---
product_id: 47931205
title: "vivoactive 3"
brand: "garmin"
price: "FREE"
currency: NZD
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47931205-vivoactive-3
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# 7-day battery life in smartwatch mode Wrist-based heart rate monitor Built-in GPS tracks pace & location vivoactive 3

**Brand:** garmin
**Price:** FREE
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> ⌚ Elevate your active lifestyle—track, train, pay, and play like a pro!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** vivoactive 3 by garmin
- **How much does it cost?** FREE with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47931205-vivoactive-3)

## Best For

- garmin enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted garmin brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **All-Day Wellness Insights:** Monitor VO2 max, fitness age, stress levels, and recovery with advanced wrist-based sensors.
- • **Seamless Outdoor Tracking:** Built-in GPS lets you map runs, rides, and swims without your phone slowing you down.
- • **Effortless Mobile Payments:** Garmin Pay ready for contactless purchases—ditch your wallet and stay hands-free.
- • **Custom Workouts & Sports Apps:** Over 15 preloaded sports modes plus the ability to create and download personalized workouts.
- • **Sunlight-Readable Display & Durable Design:** Garmin Chroma Display with Gorilla Glass ensures crystal-clear visibility and rugged protection.

## Overview

The Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a sleek, lightweight GPS smartwatch designed for the modern fitness enthusiast. Featuring built-in GPS, wrist-based heart rate monitoring, and over 15 preloaded sports apps, it offers comprehensive health and activity tracking. With up to 7 days of battery life, a sunlight-readable touchscreen, and Garmin Pay compatibility, it seamlessly blends performance, convenience, and style for professionals who demand more from their wearable tech.

