The Garmin Vivofit 2 is a very innovative gadget that has some good activity tracking capabilities via a heart rate monitor. The instrument helps in making sure that the user maintains a regular activity all through the day.
This device also has alerts which constantly keeps the user on track and schedule his/her fitness activities. The user can also set their specific fitness goals and use the device as a means of assistance towards the achievement of those goals.
The Garmin Vivofit 2 keeps a track of the heart rate as well as zone data during fitness activities such as runs and walks. This helps it to give you a very accurate calorie track. With this gadget, you can keep a proper record of all your fitness achievements in fitness.
Read through our Garmin vívofit 2 Bundle with Heart Rate Monitor Review 2021 to know more about its features and offerings. The Garmin Vivofit 2 is the 2nd generation Vivofit of Garmin and it has included many useful updates in terms of design as well as functionality.
Acknowledging that this band is waterproof, it also comes with an amazing year-long battery life along with being loaded with some incredible functions, which is inclusive of the compatibility with a heart rate monitor.
You can have a look at our list of best fitness heart rate smart watch monitor 2021 to have a comparison between all of them and decide the best one for you.
Best Suited to Whom?
The Garmin Vivofit 2 is one of those devices which everyone must consider owning as this device will change your lifestyle! This device makes sure that the user remains fit and productive.
For people who love working out a lot, this device is perfect as it is the only tracker you would ever require. This is due to the fact that the device can be used easily to monitor all kinds of activities such as cycling, swimming, running etc.
The best part about this is that it is waterproof and most of the models do not come with a waterproof casing. You can check out our review on the Garmin Vivofit 3 for comparison.
Garmin Vivofit 2 Bundle with Heart Rate Monitor Assembly, Design and Build Quality
Assembly
The Garmin Vivofit 2 can be set up through your computer with the help of the USB dongle which is included in the package. It can also be set through the Mobile App – Garmin Connect for either Android or iOS.
On using the app, the Vivofit 2 can be found on the Devices page, post which you need to press the button on the fitness band to turn it on. The app searches for the gadget automatically and then pairs with it and gets it synced with the app.
Design and Build Quality
Garmin’s first entry in the market of generic fitness trackers was the original Vivofit. market. Before this, Garmin had designed products that catered to specific sports like running, cycling, golfing and triathlon training.
The Garmin Vivofit 2 has given a crucial design upgrade to the connector of this band. A snap mechanism in this band ensures that the band is secure at the correct tightness, and just a quarter-turn knob gets the band locked into place. This is indeed one of the very secure band mechanisms as of now.
Another major benefit of this Vivofit 2 is the device being waterproof; the Garmin Vivofit 2 has been designed and created to withstand showering as well as swimming which is due to its 5ATM (50 meter) waterproofing ability.
Two main leading fitness wearable manufacturers -Fitbit and Jawbone do not have devices that are completely waterproof. The Vivofit 2 comes with two bands, one large and one small band.
These come in many colors (black, white, navy, pink, red etc.). If you want to switch the bands, you can purchase additional replacement bands in numerous colors and you can swap them anytime.
The Vivofit has no altimeter built within it, so this device will not be able to count the flights of stairs the user has climbed such as the Garmin Vivosmart HR or the Fitbit Charge have to offer.
This device is a bit bulkier than the Fitbit Charge and Jawbone Up24, however, it feels light and comfortable on the wrist. Just like most of the activity trackers available in the market, the Garmin Vivofit 2 comes with two pegs that push through the hole in the band to stay secure on the wrist.
Garmin Vivofit 2 Bundle with Heart Rate Monitor Features
Heart rate
If the Vivofit 2 is purchased as a bundle along with the Garmin heart rate monitor (it is an ANT+ compatible chest strap), the two devices can be paired. You can then view the heart rate information as well as the heart rate zone data on the display of the band.
If you own an ANT+ compatible heart rate monitor, you can pair it with the band and it will not be necessary to purchase the heart rate chest strap from Garmin.
This helps in refining the calculated calories that are burned during the workout. This method is more accurate in estimating the calories burned.
Stopwatch
This feature is one of the latest capabilities added in the Vivofit 2 and which cannot be found in the original. The button has to be pressed and held until the “Start” reflects on the screen.
Then the button has to be released to start timing the exercise session. In order to halt the tracking, the button should be pressed and held until the”Stop” reflects on the display, and then it can be released. This is quite a simple way of controlling the Vivofit 2 when you work out.
Audible Inactivity Alerts
The Vivofit 2 sends an alert every hour in case you have been inactive for way too long. This is a good and useful feature, however, the vibration is missing.
Sleep Tracking
The sleep mode can be entered manually by pressing a button on the Garmin Vivofit 2 until the “Sleep” reflects on the display. Recently, this device has gained automatic sleep detection, and so the user need not worry regarding falling asleep without getting the device programmed.
This device monitors movements to check if you have had a good sleep, which is quite similar to the Fitbit Charge and Jawbone Up24.However, unlike these two devices, the Vivofit 2 does not come with an in-built wake-up alarm.
Waterproof
The Vivofit 2 is a waterproof device of up to 50m. This means that even though your workout session consists of a long swim, the Garmin Vivofit 2 can be used to time your workout activity. However, this device does not measure the strokes or lengths of your swim.
Daily goals
Most of the fitness trackers start with a random step goal of 10,000 steps and it lets the user manually alter the goal. However, the fitness trackers manufactured by Garmin adjust the user’s goal as per their activity.
So, if you are consistent and good at all your workouts, the Vivofit 2 will increase the goals for you, however, if you are a struggler, the device will lower your goals.
Computer/App link
The wireless syncing might take place automatically, but it does not occur frequently. Usually, the Vivofit 2 gets synced only when the user has reached a daily goal or a milestone.
