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Vivoactive vs Fenix?
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I have a quick question regarding a watch. I am in the market for a new watch, kind of narrowed it down to either the Garmin Fenix 5 or the Vivoactive 3, I am wondering if anyone can explain to me the main differences between the 2? and is the Fenix worth the extra dollars? I would mainly use it for a basic daily tracker and for some hikes. I already have a Edge that I use for cycling.

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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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Well for battery life, the Fenix 5x plus is 33hrs GPS mode versus 13hrs on the Vivoactive 3.

https://www.strava.com/...tes/zachary_mckinney
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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Have you checked out the new Coros? https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...t-running-power.html

The Vivoactive doesn’t have a multi-sport mode.
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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Have you looked at DCR reviews of these two options?

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...in-depth-review.html

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...in-depth-review.html

or a side-by-side of the two?

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...9229%2C80396#results

But, I would think the Vivoactive 3 would be great for daily tracking and hiking, if you aren't looking for a true multisport watch like the F5.
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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Vivoactive doesn't have a multisport mode nor does it track open water swimming. There are probably some other differences but those are the big ones. I have a Fenix 5 and I'm very happy with it, but if I didn't need the swimming/multisport stuff I would've strongly considered the Vivoactive 3. I had the original Vivoactive for years and it was solid for the money.
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [gaukler] [ In reply to ]
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gaukler wrote:
Have you checked out the new Coros? https://www.dcrainmaker.com/...t-running-power.html

The Vivoactive doesn’t have a multi-sport mode.

Oooh that looks promising. Thanks for the plug
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [Dgconner154] [ In reply to ]
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I've had the Vivoactive 3 for 5 years. I only use it for running and lap swimming. I have a computer for my bike and don't really track multi-sport while racing. The timing chip does that. My open water swims are at a lake beach. I know the distance between the poles is 55 yards so I just set the lap distance at 55 yards. My biggest complaint is the touch screen. I have accidentally discarded a workout by inadvertantly touching the screen. Other than that, I can't find a reason to buy a better watch.
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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Why vivoactive vs fenix? - not considering a forerunner? - 945 is basically a plastic fenix and cheaper
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [brasch] [ In reply to ]
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brasch wrote:
Why vivoactive vs fenix? - not considering a forerunner? - 945 is basically a plastic fenix and cheaper

The Fr945 == Fenix 6.

There's a bunch of newer features in the Fr945 and F6 that are not in the F5.

The Vivoactive is just meh.

And the Fr945 and F6 will get a firmware bump shortly, to further improve features for tracking health, fitness, recovery, etc.

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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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I continue to be amazed about what my Fenix 5x offers. For example, like many others, I became a Covid-19 golfer and am learning about new golf features every time I'm out including measuring distance on my shots and editing the clubs used on Connect. Three weeks ago we backpacked Echo Lake to Donner Summit (65 miles in four days) and only needed to charge the battery once. It's great for long trail runs, cycling, running, OWS and more.

The only thing I really struggle with is using the map features. For example, if I'm in a trail run activity and want to zoom in on the maps, I still do no know how to get back to the other screens. It is super frustrating.
Last edited by: bmpskier: Sep 9, 20 14:05
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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The easiest tool is Garmin's compare on their website: https://buy.garmin.com/...ompareProduct=552982

The chief differences are:
  • Style vs. size - The Fenix is much larger and heavier, but it also has a little more style. Vs., the vivioactive is lighter, thinner, and smaller.
  • Battery: Fenix lasts forever relative to the vivactive (a factor of the size/weight trade off)
  • Multisport: Fenix is; vivoactive isn't
  • FirstBeat Metrix: Fenix has lots more
  • Mapping: Fenix does; vivoactive doesn't

There are some other minor differences, but look at the above and decide which might be most valuable to your use.
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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [trener1] [ In reply to ]
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I used a Vivoactive for several years before upgrading to the Fenix5. I've been very happy with the change.

The main reasons I upgraded:

-Longer battery life (for IMs)

-Power meter support

-No touch screen (touch screens don't really work well with sweat/wet)


The Fenix is a more expensive watch, so it makes sense only if the above features are valuable to you.

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Re: Vivoactive vs Fenix? [Titanflexr] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for all of the detailed replies.

I think that the Vivoactive will do 90% of what I want, so while the Fenix would be nice to have, so based on the price difference I think the Vivoactive is the one to get for me.
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