I really do love the Garmin- this is my fourth Garmin. Unfortunately, the rechargeable battery and the special charging plug make for a problem. I'm never in the same place as the proprietary charger when it dies, so I walk around with a dead device on my wrist a fair anoint of time. Please - if this is supposed to be a seriously helpful tracker, put the long-lasting nicad back in the next round. Throwing away a tiny batt twice a year is better than having a device that works part time.

This watch shows the routes I walk with my dog 2X a day, and the mileage. I try to keep my boy at the maximum amount of walking he can handle without getting sore. The watch does that, that was all I wanted. Well, and to track my heart rate, and it does that too!

After months of researching which brand of fitness tracker was right for me, I finally decided on Garmin. I wanted a device that was user friendly and informative in regards to my activity. The Vivoactive 5 was reasonably priced and had the features I was looking for. The battery life lasts for 4 to 5 days depending on usage which is ideal.

I can’t give a glowing review but it’s partially my own issue. This was my first garmin (switching from other smart watch platform). After having this a day or 2 I was trying to use the “hike” mode as that is one of the primary reasons I bought the watch. I thought all garmins had hike functionality. I had to return this and buy a venu 3 in its place.

I've had my Vivoactive 5 for a couple of years now and it works well except for the incident alert feature wihch is really clumsy and awkward. If I am out snowshoeing and stop to talk with someone, it sends an alert like I have fallen and can't get up. Also, today after a bike ride, the watch was no longer connected to my phone. None of my previously saved data was available on the watch or the phone. After re-pairing the phone to the "new" watch, all was good again. Then I got this request to review my new watch. Very weird.

I have been using my Vivoactive 5 now for a little less than a month. I had previously purchased various cheap fitness watches to use as a step counter, but they all broke after a few months of wear. My Husband’s colleague suggested this watch, and so we both decided to give it a try. Overall, I would recommend this watch to anyone who is looking to get more from their health and wellbeing. Besides cheap fitness watches, I have not owned a watch to this caliber, so I can’t compare it to other watches of its kind, but here’s my overall thoughts: PROS - This watch does a great job at motivating me to MOVE. I’ve literally put off going to bed to make sure I reach my step count and find that I’m more active than ever before. - Being able to customize your strength training workouts through the watch is a game changer. I love that I don’t need to carry my phone around the gym to track what I’m doing. - I love that it’s waterproof and that I can track my laps while swimming. (See notes regarding swimming under cons, too). - The band is comfortable and isn’t distracting or anything (as opposed to previous watches I’ve had), and the lilac color is nice and not as stand out as a black band. - The body battery and sleep score are a nice touch – we’re constantly asking each other what the others is at. It’s also helped me realize how awful my body reacts and sleeps when I drink. CONS - When swimming, I’ve noticed that the tracking isn’t 100% perfect. If I’m swimming free style at a fast pace, it’s fine, but if I want to casually swim during a cool down it typically counts my meters as farther than I’ve gone. Not a total issue, just not a perfect forecast. Additionally, not being able to customize swim workouts is a bit of a bummer, but again not the end of the world. - As someone who’s not technologically advanced, I feel there could be better tutorials or deep dives into how to use it. I had a really hard time connecting my Spotify account, as well as understanding how to create a workout (once I figured it out it’s super easy, but my Husband and I both put our workouts in incorrectly at first because there isn’t much explanation about how to use it). Opportunity for Improvement - Would love to see an additional work out option for aerial yoga. - The challenges are great. I feel there’s an opportunity to make the weekly challenge for steps against others more competitive/like a game. I’m not sure that would be useful to all, but I feel like it would help incentivize me to walk event more! - Would highly recommend purchasing a screen protector for your watch as well, easy to scratch.

My daughter gave this to me to replace a Fitbit. This watch has more useable features than the Fitbit had WITHOUT the need for an annual fee. I would write a longer review, but my Garmin just told me it’s time to get up and move. Oh yeah I LIKE IT.

Though shipping was far slower than I would have liked, the product is better than what I was using. I had used Fitbits for years, but was becoming disenchanted with the app and the battery life. This Garmin has all the perks that I was used to and then some. I love the vibrating alarm for waking up in the morning, it's a gentle nudge. Also scratch-resistant, which I greatly appreciate. The battery life is wonderful.

I bought the watch last month and I have to say that coming from an Apple Watch this watch is amazing from the active sleep tracking to the opportunity to track so much my workouts plus my water intake is an amazing feature. I really love the Golf app as well and that was the main reason for getting the watch as I actively golf. Only thing is that this is not a smart watch so I can not respond to texts or emails through the watch but in a way it helps me discount at the end of the day and not be tied down to technology Do not hesitate to get this watch

I bought this watch about a month ago, primarily for its usefulness for exercise tracking (specifically running). I have found it to be super helpful in keeping me on track for training. On top of the GPS tracking for running, it also keeps track of a wide variety of health related data, helps me to verify my pace as I am running, allows me to build workout programs and easily record them, and a bunch of features I have yet to discover. The battery easily lasts 3-5 days (depending on how much I use it). There are customizable watch faces. Joining Garmin gives you access to training programs. For someone who is new to Garmin, it took me a couple days to get used to the basic functions of the touch screen and buttons, but, I have gotten the hang of it, and it is very easy to use. Love this watch. Favorite smartwatch I have ever had.