## Description

Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch with Built-In Sports Apps and Wrist Heart Rate - Black : desertcart.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Review: A 4 month runners review - brilliant watch and supporting app - Updated July 2019 after 4 months of use - typically training 8+ times a week across multiple sports, including approx. 50km to 60km of running per week: I have long been a loyal user of running watches produced by Garmin and my most recent (and much loved) watch is this Garmin Vivo Active 3. I have also road tested the Polar Vantage M, also being a Multisport watch, is a good side by side competitor for the Vivo Active so in this review I also compare the Vivo Active 3 to this watch. Set Up: - You can set up the watch with or without the Garmin App. It is recommended to use the app and therefore I did (I also love analyising my fitness data so a watch which isn’t syncing with an app is no fun for me). - The watch was easy to set up and both the watch and App were intuitive to use. Charging - The watch was ready to charge on arrival. It comes with a USB charger (note: no mains plug, you will either need to charge via a laptop or a mains to USB charger). The watch attaches to the charger via an each magnetic connection. - The watch went from out of box to being 100% charged in less than 1 hour (via mains). - The charger is a small clip in which attaches to the back of the watch. Aesthetics, general wearability and day to day use - The Garmin looks very good on my wrist, it is a nice small size for day to day wear (it is slightly smaller than the Polar Vantage M) - It is light and as a result it was easy to forget I was wearing it. - The strap is soft and pliable (other running watches such as the Polar watches have quite stiff straps). Ease of Operation: - The watch is operated largely by touch screen (there is only one button on the side of the watch). I really like the intuitive and easy to use touch screen ability – it feels modern and up to date but more importantly it is very quick to navigate. - To start training you select the button on the device and then scroll to find the activity you want to start. You can set the watch up so your most frequently used (or favorite) activities are listed up front for a quick start. There are many pre-programmed activities but I have mainly used the running (outdoors), treadmill running, indoor cycling and strength training activities. - The activity is paused by pressing the same button and then the touch screen gives end and save options. GPS log on - There is nothing more frustrating then your watch taking a long time to log onto the GPS signal when you just want to start running, I was concerned about this having read other reviews of this watch. - I had no siginifcant issues with the GPS link up. I have used the watch in a small town, a city, at the start of many races and in the countryside when trail running and the GPS log on was adequate in all locations (usually almost immediate but on rare and more frustrating occasions up to 1 minute). - It is worth noting that the Polar watch I have road tested often found GPS signal before the Garmin. Activities/Running/Distance Accuracy/GPS - As a runner this is what is most important to me. - The outdoor running accuracy appears to be incredibly good. It has matched (with very small tolerances) with official race measured distances in anything from 5km to 30km races. - On set up I selected automatic pause so when I stop running, for example at traffic lights, the device automatically pauses and then restarts tracking once I am running again. This feature worked well. - I like the strength training rep counter although I don’t always use it (unless I am wanting to deliberately slow down my work rate) Data screens - Along side the accuracy of data the availability of data whilst running is important to me. - Each data screen can hold 4 pieces of data (e.g. pace, distance, time etc.). - You can customise what data you have via the app. - The data was easy to see whilst running and gave me the information I needed to monitor and improve my performance. Display - The display is graphics are not amazing but they didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the watch. - I really enjoy the fact that you can customise what data you have on your standard watch screen. I have mine set up to show digital time, date and step count. Interaction with other devices and apps - In common with all runners I know I like to be able to analyse my running data and look at details such as my heart rate, pace and so on over the course of a run. - The Garmin uses the Garmin Connect app to do this. The watch is quick to syncronise and does this itself after activities. It can also be forced via the app. - The have my Garmin App (and therefore the watch data) also syncronised to MyFitnessPal so that my calories burnt are sent over to MFP and calories consumed are sent from MFP to the Garmin (watch and app). As a training aide - Being able to pre-program workouts before setting off makes for much easier interval training. - I use the Garmin to write a training plan with specific work-outs (e.g. interval training) and these then become available in the watch on syncing the two together. - The data you get on the watch at the end of the run is not that extensive (the Polar watch may be better for you if you want this on the watch) but the data in the app is extensive and useful for a post race or run postmortem. Battery life - The battery life on the Garmin is very good, but outperformed by the Polar when both had the same features engaged (e.g. continuous heart rate monitoring). Garmin App - The Garmin Connect App is what takes this watch from a very good 4* product to a 5* watch for me. - It is a real life tracker. I track my weight (and my BMI which is automatically tracks), my steps, my menstrual cycle, my calories in (and out, via a link up with MFP), I analyse my run and race results, set and monitor step (and other activity) goals – I must look at the App on average 10 times per day. - The App is easy to use, intuitive and I honestly believe it has contributed to me developing an even healthier lifestyle. - The app is the reason why I can’t see myself moving away from Garmin when I need my next running watch/activity tracker. Other features - The ‘sleep’ feature isn’t very accurate as it seems to think I’m asleep from the minute I get into bed and start reading until I get up in the morning. All sleep trackers I have tried do however tend to have the same issue. - I had the watch paired with my phone all day via the Garmin Connect app so I could receive message etc. notifications – a useful function but it does drain the battery more quickly In summary the Garmin Vivo Active 3 is an amazing watch supported by a brilliant app and I would not hesitate to recommend it. Update May 2020: This watch is over a year old now. It is still being worn daily 24/7 (except when being recharged) and the battery life is still as good as it was when new and functioning fine with no damage and even the strap shows only very minor physical wear and tear. Update 21 July 2020: still being used daily. The battery will last 4-5 days without charge at a push if not using the sports activities. If so count on recharge every 1-2 days. Under light usage, expect to charge daily for about 10-20mins. Getting up and having a shower is ideal time if you wear it overnight for sleep tracking.
Review: This is a great fitness watch with basic smartphone notifications - This is a great fitness watch with basic smartphone notifications. I've tried android wear but the battery life is two days at best right now and the amount of notifications is annoying. I found myself turning off most of them and just had text, what's app, reminders and alarms. And vivoactive offers these and any other app you want on your wrist. Unlike android wear you can't reply with a keyboard or voice dictation but again I found myself reaching for my phone more often than not to action things on android wear so this again isn't any different. I find (after over 4 weeks of use) that I average 4-5 days of battery life between charges. It take approx 1hr to fully charge too. The screen is great, especially in bright light or sunlight. The transflective display actually becomes clearer the brighter the light in the room or outside is. This is great as my previous wearable devices were lcd screens and out in bright sunlight there were hard to view. The watching is super comfortable to wear. It's so light you barely feel it on. I've not change he'd the staple even though it's easy to find any replacement you want due to the generic quick release system and size. The stock strap is again super comfortable and the silicon is nice for sports wear as it won't absorb the sweat like a leather alternative would. Sports tracking is great, I do a mix of strength and cardio exercises. No it's not as precise as a chest strap but it's surprisingly not that far off. Strength training work is where I find the gap between chest strap and wrist appears more. When out for a jog/run I find it much more accurate. I don't do HIIT training and it's sudden spikes where wrist tracking is often less precise. That's a problem with wrist based tracking in general due to the location being further to the extremities from my understanding. And the flexing with strength training work and different bloody circulation within the muscles all has an affect on it. But overall the results seemed to even out about the same as the polar strap I have by then end of the workouts. So 👍🏻 The Garmin companion app and website are great. There is an absolute shed load of data to digest after training but it's all great for understanding how your performance is changing. Some reviewers have complained saying there is too much data but more data allows for more insight. It's one of the reasons I swapped to Garmin. My old ms bans 2 used to give more data than the polar M600 but the band wasn't as accurate at tracking workouts or very comfortable. Garmins app also links brilliantly with MFP unlike anything else I've used before. It's so good I find I use it's calorie tracking interface more and just log my food in MFP. Previously I used to get all my exercise data into MFP to the work out the calories. Garmin connect makes its clearer and easier. I could bang on more but ultimately I'm super happy with my device and can't recommend it enough

