Why is better than Fenix 5?

I think the answer to your question would be highly personalized, based on what features you value most.

Example, I wear a Vivofit 2 to do my basic day to day step counting function because I don't have to remember to charge it, it's small and also doubles as my wrist watch. Could I wear my FR630? Sure I could, but then I would have a much more expensive device on my wrist that also needs regular charging. The only feature that I would replace the Vivofit 2 for would be a similar device that works a little better with the new TrueUp step function, where steps recorded on one device can get pushed back to another device. As you can see, my scenario is very specific to how I would best like to use the features in my life.

I'm sure garmin pay will be coming to the fenix 5 series. I've seen that sort of thing happen to my garmin edge 1000, where stuff was announced for lesser gps bike computers and later added to my 1000.

I'm sure garmin pay will be coming to the fenix 5 series. I've seen that sort of thing happen to my garmin edge 1000, where stuff was announced for lesser gps bike computers and later added to my 1000.

Thatwon't happen since the Fenix 5 does not have a NFC chip.

Jan502 The fenix 5 is getting the all day stress feature added and can be tested in their latest public beta.

hlazar Garmin Pay will not be introduced to any of our older products due to hardware differences between them and the vivoactive 3. This feature requires specific hardware necessary for NFC payments that cannot be introduced through any sort of software update.

Any conclusions about which device is better will be entirely subjective but we hope that we may answer questions that users have about differences.

The stress score is supposed to be coming to the F5 so that shouldn't be deciding issue.

The big difference is the target audience. The Fenix is geared more toward the outdoor/hiking/adventure crowd where navigation and ruggedness are keys features. While the Vivoactive is geared more toward the activity tracking crowd where things can be measured and saved.

if you don't need the navigation and multi-sport features of the Fenix then the Vivo might be a better device for you, but only you can determine that.

This Myth needs dispelling that the Vivoactive 3 is better than the Fenix 5 series. The Vivoactive 3 and the Fenix 5 series is a totally different fitness wearable aimed at a different crowd as others have said.

The Vivoactive 3 may have Garmin Pay and this will not come to the Fenix 5... Stress and rep tracking is coming to the Fenix 5 at the end of this month. But the Vivoactive does not have power meter support, navigation, running dynamics, training load and status, triathlon mode, hiking mode and open water swimming

My advice for what its worth

Get the Vivoactive 3, if?

If you into fitness and already own a fitness band like a Vivosmart or Fitbit Alta. Someone that is looking to track running, swimming cycling and gym activities. If you have looked at the Fenix 5 and thought its to much of a watch or to expensive then the Vivoactive 3 is the watch for you.

I think it was DCR that said in his review of the original vivoactive "A jack of all trades, but a master of none", meaning it could do a bunch of things, but didn't really stand out in any. The f5 is more of a "master of all", where it does a lot of things very well. As others have said, there are a bunch of things on the f5 that you won't see on the va3 - like multi-sport, training effect, etc, options for additional sensors, wifi, etc. A whole different market in my opinion.

Which is "better" for for someone is really up to that person, based on what they want to use it for and what their budget looks like. I'm sitting here with an f5 and a va-hr. I like them both and use them both, but the fact is, the f5 does some things much better (to me) and has things that aren't on the va-hr (some I know I'll never use though!).

BTW, they both do allow recording a hike. With a CIQ app! I got it ready to go for the va3 too :)

Hike 2

For me the vivoactive is better. The fenix 5x which is the one i would have bought because of the maps is too heavy and lacks a touch screen. I only use some of my present vivoactive features

The Garmin mod was totally correct earlier saying better/worse is totally subjective. The build quality on the Fenix is much better - and it has a much better form factor. It just looks cool & solid. I think when the VA 3 starts getting out into the wild it is going to look and feel very plasticky next to the Fenix.
Aside from aesthetics , which matters in a watch, the Fenix has quite a bit more functionality including running dyanmics and navigation and tri support - and lots of other stuff too.
The VA 3 has garmin pay (which, meh) and costs significantly less. The VA 3 is a poor man's Fenix. And that's ok. I really think Garmin is doing a pretty good job of drawing swim lanes around all of their different products and it has been fun to watch. The Fenix is DISTINCTLY better than the VA 3 (to me, though I think objectively). The subjective question is whether it is $300 better (I think not).
The VA 3 vs Forerunner 245 is really going to be the interesting battle, I think. I think they'll have to preclude running dynamics from the VA3 to give ANY reason to keep the FR 2xx series viable.