Vivoactive 5 | Garmin’s BEST watch! 🔥

[@ActiveIdeas]

Body battery 3:51 & Stress tracking 5:38 are two of my favourite Garmin features. For those who struggle with Alexithymia, these widgets will alert you when your stress seems high and remind you to take a break. You can even do guided mediation. You’ll also get rewarded in your body battery for “restful periods”. This has been invaluable for my wellbeing during my testing ❤️

[@Hortster]

I think this watch is great. Had mine since Nov and picked it up for $250 on Amazon. I keep the always on display off, and battery lasts 7-8 days on average use.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Must admit.. the vivoactive series by Garmin will always be the watch that changed the game for me. A little tease of how cool it is to own a sports watch 🔥 that’s not too bad 7-8 days 👏🏽

[@matthewstopint8852]

criminal that there is not an altimeter barometer ...

[@ActiveIdeas]

@@matthewstopint8852 for the cost 💲.. yes, it’s pretty criminal haha

[@kyliesmommy84]

It’s funny that you mention 7 days battery life when I’m having to charge my Apple Watch everyday. 😂 7 days is awesome. Thank you for your video. I just bought this watch and giving up Apple since their latest update!!

[@ActiveIdeas]

Hey 🌟Awh thanks so much for the support ❤️Haha, it’s wild isn’t it.. in the world of sports watches, 7 days battery life is nothing.. Apple have got some major catching up to do! It’s so nice not having to worry about charging. What happened in their latest update!? I hope you love your new Garmin! 🔥

[@AndrewYouTubehandle]

Everyday? I got 2.5 days from my apple Watch 6. A couple of simple tweaks. But gone for Garmin as I want over a week

[@lhzsdgsfbvv]

Functional It's like the Garmin Venu2 SE. But feature creep makes you wanne have a Venu 3, FR265, FR965 or Epix or Fenix. The VivoActive is a great starter watch.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yeah, the feature creep will catch you out quickly. It wasn’t long after using the Vivoactive 3 that I started checking out the Fenix models 🔥 But yeah, a great starter watch for sure

[@AndrewYouTubehandle]

Neat review. I don't need an altimeter but I do need nfc payment and over 1 week battery life in a watch that looks good and supports onboard music and is light. The Vivoactive 5 is perfect for my needs.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Let’s goooo! I hope you enjoy your Vivoactive mate 🌟

[@DABlinxz]

I just ordered it from Costco for just $260CAD which is $140 off and puts it $10 less than the Forerunner 165 which I was REALLY close to getting but I felt I was getting 98% of the features in the 165 in the vivoactive 5 PLUS music, pay, etc. Im excited to get it, its my first ever smartwatch. 😁

[@ActiveIdeas]

I’m super excited for you!! Bring on all the adventures! Sounds like a great deal and I hope you love the watch 🔥

[@nichterlaubt2950]

Are u happy with the watch? Im thinking about buying it

[@ActiveIdeas]

@@DABlinxz also curious 👀 🌟

[@DABlinxz]

@@ActiveIdeas I've had it a month now and I like it. I've yet to workout with it but I'm off for the season at the end of the year so I plan on going to the gym again then. I haven't loaded music onto it or used that function yet. It's really just a method of roughly tracking my sleep, heart rate, and stress levels for now. But it's also good for receiving messages and seeing them at a glance without taking my phone out of my pocket. I think given how I use it, the Vivoactive 5 was the right call, particularly for the price.

[@taylarb7703]

The body battery and the stress tracker are one of the main reasons I bought this watch. I am an active person, I love running! but more than anything I am chronically ill, neurodivergent and terrible at advocating for myself. I am hoping that by having my stress and energy in number form I will feel more comfortable advocating for myself. After all, numbers don't lie. I'm really excited to have this watch with me on my journey :)

[@AC-tn1cy]

I have those on my Vivoactive 4S with an altimeter for stair climbing/elevation.