## Features

- Warning:Not suitable for children under 14 years. For use under adult supervision
- Warning:To be used under the direct supervision of an adult
- Sporty smartwatch with built-in GPS, sports apps, wrist-based heart rate and mobile payments (GarminPay ready)
- High-resolution colour touchscreen display for great readability in all light and Side Swipe interface to scroll through widgets and menus
- Sports apps include yoga, cardio, strength training, running, swimming and many more; download pre-set workouts or create custom ones
- Includes fitness monitoring, such as VO2 max and fitness age estimate, plus all-day stress tracking and relaxation-based breathing timer
- Smart notifications including the ability to send prewritten responses to text messages, LiveTrack, Connect IQ watch faces and apps and more

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0751GBCKN |
| Age Range Description | Youth |
| Band Colour | black |
| Band Material Type | Silicone |
| Band Width | 20 |
| Battery Average Life | 8 days |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion |
| Battery cell composition | Lithium Ion |
| Best Sellers Rank | 122,747 in Electronics & Photo ( See Top 100 in Electronics & Photo ) 4,780 in Smartwatches |
| Box Contents | vívoactive 3, Charging cable & Manual |
| Brand Name | Garmin |
| Case Material Type | Resin |
| Clasp Type | Tang Buckle |
| Closure Type | Buckle |
| Colour | Black |
| Communication Feature | Bluetooth |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
| Compatible Phone Models | [Universal] |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
| Connectivity technology | Bluetooth |
| Controller Type | Touch screen |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 8,003 Reviews |
| Display Type | LCD |
| GPS Geotagging Functionality | Built-in GPS |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00753759173159 |
| Human Interface Input | Touchscreen |
| Item Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 10 millimetres |
| Item Type Name | Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch with Built-In Sports Apps and Wrist Heart Rate - Black |
| Item Weight | 43 Grams |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 3 GB |
| Memory storage capacity | 3 GB |
| Metrics Measured | GPS, accelerometer, optical heart rate sensors |
| Model Name | Vivoactive 3 Black |
| Model Number | 010-01769-00 |
| Operating System | Garmin OS |
| Operating system | Garmin OS |
| Product Features | GPS |
| Product Warranty | 1 year warranty provided by the manufacturer from date of purchase |
| Resolution | [HIGH_RESOLUTION] |
| Screen Size | 1.2 Inches |
| Shape | Round |
| Sim Card Size | eSIM |
| Special feature | GPS |
| Sport Type | Outdoors |
| Style Name | Garmin vívoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch - Black & Stainless |
| Supported Application | GPS, Heart Rate Monitor |
| Supported Satellite Navigation System | GPS |
| Target Audience | Unisex Adults |
| UPC | 843342174059 753759173159 |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Water Resistance Depth | 50 Metres |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX7 |
| Wearable Computer Type | Smart Watch |
| Wireless Compability | Bluetooth |
| Wireless Provider | du |
| Wireless communication standard | Bluetooth |

