Garmin Lily brings the much-needed feminine flair to a mostly male fitness watch market."

  • Stylish, classic look

  • Pulse oximeter

  • Excellent sleep and wellness tracking

  • Decent battery life

  • Grayscale display

  • No GPS on board

  • No music storage

Smartwatches are usually designed for function and not for fashion, which is why the Garmin Lily attracts attention. With its slim design and feminine color selection, the Lily was carefully designed for women. Garmin hits the bull's eye when it comes to Lily's looks, but surprisingly, the features are a bit short.

The petite size is perfect

There is little doubt that Garmin can make monstrous GPS watches, but the lily shows that Garmin can successfully downsize too. The delicate round face (34.5 mm) and the narrow 14 mm band make the Lily ideal for women. It fits my wrist perfectly and is one of the most comfortable smartwatches I've ever worn. I even prefer it over the Apple Watch SE, which has been a staple on my wrist for years.

With a weight of 24 grams, the Lily is one of the lightest smartwatches on the market. It doesn't put any strain on your wrist and is slim enough that it won't get caught on clothing. You barely even realize you're wearing it until you receive an incoming notification. Although the Lily is small, it offers around four days of battery life between charges.

Creative, classic design

The Lily has a classic design that is more like a luxury watch than your standard fitness watch. The band is delicate and the round display is framed by a thin aluminum or stainless steel bezel that is attractive and non-flashy. Even the sports models that have silicone instead of a leather strap share this classic, good look.

Although the Lily is small, it still delivers up to four days of battery life between charges.

When not in use, the lily's grayscale display disappears, leaving behind a patterned lens. The different colors have different patterns and give the watch a touch of class. The choice of colors is decidedly feminine, but reserved so that it goes well with a variety of outfits. You can wear the lily to work or for a night on the town and no one will know it's a fitness tracker.

Long-lasting but disappointing display

The display is bright and easy to read, but its 16-level grayscale is a step back from the colorful OLED on the Apple Watch and Garmin Venu. The display of the lily isn't bad. It's just not as good as its competition.

The display is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, which is scratch-resistant. After three weeks of wearing the watch, the lens above the display is still flawless.

Robust wellness tracking compensates for missing functions

Like most Garmin devices, the Lily offers numerous wellness features, including stress monitoring and energy tracking of the body's batteries. It can even calculate your breathing rate and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. All of the great wellness tracking, sleep metrics, and widgets you'd expect from a Garmin watch are included in the Lily. Garmin saves a bit on activity options – there are only a handful of timed activities to choose from. While there are fewer choices than most other fitness watches, the activities included are wide enough to cover the basics for most people.

As great as it is at the spa, the Lily lacks some key features. Don't bother setting up Garmin Wallet as you can't use NFC contactless payments with the Lily. It also doesn't have a built-in GPS and instead uses your phone's GPS to calculate distance and pace. Another disappointing area is music. The Lily has a music widget that allows you to control the music that is playing on your phone. The watch does not have built-in memory, so you cannot download music to the watch for offline listening.

Our opinion

The Garmin Lily is ideal for a woman who wants to control her health and fitness with a decidedly feminine watch. The $ 199 price for the sports band and even the $ 249 for the classic leather model are well worth it if you prefer fashion over features.

Is there a better alternative?

If you are a woman looking for a very feminine or classic watch with basic fitness tracking, there is no better choice than the Garmin Lily. If you don't mind a more general look, Garmin Venu or Fitbit Versa 3 might be a better option. Both watches offer an always-on AMOLED display, built-in GPS, and mobile payments for about the same price as the Lily.

How long it will take?

The Garmin Lily has a strong feminine side, but that doesn't mean it's soft. Like most Garmin watches, the Lily is as sturdy as nails and durable. Garmin is constantly updating its watches with bug fixes and new features. If you encounter a problem, Garmin offers a one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Buy the lily if you are a woman who wants a fitness tracker that looks like a luxury watch.

Editor's recommendations




23 Sep
Blog

Garmin Venu Sq Review: Great Health Tracking, Simple Styling

garmin venu sq rating in hand

"This is an excellent health and fitness watch at an affordable price."

  • Reliable and accurate activity tracking

  • Incoming data collection and analysis

  • Simple and lightweight design

  • Support for dozens of workout types

  • Almost a week of battery life

  • $ 50 for music features

  • Touchscreen can be fussy during exercise

  • Limited "intelligent" functions and notifications

You will have a hard time finding someone who doesn't know Garmin, and most of the time you will know the company's extensive range of fitness smartwatches. It has a well-earned reputation for making the highest quality, most accurate watches for runners, bikers, triathletes and every other possible outdoor sport.

But Garmin doesn't just want to play in the "pro" room. There's reason to believe that the Garmin name could lead to affordable sales that rival entry-level smartwatches and high-end fitness bands. This is where the Garmin Venu Sq comes into play.

