Vivoactive 3 v S3 F...
 

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[Closed] Vivoactive 3 v S3 Frontier

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I've been looking at the Garmin but recently have also been considering the S3, mainly for it's greater range of Smar****ch functionality. However, the S3 looks huge, and I have really small wrists. Anyone found this to be a problem?

Essentially, I want a fitness tracker that also has Smar****ch functionality: is the Garmin the best option?


 
Posted : 26/05/2018 3:30 pm
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I think the S3 is more than I want to spend, so does anyone have the Vivoactive 3? Any good?


 
Posted : 27/05/2018 4:02 pm
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Vivoactive 3 - I have one and it does what I want perfectly. Nothing like as good as a smart watch at being a smart watch but the main thing I liked about smar****ches was getting notifications on my wrist and it does that fine. For me it is great at tracking any ride that isn't an all dayer without having to stick a cycle computer on my bike and having good battery life. GPS will drain the battery in less than a day but not using GPS it will last a week. I also like that it keeps tabs on my general activity and heart rate. I don't do anything useful with this info but find it interesting


 
Posted : 27/05/2018 4:10 pm
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Another shout for the Vivoactive 3.  I cheifly use it for tracking rides & swims and for this its great.  I also like they way you can tailor the different information on the screen you want to see during activity.  It's quite a stylish, nicely proportioned watch compared to most other Garmin fitness watches ive seen


 
Posted : 27/05/2018 6:12 pm
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If you want even less I have a Vivosmart 3.  Just a band, it does show notifications - I did have a smart watch but got too involved in my message so I wanted something that I could use to "dismiss" messages as n"not important" without having my phone next to me.  I bought mine to track Sleep and HR to spot trends, but the amount of data it records is very good for something not at all intrusive.  I also like "proper" watches so am able to wear this on the other wrist without looking like I'm wearing 2 watches 🙂

It also picks up cycling very well, automatically picking up "Cycling" and recording the metrics despite the fact I haven'y asked it to.  Lasts a week on 1 x 1 hour charge.


 
Posted : 28/05/2018 10:44 am
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Just got a vivoactive3,looks great and very comfy to wear,on my skinny wrists.Easy to use,which is also a bonus for me.


 
Posted : 28/05/2018 11:16 am
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I've been using the Vivoactive 3 for a while to track running and some cycling and it's been great. Really good battery life and the smart watch functions are pretty handy.

Saying that though the latest Garmin Connect update has borked the Whatsapp notifications but no doubt that'll be fixed with the next update.


 
Posted : 28/05/2018 11:34 am
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Thanks for the replies folks, I might treat myself to a "new job/country" pressie.


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 6:40 am
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My friend has an S3 and has had nothing but problems with it.


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 6:53 am
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Conversely, I have a friend who has an S3 and he loves it.


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 6:54 am
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I also have an S3, changed the strap to  metal one as I reacted to the plastic/rubber one other wise fantastic watch


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 9:34 am
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the s3 is a great smar****ch.

the vivioactive3 is a great fitness tracker.

pick which one you want. Ive got the garmin. looks nice in slate colour.

although he livetrack feature is flakey and the support forums are rubbish


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 10:49 am
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My friend uses his S3 for fitness tracking and rates it. My main concern is the size on my stupidly skinny wrists. Also, the Frontier has more fitness tracking options than the standard S3, I believe.


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 5:00 pm
 hugo
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I've got a S3 frontier and it's very big! I'm 6 foot 3 and not skinny, but it's still a big watch on the arm.

Damned fancy though!

I've got it for general smart watch fancyness rather than fitness stuff. If I used it for that I'd probably go far cheaper, smaller and less shiny.


 
Posted : 29/05/2018 8:55 pm
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That's a good point, actually: Do I want to be wearing something like the S3 doing the outdoorsy activities I do? Possibly not.


 
Posted : 30/05/2018 2:04 am
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Interested to see how you get on here Mikey! Looking at the Garmin myself as maybe better for fitness measures. £229 from Decathlon there is also the Huawai sport 2 but quite like the idea of the Garmin app and upload to Strava.


 
Posted : 31/05/2018 7:31 pm
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I'll let you know how I get on, if I can convince myself to spend the cash.


 
Posted : 31/05/2018 9:29 pm
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Bear in mind that the Garmin trackers do not have replaceable straps, they're part of the body. We bought our daughter a vivosmart for Christmas, two snapped bands. Garmin very good at replacing though


 
Posted : 31/05/2018 9:33 pm
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Anyone used the Gear Sport??


 
Posted : 31/05/2018 10:22 pm
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Bear in mind that the Garmin trackers do not have replaceable straps, they’re part of the body.

The straps on the Vivoactive 3 can be replaced easily though (as can the ones on the Vivoactive HR).


 
Posted : 02/06/2018 10:05 pm
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Bought the VA 3 yesterday and so far I'm impressed: the HR seems to work well and the smartphone notifications are useful. I haven't used it for activities yet but hope to get out for a run today.

Sizewise, it is about perfect for my skinny wrist and just looks like a slightly thicker watch. It's also pretty comfy to wear.


 
Posted : 03/06/2018 6:47 pm

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