[@ActiveIdeas]

As a fellow neurodivergent.. I completely get you Taylar. I really liked having the numbers. Especially when i was working as in instructor and was at risk of burn out every day. This watch with the stress tracker and body battery was my safety net ❤️ Good luck with your journey and I’m just a message away 👊🏽

[@ActiveIdeas]

Nice! @AC-tn1cy 🌟 Are you happy with your 4S or are you thinking of upgrading to a different watch?

[@AC-tn1cy]

@ActiveIdeas UPDATE: JUST CONTACTED GARMIN, AND THEY ARE REPLACING WITH A REFURBISHED VIVOACTIVE 4S! I JUST HAVE TO SEND MINE TO THEM FIRST. I'm still happy with it, but with that seal leak after pool swim around the outer edge, it's time to replace. I just want a navigation watch for walking/hiking, alarms, and notifications, but I would like an amoled display and stainless steel bezel again. After 5 years this 4s only has 2 tiny unnoticeable stratches. I've worn this watch every day for 5 years and so impressed with durability.👍 I want something similar.

[@Irene_s_g]

The content of the video seems good, but I have to stop it because I was getting very nervous about the constant change of camera angle. What was that for?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Hey cheers for the feedback, super appreciate it ❤️ We’re a new channel and experimenting with editing! I’ll take this into consideration for newer edits, sorry about that 🤭

[@ActiveIdeas]

The idea behind it was to help with audience engagement whilst talking about nerdy stuff for 22 minutes haha .. but seems I might have took it too far 🤣 The editing does calm down abit deeper into the video :)

[@Irene_s_g]

Hahhah well, the content was good so you have that covered, keep up the good work!

[@ActiveIdeas]

@irsaga haha! Cheers brother! 🔥👊🏽

[@KingLifeTale]

Let’s gooooo! 🔥

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yeah man! 🔥

[@jevgeniardassov]

I have Vivoactive 4, it is OK but battery is appalling to be honest, coming from VA3 and Forerunner 235. Those both made it through ultra-rowing event 11-13 hours and 4 struggles to last 6-7 hours. Claimed is 10-11 hours. Watch mode with O2 sensor off was 7-10 days but only for a couple of years. Now it is more like 3 days and occasional massive battery drops for no apparent reasons. I am looking for a new watch but so disappointed in VA4, I am looking into rivals more and more. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yeah Vivoactive has terrible battery life! For the same price I recommend the Suunto Race S. I have some videos about it! Doesn’t everything the Garmin does and more, costs less than comparable Garmin’s AND battery life is unreal. It’s also comfortable to wear just like the VivoActives. Hope this helps Jev ❤️

[@brucelin5842]

Is venu3 really better than vivoactive 5 given that it’s so much more expensive ? Or should I just get the vivoactive5 ? I’m thinking of upgrade from venu sq music …also how does the Watch track weather ? From phone or its own sensor?

[@ActiveIdeas]

There are lots of reason I’d LOVE to try out the Venu 3 but believe I’d or not the main one is because of the speaker. I like the idea of having untapped access to Siri (you can even send messages using this feature) and also the ability to have my music play out the speaker.. sounds mental but I just think the feature is super cool. No matter what watch you buy from any company and whether you spend $100 or $1000 the watches will get weather from the phone only. I will point out however that some more expensive watches, Coros Apex 2 pro, Suunto Race, Garmin Fenix do come with a barometer.. that means without the phone the watch will be able to detect a change in air pressure which will then alert you (without phone) about any rain or thunderstorms that might be approaching! How cool is that 🔥

[@brucelin5842]

@@ActiveIdeas the 165 also have barometer so can it also predict weather forecast like if it’s gonna rain or not ?

[@ActiveIdeas]

That’s a no for the Barometer… I can’t find that anywhere on the watch 😅

[@trekmanone1676]

I saw a Germin Venu 3 vs VA5 youtube review out there. Chase the Summit channel. The Quantified Scientist also had a great review of both. At US$200 more than the VA5, the Venu 3 won on best and most accurate and most correlated data. However, unless you want to on the best-fit line of data toward the top, how much accuracy and correlation does a "normal" human need?