Hardware and functions

You can't see it any other way. The Venu Sq looks like an Apple Watch. I know there are only so many ways to make a smartwatch with rounded rectangles, but it's hard to miss. Just a few days after getting the Venu Sq, I was in soccer practice and a teammate asked how I liked my Apple Watch.

However, that's not a bad thing. Unlike any other Garmin fitness watch, this isn't a polarizing design. It's simple, straightforward, and decidedly not looking robust. You can wear something other than workout clothes and keep wearing the Venu Sq without explicitly shouting to everyone around you, "You're damn right, I'm running!" Not everyone wants this recognition.

The plastic body is effective, albeit lightweight and cheap (remember, it's only $ 200). The brushed aluminum piece that surrounds the curved glass display cover, however, is a nice contrast and on the back, where the sensor array is located, neither thick nor bulky.

The display is just 1.3 inches diagonal and 240 x 240 resolution, but it definitely gets the job done. It has an ambient brightness setting and was easily visible in sunlight while it also got much darker at night. There is a large bezel on the screen that doesn't look too good, but honestly it doesn't affect how well you can use the watch considering how simple the software is.

This is a fitness-first smartwatch, not a generic "little phone on the wrist," so its smart functionality is fundamental. You can customize watch faces with some basic designs and data layouts, but it's nowhere near as extensive as Apple's. Notifications come to your wrist and you can act on them when paired with an Android phone. Otherwise, there is not much you can do outside of health and fitness. There are no news, apps, or advanced features here. And the vibration motor is very loud.

Even with a color touchscreen, the Venu Sq offers excellent battery life according to general smartwatch standards. Even with a constant Bluetooth connection that brought in notifications from my phone, overnight sleep tracking, and 4-5 hours of GPS workout tracking, I was able to get 5 days of battery life without any problems. This is without the "always on" display which would certainly put a few days off, but I found that a long delay in the display timeout is a good compromise.

Health, activity and training tracking

For a $ 200 fitness watch, the Venu Sq delivers where it matters. Sensors and tracking functions. You get the same core tracking and analysis as a $ 600 Garmin Fenix ​​6 running the same great Garmin Connect app on your phone. Here you will find constant, precise heart rate monitoring as well as the usual number of steps and the active minute value. Garmin's reputation for having accurate GPS tracking for running and cycling has also proven itself in my tests and perfectly tracked my activities.

Garmin uses the idea of ​​a "body battery" to measure your overall physical condition, which can be fun to track every day. But you also get a display for physical stress, calorie consumption, sleep analysis, training load analysis and training suggestions – again identical to much more expensive Garmin watches.

Every popular activity has a pre-built mode that you can jump into with a few taps and start tracking, from running and biking to stand up paddle boarding, cross country skiing, rowing, stretching, yoga, elliptical training, golf and More. The list is long.

The Venu Sq, like many of its other watches, also offers SpO2 tracking (aka Pulse Ox), something you otherwise only get on the latest Apple Watch Series 6. You shouldn't be putting a lot of weight into an SpO2 reading from a consumer smartwatch, but if it's something you focus on as part of your overall health picture, then it is here.

The only thing you are missing out on is a barometer so you won't get any altitude related tracking. No daily tracking of climbing stairs and, above all, no altitude information for hiking or running / cycling on paths. This isn't that important to most people, but anyone who takes their running or biking seriously will really miss getting accurate elevation data and an altitude-adjusted speed analysis.

While the touchscreen is good for everyday use and navigation, it is not the best interface for using the watch while exercising. Touchscreens work poorly with sweaty fingers and are accidentally triggered by sleeves and rain. After accidentally ending a run once, I turned on the screen lock, which unfortunately also disabled the side buttons – an annoying compromise, but a general improvement. It may seem gaudy to have a watch with 5 physical buttons like the other models from Garmin, but it really is the option to interface with a watch while exercising or while wearing gloves.

Like most of its watches, Garmin has an upsell fee to add music features to the Venu Sq. You pay an additional $ 50 for local storage on the watch, which can be used to sync music to Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer and play it right on your headphones. This isn't a big deal for me running or biking as it doesn't support YouTube Music (come on!) And I always have my phone with me, but I know a lot of people want to go off the phone and still have their Spotify playlists. For all-purpose smartwatches with integrated music functionality, a price premium of 25% for the Venu Sq is difficult.

Our opinion

The Venu Sq is well positioned to stand out from basic fitness bands like the Fitbit Inspire 3. It has a watch shape and a large screen, but without the big price hike when switching to a fully featured smartwatch from Apple or a high-end fitness watch from Polar or Garmin.

You get accurate tracking of activity, health, and training backed by the summary and analysis of Garmin's smartphone app, which gives you the same features you would expect from a much more expensive watch. It doesn't look like a hardcore fitness watch, however, which is likely a bonus for people who are only looking to spend $ 200 on this type of wearable.

There are definite shortcomings here if you take your fitness very seriously and need more accurate tracking, more sensors or hardware buttons. But think of the price here too. The Venu Sq is a great fitness-focused smartwatch that divides the difference between casual and professional users while also looking more like an all-purpose smartwatch.