If you wish to force the device to sync any other time, you will have to press and hold a button located on the device and you have to be within 10 feet of either your phone or computer.
Once the device is synced, all your information will be within the site – Garmin Connect site or in the app – Garmin Connect. While the app is not very attractive and does not offer a delightful experience, it has a very strong set of features and the device also connects the user to other Garmin users.
Irrespective of the Garmin fitness device used by you, you can sync and view all your data through the app – Garmin Connect. This means that you become part of an online community that gets you in touch with many active folks having a variety of interests and fitness levels.
Monitor Type
The Garmin Vivofit 2 comes with a backlit display which is on all the time and this helps you monitor your progress even when it is dark. It is monochrome and might be uninteresting, but it is extremely readable.
Detailed Calorie Tracking
If the user has any specific weight goal or he/she is interested in an in-depth counting of calories, they can get an account created at MyFitnessPal and get it linked to their account with Garmin Connect.
This allows them to check their calorie data, inclusive of the calories consumed in comparison to the total calories burned (this is recorded by Vivofit 2 all through the day), thereby providing them with their net calorie balance.
Digital interface
The Vivofit 2 does not have any touch functionality. Alternatively, all interactions with this device get executed with just one button which is located on the right of the screen.
Short presses help you scroll through important information such as steps, time, miles, calories etc. If the button is held down for a second, the backlight gets turned on. This feature was not included in the original Vivofit.
Fitness trainer
The Garmin Vivofit 2 tracks your progress 24/7 and displays all your calories, steps, distance as well as the time of day on a backlit display which is easy-to-read.
Connect to computer
The Garmin Vivofit 2 also comes with a USB wireless ANT+ dongle which lets you sync your device wirelessly to either your smartphone or computer. However, no USB charging cable is included in this package.
Battery Life
The Garmin Vivofit 2 functions on two coin cell batteries (CR1632). The company states that this battery can last for a year or more before a replacement. This is way better than the Fitbit Charge and Jawbone Up24 which offer a battery life of just 10 days.
Bluetooth
The device can sync easily with any smartphone or computer that is Bluetooth enabled constantly through the day. The syncing process is automatic and helps the user maintain a record of their activity.
Garmin Vivofit 2 Bundle with Heart Rate Monitor Warranty
The manufacturer offers a warranty of one year against any manufacturing defect (this is not applied on accessories such as battery and even on physical damage).
Pros and Cons of Garmin Vivofit 2 Bundle with Heart Rate Monitor
Pros
- It has a display which is always on and is backlit
- It is waterproof
- It comes with a backlit display, stopwatch mode, inactivity alerts, and audible alerts
- The Vivofit 2 reminds the user to move in case you have been immobile for a while
- This gadget helps the user develop a healthy lifestyle
- Vivofit 2 can be connected with different Bluetooth enabled devices
- It is thin and light in weight
- It helps you store records of all your activities
- It has a watch as well
- The user can check their progress in the dark due to the backlit display
- The device has a one-year warranty
Cons
- The device has less room for customization of features or functions
- The feature which indicates that the user has to move, cannot be turned off
- The device is prone to damage due to falls and spills
- The audible alerts could be disruptive in a no-noise zone
- The alerts do not have a vibration feature
- The Garmin mobile application does not give any smart coaching insights
Other Alternatives to the Garmin Vivofit 2
Garmin has a variety of fitness trackers to offer. Many fitness trackers were launched in the year 2015, which are the Garmin Vivosmart, Garmin Vivoactive, and the Garmin Vivosmart HR. Yes, it also offers a variety of specialized footpods and watches, and many other devices for different sports such as running, swimming and triathlons.
If you are unable to decide on which device to purchase – the Vivoactive 2 or the Vivoactive, you must opt for the Garmin Vivoactive 2. In case you want to have vibrating alerts, touchscreen as well as connectivity features of a smartphone such as music control and notifications.
It also comes with a lithium battery that is rechargeable and has a battery life of 7 days post charge.The latest upgrade of the Vivosmart is the Vivosmart HR which offers the user a wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
The Vivoactive looks and functions like a multi-sport watch rather than a fitness tracker. It does come with a rechargeable battery which lasts for about 3 weeks.
The Verdict
The Garmin Vivofit 2 is a competent fitness tracker that is smart and stylish. It tracks the user’s activity and their sleep schedule, and this can also act as a timepiece without being intrusive on the wrist of the user.
In contrast to the Jawbone Up24 and the Fitbit Charge, the Vivofit 2 has interchangeable bands that can match the personality of the user along with their mood every day.The bands are quite comfortable and affordable. However, the Vivofit 2 does not track the user’s diet and does not have a heart-rate monitor.
Both these features come with the Fitbit Charge HR which is priced at $149. However, its flexibility along with long battery life makes this device a must-have for everyone. Check out our article on the best Bluetooth heart rate monitors.
Garmin had a number of fitness trackers which made their debut in the year 2015, for instance, the Garmin Vivoactive, the Garmin Vivosmart, and the Garmin Vivosmart HR. If you wish to choose between the Vivoactive and Vivoactive 2, we recommend the Vivoactive 2.
If you need alerts that vibrate, smartphone connectivity features and a touchscreen, go for the Vivosmart. The latest upgrade is the Vivosmart HR which offers wrist-based heart rate monitoring. The Vivoactive looks like a multi-sport watch and is quite expensive.
The rechargeable battery lasts for about 3 weeks. The Garmin Vivofit 2 fitness tracker with heart rate monitor not just reminds you to workout and move, but also keeps track of the calories burned. It helps you get rid of the extra pounds easily and maintain a healthy weight!