## Product Details

- **Battery cell composition:** Lithium Ion
- **Brand:** Garmin
- **Connectivity technology:** Bluetooth
- **GPS:** Built-in GPS
- **Memory storage capacity:** 3 GB
- **Operating system:** Garmin OS
- **Screen size:** 1.2 Inches
- **Shape:** Round
- **Special feature:** GPS
- **Wireless communication standard:** Bluetooth

## Images

![vivoactive 3 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xYfL0icyL.jpg)
![vivoactive 3 - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618OhDZwHNL.jpg)
![vivoactive 3 - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613H7V5rJRL.jpg)
![vivoactive 3 - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gC2aNjgOL.jpg)
![vivoactive 3 - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71UgmR+IjLL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Pattern, Color, Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Will the vivoactive 3 be fully waterproof and does it have it's own smartphone app?**
A: Waterproof to 50m. 
You need to use the Garmin Connect app

**Q: Do i have to use a smartphone for 'garmin connect'? can i link to a pc instead?**
A: It will link to a pc, but only wired or local WiFi. If you leave the house it will be no longer  connected

**Q: Does it show calories burnt totally throughout the day? Or does it just show calories burnt for exercise?**
A: Totally and it breaks it down to active and rest

**Q: Is there any way to view sleep details on the watch please??**
A: Yes, it gives sleep time and amount of time spent in different stages of sleep - deep, light, REM and awake aswell as movement. No idea how it works or how accurate it is but I find it useful!

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A 4 month runners review - brilliant watch and supporting app
*by J***C on 2 April 2019*