Is there a better alternative?

Garmin's biggest competitor is hands down the Apple Watch Series 3, which is relatively old but still fully supported and is being sold brand new by Apple for $ 199. The Watch Series 3 is clearly unable to track workouts and provide detailed fitness data. However, if you own an iPhone, it offers a more holistic lifestyle smartwatch experience with better apps, notifications, and a better user interface. And the draw for services like Apple Fitness + shouldn't be underestimated.

If you want to specifically focus on tracking your runs, bike rides, and serious workouts, a more specialized fitness smartwatch like the Garmin Forerunner 245 makes more sense. It's more expensive at $ 275, but it has more buttons, a touchless screen, and a clear, always-on, low-reflectivity display in daylight.

How long it will take?

As an inexpensive fitness watch, the Venu Sq is not designed to last a decade. But it's well designed and built to be knocked around, and that's a good sign of its longevity. You may need to replace a belt a few years later, but it's an inexpensive proposition. Garmin also supports the Connect app and platform well. As far as data retention and analysis is concerned, you will continue to be able to use these functions for years to come.

Should you buy it?

The Garmin Venu Sq is a good fitness-focused smartwatch that is north of a fitness band's budget. Some people really don't want to spend more than $ 200 on a fitness tracker but want to get something that looks like a watch – the Venu Sq fits that market. Garmin's activity tracking and app are great, and that brings exceptional value here. Don't expect too much from the other “smart” functions outside of healthcare.

Editor's recommendations




20 Jun
Blog

Garmin Vector 3: Spinning Your Head and Feet with Data

Garmin vector 3 test pedals 8

"The Vector 3 pedals offer drivers an amazing amount of accurate information in a clear and user-friendly package."

  • Simply switch between bicycles

  • Bicycle dynamics

  • Slim and light

  • Exactly

  • Permanent

  • Batteries are not rechargeable

  • Garmin computer needed to maintain bike dynamics

Why would anyone want to spend a lot of money on smart bike pedals? It should be easy to tell whether you are pedaling harder or softer because you are the one kicking, right?

After 200 miles on Garmin's Vector 3 pedals, I can say they can do so much more than tell you if you smash the pedals. From tracking my average performance and left / right balance during long journeys, to easing the pace, to finding that I am pushing the outside of my right pedal (which justifies adjusting the studs). I've learned more about how to pedal with the Vector 3 pedals in my last five rides than in the previous 20 without them.

Unzip, install and set up

The components of the Garmin Vector 3 are immediately ready for use. Two pedals, two Look Keo studs, some washers, replacement seals and manuals. Gone are the ridiculous pods of the previous Vector 2 pedals. The Vector 3 pedals only require a 15 mm pedal wrench. The installation is then completed.

Connecting the devices you may be using with the pedals is not that easy. Through some trial and error, I found the best way to sort this process by:

  1. Start the firmware update via the Garmin Connect app on your iOS or Android.
  2. Adjust the crank length to match the cranks of your bike.
  3. After updating the firmware, turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
  4. Connect your pedals to your bike computer using the ANT + connection. If you use the Bluetooth connection, you will not get all the information about the bike dynamics.

It was a bit of a headache to connect everything while the Bluetooth on my phone was still active because the pedals wanted to stay connected to this Bluetooth signal instead of switching to ANT +. One of the pedals could not be connected properly and the calibration was never completed. After I found out and forced my computer to connect via ANT +, it went smoothly.

Once you're done, there's a simple calibration process where all you have to do is loosen the clip and the pedals do the rest. You should calibrate every few trips, especially after the first trip, to make sure everything is read correctly.

design

The Vector 3 pedals have been completely redesigned from the previous model and are clean, elegant and are among the lightest options available. Weight Weenies should be happy, because the Vector 3 pedals have a total of 316 grams. In comparison, my Shimano Ultegra pedals weigh 260 grams. This additional weight comes from the force measurement technology, which is neatly stowed in the pedal spindle.

The battery compartment for the Vector 3 pedals is also located in the spindle. The Vector 3 is a design option that can be a problem for some. He uses four LR44 batteries (two for each pedal). If almost every other Garmin product I've used in recent years uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Vector 3 pedals won't work. I'm not sure why Garmin chose this route, but the advantage is that the battery life is up to 120 hours and that's a lot of bike rides. The downside is that you may not find the LR44 you need when you are dead while traveling or at a vaguely distant location.

Garmin stuck to the Look Keo studs of the previous Vector 2 pedals. These fit on all normal road bike shoes with 3-hole fastening. However, be aware that SPD / mountain bike shoes do not work.

Bicycle dynamics

As soon as I started pedaling, the amount of incoming data was breathtaking. In first place was the power displayed in watts, of which Garmin claims an accuracy of +/- 1%. For the uninitiated, watts are essentially the measured force your legs can put on the pedals.

