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Using as a standalone bike computer?

Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi Guys,

I was looking to buy the fr235 and a garmin edge 520 (might be overkill but the prices are getting really reasonable) as prices are coming down in both but as the fr235 is getting an upgrade soon (so I've read in various places but nothing official) i had the idea to look at the vivoactive 3....

im not a super crazy cyclist but i do mainly cycle, play football and will start going to the gym so i figured i can ditch the fitbit charge 2 and the wahoo rflkt bike computer (it's playing up now) and go for the va3.

Whats everyone experience with the va3 as a cycling computer? I like reading stats and i dislike the fact that you have to pay on Strava for anything more than current speed etc (i look at averages aswell during my ride)

Also does the connect app give much data post ride?

Thanks in advance peoples..

0 schinder over 7 years ago

In general an Edge is way better for cycling than any watch (mounted on the handlebars it's much easier to see when riding, larger screen, more data fields, etc., etc.). So it depends on how much you're actually going to use it for cycling. The watches do work (I'm not sure the VA3 handles cycling power, the Garmin pure running watches generally don't) but they're harder to see and allow fewer data fields on the screen at once. And, if you're going to use it outdoors somewhere where it gets cold in the winter, you're going to have to decide between heart rate (next to skin under clothing) or visibility (over clothing). If I were making your decision, I'd go for the 235 and the 520. I own and use an Epix and an Edge 1000 and I never use the Epix for cycling, road or mountain (it's for cross country skiing and hiking).

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I've ran the VAHR along-side an Edge just to see how it compares while biking.
Vivoactive does not support power meters - not an issue for most people.
Other than that, the post ride data was pretty much the same once you load it into Garmin Connect.
The Edge gives you built in mapping without 3rd party apps, and as other mentioned is easier to read while biking.
The display won't be the largest, and if night riding the backlight isn't going to stay on until you touch it. But it definitely works.
Also, both are accurate for road use. But *ANY* GPS Cyclometer is going to cut your distance short for mountain biking unless you use a speed sensor. Depending on how twisty the singletrack trails are, I'll generally have an 8 mile course read a mile short until I put a speed sensor on. Weather it be the Vivoactive, Edge, or otherwise.
Also, there are handlebar mounts to put your Garmin watch on. They run 12-15 bucks if I remember correctly.
Hope that helps.