Comparing Fenix 5 and Vivoactive HR
Garmin Fenix 5 and Garmin Vivoactive HR are two popular wearable devices designed to help people track their fitness goals and daily activities. Choosing the right watch can impact the overall experience and motivation of the user. With that in mind, it’s crucial to understand the differences and similarities in features, design, and performance when comparing them.
Garmin is a renowned brand with a strong reputation for producing high-quality wearables, fitness trackers, and GPS devices. They have a long history of innovation and success in the industry, which adds credibility to their product offerings.
This article will examine these two remarkable smartwatches in detail, discussing various aspects of their design, features, functionality, user interface, and value for money. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when deciding which smartwatch is right for you.
Design and Build
Garmin Fenix 5
The Fenix 5 is built with premium materials, including a stainless-steel bezel, ensuring durability and reliability. Its 1.2-inch color display is protected with a sapphire crystal, and it offers a resolution of 240x240 pixels. The watch is relatively heavy, weighing around 85g, and its dimensions are 47x47x15.5mm. The overall design provides water resistance up to 10 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
Garmin Vivoactive HR
The Vivoactive HR, on the other hand, features a more lightweight design with a plastic casing and a standard mineral glass screen. It offers a rectangular 1.38-inch color display with a slightly lower resolution of 148x205 pixels. The watch weighs only 48g, and its dimensions are 57x30x12mm. It also provides water resistance up to 5 ATM, suitable for swimming and showering.
Comparison of design and build quality
Both watches have their unique design strengths and drawbacks. The Fenix 5 offers a more rugged, durable build with a higher water resistance, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. The Vivoactive HR, with its lighter weight and slimmer profile, may be better suited for everyday wear and casual fitness tracking. Furthermore, the Fenix 5 has a slightly better screen resolution, which could make for clearer data display.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Fenix 5
Key features of the Fenix 5 include GPS, smart notifications, heart rate monitoring, and a variety of fitness tracking functions like calories burned, steps, distance, and sleep. The watch boasts a 2-week battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode. Additionally, it offers various sensors such as an accelerometer, barometer, and altimeter. The Fenix 5 is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows phones, making it a versatile wearable.
Garmin Vivoactive HR
The Vivoactive HR shares many standard features with the Fenix 5, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, smart notifications, and activity tracking capabilities. However, it lacks the oxygen tracking feature found in the Fenix 5. The watch’s battery life is slightly shorter, lasting up to 13 hours in GPS mode and up to 8 days in smartwatch mode. Similar to its counterpart, it is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows phones.
Comparison of features and performance
The Fenix 5 and Vivoactive HR share many similar features, but the Fenix 5 has a slight edge with its extra oxygen tracking and longer battery life. The Vivoactive HR, while still offering a solid set of tracking capabilities, may be better suited for casual users who do not require the Fenix 5's advanced functionality. Both devices provide excellent performance and compatibility with multiple smartphone platforms.