Why is that important? Unlike training at your heart rate or average speed, watts are not affected by external factors. With Watt, you always get consistent feedback no matter how sluggish or strong you feel right now. This makes it the most accurate measure of your fitness on the bike. Knowing how many watts you average over a workout is a great help to speed up longer trips or to understand how much power you can deliver in a sprint.

Seeing how much electricity you generate is just the tip of the iceberg. If you show exactly how to generate electricity, the Vector 3 pedals light up. In addition to the more standard left and right cadence and cadence that most other double-sided power meters capture, the Vector 3 pedals compile additional metrics to the so-called bike dynamics.

Bicycle dynamics include:

  • PCO (Platform Center Offset), which shows where you put more pressure on the pedal during the entire pedal stroke.
  • Sitting / standing position to show how much time you spend inside or outside the saddle.
  • Power phase to tell you at what degrees you are producing power throughout the pedal stroke and where your peak power is in that phase.

These metrics are sure to be weeds for data nerds, but PCO can help you dial your lug position. Your sitting and standing time can help you compare yourself to previous efforts to determine where you were more effective, while the performance phase can help you determine whether or not you are getting the most out of each pedal stroke. In addition, all of these statistics can be broken down into averages at any point in your journey, e.g. B. for inclines or sprints to get more information.

Hidden statistics

After my first ride, I realized that the standard setting for the torque effectiveness and pedal smoothness functions was deactivated. Oddly enough, there's no way to turn it on unless you have a Garmin Edge-compatible computer like the Edge 520 plus. This means that if you're rocking a Wahoo Element like I did on my first ride, you can only activate it if you can borrow a friend's Garmin to activate it.

This is a ridiculous problem, and in practice, I found that torque effectiveness and smoothness were measures that I could hardly understand, let alone make useful changes. I guess if you are not a top athlete you will not miss her.

If you don't have a Garmin Edge device, you'll miss the previously mentioned features of Cycling Dynamics. However, there is some hope in this regard as Garmin has released its Cycling Dynamics protocols for third-party devices. At the time of this writing, only Trainer Road and Favero Electronics have adopted it. This is a strange problem that vaguely points to the somewhat turbulent release of the Vector 3 pedals.

The data you get with a Wahoo computer isn't quite as extensive as with a Garmin, but there is still a lot to do.The data collected on a Garmin Edge computer spans the entire suite of Cycling Dynamics.

Rough start fixed

When the Vector 3 pedals first hit the market, it was firmware and product support issues that gave the Vector 3 a bad first impression. Then users had problems with intermittent blackouts due to faulty battery doors.

Fortunately, some important firmware updates have been made, including a Bluetooth smart feature that lets you use the Vector 3 pedals for Zwift. You fixed the battery door issue and shipped new doors to previous Vector 3 owners.

While the release of the Vector 3 pedals may have been a bit rocky, my experience was smooth. After my initial setup, the daily use of the Vector 3 pedals proved to be easy and reliable. After 200 miles and counting, I had no force or pedal reading interruptions.

Warranty information

The Garmin Vector 3 pedals come with a two-year warranty.

Our opinion

The Vector 3 pedals offer drivers an amazing amount of accurate information in a clear and user-friendly package. The initial problems with the Vector 3 pedals have been resolved, and with the discounts currently available, they are among the most affordable double-sided power meters on the market.

Is there a better alternative?

The main competitor is the Assioma Duo Favero. They weigh a little less for the couple at around 300 grams, are cheaper at $ 644, have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a battery life of 50 hours, and have Garmins Cycling Dynamics built in, so you get all the information. The main difference is in the design, as the Favero houses all of its technology in a pod mounted on the spindle for a much more voluminous overall look. The PowerTap P2 pedals are even more bulky – they look ridiculous.

Another promising option is an emerging company called iQ. They promise most of the same functionality at a fraction of the price, but are still extremely new to the market.

While the Vector 3 pedals struggled, the amount of support and investment that comes with a Garmin product is difficult to favor. While the other companies may shake the electricity meter industry, there is confidence in buying from a name like Garmin that should not be overlooked.

How long it will take?

A big advantage of the Garmin is its repairability. The Assiomas inject resin into their meter housing to make it water and shock resistant. That is, if something goes wrong, you have to replace the entire device. With the Vector 3 everything is stowed in the spindle, which makes it much easier to repair and replace defective parts. This is an important reason why reconditioned Garmin units are available so quickly. In addition to the physical design, Garmin's software engineering and subsequent firmware updates are reliably among the best in the industry.

Should you buy it

If I had done this check at launch when the Vector 3 pedals were only available for the MSRP of $ 1,000, I would have hesitated. Now that you can find sales of new units for $ 750 and can be refurbished for $ 650, the Vector 3 pedals are a breeze.

Editor's recommendations




01 May
Blog

Garmin Vivimove Style Review: Smart, Timeless, Quirky

garmin vivimove style review intelligent timeless quirky vivoactive 28

"Garmin does fitness without flash in its subtle Vivomove style."

