Comparing Fenix 5s and Vivoactive
The Garmin Fenix 5s and Garmin Vivoactive are two popular wearables in the smartwatches and fitness tracker market. It’s important to choose the right watch that suits your lifestyle and requirements. Garmin is a leading brand, well-known for its high-quality GPS devices and wearables.
Having a solid reputation in the industry, Garmin focuses on delivering outstanding performance and a wide range of features. The Garmin Fenix 5s, released in 2017, is positioned as a premium smartwatch with advanced fitness tracking capabilities. On the other hand, the Garmin Vivoactive, released in 2015, targets a broader audience with its attractive features and competitive price.
This article will provide an in-depth comparison of the Garmin Fenix 5s and Garmin Vivoactive, covering aspects such as design, build, features, functionality, user-interface, price, and value.
Design and Build
Garmin Fenix 5s
The Garmin Fenix 5s features high-quality materials for a durable build. Its size and weight are approximately 1.1 inches in display diameter and 67 grams with a screen resolution of 218 x 218 pixels. The watch boasts a color display, supporting touchscreen capabilities.
Garmin Vivoactive
The Garmin Vivoactive has a robust construction with a 1.38-inch color LCD screen and a screen resolution of 205 x 148 pixels. The watch has a touchscreen for easy navigation and weighs around 38 grams, making it lighter than the Fenix 5s.
Comparison of design and build quality
Both the Fenix 5s and Vivoactive are well-built smartwatches with their own unique features. The Fenix 5s has a higher screen resolution, whereas the Vivoactive has a slightly larger screen. In terms of weight, the Vivoactive is lighter than the Fenix 5s.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Fenix 5s
The Garmin Fenix 5s comes with an impressive set of features, including an operating system compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. Its strong focus on fitness tracking includes tracking of calories, cycling, distance, heart rate, oxygen, sleep, steps, and swimming. Furthermore, it is equipped with GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, audio speaker, and various smartphone compatibility functions.
Garmin Vivoactive
The Garmin Vivoactive offers similar features to the Fenix 5s, such as compatibility with Android and iOS devices, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and tracking for calories, cycling, distance, heart rate, sleep, steps, and swimming. However, the Vivoactive lacks Wi-Fi, audio speaker, oxygen tracking, and certain fitness tracking features. The Vivoactive also has a lower water resistance rating at 5 ATM, compared to the Fenix 5s at 10 ATM.
Comparison of features and performance
Comparing the two devices, the Garmin Fenix 5s offers more advanced features and better performance for fitness enthusiasts, while the Garmin Vivoactive caters to users who require a more affordable option with standard-level fitness tracking capabilities. The Fenix 5s has a slight edge in terms of water resistance and additional features like the audio speaker and Wi-Fi connectivity.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin Fenix 5s
The Garmin Fenix 5s ensures a smooth user interface with its touchscreen display and easy navigation. The watch supports app customization and is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. The watch offers phone, email, and text functionalities for a more connected experience.
Garmin Vivoactive
The Garmin Vivoactive also provides user-friendly navigation with its touchscreen display. Although the watch does not support app customization, it is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones and likewise offers phone, email, and text functionalities.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
In terms of user interface and user experience, both the Garmin Fenix 5s and Vivoactive offer similar capabilities. Despite the lack of app customization options on the Vivoactive, both devices are user-friendly and compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Price and Value
Garmin Fenix 5s
With a price of $599.99, the Garmin Fenix 5s may seem expensive to some users. However, the advanced features it offers make it a good investment for those who are serious about fitness and require a high-quality smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive
At a more budget-friendly price of $250, the Garmin Vivoactive is an attractive option for those who are interested in basic fitness tracking and smartwatch features.
Comparison of price and value
When comparing the two devices, the Garmin Fenix 5s offers a higher quality build and more advanced features but comes with a higher price tag. The Garmin Vivoactive, while not as feature-rich, offers good value for money with its competitive pricing and solid performance.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Garmin Fenix 5s and Garmin Vivoactive depends on individual needs and preferences. The Fenix 5s is a better option for fitness enthusiasts who require advanced tracking features and can justify the higher price. The Vivoactive, on the other hand, is a suitable choice for those who want a reliable and budget-friendly smartwatch with basic fitness tracking capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the battery life of the Garmin Fenix 5s and Garmin Vivoactive?
Fenix 5s offers a battery life of up to 9 days, while the Vivoactive provides 14 hours to 11 days of battery life, depending on usage.
Are both the Garmin Fenix 5s and Garmin Vivoactive Android, iOS compatible?
Yes, both devices are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.
Which device is more water-resistant?
The Garmin Fenix 5s is more water-resistant with a rating of 10 ATM, compared to the Garmin Vivoactive with a 5 ATM rating.
Which device offers more advanced fitness tracking features?
The Garmin Fenix 5s offers more advanced fitness tracking features, such as oxygen tracking, compared to the Garmin Vivoactive.
Is the Garmin Fenix 5s worth the higher price compared to the Garmin Vivoactive?
If you require advanced fitness tracking capabilities and can justify the higher price, the Garmin Fenix 5s offers better value with its additional features and superior build quality.