Updated July 2019 after 4 months of use - typically training 8+ times a week across multiple sports, including approx. 50km to 60km of running per week: I have long been a loyal user of running watches produced by Garmin and my most recent (and much loved) watch is this Garmin Vivo Active 3. I have also road tested the Polar Vantage M, also being a Multisport watch, is a good side by side competitor for the Vivo Active so in this review I also compare the Vivo Active 3 to this watch. Set Up: - You can set up the watch with or without the Garmin App. It is recommended to use the app and therefore I did (I also love analyising my fitness data so a watch which isn’t syncing with an app is no fun for me). - The watch was easy to set up and both the watch and App were intuitive to use. Charging - The watch was ready to charge on arrival. It comes with a USB charger (note: no mains plug, you will either need to charge via a laptop or a mains to USB charger). The watch attaches to the charger via an each magnetic connection. - The watch went from out of box to being 100% charged in less than 1 hour (via mains). - The charger is a small clip in which attaches to the back of the watch. Aesthetics, general wearability and day to day use - The Garmin looks very good on my wrist, it is a nice small size for day to day wear (it is slightly smaller than the Polar Vantage M) - It is light and as a result it was easy to forget I was wearing it. - The strap is soft and pliable (other running watches such as the Polar watches have quite stiff straps). Ease of Operation: - The watch is operated largely by touch screen (there is only one button on the side of the watch). I really like the intuitive and easy to use touch screen ability – it feels modern and up to date but more importantly it is very quick to navigate. - To start training you select the button on the device and then scroll to find the activity you want to start. You can set the watch up so your most frequently used (or favorite) activities are listed up front for a quick start. There are many pre-programmed activities but I have mainly used the running (outdoors), treadmill running, indoor cycling and strength training activities. - The activity is paused by pressing the same button and then the touch screen gives end and save options. GPS log on - There is nothing more frustrating then your watch taking a long time to log onto the GPS signal when you just want to start running, I was concerned about this having read other reviews of this watch. - I had no siginifcant issues with the GPS link up. I have used the watch in a small town, a city, at the start of many races and in the countryside when trail running and the GPS log on was adequate in all locations (usually almost immediate but on rare and more frustrating occasions up to 1 minute). - It is worth noting that the Polar watch I have road tested often found GPS signal before the Garmin. Activities/Running/Distance Accuracy/GPS - As a runner this is what is most important to me. - The outdoor running accuracy appears to be incredibly good. It has matched (with very small tolerances) with official race measured distances in anything from 5km to 30km races. - On set up I selected automatic pause so when I stop running, for example at traffic lights, the device automatically pauses and then restarts tracking once I am running again. This feature worked well. - I like the strength training rep counter although I don’t always use it (unless I am wanting to deliberately slow down my work rate) Data screens - Along side the accuracy of data the availability of data whilst running is important to me. - Each data screen can hold 4 pieces of data (e.g. pace, distance, time etc.). - You can customise what data you have via the app. - The data was easy to see whilst running and gave me the information I needed to monitor and improve my performance. Display - The display is graphics are not amazing but they didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the watch. - I really enjoy the fact that you can customise what data you have on your standard watch screen. I have mine set up to show digital time, date and step count. Interaction with other devices and apps - In common with all runners I know I like to be able to analyse my running data and look at details such as my heart rate, pace and so on over the course of a run. - The Garmin uses the Garmin Connect app to do this. The watch is quick to syncronise and does this itself after activities. It can also be forced via the app. - The have my Garmin App (and therefore the watch data) also syncronised to MyFitnessPal so that my calories burnt are sent over to MFP and calories consumed are sent from MFP to the Garmin (watch and app). As a training aide - Being able to pre-program workouts before setting off makes for much easier interval training. - I use the Garmin to write a training plan with specific work-outs (e.g. interval training) and these then become available in the watch on syncing the two together. - The data you get on the watch at the end of the run is not that extensive (the Polar watch may be better for you if you want this on the watch) but the data in the app is extensive and useful for a post race or run postmortem. Battery life - The battery life on the Garmin is very good, but outperformed by the Polar when both had the same features engaged (e.g. continuous heart rate monitoring). Garmin App - The Garmin Connect App is what takes this watch from a very good 4* product to a 5* watch for me. - It is a real life tracker. I track my weight (and my BMI which is automatically tracks), my steps, my menstrual cycle, my calories in (and out, via a link up with MFP), I analyse my run and race results, set and monitor step (and other activity) goals – I must look at the App on average 10 times per day. - The App is easy to use, intuitive and I honestly believe it has contributed to me developing an even healthier lifestyle. - The app is the reason why I can’t see myself moving away from Garmin when I need my next running watch/activity tracker. Other features - The ‘sleep’ feature isn’t very accurate as it seems to think I’m asleep from the minute I get into bed and start reading until I get up in the morning. All sleep trackers I have tried do however tend to have the same issue. - I had the watch paired with my phone all day via the Garmin Connect app so I could receive message etc. notifications – a useful function but it does drain the battery more quickly In summary the Garmin Vivo Active 3 is an amazing watch supported by a brilliant app and I would not hesitate to recommend it. Update May 2020: This watch is over a year old now. It is still being worn daily 24/7 (except when being recharged) and the battery life is still as good as it was when new and functioning fine with no damage and even the strap shows only very minor physical wear and tear. Update 21 July 2020: still being used daily. The battery will last 4-5 days without charge at a push if not using the sports activities. If so count on recharge every 1-2 days. Under light usage, expect to charge daily for about 10-20mins. Getting up and having a shower is ideal time if you wear it overnight for sleep tracking.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a great fitness watch with basic smartphone notifications
*by J***M on 27 December 2017*