  • Timeless aesthetics

  • Robust Garmin Connect app

  • Hands move to see statistics

  • HR and Pulsox sensors

  • No buttons

  • Dull AMOLED displays

  • Picky gesture control

Fitness watches usually look clear: chunky, colorful, rubberized. You send a message to the world that you make fitness a priority – or at least that you buy things that make fitness a priority.

For some, sending this message is part of the appeal. I'm the first to admit that putting on a watch that could help me sail around the world makes my day a little more fearless, even if I haven't left my neighborhood for weeks. However, if you're not the type to wear a 26.2 bumper sticker, the Garmin Vivomove Style may be right for you. It promises the entire inner life and the data of a full-fledged fitness tracker and a smartwatch, without the appearance.

When I got my hands on Vivomove Style for the first time, I was shocked at how light it was. With the nylon strap, the watch weighs at least 35 grams. With a case size of 42 x 42 x 11.9 mm, I expected it would be heavier, especially given the technology inside, but the all-aluminum construction is a watch that is the opposite of clunky. While the device I tested had the nylon strap "Black Pepper", the Vivomove Style offers several different options in terms of housing color and strap selection. For those who want to improve the quality a little, there is also a Vivomove Luxe line with stainless steel housings and high-quality strap options.

Deceptive look

At first glance, the face of the Vivomove Style looks incredibly simple. With physical hands and nothing that alludes to intelligent functions, it looks like a simple wristwatch. But these looks are pretty deceptive. The Vivomove Style is a touchscreen. At the top and bottom of the dial are AMOLED displays for displaying customizable data fields. The AMOLED displays are indistinguishable from the dial, so you don't get the usual obvious transition from the screen to the non-screen area, which enables the covert nature of the Vivomove style.

When you move your wrist to bring the watch to your face, the screen lights up with two data fields to take a quick look at some preselected statistics. Gesture control works most of the time and has the option of being completely off, on during an activity, or always on. If it doesn't work, it quickly becomes frustrating. The Garmin Venu had the same problem, but rescue grace was the "always on" option for its AMOLED screen. The Vivomove style does not get this option. You can tap the face twice to wake it up, but it diminishes the undercover nature of the Vivomove style and instead makes it look like you think your watch is broken.

Tapping the top and bottom of the glass made it easier for me to navigate, but it took almost three days to get used to it. Even then, my faucets were sometimes not always registered on the screen, and my once immaculate incognito smartwatch was covered with fingerprints, which drove me crazy. The question really arises, why no buttons? A single button on the side would do a lot to relieve the frustration I was having with the touchscreen. But unfortunately the Vivomove style is buttonless and not better for it.

Once the ads are on, you can swipe to see everything Vivomove Style has to offer. Here the Vivomove Style and the entire Garmin suite shine with tracking capabilities. You will find the usual statistics such as steps, inclines, calorie consumption and heart rate as well as intelligent notifications for iPhone and Android. Anyone familiar with Garmin's metrics will be happy with the automatic goal that learns about your current activity and sets daily goals to drive you forward. Sleep monitoring, intensity minutes, body battery, stress tracking and VO2 max are included as well as monitoring the fluid intake. Because of these metrics, joining the Garmin ecosystem is worthwhile.

The Vivomove Style does a neat party trick to display the data: The hands of the physical clock move to indicate your status, between the different levels of the heart rate zones, the battery etc. This is not really necessary after two weeks of playing Get the Vivomove Style I still get a kick out of the interaction between the physical hands and the AMOLED screens. Of course, this means that the hands of the watch no longer show the time. If this bothers you, you can lock it manually to show the time during an activity versus your heart rate. However, you have to repeat this every time you start a new activity.

Disappointing screen

On Garmin's Venu, the AMOLED displays are something nice. They are a bit boring with the Vivomove style. I'm not sure if it is due to the gap between the touchscreen and the surface of the AMOLED, but it is nowhere near as clear as the Venu. The AMOLED displays also consume more battery than the standard MIP (memory in pixels) display used by other Garmin watches. I had about four days of battery life with daily exercise and I can only wonder how much more life I would have had if Garmin had used different displays.

The Vivomove Style includes a heart rate monitor, a barometric altimeter, an accelerometer and a pulse ox sensor. Instead of your own GPS device, the Vivomove Style relies on the GPS of your smartphone to get location information. This means that the Garmin Connect app needs to be running in the background to get route, distance, and speed information. This makes starting activities like walking, running, cycling, or swimming a bit more cumbersome, as you'll need to pull your phone out when the Connect app isn't running.

Once in an activity, the Vivomove style can track you well with runs like cadence, time, pace and distance timers. In the meantime, strength training activities have a replay counter and swimming has an underwater heart rate monitor. There are a number of other Vivomove-style activity profiles, but none is particularly robust in the metrics provided. The Vivomove style is ideal for training with heart rate zones. However, if you are looking for more detailed data such as swimming stroke analysis, automatic break or training plans, you have to look elsewhere.