[@ActiveIdeas]

If you’re not an elite athlete.. not much correlation at all 🙈 But no harm in having more accurate data 📊

[@lamandragore1920]

This is a great video my friend

[@ActiveIdeas]

@@lamandragore1920 means the world! 🔥👊🏽

[@venkateshiyer7231]

Would you recommend me getting a apple watch or vivo active 5 ,I am not sure if garmin works with apple

[@ActiveIdeas]

If you want a smart watch get the Apple, if you want a fitness companion, get the Vivoactive 5 You have specific question about difference?

[@francoislabuschagne6769]

Better than the Venu 3? I think Garmin have too many different models and should just have 1 of each type (running (Forerunner), lifestyle (Venu), etc) in 2 different sizes, with the option to pay for extra activities / features.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Not as good as Venu 3 but then you have to put in even moreee money into the purchase 🙈 Yeah it’s pretty wild, the range of watches Garmin offers. Even as someone who tries to review them it can get confusing.. feel sorry for consumers overwhelmed by the options and confusing intricate differences 🙏🏽 yeah that would be cool, nice idea!

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Agreed! Way too many models and can be confusing.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Makes you want to go “screw it” and just buy an Epix to make sure I’m not missing out on any features 🙈

[@JasonRaneses]

Garmin really needs to consolidate their watch lineup. From a training perspective, the Forerunner 265 is a better value - plus 5 buttons. And while I’m at it, I seriously hope they drop the domed screens going forward. Hopefully the new 165 is a nod to that.

[@JasonRaneses]

Heh, I wrote that comment before getting to the end of the video. Glad you called out the lineup madness 👌🏼

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yeah! It’s turning into abit of a minefield. So many watches and the overlap of features is not clear.. dropping a comparison video of the Forerunner 165 vs the Vivoactive 5.. it is WILD the amount of difference despite the same price-point. The 265 is definitely a better watch.. but it also costs nearly twice the money. Yeah, definitely agree. I’ve only been testing the Vivoactive 5 for 3.5 months. Taken as good care of it as I possibly can. The screen is scratched up already 😭

[@ActiveIdeas]

Haha! Love it! Yeah, it’s impossible not to call-out the lineup madness.. it doesn’t make sense to the customer at all. It can seem like software limitations are added just for profit. It wouldn’t surprise if we started seeing paid software updates. “For just £4.99 you can unlock training readiness” 🤣 “For $18.99 we’ll unlock navigation with courses” 💫

[@defencee]

I think Garmin must think about maps and other features on medium range watches, Chinese brands within 1-2 year will be have a lot better than now soft and apps and fully integrated maps, Garmin needs watches for 350-400 dollars for all functional, Garmin is still being saved by this insolent pricing from the Chinese.

[@ActiveIdeas]

🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Jay1830]

I just want a barometer on it, and i would buy it. I love my vivoactive 3, but it sucks at tracking inclines while cycling, i gona buy a instinct 2x or instinct 2 if the 2x is too big

[@ActiveIdeas]

Garmin have so many watches! Also if you like the Vivoactive 3 you should really look at the Suunto Race S.. WOW. Similar form factor but has all the features of a Fenix.. for less money than a Instinct 2X

[@Jay1830]

@@ActiveIdeas i will look into it. Thanks for the recommandation

[@ActiveIdeas]

No worries mate ❤️

[@lescarmichael-rn2zp]

Liked tbe video and the way you covered it all. My question has to be, are you biased bwcause of your sponsorship? Seriously considering a new smart watch and hovering between the vivoactive 5 and the fenix. Cheers for review mate. 👍

[@ActiveIdeas]

@@lescarmichael-rn2zp I have zero affiliation with Garmin and bought this with my own money. Thanks for the comment brother ❤️

[@RISTERO-DE]

How many alarms can you set in this watch??? Have you checked it? I'm not interested in the information in the manual but the actual number

[@ActiveIdeas]

I can’t remember but off the top of my head I think the limit is 10 alarms ⏰

[@fabtof]

Great review! Do you have any experience with this VivoActive 5 for swimming in open waters?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Awh thanks mate! I have absolutely no idea mate! Gps is okay, the strap is good (won’t fall off in the sea) I did actually use the Vivoactive 3 .. yes THREE for an Ironman triathlon so it’s not impossible if you’re not overly fussed about the data. (I just wanted duration and heartrate really from the open water swim). I would say.. consider a different watch. If you’re worried about price check out Suunto or Coros 👌🏽 Saying that, there are some good deals on the forerunner 955 and Garmin Epix gen 2 at the moment

[@ThugRice_]

awesome video great info, what watch are you wearing while filming this?