This is a great fitness watch with basic smartphone notifications. I've tried android wear but the battery life is two days at best right now and the amount of notifications is annoying. I found myself turning off most of them and just had text, what's app, reminders and alarms. And vivoactive offers these and any other app you want on your wrist. Unlike android wear you can't reply with a keyboard or voice dictation but again I found myself reaching for my phone more often than not to action things on android wear so this again isn't any different. I find (after over 4 weeks of use) that I average 4-5 days of battery life between charges. It take approx 1hr to fully charge too. The screen is great, especially in bright light or sunlight. The transflective display actually becomes clearer the brighter the light in the room or outside is. This is great as my previous wearable devices were lcd screens and out in bright sunlight there were hard to view. The watching is super comfortable to wear. It's so light you barely feel it on. I've not change he'd the staple even though it's easy to find any replacement you want due to the generic quick release system and size. The stock strap is again super comfortable and the silicon is nice for sports wear as it won't absorb the sweat like a leather alternative would. Sports tracking is great, I do a mix of strength and cardio exercises. No it's not as precise as a chest strap but it's surprisingly not that far off. Strength training work is where I find the gap between chest strap and wrist appears more. When out for a jog/run I find it much more accurate. I don't do HIIT training and it's sudden spikes where wrist tracking is often less precise. That's a problem with wrist based tracking in general due to the location being further to the extremities from my understanding. And the flexing with strength training work and different bloody circulation within the muscles all has an affect on it. But overall the results seemed to even out about the same as the polar strap I have by then end of the workouts. So 👍🏻 The Garmin companion app and website are great. There is an absolute shed load of data to digest after training but it's all great for understanding how your performance is changing. Some reviewers have complained saying there is too much data but more data allows for more insight. It's one of the reasons I swapped to Garmin. My old ms bans 2 used to give more data than the polar M600 but the band wasn't as accurate at tracking workouts or very comfortable. Garmins app also links brilliantly with MFP unlike anything else I've used before. It's so good I find I use it's calorie tracking interface more and just log my food in MFP. Previously I used to get all my exercise data into MFP to the work out the calories. Garmin connect makes its clearer and easier. I could bang on more but ultimately I'm super happy with my device and can't recommend it enough

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Does everything expected at a reasonable price - and doesn’t look daft.
*by A***R on 1 December 2018*