Garmin grants a one-year standard warranty on the Vivomove Style, which includes defects, but does not include cosmetic defects such as scratches and dents or accidents.

Our opinion

The Vivomove Style is possibly the most subtle fitness watch you can buy today. But the concessions on styling, including the lack of physical buttons, also make it more difficult to use. The task is largely done through the comprehensive Garmin Connect app, but the user interface could be a little more polished.

Is there a better alternative?

The Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR comes closest to the ability of the Garmin and does not have functions such as touchscreen, customizable data fields and the know-how of the Garmin Connect app.

How long it will take?

Garmin products are built to last, and I have no doubt that the Vivomove style can last for at least a few years.

Should you buy it

If you hate the look of standard fitness trackers and smartwatches, yes. The Vivomove Style is a very respectable option, which is strange, but has a large selection of health sensors and a rescue grace in the Garmin Connect app.

Editor's recommendations




26 Apr
Blog

Garmin Venu Review: A Great Balance of Sport and Everyday

Garmin Venu review 13

"The Garmin Venu is a solid fitness tracker, but its beautiful AMOLED display is the killer feature."

  • AMOLED display

  • Activity tracking

  • Training animations

  • Many sensors

  • Lack of detailed fitness indicators

  • Lack of space

The line between a smartwatch and a fitness watch continues to dissolve every day.

It used to be that if you are interested in fitness, you get a dedicated, nondescript fitness tracker with a super simple dot matrix display (I'm looking at you, Nike FuelBand). Then Apple came out with her watch and I remember how silly it sounded. I mean, I already had a smartphone – wasn't a smartwatch a little superfluous?

Oh, how times are changing, and there is no better example of watch development than the Venu from Garmin.

display

The Venu is basically the same as the Vivoactive 4 – a multisport smartwatch that still has all the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections required for Android and Apple notifications. However, the Venu has a significant difference in its display.

The AMOLED display of the Venu with 390 x 390 pixels blows the 260 x 260 MIP display of the Vivoactive out of the water. While their physical sizes are similar at 1.2 inches and 1.3 inches, respectively, the Venu's screen shows a much sharper picture with darker blacks and a range of colors that are surprisingly vivid.

The newly discovered vibrancy of the Venu is underlined by its active graphics and dials, which are far better than most Garmin wearables. The Venu heart rate chart alone is a rainbow of colors that made me do a workout just to make my metrics more fun.

Battery life

The only downside to the AMOLED display is its battery drain, and you will most likely be frustrated if you don't immediately change the dial setting to "always on".

I tried to live with the Venu in its default setting, which turns the display off automatically to see if the battery life information is correct. Garmin claims 5 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 6 days in GPS mode, or up to 20 days when both modes are turned off.

Still, it only took me two days to get angry at shaking my wrist like a crazy person to make the display glow. As a result, I've set the display to stay on.

The penalty for switching is a longer drain on battery life, but I've still seen a little over 3 days of life with workouts a day, so this seemed like a worthwhile trade to keep my mental health.

design

The Venu doesn't want to weigh things down and has only 43 grams and a body of 43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm. The size took a few days to get used to big clocks. This may be a deal breaker for some, but with the Venu's sharp display, I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

One of the best things about the Venu is that it has a touchscreen display. This makes for a more intuitive experience when scrolling through activities and daily statistics. With two physical buttons on the side, the Venu offers a satisfactory medium of universal usability and familiarity for existing Garmin users.

Venu's usability is enhanced by adding Garmin Pay for contactless payments and storing up to 500 songs. That number seems a bit low compared to Venu's competitors, but since you can stream Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, that's not a big deal.

In addition to these features, the Venu has a calendar, weather, music controls for your smartphone and all the notifications you can ever request. While the usual "smart" features are covered, fitness tracking is where the Venu shines (and all of Garmin's previous experiences come into play).

Fitness tracking

Garmin loaded the Venu with sensors. On board are a GPS, a heart rate monitor, a barometric altimeter, a compass, a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a pulse oximeter. This is almost the same sensor array as the high-end Fenix ​​6 Pro, which also includes a thermometer.

All this sensitivity enables automated goals. The Venu learns your activity levels and begins setting daily goals based on your current activity. It can also record calories burned, climbed floors, minutes of intensity, VO2 max and estimates of energy and stress levels.

With all of these follow-ups, the Venu creates a fairly well-rounded view of your overall health and fitness. This is the metric ecosystem that die-hard Garmin fans have come to know and love over the years. With every firmware update they become more and more precise.

The core competencies of Venu are in the usual suspects when running, swimming and cycling. Running has pace and cadence tracking. While swimming, stroke, Swolf score, time and distance alarms are displayed. Cycling has triggers for distance, time, and calories burned, as well as the ability to connect to Garmin's Varia radar and lights.

I had no problems keeping track of runs or rides I did. However, when it came to connecting the Venu to my indoor cycling trainer, it made a connection, but never realized that I was pedaling. This wasn't necessary since the Venu still had my heart rate data and I was tracking the distance with Zwift. But there were some strange training logs that showed 0.00 miles.

