I recently bought a Vivoactive 3 to use in place of my Fenix 3 (non-Ohr). During my workouts the OHR is terrible in terms of accuracy. So, my question is: Can I pair a BT or ANT+ HR strap to use during workouts only and override the OHR? Otherwise I am very happy with the device for the daily monitoring.
I have the basic garmin 10997 chest strap. I have used it with success on my vivoactive 3.
You must pair the chest strap as ChrisSinfield1963 mentioned. Once the chest strap is paired, you can view its status at: settings > sensors & accessories, then scroll down to find the HR device. On my vivoactive 3, the chest strap was automatically assigned this name: HR - 38002.
Thereafter, when you press the key and select an activity (but before you start the activity with a second key press), the vivoactive will automatically connect to the chest strap. It takes maybe 10 - 20 seconds to make the connection, then the screen notifies you that the chest strap is connected.
To verify that the chest strap is connected, go to sensors & accessories in settings. The HR item will show as either "connected" or "searching." When I'm not wearing the chest strap, status always shows as "searching."
According to a phone call with garmin support, when the chest strap is connected it gets priority. In other words, the vivoactive takes HR readings not from the wrist sensor but from the chest strap. You can turn off the wrist HR if you want to doubly verify the source for the HR reading (tap the Wrist HR item in sensors & accessories, tap it again to change its status from on (green bar) to off (gray bar).
I'm looking to purchase the vivoactive 3 and I'm looking for some feedback on heart rate. I just returned a vivosport because the wrist HR sucked. From what I see the oHRM is fine daily and I like that this watch tracks activity but for fitness, cross training, weights etc I need accurate HR for the high intense stuff. I'm assuming you've all used the chest strap now? How's the accuracy? Does it work like it's supposed to or is it glitchy? What I'm looking for in a watch is activity tracking through the day which this seems to do well from what I've read. Plus accurate with high intensity weight, HIIT training which the chest strap should take care of. Thanks!
Well for me, I'd been a LONG time (like, 25 years) user of heart rate straps, across various platforms. Got my VA3, have had no evident issues at all with OHR accuracy. Running, biking, all of it - no problems. So - I guess it's somewhat user-specific. But for me, no problems whatsoever.....I've been happy to let go of the strap...get it...let go.. ok yes thank you very much.
Plus accurate with high intensity weight, HIIT training which the chest strap should take care of. Thanks!
Wrist based sensors are OK for most folks doing running/hiking/biking but not so good for stationary activites like weight lifting. If accuracy is important, get a chest strap. Nothing is 100% but the strap is the most reliable.
How's the accuracy? Does it work like it's supposed to or is it glitchy? What I'm looking for in a watch is activity tracking through the day which this seems to do well from what I've read. Plus accurate with high intensity weight, HIIT training which the chest strap should take care of. Thanks!
I've been using the VA3 together with the Garmin Premium Soft Strap for more than 6 months now more or less exactly as you are describing - no issues.
The strap together with the VA3 is not glitchy at all. It connects within seconds, and I have never experienced any dropouts or such. Of course I have not done any scientific research on the accuracy, but during exercise it beats the OHR by far, especially for high intensity activities with lots of movement and rapid HR changes.
Personally, I still use my old strap from VA 1. The resting heartrate (wait after an activity for 2 minutes, without saving it) is way more reliable. Min and Max HR are also accurate now. The wrist sensor is okay for allday. But within activities, I got many spikes and edgy reports.
I'm looking to purchase the vivoactive 3 and I'm looking for some feedback on heart rate. I just returned a vivosport because the wrist HR sucked. From what I see the oHRM is fine daily and I like that this watch tracks activity but for fitness, cross training, weights etc I need accurate HR for the high intense stuff. I'm assuming you've all used the chest strap now? How's the accuracy? Does it work like it's supposed to or is it glitchy? What I'm looking for in a watch is activity tracking through the day which this seems to do well from what I've read. Plus accurate with high intensity weight, HIIT training which the chest strap should take care of. Thanks!
OHR lags due to some unavoidable factors.
There is some amount of lag with blood getting from your heart to your arms where it is measured, then there is some lag with device noticing increase in beats, measuring/registering them and displaying those changes, weird arm positions may let some light in that would mess with sensor etc.
All those factors make OHR not good for HIIT and weight lifting where changes are fast, and you move and twist your arms while exercising. OHR is much better for things like running and cycling where changes are not rapid and your arms are mostly held in „normal“ positions.
For HIIT and weight lifting using HR strap is much better since it is registering HR close to actual heart and it is doing it through electrical not optical sensors.
I've been using the VA3 since launch. The OHR is great for everyday use (ie health tracker, walking, sleep tracking etc) which don't require hard movement of the wrist. As soon as you move more, the watch band need to be tightened more. For instance, I had a lot of difficulties getting accurate OHR reading on a rowing machine!. Same for short and high-intensity workout the OHR doesn't have time to catch up.
I invested in a cheap (£40.00) WAHOO TICKR HRM (Bluetooth and ANT+) which perfectly pairs with the VA3 and give an accurate (or what I believe to be accurate) HR reading during workout. The TICKR can connect to the watch and a phone at the same time (if need be). As soon as I start an activity, the VA3 confirm that the "external HR" is connected and I can start the activity straight away, couldn't be easier! I use the OHR during workouts as a backup (when I don't have my HRM), casual run on holiday etc.
I am no swimmer, but the VA3 doesn't record HR when swimming, OHR turned off and doesn't support the Tri HRM. The TickrX HRM has a built-in memory which can record up to 16 hrs of HRM on its own (with no connection to anything). This could be a way to record HRM while swimming with a VA3 (IMHO, if you are at that level, HRM while swimming etc, perhaps you should consider a Fenix 5 ;-))
