9 months and counting with the Garmin Vivosmart HR Part 3

9 months and counting with the Garmin Vivosmart HR Part 3

Continued from 9 Months and counting with the Garmin Vivosmart HR Part 2

7. Having tested syncing with the Windows 10 Mobile, Android, macOS, and Windows 10 Garmin Connect apps, its highly recommended to sync the Vivosmart HR with only one device at a time. Settings and configuration are set to the last sync client you use and Bluetooth syncing becomes an issue when you sync with say an HP Stream 8, Sony Xperia C3, and Lumia 650 at different times during the week. Your fitness data stored on the Garmin Connect site are retained however.

The mobile OS you primarily sync with determines whether notifications (which are supported for iOS and Android) and the remote music player function work properly.

8. As many users pointed out, the Vivosmart HR can be uncomfortably bulky, particularly when you are sleeping. If you regularly sleep belly down with your hand under the pillow, you may experience discomfort or even pain if you wear the Vivosmart HR while sleeping. Im admittedly a restless sleeper and I actually woke up more than once with a slightly sprained wrist due to the Vivosmart HRs shape. I power off the Vivosmart HR when I go to sleep most nights now, since the sleep tracking was inaccurate (more on this later).

The size and shape of the Vivosmart HR can also affect how you lift certain objects or wear sports accessories. Doing a pull and clean with a kettlebell is awkward with the Vivosmart HR, so I twist the screen inwards so the kettlebell doesnt rest on the screen. You can certainly box with a speed bag while wearing the Vivosmart HR, but its not recommended if you hit a heavy bag or engage in sparring. Performing Chinese boxing movements, kata, or yoga with the Vivosmart HR is all right however.

9. After 9 months with the Vivosmart HR, I can confirm that the sleep tracking doesnt work for me. Due to my irregular habits, sleep tracking may work for some owners of the Vivosmart HR. For my part, even if I specify my normal sleeping time using the Garmin Connect app, the Vivosmart HR thinks Im sleeping if I spend just a few minutes reading literature on my Kobo Glo, or a 70s Spider-Man comic book on my Sony Xperia C3. On occasion, Garmin Connect even loses time completely, even if I just visit the toilet once at 2 am.

The sleeping data the Garmin provides is always misleading. Users will have to be vigilant about editing collected sleep times if they seriously want to track their sleep.

In short, sleep data collected by the Vivosmart HR just isnt reliable and shouldnt be taken seriously. Add to the fact that the Garmin can be uncomfortable in bed, Ive stopped wearing it at night and power it down. 

On the plus side, the Vivosmart HR is all right tracking the 15 minute nap I occasionally indulge in.

Continued in 9 Months and counting with the Garmin Vivosmart HR Part 4