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Vivoactive vs Fenix 3

Former Member over 7 years ago

It seems every online comparison I see is between the Vivoactive 3 and the Fenix 5. This makes sense because they are roughly the same generation, but it's also bonkers considering the price difference.

The Fenix 3 right now retails for just about the same price as the Vivoactive 3, which seems to me like the comparison to make. It doesn't seem like the Fenix 5 is hugely different from the Fenix 3, and the Vivoactive is missing running features like running efficiency, ground contact and so on.

Does anyone have some insight for me?

0 cleansoap over 7 years ago

Are you asking for a comparison or simply stating that if someone (else) were going to want a comparison that the VA3 v F3 would be the wiser one? I assume you mean the F3HR, which is a year newer and still significantly more expensive than the F3. The F3HR should be though of as the F4 by another name.

0 R_Tellis over 7 years ago

I've had an F3(non-HR) and now have the VA3 so I'll give you my impression of the differences.

First of all if you want to have Running Dynamics but only want to spend in the $250-$300 range the your choice will have to be the F3. However you won't get the Training Load, 24hr Stress Score, etc. that the F5 offers and will only get ground contact time, vertical oscillation, etc. that comes from the HRM-Run or HRM-Tri chest straps.

Outside of that consideration the F3 is going to be moving toward the legacy level of support. The hardware and memory are too limited to support the newer version of CIQ so most new 3rd party apps that people might develop won't work on it and there won't be any new features added by Garmin like it did when it was the top of the line.

With the VA3 you won't get any sort of advanced dynamics but you do get all day stress because of the new generation oHRM and it supports the latest CIQ platform so is open to 3rd party developers. Also being the Fenix of Garmin's fitness tracker line is more apt to have features added. (but don't rely on that being something that will happen)

Size and weight are also a factor. I'm 6' tall but with a very lean build and the F3 beat the hell out of my wrist bone. It didn't look terribly out of place on me but it just wasn't comfortable while I'm hardly ever aware that the VA3 is on my wrist.

It all depends on what you actually need and what you want. I have a FR735 with a HRM-Run strap so can get running dynamics but I rarely do mainly because I hate wearing a chest strap but also because that data is really hard to act upon because that data alone won't tell you why you spend more time on one foot or the other.

Sorry if I went on a bit of a ramble.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

R_Tellis, actually your ramble was very helpful, thanks :)