Summary of "Garmin Vivoactive 5 : In-depth Scientific Test (Outshines the Venu 3?)"
Garmin Vivoactive 5 Review
Comparison Model: Garmin Venu 3
Main Features & Differences
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Price:
- Vivoactive 5: Approximately $300
- Venu 3: Approximately $450 Vivoactive 5 is significantly cheaper.
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Screen: Vivoactive 5 has a smaller screen with a larger bezel compared to the Venu 3.
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Sensors: Vivoactive 5 uses an older generation heart rate sensor; Venu 3 features a newer sensor.
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Additional Features:
- Venu 3 supports Smart Trainer control and power meter connectivity; Vivoactive 5 does not.
- Venu 3 includes a barometric altimeter for more accurate stair counting.
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GPS: Vivoactive 5 uses all satellite systems for GPS tracking.
Heart Rate Tracking Performance
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Indoor Cycling: Decent but not perfect tracking with some delays and occasional over- or underestimation. Correlation with reference chest strap: ~0.88.
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Running Outside: Slightly better performance with a correlation of 0.9. Minor delays and missed small heart rate dips but generally reliable.
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Outdoor Cycling: More challenging for the watch. Correlation dropped to about 0.67, with noticeable delays and missed peaks. Performance is middle-tier compared to other watches.
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Weightlifting: Mixed results; better during lower body workouts than upper body. Correlation around 0.8, placing it in upper-middle class but not excellent. Apple Watch and chest straps outperform it.
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Comparison with Venu 3: Venu 3 consistently outperformed Vivoactive 5 across activities, likely due to the newer sensor and lighter, more stable fit.
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User Variability: Another tester (Teresa) showed better heart rate tracking results with Vivoactive 5, especially in running and cycling, but Venu 3 still performed better overall.
Heart Rate Tracking Rating: Approximately 3 out of 5 stars.
Sleep Stage Tracking
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Compared against EEG headband reference over four nights.
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Deep Sleep: About 70% agreement; decent detection but sometimes overestimates duration.
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Light Sleep: Around 72% agreement; some confusion with deep sleep.
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REM Sleep: Lowest agreement (~37%), often confused with light sleep.
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Awake Time: Poor agreement, though this metric is less reliable due to EEG limitations.
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Comparable to other recent Garmin devices like Phoenix 7, Venu 3, and 4 965.
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Not as accurate as Apple Watch, Fitbit, Google devices, or specialized trackers like Oura Ring, Whoop Strap 4.0, or Eight Sleep Pod.
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Suitable for rough sleep estimates but not detailed analysis.
Sleep Tracking Rating: Approximately 3 to 3.5 out of 5 stars.
GPS Tracking
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Tested during multiple bike commutes.
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GPS signal acquisition was almost instant.
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Tracks were consistent and accurate with minor deviations, especially near certain locations (e.g., near a radio station).
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Overall GPS performance is very good for the price and better than many competitors.
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Slightly below some higher-end Garmin models but still in the upper echelon.
GPS Tracking Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Affordable price point relative to Venu 3.
- Good GPS accuracy and quick signal acquisition.
- Decent heart rate tracking for running and indoor cycling.
- Sleep tracking performance on par with other Garmin watches.
- Performs better on lower body weightlifting exercises.
Cons
- Older generation heart rate sensor causes delayed and sometimes inaccurate readings, especially during outdoor cycling and upper body weightlifting.
- Smaller screen with larger bezel feels like a downgrade compared to Venu 3.
- Lacks advanced features like Smart Trainer control and power meter connectivity.
- Sleep tracking struggles with REM detection and awake time accuracy.
- Overall heart rate and sleep tracking not as good as newer Garmin models or competitors like Apple Watch.
User Experience
- Some users may experience better heart rate tracking than others.
- Vivoactive 5 struggles more with upper body workouts due to wrist tension.
- Heart rate tracking delays and inaccuracies might impact interval training or detailed performance analysis.
- GPS is reliable and consistent for outdoor activities.
- Sleep data provides a general overview but lacks precision for detailed sleep stage analysis.
Comparisons
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Vs. Garmin Venu 3: Venu 3 is superior in heart rate accuracy, sensor technology, and additional features, justifying its higher price.
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Vs. Other Garmin Watches: Vivoactive 5 is mid-tier in heart rate tracking and sleep monitoring compared to devices like Phoenix 7 Pro, Epix 2 Pro, and 4965.
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Vs. Competitors: Apple Watch leads in heart rate accuracy; Fitbit and Google devices offer better sleep tracking at various price points.
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Chest Straps: ECG chest straps remain the gold standard for heart rate accuracy, especially during weightlifting.
Final Verdict
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a competent, budget-friendly multisport smartwatch with strong GPS tracking and acceptable heart rate and sleep monitoring. However, it feels like a step down from the Garmin Venu 3, particularly due to its older sensor and less refined heart rate accuracy during demanding activities.
If heart rate precision and advanced features are important, the Venu 3 or other higher-end Garmin models are recommended despite the higher cost. For casual users seeking reliable GPS and decent health tracking on a budget, the Vivoactive 5 is a reasonable choice but not outstanding.
Overall Ratings
Feature Rating Heart Rate Tracking 3 / 5 stars Sleep Tracking 3 to 3.5 / 5 stars GPS Tracking 4 / 5 stars Overall Recommendation 3 / 5 starsDifferent Speaker/Tester Notes
- Rob (main reviewer): Found Vivoactive 5 underwhelming compared to Venu 3.
- Teresa (secondary tester): Experienced better heart rate tracking results with Vivoactive 5, especially in running and cycling.
- Both agreed Venu 3 outperforms Vivoactive 5 overall.
- Both noted Apple Watch as a top performer for heart rate tracking.
Summary
Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a solid mid-range smartwatch with good GPS and decent health tracking but is outshined by the more expensive Garmin Venu 3, especially in heart rate accuracy and sensor technology. Suitable for budget-conscious users who do not require top-tier performance.
Category
Product Review
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