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If you’re looking for a GPS smartwatch that can monitor your body energy, track your movements, and play music, you might be interested in considering Garmin’s Vivoactive 4. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the product and provide you with some insights that can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
I’ve been using the Vivoactive 4 for a few weeks now, and I must say that I’m quite impressed with its features. The watch can monitor my energy levels, pulse ox, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, estimated heart, hydration, and more. It’s like having a personal coach on my wrist. The watch also allows me to download my favorite songs from Spotify, Amazon music, or Deezer and connect to headphones for phone-free listening. This is a great feature for people who love to work out without having to carry their phones. Moreover, the watch records all my movements using more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, and swimming, among others. I also love the fact that I can personalize my watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ store.
Body Energy Monitoring
One of the standout features of the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 is its ability to monitor your body energy levels. With this feature, you can easily keep track of your respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, estimated heart, hydration and more. The watch utilizes Pulse Ox technology to monitor your blood oxygen saturation levels, which can help you determine how well your body is absorbing oxygen and how efficiently your body is using it.Not only does the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 monitor your body energy levels, but it also provides you with insights and suggestions to help you improve your overall health. For example, the watch may suggest that you take a break and go for a walk if it detects that you have been sedentary for too long. This feature can be especially helpful for those who work desk jobs or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
GPS and Indoor Sports Apps
The Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 is perfect for those who lead an active lifestyle. The watch comes with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming and more. With this watch, you can easily track your workouts, monitor your heart rate, and view your progress over time.The GPS feature is especially useful for those who love to run or cycle outside. With the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4, you can easily track your route, distance, and pace. The watch also provides you with real-time coaching and feedback, which can be especially helpful for those who are training for a race or trying to improve their performance.
Music
The Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 also features music capabilities. You can easily download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon music or Deezer (may require a premium subscription With a third-party music provider), and connect to headphones (sold separately) for phone-free listening. This feature is perfect for those who love to listen to music while they exercise or those who prefer to leave their phone at home.One of the standout features of the music feature is that you can easily control your music directly from your watch. You can skip songs, adjust the volume, and even control your music with your voice using Amazon Alexa.
Battery Life
The Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 has an impressive battery life. The watch can last up to 8 days in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS and music mode. This means that you can wear your watch all day and night without having to worry about charging it.The battery life is especially impressive considering all the features that the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 offers. With other smartwatches, you may have to sacrifice battery life for additional features, but with this watch, you can have it all.
Connect IQ
One of the best things about the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 is that you can personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ store. This feature allows you to customize your watch to your liking and make it truly your own.The Connect IQ store offers a wide variety of options, including watch faces that display your favorite sports team, apps that track your hydration or monitor your stress, and widgets that display the weather or your calendar. With so many options to choose from, you can easily find something that suits your needs and preferences.
Refurbished
One thing to note is that the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 is refurbished. While this may be a concern for some, it is important to note that refurbished products have been tested and certified to work like new. In fact, many people find that refurbished products are just as good as new products, but at a fraction of the cost.If you are hesitant about purchasing a refurbished product, it is important to note that the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 comes with a 90-day warranty. This means that if you experience any issues with your watch within the first 90 days, you can easily return it for a refund or a replacement.
Pros:
- The Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch features an extensive range of fitness tracking capabilities, including 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, body energy monitoring, and more.
- The watch allows you to easily download and listen to music on the go, without the need for a phone or separate music player.
- With a battery life of up to 8 days in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS and music mode, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch provides long-lasting performance.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the apps available on the watch are limited and not comparable to those available on other smartwatches.
- A few users have reported issues with the watch’s waterproofing, indicating that it may not be as water-resistant as advertised.
- The battery life may not be sufficient for some users, requiring frequent charging.
Conclusion
Overall, I think the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is an excellent GPS smartwatch that can help you monitor your body, track your movements, and play music. However, it might not exceed your expectations if you’re looking for a high-end watch with more advanced features. Also, some users have reported issues with the battery life, although I haven’t experienced any problems so far. If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road GPS smartwatch that offers great value for money, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 might be the right choice for you.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Does the Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch track menstrual cycles?
Answer: Yes, the watch tracks menstrual cycles, along with a range of other fitness metrics, including stress, sleep, heart rate, and hydration.
Question: Can you download Spotify playlists to the watch?
Answer: Yes, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch allows you to download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, although you may need a premium subscription with the respective music provider.
Question: Is the Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch suitable for swimming?
Answer: Yes, the watch is waterproof and designed for swimming, although a few users have reported issues with its waterproofing, indicating that it may not be as water-resistant as advertised.