Guided workouts

Venu is not just about tracking what you do. It can also guide you through training.

The most interesting are the animations available for yoga, pilates, strength and cardio. There are several training routines available, but you can also create your own workouts.

These animations are helpful because you are asked to try something different. It felt a bit awkward at first when I tried to keep an eye on the watch for the next yoga pose. Over time, however, I learned when to look at the watch and focus on my shape.

Once you have completed an activity, the Venu estimates your sweat loss based on the measurement data it has collected. I am a little doubtful of how accurate this value is, but after a little effort I thought about my hydration.

After a three kilometer walk, the Venu estimated that I had lost 201 ml. It's not much, but the memory that I could have a drink was a welcome piece of mindfulness.

Stat tracking

For the stat junkies, the Venu has the all-important VO2 maximum score. Your VO2 max is essentially a measure of how well your body uses oxygen and a relatively accurate way to measure your basic aerobic fitness.

Real VO2 max tests are done by putting maximum effort into it while monitoring your oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide emissions with lots of tubes and expensive looking medical devices. I am highly doubtful whether the Venu can keep up with the validity of a real VO2 max test, but most people will never do the utmost to do a real test, so the Venu estimate must be enough.

HR zones are what most people will look out for, but I've missed having more advanced metrics.

Unfortunately, the Venu lacks other key figures that will interest real fitness junkies. Are you interested in your current training or training status, whether you are doing basic or threshold training or monitoring your weekly training load? Then move on, because the Venu has none of it.

The Venu has heart rate zones to control effort during exercise. HR zones are what most people will look out for, but I've missed having more advanced metrics.

I also missed the route finding. Navigating the Garmin Fenix ​​6 Pro is one of the most powerful features. The Venu, on the other hand, only keeps track of where you went and has no idea how to say where to go. The only exception is golf, as the Venu has access to 41,000 courses that can be downloaded via the Garmin Connect app.

While the lack of navigation is kind of a mess, the Venu continues its list of features with elements like a sleep monitor to track your REM and deep sleep, and event detection that automatically sends your location to certain contacts when it detects a crash during a bike ride.

guarantee

Standard 1 year product guarantee.

Our opinion

The Venu has a solid list of features that are suitable for the vast majority of people who are fitness aficionados but not fanatical. While you may miss out on some navigation and detailed training metrics, the Venu's streamlined design and beautiful touchscreen is worth the $ 350 price tag, and if you find it for sale, it's all the more worth it.

Is there a better alternative?

The obvious alternative is the Apple Watch Series 5 for $ 400. When the App Store is available, the Apple Watch is extremely hard to beat if you're already an iPhone user. However, Garmin's experience with fitness and Venu's touchscreen makes it a viable option for anyone who isn't yet fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem.

How long it will take?

Garmin is robust as nail products, but the Venu doesn't have a raised bezel, so scratches on the Gorilla Glass Screen are more likely than usual. That means the Venu should last for at least several years.

Should you buy it

Yes, if you use an Android phone. If you already have an iPhone, you can raise the extra money for the Apple Watch Series 5 as it is a better choice by integrating it into the iPhone.

Editor's recommendations




17 Apr
Blog

Garmin Quatix 6 Review: It’s Much More Than a Boat Watch

Garmin Quatix 6 review img 1728

"Garmin's Quatix 6 is a great multisport watch that is easy to look at."

  • Multiple fitness sensors

  • Battery life

  • Build quality

  • Music storage

  • Suitability for everyday use

  • Expensive

  • One size only

  • No touch screen

Whenever a product contains the words "marine" or "boat connection" in the description, I turn away as soon as possible. These words are usually reserved for overpriced niche articles that are flooded with features that I will never use. When I found out that the Garmin Quatix 6 was going to arrive on my doorstep, my first thought was: "I'm not going by boat." How am I supposed to check this? "

Fortunately, the Quatix 6 is not just a boat watch. It could be the best multisport smartwatch you can buy today.

Furnishing and design

While the packaging says Quatix 6, it is essentially a variant of the Garmin Fenix ​​6 Pro that can do everything the Fenix ​​6 Pro does. It only has a number of pre-installed boat functions.

Starting with the basics, the Quatix 6 monitors the usual suspects: steps, calories burned, sleep and climbed floors. It also connects to your iPhone or Android device to receive notifications. Such features are expected these days, but the Quatix 6 offers GPS, a heart rate monitor, a barometric altimeter, a compass, a thermometer, an accelerometer, a pulsox, and a gyroscope. What is special about the Quatix 6 is not that it has all these sensors, but what it does with the data.

Garmin's new user interface is certainly an improvement over previous iterations. If there are several complications on the standard screen, I get all the data fields I want without the face feeling cluttered.

I usually make a sacrifice when I select "home screens," but the Quatix 6's various facial options strike a balance between clean aesthetics and the information available at a glance. In the meantime, the widget loop shows a list instead of taking up the entire screen, which enables faster scrolling. These minor changes make the user interface less cumbersome.

