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Vivoactive 3 vs 3M

Former Member over 6 years ago

I'm thinking about purchasing a vivoactive 3 ? (over a fitbit ionic). The swim feature is important to me. I'm in the UK, so some features are not (yet) available and there are not many options on screen protectors for the VA3M, at least at a reasonable price!

Obviously I know having music on the 3M is the draw, but otherwise how do the two versions compare?

There seems to be a few differences, like the glass on the screen. The VA3 seems more physically robust than the VA3M? (from what I've read). This concerns me about the VA3M. I don't think I am a rough user, but watches do get knocked about....

But there is more storage on the VA3M, for apps? (Not sure if this is a biggie, though more space may future-proof it a little longer)
Are some of the sensors in different places?
Is accuracy for some readings better on one than the other?
Slightly different software?

Anyway, just wondering whether the extra £40 is worth it! Actually, whether I'd just be better considering the VA3.

Thanks for your advice.

(These are pretty much at the upper range of my price limit and I don't have the money to buy a new one willy-nilly unfortunately, so I really want to make the best decision on this - yes, I know these are not perfect but neither is the fitbit ionic but hopefully they will be sufficient for me for a good while).

x-posted in the vivoactive 3 forum.

0 FendiMan over 6 years ago

I had the VA3 for 3 months, and now the VA3 Music for 10 days.
For me is the VA3 Music the better VA3, because some parts are newer and better than at the VA3.
The Bluetooth part is different to the VA3 and the music is a good complement.
Of course is the glass a bit more sensitive than at the VA3, but there are protectors to buy for the VA3 Music.
I don't use the watch for swimming, so I cannot say anything about it.
There is more space for Apps at the VA3 Music.

If you not sure which version to buy, buy it over amazon and send it back if it's not the right one.

0 oleksiy.yergiyev over 6 years ago

Are some of the sensors in different places?
Is accuracy for some readings better on one than the other?

Yes, barometric sensor port hole is located at the side of the watch as opposed to VA3 where it's at the bottom. My wife's VA3 completely misrepresents elevation during workouts because this sensor location makes it more prone to be clogged by sweat and affected by temperature rise, I assume. All her loop runs show significant altitude drops, about 50-80 for 30-40 min length activity. The watch calibrates the altitude in the beginning and then invariably goes downhill regardless of the reality. My VAHR behaves properly elevation wise during the same workouts.