[@ActiveIdeas]

In this video I’m wearing the Suunto Vertical Titanium edition.. me and Abie just dropped a review on the Vertical, it’s one of our favourites 🔥

[@Itstherealld]

Does it have kickboxing or can you add it ?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Unfortunately not BUT you can record the activity as a “cardio” event and then change it to boxing on the app so not a big deal. I’d HIGHLY recommend using a different garmin watch which is compatible with the HRM-Pro Plus so you can not wear any watch doing boxing and save the HR data to your watch after the session 🔥 (the Vivoactive can’t do this)

[@DougRethwisch]

What is that watch you had on side by side at the 12:58 mark?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Top secret 🙈 … it’s the Garmin Forerunner 165 😉

[@MarineW-z7w]

Hi :) Thank you for that great review! Having used both, would you rather go for the Vivoactive 5 or polar ignite 3? I don't run, but I train at the gym, like to hike, want track my sleep, my recovery etc. I currently own an Ignite (1st generation), which I love, but I've had it for 5 years and the battery is no longer great ! Thx :)

[@ActiveIdeas]

Thankyou for the lovely comment! That’s such a tough one, I think for training the polar ignite 3 is the far better watch. FitSpark is great and it does a fantastic job at tracking your progress it even has a temperature sensor 🔥🔥 The Garmin is a far better smart watch.. so depends what you prefer… a better smart watch with some fitness features or a better sports watch with some smart watch features. Both suck in their weaker areas ❤️

[@MarineW-z7w]

@@ActiveIdeas Thank you so much for your answer, very helpful !

[@ActiveIdeas]

No worries brother!

[@sitiegan7507]

Is it possible for swimming around 40 minutes in the warm water ?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yes, this is absolutely possible, the watch is built for swimming 🔥

[@mrkos87]

I returned it to the store. The bezels are way too big and the buttons are so hard to press.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Ohh, I didn’t have you button issues but I definitely see what you mean about bezels! Plus easy to scratch .. what you getting instead

[@mrkos87]

@@ActiveIdeas For about the same money i got the Galaxy Watch 7. Great watch!

[@ActiveIdeas]

The galaxy watches have always looked fantastic tbf! All the best with it! 🔥

[@mrkos87]

@@ActiveIdeas Thanks buddy.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Pleasure ❤️

[@giannisasimakopoulos913]

Can it track SUP ?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yes it can! Not sure if it has this specific sport but you can change sports in the Garmin Connect app x

[@NaniRatnaa]

Is it better than venu sq2 music?

[@ActiveIdeas]

They’re both very similar but it’s worth diving deep into the details to see which one is best for you. Objectively I think the vivoactive looks better.. pretty sure the screen is better resolution too & comes with live wallpapers 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jackcoxwell70]

Can it track hiking?

[@ActiveIdeas]

Yes it can jack 🙏🏽🔥

[@jackcoxwell70]

@@ActiveIdeas is this not a problem if there isn’t altimeter?

[@ActiveIdeas]

There are definitely better hiking options.. the Vivoactive is a great place to start. I think if you know what an “altimeter” is and does.. maybe the Vivoactive is too entry level for you.. if you care about this stuff i would suggest spending no less than the 265 for hiking ❤️

[@bassingbasics6621]

Bro your wrists must be like 4 inches, I have a 7 1/2 inch wrist and it looks like a toy around it!

[@ActiveIdeas]

It’s 6 1/2 inches hahaha.. genuinely… I guess every inch counts 😬😅

[@andyfran]

Great review, HOWEVER, you do speak without pauses and it doesn’t help with the bad audio. Invest in a decent lapel mic and you’ll be gold!

[@ActiveIdeas]

Thanks for the feedback ❤️ Means the world 🙏🏽 Guess ill be purchasing a mic