I don’t usually write reviews but I read loads before buying this watch (Vívoactive 3) used from Amazon, so I thought I’d make the effort as lots of the reviews I read were misleading and unhelpful - personal disappointments about specific and probably individual niggles rather than an objective or helpful view on the watch. First off, the VA3 is, in my view, a sports watch. It does some smart watch stuff but if you want to buy coffee with it or send text messages then buy an Apple Watch (or a phone!) The VA3 tracks your heart rate (all day and all night), tells you where you are (GPS), lets you know when your phone is ringing, it’s waterproof, toughened, comfortable and the battery lasts 5/6 days. It is easy to use, if you read the instructions, pairs with your phone/iPad/computer and chest strap (if you need to - more about that later) and the Garmin Connect app breaks it all down into sensible metrics with stacks of detail. I am a normal, middle aged bloke and I’m serious but not obsessive about phys. I like wearing an HRM as it motivates me, lets me see if I’m getting better or not or just kidding myself and I find it interesting. Every now and then I try to train in heart rate zones but for me, it is more the info I like having. I run 5km with my dogs 5 times a week and lift weights/circuit train 5 days a week. I also swim probably once a week (more in summer) about 1.5km and I surf and snowboard. I’ve worn HRMs for all activities and have tried several types with varying degrees of success. I have had a Vivosmart, a Vivoactive (the old square one) a Mio, a Polar, a Fenix 3 and a Suunto. Bottom line - for me, the VA3 is by far the best all rounder for a “normal” person. The watch is “normal” sized, I’m not particularly big or small and have average sized wrists (I think). The VA3 looks right. It’s not flashy or eye-catching, the shape and strap are just there; meaning it doesn’t scream “look at me, I have this new thing...” and it’s not ugly or weird-looking. You can wear it to work and people won’t think you’re trying too hard or wonder why you have an electronic tag on your hand. It means you don’t have to wear a “band” type thing on your other wrist to your watch and it tells the time/date/day like wot a normal watch does. You don’t have to take it off in the shower (if you’re weird and enjoy having mouldy wrists - why would you not take your watch off in the shower!?) or worry about it getting wet in the rain/pool. So it looks fine and does everything you want when you aren’t wearing your trainers. Running/cycling/snowboarding/riding/surfing - all good. It picks up GPS in seconds and tracks heart rate and location as accurately as any other device, give or take. I know some other reviewers have had bad experiences but I’d guess these are one-offs rather than the norm. It’s a piece of tech kit and they aren’t all perfect: some people have had crappy iPhones and other people love them. Having had Garmin gear before and other brands I would say the chances of being disappointed by Garmin are much less than any other brand. So, assuming you don’t get a wonky item, you’ll have a machine that gives accurate readings (if you use it right) that you can then analyse on your phone sat on the loo to your heart’s content whilst your other half watches Top Gear/Pointless on telly. So for cardio, indoors or out, the VA3 is spot on. Every bit as good as the £500 Fenix, better in terms of consistency in fact (again, in my experience). HOWEVER... you need to read the instruction manual. If you don’t set the watch up properly, put it on properly, synch it properly then guess what? It doesn’t work properly! Take an hour to get it doing things the way you understand and place it on your wrist in the right place above the wrist bone. Do all that and you’ll get the best from the watch which means you’ll get the best from the available wrist-based HRM/GPS sports watches. Where it doesn’t work for me is in the gym. But then, no wrist-based HRM has yet: the technology just isn’t there yet no matter how much cash you throw at it (and I threw a LOT of cash at a Fenix!) it may just be me, though there is a theme of similar disappointments, but when you do an exercise where your wrists are bent, under stress or raised then the blood pumping through them (that the HRM detects) isn’t easily detected. Example: I do a 10 minute upper body circuit with virtually no rests, just 3x30 second breaks to avoid a coronary, when I’m working the wrist HRM says 90 bpm (eh?) but when I rest (and my arms are dangling zombie-loose by my sides) it jumps to 170 bpm. The wrist thingy is thrown off by the blood flow to my hands caused by the exercises in question. It is the same with every wrist-based HRM. So in the gym I have a cheap Wahoo tickr chest strap, synced to the VA3 and guess what? The watch tells me I’m too old to be doing that exercise at 170/180 bpm. Same in the pool, if you want your heart rate when you’re swimming, get a chest strap. Personally, I hate the things (chest straps) and I’m convinced they create fat-sausages that everyone can see, and they get sweaty and gopping and they’re uncomfortable and I don’t like them so they’re stupid. But until the wrist tech gets better or an alternative is invented or I can have my heart relocated to my left wrist I’m stuck with the chest strap for the gym. It is what it is. I like my VA3. I’m not a pro athlete who trains 6 hours a day with probes in uncomfortable places and a nutritionist who keeps me on a knife edge of dietary collapse, I do a fair amount of phys because I enjoy it and it helps me not want to commit Steven King-esque acts of rage after a challenging day. If I miss a run, I don’t get stressed because I might drop a place in the Ottery St Mary 5km fun run but I do like to know my heart is still beating and it makes me feel unjustifiably self-riteous when I see a whole month of targets met, I get a pat on the head (well, wrist actually) from my watch and yes, I will have another slice of cheesecake thanks. It cost £140 off Amazon, arrived in a day and does exactly what it says it will. I like that. I wish I was more like my watch. If you’re a pro athlete, buy a £700 Fenix5 (and a chest strap). If you’re a fruit loop that has to have a watch that tells you the time on Mars, adjusts the central heating and has a coffee waiting for you when you pass every Starbucks (and you want everyone to know it), get an Apple Watch or a hat with a sign saying so. If you’re a regular type person who does plenty of exercise and likes something to look at when you’re skiving work in the loo - get a VA3. I hope my boss isn’t reading this...

## Frequently Bought Together

- Smartwatch GARMIN Vivoactive 3 1,2" GPS Waterproof 5 ATM Glonass Black Stainless Steel
- Supershieldz (3 Pack) Designed for Garmin (Vivoactive 3) (Not Fit for Vivoactive 3 Music) Tempered Glass Screen Protector, Anti Scratch, Bubble Free
- Anrir Watch Bands for Vivoactive 3, 20mm Soft Silicone Replacement Bands for Garmin Vivoactive 3/ Garmin Forerunner 645 Music/Galaxy 42mm/Galaxy Watch 3 41mm Smart Watch

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*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-11-01*