Battery life

Another minor change from previous models is the battery format, which is now displayed in days for charging instead of being full in percentage. The battery life depends heavily on your usage mode. Garmin offers the following:

  • Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days
  • GPS mode: up to 36 hours
  • GPS and music: up to 10 hours
  • Maximum battery GPS mode: 72 hours
  • Expedition GPS activity: 28 days
  • Battery saving mode: 48 days

This type of adjustability for battery usage is helpful when you are out on the water or in the wild.

Activity tracking

Life on the water is the goal of the Quatix 6, and for this reason all possible widgets are pre-installed so that you can switch from landlubber to seal in no time. With full connectivity from all chartplotters to autopilot controls to Garmin's Sailing Assistant, the Quatix 6 is ready to go to meet all of your boat needs.

But as I said, the Quatix 6 is much more than a water dog – it's a multisport pony that improves your fitness game regardless of activity.

In addition to the skills the Fenix ​​6S Pro demonstrated in a previous wilderness test, the Quatix 6 can guide you through home workouts, including yoga, P.ilates, weight training and cardio, all with on-screen animations to guide you through the process. For the most part, these are extremely practical and I had to mix in various workouts that I would normally not have looked up.

My only criticism are the noises that the watch makes when switching between positions during yoga training. They are shrill electronic beeps that are not wanted when I try to turn on my Zen.

I mainly train indoors these days and the Quatix 6 has a special tracking for indoor cycling. Most of the time I search for my readings at Zwift, but the Quatix 6 can connect directly to my Wahoo Kickr to show my performance and distance without interrupting my Zwift training. This may seem a little unnecessary, but for anyone who has decided which apps to connect to your Strava, this is a nice addition that allows you to keep your data in one place.

If running, swimming or cycling are part of your weekly work, the Quatix 6 with PacePro keeps track of your target pace, offers new bike courses with Cycle Map and monitors your swimming efficiency in the pool. And if you like to play golf, 41,000 golf courses are preinstalled.

To be honest, there are far too many features to mention here. So if you are interested in the full list, you can read it on the website Garmin site.

The Quatix 6 can combine your activities and evaluate them with its numerous functions. With features like a heart rate sensor, GPS and the Pulsox sensor, which estimates the amount of oxygen in your blood, the Quatix 6 can estimate your fitness level.

What I liked most about the Quatix 6 was the stress and body battery functions. In all likelihood, this has more to do with checking this watch during a pandemic. Nevertheless, it was a nice change to pay more attention to my stress and my energy level.

That doesn't mean I needed a watch to say I'm more stressed than usual, but when the Quatix 6 asked if I wanted to do a breathing exercise because he knew I was nervous, I was happy to remember to get offered. This is a small part of the general capabilities of the Quatix 6, but this was a welcome addition for this journalist who struggles to meet deadlines in a world that works a little differently than before.

Additional functions

The onslaught of functionality doesn't stop with breathing exercises and sports. With 32 GB of storage space, the Quatix 6 can record 2,000 songs. Since it is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible, you can stream from Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

Another smart feature is Garmin Pay, which allows you to set up a virtual wallet for contactless payments.

Everything I've mentioned up to that point applies to the Fenix ​​6 Pro at $ 700. The only difference is that the marine functions automatically included in the Quatix 6 must be downloaded to the Fenix ​​6 Pro via the Garmin Connect app.

So why buy the Quatix 6 and not the Fenix ​​6 Pro? Aesthetics matter.

With its silicone band "Captain Blue", the bezel made of brushed stainless steel and a touch of red, the Quatix 6 gives a completely different atmosphere than its all-black tactical brother. I'm usually a fan of the all-black options, but the classy look of the Quatix 6 is a wonderful change from the watches I've had in the past. If you want to stand out even more, the Quatix 6 is available in a titanium version for $ 1,000, which is equipped with a sapphire crystal lens, a titanium bezel and a titanium band, as well as a weight loss from 83 to 72 grams.

Our opinion

You may not know Quatix 6, but you should be. It has the same functionality as the Fenix ​​6 Pro, with a different look that's as classy on a boat as it is on the trail or in the gym.

Is there a better alternative?

In the north of the $ 500 price range, look for the best smartwatches available on the market, such as the Apple Watch, Suunto 9 Baro, and Polar Vantage V Titan. Much of this choice depends on your personal preferences, price, and willingness to learn how different brands work.

The main blow against the Quatix 6 is the high price that can throw it out of competition for many people. However, if you want to be patient, Garmin watches are often on sale, more than most other brands.

How long it will take?

Garmin watches are built to throw around, and the Quatix 6 is no exception. If previous experience indicates this, you will wear your Quatix 6 for at least three to four years. From this point on, you will notice something shiny and new long before it lets you down or runs out. The watch comes with a one year warranty.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you can afford it, it is arguably the most robust multisport smartwatch currently available.

Editor's recommendations