Comparing Vivosport and Fenix 5x Plus
Garmin, a leading brand in the wearables market, offers a range of products for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Two notable offerings are the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus and the Garmin Vivosport. These devices differ in various aspects, such as design, features, and price, which makes deciding between them an important choice for potential users.
Choosing the right wearable can greatly impact one’s fitness journey and overall satisfaction with their device. By comparing these two smartwatches, users can make an informed choice based on their individual needs and preferences.
Garmin is a reputed brand known for its quality products combining innovative technology and user-friendly interfaces. Let us explore and compare the Fenix 5x Plus and Vivosport, diving deeper into their specifications and features to help make the decision-making process easier.
Design and Build
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus
The Fenix 5x Plus sports a premium, rugged design with the following features:
- Materials: Stainless steel or titanium bezel, sapphire crystal lens, and silicone, leather, or titanium straps
- Size and weight: 51 x 51 x 17.5 mm, approximately 96 grams
- Display: 1.2-inch (30.4 mm) sunlight-visible, transflective MIP display with 240 x 240 pixel resolution
This device is designed for durability and an adventurous lifestyle.
Garmin Vivosport
The Vivosport offers a slim, sleek design best suited for everyday use and fitness tracking with these features:
- Materials: Polymer bezel, chemically strengthened glass lens, and silicone strap
- Size and weight: 21 x 10.9 mm, approximately 27 grams
- Display: Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP display with 72 x 144 pixel resolution
The Vivosport is designed for comfort and a more casual wear experience.
Comparison of design and build quality
The Fenix 5x Plus and Vivosport have different design approaches, catering to different user preferences. The Fenix 5x Plus is larger, heavier, and more rugged for outdoor enthusiasts, while the Vivosport is slimmer and more lightweight, making it suitable for everyday, casual wear. Both designs have their individual advantages and appeal to different target audiences.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus
The Fenix 5x Plus is feature-rich, catering to various tracking and outdoor requirements. These include:
- Operating system: Wear OS
- Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and thermometer
- Battery life: Up to 20 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 13 hours in GPS mode
- Fitness tracking: Multipurpose sports tracking, including advanced performance monitoring and training features
- Other features: Music storage, contactless payments, smartphone notifications
The Fenix 5x Plus offers an extensive list of features for users seeking a versatile device.
Garmin Vivosport
The Vivosport offers essential fitness tracking and smart features, such as:
- Operating system: Garmin’s proprietary OS
- Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, compass, accelerometer
- Battery life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 8 hours in GPS mode
- Fitness tracking: Basic activity tracking, including steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep
- Other features: Smartphone notifications, weather information, calendar reminders
The Vivosport is a more budget-friendly option for users who prefer essential fitness tracking features.
Comparison of features and performance
Comparing the features and performance aspect, the Fenix 5x Plus has more advanced tracking options, better battery life, and additional features like music storage and contactless payments. On the other hand, the Vivosport is a more affordable and straightforward option for users with basic fitness tracking requirements. Both devices cater to different user needs while providing the trusted Garmin reliability.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus
The Fenix 5x Plus emphasizes user experience with a focus on customization and compatibility. Key features include:
- Display: Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP color display with 240x240 pixel resolution
- Navigation: Five buttons for easy navigation and control
- Apps and customization: Connect IQ app store for customizable watch faces, widgets, apps, and data fields
- Compatibility with smartphones: Supports Android and iOS, allowing for a range of smartphone notifications and connective features
The Fenix 5x Plus offers a premium user experience, catering to personalization and easy access to various functionalities.
Garmin Vivosport
The Vivosport focuses on ease of use with its simple interface and features:
- Display: Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP color touchscreen with 72x144 pixel resolution
- Navigation: Swipe-based navigation with single button control
- Apps and customization: Limited customization options, with a basic range of pre-loaded widgets and data screens
- Compatibility with smartphones: Supports Android and iOS, offering essential smartphone notifications and connective features
The Vivosport provides an easy-to-navigate user experience for those looking for simplicity and essential features.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
Comparatively, the Fenix 5x Plus offers a more advanced user interface and customization options, while the Vivosport keeps it simple with a more basic menu and limited customization. Both devices cater to different user preferences, providing varying levels of user engagement and interaction with their wearable devices.
Price and Value
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus
The Fenix 5x Plus comes with a price tag of $850, reflecting its premium build quality, advanced features, and focus on outdoor activities. For the target audience, the price offers good value for the level of functionality provided.
Garmin Vivosport
The Vivosport is priced at $199, making it a budget-friendly option for users who want essential tracking features and a simpler user interface. The lower price is well-suited for those who prioritize basic tracking in their fitness journey.
Comparison of price and value
The Fenix 5x Plus offers more features and functionality for its higher price, targeting serious outdoor enthusiasts, while the Vivosport provides a budget-friendly option for basic fitness tracking. Users can decide the value-for-money based on their needs and preferences.
Conclusion
Both the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus and Vivosport are excellent wearables tailored to different user segments. The Fenix 5x Plus is well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, providing advanced features and rugged build quality. In contrast, the Vivosport targets everyday users with a slim design and essential fitness tracking features. Depending on the priorities, budget, and preferences, either of these Garmin devices can be an ideal choice for users seeking a reliable fitness tracker and smartwatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which device is more suitable for outdoor activities and sports?
The Garmin Fenix 5x Plus is better suited for outdoor activities and sports due to its rugged design, advanced tracking features, and compatibility with various sports, including hiking, swimming, and cycling.
2. Is the Garmin Vivosport waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Vivosport has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, allowing it to be used during swimming and other water-based activities for tracking.
3. Can I sync the devices with my smartphone for notifications?
Yes, both the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus and Vivosport can be synced with Android and iOS smartphones for displaying call, text, and email notifications, as well as other alerts depending on the device.
4. Can I store and play music on these devices?
The Fenix 5x Plus allows users to store and play music through a compatible Bluetooth headset. The Vivosport does not have built-in music storage, but it can control music playback on a connected smartphone.
5. Is the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus worth the higher price tag compared to the Garmin Vivosport?
If you require advanced tracking features, durability, and outdoor-oriented capabilities, the Fenix 5x Plus justifies the higher price. However, if you need essential fitness tracking and a more budget-friendly option, the Vivosport would be a better choice.
