Garmin introduced two new wearables last month, just before the start of MWC 2016, and it looks like at least of them is available now for purchase. The premier device of the two (the other being the vívofit 3) is of course the Garmin vívoactive HR, a GPS smartwatch with a built-in heart rate sensor. The vívoactive HR is available now from Garmin’s own site for US$ 249.99. It’s only available in one colour option, namely black, but it does come with two different size options (Regular, and X-large).
Utilising the Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology, vívoactive HR is able to keep count of the user’s heart rates 24/7 without the need for a chest strap. The watch also has Garmin’s Move IQ feature that continuously monitors periods of sustained activity and is able to recognise the types of activity without a manual trigger. The data collected from an activity is then used to measure the intensity of a workout, which will then be used to gauge a user’s progress against the recommended activity goals. With the addition of a barometric altimeter, the vívoactive HR is able to track even more data such as going up/down flights of stairs or when hiking. Combined with the accelerometer and GPS, the device is able to differentiate different types of activities and monitor all of them.
Here are some of the usage scenarios with vívoactive HR and the features available for them:
- For an exercise as straightforward as walking or running, the watch can track indoors or outdoors runs, and offers an Auto Lap feature, Auto Pause, and vibrating alerts.
- The Cycling app measures time, distance, speed, and calories. The device itself is compatible with external speed and cadence sensors, as well as with Varia lights and radar.
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM, the watch is perfect for swimming too. It tracks total and interval time, distance, pace, stroke count, and even stroke type. Swimming app handles pausing for rests with rest timers, and can calculate swolf which is a measurement of swimming efficiency.
Some of the other activities that the vívoactive HR will track effectively and provide additional options include golfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, rowing, skiing, snowboarding, and even elliptical training. A post-activity summary will be presented to the user upon completing and data presented will include relevant statistics for users to understand their workouts better.
As a personal activity-monitor, the device can be configured to receive smart coaching from a paired smartphone running the Garmin Connect app. The app will also automatically synch the data from the watch to the smartphone, and then from the phone to the Garmin Connect service online. The service is where users will get to get track their activities and workout history, sleep patterns, and can be used to meet other members of the Garmin Connect community too. There’s also the added benefit of Garmin Connect Insights that provides helpful tips for users to reach their wellness goals, and shout-outs when they do. For a little more push, Insights will also show users how they are doing in comparison to others who are just like them.
Here are the official images for the device (9 images in total):
Click to view slideshow.The vívoactive HR has an always-on, 148 x 205 pixels colour touchscreen, that comes with Garmin Chroma Display technology to make it readable under sunlight. With its rechargeable lithium battery, the vívoactive HR can stay alive for up to 8 days while in watch/activity tracking mode, with the heart rate monitor left on. The GPS though takes a heavy toll on the battery life when it comes on, leaving the watch dead with just 13 hours of continuous use.
Stepping into its ‘smartwatch’ portion, the vívoactive HR is able to receive notifications, and alerts via vibration for incoming calls, texts, emails, calendar events, and social media alerts among others. Apart from those, the watch can also be used to check weather information, control the music on the paired smartphone, control a VIRB action camera, and to locate the smartphone. Additionally, friends and family will be able to track the user’s activities too in real-time using the LiveTrack feature, giving them the ability to take action if something out of the ordinary were to happen.
The post The Garmin vívoactive HR with heart rate sensor and GPS is now available online for US$ 249.99 (~RM 1,024) appeared first on TechAttack.my.