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Using Garmin Vivosmart HR and connect with the GPS from the Android phone

Hi guys,

I currently have a FitBit device (the FitBit Blaze) which allows me, while exercising, to connect my device to my android phone and then use the GPS from the phone. In this way the distance, the pace, etc are all calculated using the GPS from the phone, and when I sync my data to the Fitbit application I can see the map of the route I travelled, together withe he HR data from the phone. The advantage, among other things, is I buy a less costly device and I save on battery life from the Fitbit device, since the device does not hold a GPS.

I am considering to buy a Garmin device with Elevate wrist based Heart Rate but without GPS (wither vivosmart HR, or vivoactive HR, or a forerunner device). Will I be able to connect the device during exercise with the phone and make full use of the GPS of teh phone. If yes, can you guide me how this is done (or to some documentation or thread).

thank you in advance.
  • Will I be able to connect the device during exercise with the phone and make full use of the GPS of teh phone.
    Not as far as I'm aware. In any case, vívoactive‑HR has built-in GPS, as does the Forerunner 235 and 735XT.

    On the other hand, the vívosmart‑HR does not have built-in GPS. Do you want to just use it to ">over ANT+ to a connected device">broadcast HR data over ANT+ to a connected device which is running a non-Garmin GPS workout tracking app? Is your Android phone compatible with ANT+? My Samsung Galaxy S5‑mini isn't, although my Samsung Galaxy Tab‑S is, so it's definitely not a given for Android devices, even those of the same brand and/or in the same family.
  • The just announced vivosmart HR+ also has GPS.

    I don't think Garmin devices without GPS were ever able to use the phone's GPS for activity data.