Garmin launches Vivosmart HR activity tracker

Garmin has announced the Vívosmart HR touchscreen activity tracker that takes your heart rate at your wrist and offers a range of smart notifications. One of the benefits for cyclists is that it’s compatible with Garmin Edge bike computers, so you can use it as a heart rate monitor if you prefer not to wear a heart rate chest strap – albeit an expensive heart rate monitor, unless you’re interested in the other functions.
 
The Vivosmart HR counts steps, floors climbed and measures your activity intensity throughout the day. When paired with a compatible smartphone, you can use it to receive texts, calls, email, calendar and social media alerts, and control music.

The device has a 50m water rating and Garmin says that it has up to five days’ battery life. You can set your own activity intensity goals, and it automatically syncs with the recently updated Garmin Connect mobile app. 

The Vivosmart HR takes your heart rate throughout the day and night using an optical sensor that Garmin calls its Elevate technology. We’ve no idea of its accuracy because we’ve not use it. You can pair it up to a Garmin Edge bike computer or Forerunner running watch and have your heart rate displayed on there as well as on the device itself.

The Vivosmart HR will be available from 1 November in three colors – black, imperial purple and midnight blue - at £119.99.
 
For more info go to http://sites.garmin.com/en-GB/vivo/vivosmart/